We offer four undergraduate programs:
- Plant Sciences Major and Minor
- Sustainable Plant Systems Major and Minor
- Applied Biotechnology Major and Minor
- Microbiology Major and Minor (and an accelerated Master of Science)
Plant Sciences Major and Minor
A secure global future depends on scientists and leaders who understand the importance of plants in sustaining environmental and human health. To address the challenges of our rapidly growing population, we need bright, dedicated, skilled, and creative people to fill emerging careers in sustainable production of food, feed, medicine, fuel, and fiber from plants.
As a Plant Sciences major, you will be prepared to make a difference on a global scale by gaining knowledge and skills in biotechnology, genomics, molecular biology, plant propagation and breeding, medicinal chemistry, and other modern approaches to 21st century agriculture. Starting in the 2020-2021 Academic Year, the Plant Science major now offers two emphases that students must choose from.
Emphasis option 1: Plant Sciences General emphasis
Prepares students with a strong biological foundation through the lens of plants, while offering our students the ability to customize their specialization and future career options
Emphasis option 2: Plant Health Sciences emphasis
Trains students in both biotic and abiotic factors that impact plant health, ranging from the molecular to the microscopic to the macroscopic. Professionals working in Plant Health Science apply plant, microbial, and insect sciences to predict disease epidemiology, protect plant, environment and human health, and optimize plant growth or yields.
Students can work with their academic and faculty advisors to customize their coursework and decide which emphasis is best for them. After completing foundation courses, all Plant Sciences majors work with their advisor and faculty mentor to customize their coursework, selecting electives to fit their career goals.
A minor in Plant Sciences provides a thorough introduction to plant biology and complements many major subjects including Microbiology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Natural Resources, and Environmental Science.
Additional information about majoring or minoring in Plant Sciences, including required and elective courses:
Sustainable Plant Systems Major and Minor
The Sustainable Plant Systems program is an interdisciplinary major that prepares students to be leaders in 21st century agriculture and experts in agricultural technology, plant improvement, and innovative, responsible plant production systems for healthy urban and agricultural ecosystems. The School of Plant Sciences offers this major in partnership between the Department of Environmental Sciences and the Department of Biological Engineering.
A minor in Sustainable Plant Systems balances training in plant biology, soil science and genetics with focused electives relating to your area of interest. This minor complements majors in Nutritional Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources, Agricultural Economics and Management, Biosystems Engineering, Geography and Anthropology.
For more information, please visit the website for the Sustainable Plant Systems program.
Applied Biotechnology Major and Minor
The interdisciplinary Applied Biotechnology degree gives you the knowledge and tools you need to answer some of the world’s most pressing questions in the areas of food production, health, and sustainability. You may pursue careers in industry related to developing vaccines, biofuels, fermented food and beverages, biologic pharmaceuticals, or insect-resistant crops, or in basic research or medicine. The School of Plant Sciences offers this major in partnership with with the Schools of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness and Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences.
Majors in Applied Biotechnology can choose from three emphases:
Emphasis option 1: Food and Beverage Fermentation
The science of fermentation as it applies to producing food and beverages.
Emphasis option 2: Industrial Plant and Microbial Biotechnology
Genetic engineering and growth of plants and microbes to make products.
Emphasis option 3: Applied Biotechnology
Our most customizable emphasis with applications of biotechnology in a range of industries, including medicine.
A minor in Applied Biotechnology includes training in microbiology and food and beverage fermentation and an understanding of how organisms can be used and manipulated to produce novel products. This minor complements majors in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biology-Biomedical Science, Biosystems Engineering, Biochemistry, and Nutritional Sciences.\
