Program Overview

Crop and Soil Science Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS)

The Crop and Soil Science undergraduate major offers students a comprehensive education in the principles and practices of crop and soil science. This major encompasses everything from soils to seeds, including natural systems, field crop agriculture, rural and urban economies, and natural resource management.

Overview

Through a diverse set of course offerings and collaboration between the public and private sectors, Crop and Soil Science students develop the knowledge and skills to improve the future of farming and natural resource systems in Oregon and beyond. The program focuses on topics related to safe, stable food systems, promoting sustainable practices in agriculture, and understanding and protecting our water and soil resources.

Options

The major has three options:

• Agronomy
• Plant Breeding and Genetics
• Soil Science

Agronomy Option

The Agronomy option provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be active contributors in producing food, feed, fiber, and energy crops for our world. Agronomic professionals have the expertise to utilize the potentials of a given production system and to choose plant materials and plant production practices that optimize production while minimizing environmental impact.

Plant Breeding and Genetics Option

The Plant Breeding and Genetics option provides an interdisciplinary approach to applied plant breeding and practical experience in breeding and genetic analysis working in the greenhouse, field, and laboratory. Students gain fundamental knowledge in plant breeding that may be applied to a range of crops, including annual and perennial horticultural crops, agronomic food and feed crops, and forestry products.

Soil Science Option

The Soil Science option provides students with a solid understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil. Soil science students explore issues including water quality and management, organic crop production, erosion and sedimentation, land use and reclamation, and soil health and sustainability.

Major Requirements

The Bachelor of Science degree in Crop and Soil Science requires the choice of one of three options: Agronomy, Plant Breeding and Genetics, or Soil Science.

Major Core Requirements

The following major core requirements apply to the Agronomy and Soil Science options:

• Select one of the following biology series:
  • Series A: Principles of Biology
  • Series B: Introductory Biology
• Select one of the following chemistry series:
  • Series A
  • Series B
• Math: College Algebra
• Orientation: Introduction to Crop, Soil, and Insect Science
• Experiential Learning: Seminar
• Select one course from the following:
  • Research
  • Thesis
  • Internship
• Ecology: Select one course from the following:
  • Ecology
  • Plant Ecology
  • Applied Ecology of Managed Ecosystems
  • Rangeland Ecology and Management
• Technology: Select one course from the following:
  • Soil Landscape Analysis
  • Precision Agriculture
  • Seed Science and Technology
• Writing Intensive Course (WIC): Select one course from the following:
  • World Soil Resources
  • Ag and Environmental Predicaments: A Case Study Approach

Total Credits

The total credits required for the major are 45-47.

Plant Breeding and Genetics Option

The Plant Breeding and Genetics option has a structured plan of study that includes courses in general chemistry, introductory biology, plant nutrition, and plant genetics.

Plan of Study

The plan of study for the Plant Breeding and Genetics option includes:

• First Year:
  • Fall: General Chemistry, Introduction to Horticultural Systems, English Composition, Math course
  • Winter: General Chemistry, Communicating Online, Soil Science, Soil Science Laboratory
  • Spring: General Chemistry, Lifetime Fitness for Health, Lifetime Fitness, Writing II, Plant Materials, Elective
• Second Year:
  • Fall: Principles of Biology: Cells, Horticultural Production Elective, Perspectives, Elective
  • Winter: Principles of Biology: Organisms, Plant Nutrition, Applied Ecology of Managed Ecosystems, Perspectives, Elective
  • Spring: Principles of Biology: Populations, Horticultural Production Elective, Perspectives, Perspectives, Elective
• Third Year:
  • Fall: Growth and Development of Horticultural Crops, Introduction to Statistical Methods, Synthesis, Elective
  • Winter: Plant Physiology, Plant Propagation, Career Exploration: Internships and Research Projects, Plant Genetics, Elective
  • Spring: Introduction to Insect Pest Management, Plant Breeding, Synthesis, Elective
• Fourth Year:
  • Fall: Introductory Plant Pathology, Weed Management, Seed Biology, Elective
  • Winter: Plant Tissue Culture, Horticulture Book Club, Horticultural Production Elective, Elective, Elective
  • Spring: Seminar, Case Studies in Cropping Systems Management or Horticulture Production Case Studies, Internship, Elective

Total Credits

The total credits required for the Plant Breeding and Genetics option are 180.