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.
Major Code: 120
Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate discipline‐specific knowledge and skills.
- Find, synthesize and interpret scientific information.
- Communicate scientific findings in writing and in oral/visual presentations.
- Apply the scientific method to solve problems.
- Attain professional skills necessary for careers in crop or soil science.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Crop and Soil Science requires the choice of one of three options:
- Agronomy (also available via Ecampus)
- Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics
- Soil Science (also available via Ecampus)
The following major core requirements apply to the Agronomy and Soil Science options only. Check Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics for core courses specific to that option.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Major Core | ||
Select one of the following biology series: | 12 | |
Series A: Principles of Biology | ||
*PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: CELLS and *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: ORGANISMS and *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: POPULATIONS | ||
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 and *LABORATORY FOR CHEMISTRY 231 | ||
GENERAL CHEMISTRY and *LABORATORY FOR CHEMISTRY 232 | ||
GENERAL CHEMISTRY and *LABORATORY FOR CHEMISTRY 233 | ||
Math | ||
MTH 111Z | +*PRECALCULUS I: FUNCTIONS | 4 |
MTH 112Z | +*PRECALCULUS II: TRIGONOMETRY | 4 |
or MTH 241 | *CALCULUS FOR MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCE | |
or MTH 245 | *MATHEMATICS FOR MANAGEMENT, LIFE, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES | |
or ST 351 | INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS | |
Orientation | ||
CROP 101/ENT 101/SOIL 101 | INTRODUCTION TO CROP, SOIL, AND INSECT SCIENCE | 1 |
Agricultural Science | ||
CROP 200 | CROP ECOLOGY AND MORPHOLOGY | 3 |
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 |
Experiential Learning | ||
Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
RESEARCH | ||
THESIS | ||
INTERNSHIP | ||
RESEARCH | ||
THESIS | ||
WORKSHOP | ||
INTERNSHIP | ||
Ecology | ||
Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
ECOLOGY | ||
PLANT ECOLOGY | ||
^APPLIED ECOLOGY OF MANAGED ECOSYSTEMS | ||
PRINCIPLES OF RANGELAND ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT | ||
Technology | ||
CROP 414 | PRECISION AGRICULTURE | 3-4 |
or CROP 420 | SEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | |
or SOIL 468 | SOIL LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS | |
Writing Intensive Course (WIC) | ||
SOIL 395 | ^WORLD SOIL RESOURCES | 3 |
or SUS 325/CROP 325/SOIL 325 | ^AG AND ENVIRONMENTAL PREDICAMENTS: A CASE STUDY APPROACH | |
Additional Requirements | ||
Remaining Bacc Core, Required Option and Electives | 119-120 | |
Total Credits | 180 |
- *
Baccalaureate Core Course (BCC)
- ^
Writing Intensive Course (WIC)
- +
Core Education course. Applies only to students admitted to an OSU undergraduate degree from Summer 2025 onwards
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 and *LABORATORY FOR CHEMISTRY 231 | 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 |
Credits | 14 | |
Winter | ||
HHS 231 | *LIFETIME FITNESS FOR HEALTH | 2 |
CH 122 | *GENERAL CHEMISTRY or GENERAL CHEMISTRY and *LABORATORY FOR CHEMISTRY 232 | 5 |
Additional Math | 4 | |
Bacc Core: Speech | 3 | |
Bacc Core: PAC | 1 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
CH 123 | *GENERAL CHEMISTRY or GENERAL CHEMISTRY and *LABORATORY FOR CHEMISTRY 233 | 5 |
CROP 200 | CROP ECOLOGY AND MORPHOLOGY | 3 |
Bacc Core: Social Processes & Institutions | 4 | |
Bacc Core: Literature & The Arts | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Second Year | ||
Fall | ||
BI 221 or BI 204 | *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: CELLS or *INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY I | 4 |
CSS 205 | *SOIL SCIENCE or SOIL SCIENCE and *SOIL SCIENCE LABORATORY FOR SOIL 205 | 4 |
Bacc Core: Writing II | 3 | |
Bacc Core: Cultural Diversity | 4 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Winter | ||
BI 222 or BI 205 | *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: ORGANISMS or *INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY II | 4 |
Bacc Core: Western Culture | 4 | |
Option Course | 4 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
BI 223 or BI 206 | *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: POPULATIONS or *INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY III | 4 |
Bacc Core: Difference, Power & Discrimination | 4 | |
Option Course | 4 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Third Year | ||
Fall | ||
SOIL 316 | NUTRIENT CYCLING IN AGROECOSYSTEMS | 4 |
BOT 341 | PLANT ECOLOGY | 4 |
Ecology Course | 3 | |
Option Course | 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 | |
Elective | 4 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
Option Course | 4 | |
Option Course | 3 | |
Elective | 4 | |
Elective | 4 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Fourth Year | ||
Fall | ||
CROP 407/HORT 407/SOIL 407 | SEMINAR | 1 |
Bacc Core: Contemporary Global Issues | 3 | |
Technology Course | 3 | |
Option Course | 4 | |
Option Course | 4 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Winter | ||
Experiential Learning Course | 3 | |
Bacc Core: Science, Technology & Society | 4 | |
Option Course | 4 | |
Elective | 4 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Option Course | 4 | |
Option Course | 4 | |
Option Course | 3 | |
Elective | 4 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Total Credits | 180 |