Program Overview

Introduction to Crop Science

Crop scientists contribute to global food security by increasing local and global food production, developing new crop varieties, and protecting plants from disease and environmental stresses. Discover alternatives to traditional cropping systems and learn to improve the quality and nutrition of crops that feed the world.

Quick Facts

• 4 year degree
  • Full or part-time program
  • You can enter this program directly from high school
  • You can begin this program off-campus

What You Will Learn

Crop Science is the study of agricultural issues and challenges, including:

• resource use consistent with sustainable production of food, feed, fibre and fuel
• production, processing and marketing of high quality food and non-food products
• research
• development and implementation of innovative and efficient production, processing and marketing systems.

Crop Science integrates a broad range of disciplines, including genetics, pathology, crop quality and biotechnology, leading to the development of superior varieties of horticulture and field crops.

Sample First Year

A First-Year Schedule Sample

Although there is a great deal of overlap between first year courses for most AgBio programs, it is essential to consult the Course and Program Catalogue and contact an academic advisor for information about course selection prior to registration. Here's an example of what a first year in the degree program might look like: | Course | Description
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Fall Term
AGRC 110 | Scientific Literacy and Communication for the Agricultural Sciences
AGRC 111 | Discovery in Plant and Soil Sciences
AREC 220 | History of Indigenous Agriculture in Canada
BIOL 120 | The Nature of Life
CHEM 112 | General Chemistry I Structure Bonding and Properties of Materials
Winter Term
AGRC 112 | Animal Agriculture and Food Science
AGRC 113 | Agri Food Issues and Institutions
BIOL 121 | The Diversity of Life
MATH 104 | Elementary Calculus
MUS 112* | History of Country Music

• These are elective courses. You'll have a large number of courses to choose between.

Featured Classes

Here are just a few of the classes you might take while you complete this degree:

• PLSC 405: Genetics of Plant Populations: Application of the principles of Mendelian, population and quantitative genetics to plant evolution and improvement, and conservation of genetic resources. The role of genetic mechanisms in the micro-evolutionary process and their relevance to natural and directed plant evolution and conservation of plant genetic resources is examined.
• PLSC 411: Plant Breeding: Familiarizes students with the fundamental aspects of plant breeding, including applied plant genetics, breeding objectives and methods, selection theory and practice, and modern genetic techniques. Labs involve hands-on plant breeding activities.
• PLSC 494: Research Thesis in Plant Sciences: Provides students with an opportunity to conduct original research in plant sciences in association with a research supervisor. Students will be given guidance on hypothesis development, experimental design, research, analysis and presentation. Students will present their results in a written thesis as a presentation. Technical writing and thesis preparation skills will be addressed in a series of lectures at the beginning of Term 1.

Why Study Here?

• Career Skills: You will graduate with excellent industry-endorsed scientific training and a foundation of marketable career skills. Our strong ties with industry and our reputation for producing well-rounded, quality graduates means that many businesses look here first when hiring employees.
• Small Class Sizes: AgBio offers a setting that combines the advantages of a full-scale university with the benefits of a small, specialized program. The small class sizes in third and fourth year and supportive atmosphere allows you to get to know your instructors and fellow students, and to build a network of personal and business contacts.
• Research: We are committed to finding solutions to sustainably feed a hungry and growing world. Our five departments provide a foundation for our broad array of research activities, both basic and applied. We have over a century of innovative products and practices that have transformed the world.
• Opportunities to Get Involved: AgBio has one of the campus’s most active and spirited student bodies. There are several student clubs in the college to join to enhance your university experience.
• Collaborative Environment: Our faculty and researchers actively collaborate across the university, as well as nationally and internationally. We have created strong, productive partnerships with numerous governments, private enterprises, producer groups, research centres, and industry associations to develop a sophisticated network for applied science, business and policy development. Outreach, technology transfer and information sharing is an important part our research.

Graduates of degree programs in the College of AgBio are eligible for Professional Agrologist (P.Ag.) membership in the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists, allowing them to engage in the practise of Agrology.

Careers

Our graduates are well prepared to address major agriculture issues and challenges. A degree in crop science provides you with the basic science required to pursue a diverse range of careers throughout the world in a growing list of fields such as:

• research technician with government, university or private plant breeders
• sales and marketing with fertilizer, chemical or seed companies
• grain marketing and transportation
• entrepreneur
• agronomist
• financial lender

Tuition Estimates

| Canadian students | International students
---|---|---
Tuition | $8,419 | $40,747
Student fees | $1,308.24 | $1,308.24
Books | $1,500 | $1,500
Total | $11,227.24 | $43,555.24
Tuition will vary depending on the type and number of classes you take in a year. This estimate reflects a typical amount you could expect to pay in your first year if you enroll in a full course load, the maximum number of courses allowed (Canadian dollar rates). Student fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access. The cost of books and supplies varies widely depending on the courses you choose. It is recommended that you budget between $1,500-$2,500 per year.

Program Option

The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (B.S.A) Crop Science degree is offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Agriculture and Bioresources:

• Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Four-year

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements depend on your situation; please tell us about yourself.

• Your education:
  • High school student or graduate
  • University/college student or graduate
• Where you attended high school:
  • Saskatchewan
  • Alberta
  • British Columbia
  • Manitoba
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nova Scotia
  • Nunavut
  • Ontario
  • PEI
  • Quebec
  • Yukon
  • an International Baccalaureate school
  • Brazil
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Ecuador
  • GCSE/GCE (United Kingdom)
  • Ghana
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Jamaica
  • Mexico
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • the United States
  • Vietnam
  • outside of Canada

Application Deadlines

Start term | Application deadline | International deadline
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Winter
January 2026 | Dec. 1, 2025
Documents due: Dec. 15, 2025 | Sept. 1, 2025
Documents due: Oct. 1, 2025
Spring
May 2026 | April 1, 2026
Documents due: May 1, 2026 | Feb. 1, 2026
Documents due: March 1, 2026
Summer
July 2026 | May 1, 2026
Documents due: June 1, 2026 | March 1, 2026
Documents due: April 1, 2026
Fall
September 2026 | May 1, 2026
Documents due: June 1, 2026 | May 1, 2026
Documents due: June 1, 2026
Winter
January 2027 | Dec. 1, 2026
Documents due: Dec. 15, 2026 | Sept. 1, 2026
Documents due: Oct. 1, 2026

Related Programs

• Agronomy
• Biology
• Horticulture Science
• Introductory Agriculture