BS in Plant Sciences with Emphasis in Crop Management
Degree Program Description
From the food on our plates to the homes we live in to the fuel in our vehicles, plants impact all aspects of our daily lives. As an ever-growing human population continues to increase the demand for crops and other plant products, so too does the demand for plant scientists. Plant Sciences addresses the challenges from the field to the laboratory.
Whether from a farm or urban background, developing technology in the husbandry and protection of agronomic or horticultural crops has created this productive career track. Students utilize a combination of classroom and outdoor experiences to prepare for one of many opportunities: crop consultant, agronomist, crop sales representative, pest management specialist, farmer or entrepreneur, and advanced education. Crop growth and protection careers will be in demand well into the future. Crop management specialists find employment with universities, the USDA Agricultural Research Service or private companies. They answer agronomic questions specific to their region, study major field and forage crops, and examine the feasibility of growing alternative crops for niche markets.
Major Program Requirements
Students are required to completed the BS in Plant Sciences major program requirements in addition to the emphasis area requirements.
Emphasis Requirements
The management of food and fiber crops is key to meeting the global demands for food and energy. There are many opportunities to improve plant growth by manipulating production practices and improving control of disease, insect, and weed pests.
| Crop Management Emphasis Area Requirements | ||
| SOIL 2106 | Soil Science Laboratory | 2 |
| ABM 2123 | Quantitative Applications in Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences | 3 |
| or STAT 1200 | Introductory Statistical Reasoning | |
| PLNT_SCI 3213 | Genetics of Agricultural Plants and Animals | 3 |
| or BIO_SC 2200 | General Genetics | |
| CHEM 1320 | College Chemistry I | 4 |
| PLNT_SCI 3225 | Plant Breeding and Genetics | 3 |
| PLNT_SCI 4313 | Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition | 3 |
| PLNT_SCI 4315 | Crop Physiology | 3 |
| Select three: | ||
| CHEM 2100 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| PLNT_SCI 3270 | Forage Crops | 3 |
| PLNT_SCI 3275 | Grain Crops | 3 |
| PLNT_SCI 3355 | Introductory Turfgrass Management | 3 |
| PLNT_SCI 4325 | Advanced Plant Breeding | 3 |
| PLNT_SCI 4345 | Principles of Viticulture and Winemaking | 3 |
| PLNT_SCI 4360 | Precision Agriculture Science and Technology | 3 |
| Total | 27-29 | |
Semester Plan
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIO_SC 1200 | 5 | CHEM 1320 | 4 |
| PLNT_SCI 1120 | 1 | ENGLSH 1000 | 3 |
| MATH 1100 | 3 | State Requirement | 3 |
| ABM 1041 | 3 | AGSC_COM 2220 or COMMUN 1200 | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Professional Development | 3 | PLNT_SCI 2125 | 4 |
| Writing Intensive | 3 | SOIL 2100 | 3 |
| Behavioral or Social Sci | 3 | SOIL 2106 | 2 |
| PLNT_SCI 3213 or BIO_SC 2200 | 4 | Professional Development | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ABM 2123 or STAT 1200 | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PLNT_SCI 3225 | 3 | PLNT_SCI 4313 | 3 |
| PLNT_SCI 3210W | 4 | Select 3 Course | 3 |
| Select 3 Course | 3 | Emphasis Area Course | 3 |
| Emphasis Area Course | 3 | Electives | 6 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PLNT_SCI 4500 | 4 | PLNT_SCI 4315 | 3 |
| Capstone Experience | 3 | PLNT_SCI 3710 | 3 |
| Select 3 Course | 3 | Electives | 9 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 13 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 121 | |||
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.