Why Study Plants?
Because we need them! We need plants for food, shelter, clothes, biofuels and to improve and beautify our environment. When you study plant sciences, you get hands-on experience with the wonderful world of plants and agriculture, experience that can lead to a lucrative, rewarding career and a healthier planet for us all.
Why select a major in our department?
- The work of plant scientists embraces both agriculture and environmental science, key priorities for research now and in the coming decades.
- The world needs people who can translate and apply agricultural technology to improve food production, nutrition, marketing, and health in less technically advanced countries.
- Studying plants helps us understand our impact on the ecosystem, create strategies for feeding a growing population, and even develop new cures for diseases.
- With the advent of modern biotechnology, plants are being used to clean our land and air and produce industrial products, designer molecules, biopharmaceuticals and energy.
- Plants are also being used to produce biodegradable plastics, new healthier sugars and anti-cancer drugs.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster than average job growth rate (2008-2018).