974
Plant and Soil Sciences
Plant and Soil Sciences The goal of the department is to meet societal needs for food, fiber, energy and intrinsic value related to the conservation and management of plant and soil resources. Teaching, research and extension efforts are designed to spur innovation and provide understanding regarding management of agricultural and environmental resources to increase long-term sustainability food production systems. Undergraduate students select an option of study from: agronomic business, crop production and management, plant biotechnology and improvement, or soil and water resources. Students may choose to specialize in an area such as: entrepreneurship, forage and livestock production, pest management, plant genetics, precision agriculture or environmental management. In addition, students can fulfill prerequisites for professional programs such as pharmacy school. Students interested in professional certification will complete the necessary course requirements in their degree programs. Students have flexibility to work with their academic advisers to develop a plan of study to suit their interests. Many undergraduate students work with the research faculty on projects providing the student an opportunity to assist in gathering new information related to plant breeding and genetics, biotechnology, environmental remediation, plant physiology, crop production, weed science, soil nutrient management, soil chemistry, soil physics, water quality and land restoration. Upon completion of a Bachelor of Science program, students are employed by private firms, public institutions, state and federal agencies, or non-profit organizations that require personnel with expertise in plant and soil systems. Typical careers include: federal employment in soil and rangeland conservation; crop consulting; technical sales and service for seed, fertilizer or agricultural chemical supply companies; farm or ranch operation; research positions as plant and soil scientists with federal agencies, state agricultural experiment stations or private industries; teaching and extension positions with colleges and universities; and a broad range of employment or ownership in retail businesses supplying feed, seed, grain, fertilizers, equipment, agricultural chemicals and other agricultural supplies and services. Demand for individuals with experience in plant and soil sciences will continue as long as society demands a safe, secure food supply balanced with a desire to conserve natural resources. Minor in Agronomy or Soil Science The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences offers two minors, Agronomy (24 hours) and Soil Science (19 hours). Students pursuing a minor in Agronomy will take courses in areas that are most important for understanding the science of crop production, including genetics and biotechnology, weed science and nutrient management in order to prepare them for careers that support crop production. The Soil Science minor has a great deal of flexibility (12 credits of controlled electives) that will allow students to explore diverse aspects of soils ranging from chemistry to conservation while helping them prepare for a variety of environment-related careers. Undergraduate Programs • Plant and Soil Sciences: Agronomic Business, BSAG (p. 977) • Plant and Soil Sciences: Crop Production and Management, BSAG (p. 979)
• Plant and Soil Sciences: Plant Biotechnology and Improvement, BSAG (p. 981) • Plant and Soil Sciences: Soil and Water Resources, BSAG (p. 983)
• Agronomy (AGRN), Minor (p. 976) • Soil Science (SOIL), Minor (p. 985) Graduate Programs
Programs of coursework and research are offered leading to the Master of Science degree in plant and soil sciences. A Doctor of Philosophy degree can be attained in Crop Science or Soil Science. Specific programs are available in the areas of plant breeding and molecular biology, biotechnology, bioenergy, environmental remediation, forage and pasture management, weed science, crop physiology, crop management, conservation cropping systems, soil morphology and genesis, soil microbiology, soil fertility and plant nutrition, soil physics, soil-water management, soil chemistry, soil and water quality, and waste management. Applicants should indicate their specific area of interest upon application. Plant and soil sciences faculty also serve on advisory committees for the Environmental Science interdisciplinary degree programs. The graduate programs in plant and soil sciences prepare individuals for successful careers in a variety of areas including research, teaching, environmental sciences, waste management, farming and ranching, extension education, agricultural business and all aspects of crop production. Prerequisites Admission to the graduate program requires a BS degree in plant and soil sciences, agronomy or a closely-related field. Applicants should have completed basic courses in plant and soil sciences, agronomy, biology, chemistry and mathematics required of undergraduate majors. Deficiencies in fundamental course requirements will be met by the student under the direction of the student’s advisory committee. Applicants must be accepted by an adviser in an appropriate discipline prior to official admission. Degree Requirements Students must follow approved plans of study that meet the minimum University and program requirements for the respective degrees they are pursuing. The degree plans of study for graduate programs in Plant and Soil Sciences are developed individually for each candidate and must adhere to guidelines in the Plant and Soil Sciences graduate student handbook and be approved by the student's advisory committee. The Master of Science degree in plant and soil sciences requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work beyond the BS degree, including six credit hours of PLNT or SOIL 5000 Master’s Thesis. The department offers Doctor of Philosophy degrees in crop science and soil science. Doctoral programs in crop science and soil science require 60 credit hours beyond the MS degree, including a minimum of 15 credit hours of PLNT or SOIL 6000 Doctoral Thesis. All students must meet certain requirements in basic disciplines such as statistics, mathematics, botany and chemistry. Study of a foreign language is not required but can be incorporated if the student and advisory committee feel that it is desirable. Faculty Jeff Edwards, PhD—Professor and Head
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