Crop and Soil Science Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS)
This program is available at the following locations:
- Corvallis
- Ecampus
Options available:
Crop and Soil Science encompasses everything from soils to seeds: natural systems, field crop agriculture, rural and urban economies, and natural resource management. 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. The major has three options: Soil Science, Agronomy or Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics.
The Soil Science option provides students with a solid understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of this essential natural resource. 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. Soil science professionals solve real-world, sustainable living problems in urban, agricultural, forest, rangeland, and other natural systems.
Students in the Agronomy option gain 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 crop production practices that optimize production while minimizing environmental impact, which requires in-depth knowledge of plants, plant genetics, plant pests, soils, soil fertility, production equipment, economics, and politics to be successful.
The Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics 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. In addition to many other important qualities, plant breeders work to develop crops with stronger yields, better disease resistance, and increased tolerance to climate change.
Students in the Resilient Agroecosystems option will gain skills necessary to design, assess, and engage in agricultural production systems that provide high quality food, feed, and fiber while also enhancing long term soil health and addressing social injustice in access to food, land, and dignified work. As a graduate, students will be well prepared for careers in crop production companies, research facilities, non-profit organizations, as well as federal, state, and local government agencies.
Major Code: 120
Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:
- Determine appropriate soil and crop management practices based on fundamental environment-plant interactions and specific cropping system information.
- Find, synthesize and interpret scientific information.
- Communicate scientific findings in writing and in oral/visual presentations.
- Apply the scientific method to solve problems.
- Demonstrate proficiency of technical skills required for crop and soil science related careers.
- Attain professional skills required for careers in crop or soil science, including appropriate communication and leadership.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Crop and Soil Science requires the completion of one of four options:
Students must receive a grade of C- or better in all CROP, CSS, ENT, HORT, PBG, and SOIL courses required for the major and any declared option.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core | ||
| Select one of the following biology series: | 15 | |
| Series A: Principles of Biology | ||
| +*PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: CELLS and *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: ORGANISMS and *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION | ||
| Series B: Introductory Biology | ||
| +*INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY I and *INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY II and *INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY III | ||
| Select one of the following chemistry series: | 15 | |
| Series A | ||
| +GENERAL CHEMISTRY and *GENERAL CHEMISTRY and *GENERAL CHEMISTRY | ||
| Series B | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and +*GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY II and *GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY III and *GENERAL CHEMISTRY III LABORATORY | ||
| Math | ||
| MTH 111Z | +*PRECALCULUS I: FUNCTIONS | 4 |
| Select one course from the following: | 4 | |
| +*PRECALCULUS II: TRIGONOMETRY | ||
| +*CALCULUS FOR MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCE | ||
| +*MATHEMATICS FOR MANAGEMENT, LIFE, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS 1 | ||
| Orientation | ||
| CROP 101/ENT 101/SOIL 101 | +INTRODUCTION TO CROP, SOIL, AND INSECT SCIENCE | 1 |
| Beyond OSU I and II | ||
| LEAD 242 | +PERSONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| Difference, Power, and Oppression - Advanced | ||
| AG 311 | +*INDIGENOUS AGRICULTURE AND SUBSISTENCE | 3 |
| or FW 340 | +*POWER AND JUSTICE IN U.S. NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | |
| or SUS 331 | +*SUSTAINABILITY, JUSTICE, AND ENGAGEMENT | |
| Agricultural Science | ||
| CROP 200 | CROP ECOLOGY AND MORPHOLOGY 1 | 4 |
| SOIL 205 & SOIL 206 | SOIL SCIENCE and +*SOIL SCIENCE LABORATORY FOR SOIL 205 | 4 |
| or CSS 205 | +*SOIL SCIENCE | |
| SOIL 316 | NUTRIENT CYCLING IN AGROECOSYSTEMS | 4 |
| CROP 407/SOIL 407/HORT 407 | SEMINAR 1 | 1 |
| Experiential Learning | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| RESEARCH | ||
| THESIS | ||
| INTERNSHIP | ||
| RESEARCH | ||
| THESIS | ||
| WORKSHOP | ||
| INTERNSHIP | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| ECOLOGY 1 | ||
| PLANT ECOLOGY 1 | ||
| ^APPLIED ECOLOGY OF MANAGED ECOSYSTEMS | ||
| PRINCIPLES OF RANGELAND ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT 1 | ||
| Technology | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| PRECISION AGRICULTURE 1 | ||
| SEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1 | ||
| SOIL LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS | ||
| Writing Intensive Course (WIC) | ||
| SOIL 395 | ^WORLD SOIL RESOURCES 1 | 3 |
| or SUS 325/CROP 325/SOIL 325 | ^AG AND ENVIRONMENTAL PREDICAMENTS: A CASE STUDY APPROACH | |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Remaining Core Ed, Required Option and Electives | 108-110 | |
| Total Credits | 180 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025
- +
Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond
- ^
Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course
- 1
For students in the Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics option, the following courses can double-count between the major and option: CROP 407/HORT 407/SOIL 407, ST 351, CROP 200, CROP 414, CROP 420, BI 370, BOT 341, RNG 341, CROP 325/SOIL 325/SUS 325, SOIL 395
Major Code: 120
Degree plans are subject to change and the following is only an example of how students may complete their degree in four years. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best degree plan for them. Contact details for advisors can be found on the Academic Advising page.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CH 121 | +GENERAL CHEMISTRY or GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and +*GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | 5 |
| CROP 101/ENT 101/SOIL 101 | +INTRODUCTION TO CROP, SOIL, AND INSECT SCIENCE | 1 |
| MTH 111Z | +*PRECALCULUS I: FUNCTIONS | 4 |
| WR 121Z | +*COMPOSITION I | 4 |
| Core Ed: Transitions | 2 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| CH 122 | *GENERAL CHEMISTRY or GENERAL CHEMISTRY II and *GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | 5 |
| Additional Math | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Arts & Humanities General | 3-4 | |
| Core Ed: Difference, Power & Oppression Foundations | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CROP 200 | CROP ECOLOGY AND MORPHOLOGY | 4 |
| CH 123 | *GENERAL CHEMISTRY or GENERAL CHEMISTRY III and *GENERAL CHEMISTRY III LABORATORY | 5 |
| Core Ed: Social Science | 3-4 | |
| Core Ed: Communication, Media & Society | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BI 221Z or BI 204 | +*PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: CELLS or +*INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY I | 5 |
| CSS 205 | +*SOIL SCIENCE or SOIL SCIENCE and +*SOIL SCIENCE LABORATORY FOR SOIL 205 | 4 |
| LEAD 242 | +PERSONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| Core Ed: Arts & Humanities Global | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| BI 222Z or BI 205 | *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: ORGANISMS or *INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY II | 5 |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BI 223Z or BI 206 | *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION or *INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY III | 5 |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOIL 316 | NUTRIENT CYCLING IN AGROECOSYSTEMS | 4 |
| Ecology Course | 3-4 | |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Writing Elevation | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| SOIL 395 or SUS 325 | ^WORLD SOIL RESOURCES or ^AG AND ENVIRONMENTAL PREDICAMENTS: A CASE STUDY APPROACH | 3 |
| Option Course | 3 | |
| Option Course | 3 | |
| Core Ed: Seeking Solutions | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Option Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CROP 407/HORT 407/SOIL 407 | SEMINAR | 1 |
| AG 311 | +*INDIGENOUS AGRICULTURE AND SUBSISTENCE or +*POWER AND JUSTICE IN U.S. NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT or +*SUSTAINABILITY, JUSTICE, AND ENGAGEMENT | 3 |
| Technology Course | 3-4 | |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| Experiential Learning Course | 3 | |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Option Course | 4 | |
| Option Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 180 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025
- +
Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond
- ^
Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course