Crop and Soil Science Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS)
This major offers the following option(s):
Also available at LaGrande and via Ecampus.
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.
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. Many soil scientists work for the Natural Resources Conservation Service and other federal, state, or local government agencies as extension educators, researchers, or surveyors. Others hold teaching or research positions in colleges and universities. Soil scientists also have opportunities in the private sector, including positions with fertilizer companies, private research laboratories, environmental service companies, insurance companies, and land appraisal firms.
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 plant production practices that optimize production while minimizing environmental impact. Maximum sustainable production is the goal and requires in-depth knowledge of plants, plant genetics, plant pests, soils, soil fertility, production equipment, economics, and politics to be successful. Agronomists work for field crop production companies, as managers of small to large farms and ranches, and as managers of their own farming operations. Agronomists also work for federal, state, or local government agencies as educators, researchers, or field technicians. Others hold teaching, research, or extension positions in universities.
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. 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. Plant breeders are employed in the private sector and by universities and other public entities.
Major Code: 120
- 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
- Plant Breeding and Genetics
- Soil Science (also available via Ecampus)
The following major core requirements apply to the Agronomy and Soil Science options only. Check Plant Breeding & Genetics 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 111 | *COLLEGE ALGEBRA | 4 |
Orientation | ||
CROP 101/ENT 101/HORT 101/SOIL 101 | INTRODUCTION TO CROP, SOIL, AND INSECT SCIENCE | 1 |
Experiential Learning | ||
CROP 407/SOIL 407/HORT 407 | SEMINAR | 1 |
Select one course from the following: 1 | 3 | |
RESEARCH | ||
THESIS | ||
INTERNSHIP | ||
RESEARCH | ||
THESIS | ||
WORKSHOP | ||
INTERNSHIP | ||
Ecology | ||
Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
ECOLOGY | ||
PLANT ECOLOGY | ||
^APPLIED ECOLOGY OF MANAGED ECOSYSTEMS | ||
RANGELAND ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT | ||
Technology | ||
SOIL 468 | SOIL LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS | 3-4 |
or CROP 414 | PRECISION AGRICULTURE | |
or CROP 420 | SEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | |
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 | |
Total Credits | 45-47 |
- *
Baccalaureate Core Course (BCC)
- ^
Writing Intensive Course (WIC)
- 1
A structured internship (CROP 410) can be substituted for General Electives or Business and Economics credits in the Agronomy option. See option requirements for details
Major Code: 120
Plant Breeding and Genetics Option
First Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
CH 121 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY | 5 |
HORT 112 | INTRODUCTION TO HORTICULTURAL SYSTEMS, PRACTICES AND CAREERS | 2 |
WR 121 | *ENGLISH COMPOSITION | 3 |
Math course | 4 | |
Credits | 14 | |
Winter | ||
CH 122 | *GENERAL CHEMISTRY | 5 |
COMM 211 | *COMMUNICATING ONLINE | 3 |
SOIL 205 | SOIL SCIENCE | 3 |
SOIL 206 | *SOIL SCIENCE LABORATORY FOR SOIL 205 | 1 |
Bacc Core: Perspectives | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
CH 123 | *GENERAL CHEMISTRY | 5 |
HHS 231 | *LIFETIME FITNESS FOR HEALTH | 2 |
HHS 241 | *LIFETIME FITNESS | 1 |
Bacc Core: Writing II | 3 | |
Plant Materials | 3 | |
Elective | 2 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Second Year | ||
Fall | ||
BI 221 | *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: CELLS | 4 |
Horticultural Production Elective | 4 | |
Bacc Core: Perspectives | 4 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Winter | ||
BI 222 | *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: ORGANISMS | 4 |
HORT 316 | PLANT NUTRITION | 4 |
HORT 318 | ^APPLIED ECOLOGY OF MANAGED ECOSYSTEMS | 3 |
Bacc Core: Perspectives | 3 | |
Elective | 1 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
BI 223 | *PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: POPULATIONS | 4 |
Horticultural Production Elective | 4 | |
Bacc Core: Perspectives | 3 | |
Bacc Core: Perspectives | 3 | |
Elective | 2 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Third Year | ||
Fall | ||
HORT 301 | GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF HORTICULTURAL CROPS | 3 |
ST 351 | INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS | 4 |
Bacc Core: Synthesis | 4 | |
Elective | 4 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Winter | ||
BOT 331 | PLANT PHYSIOLOGY | 4 |
HORT 311 | PLANT PROPAGATION | 4 |
HORT 412 | CAREER EXPLORATION: INTERNSHIPS AND RESEARCH PROJECTS | 1 |
PBG 430 | PLANT GENETICS | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
ENT 311 | INTRODUCTION TO INSECT PEST MANAGEMENT | 4 |
PBG 450 | PLANT BREEDING | 4 |
Bacc Core: Synthesis | 3 | |
Elective | 4 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Fourth Year | ||
Fall | ||
BOT 350 | INTRODUCTORY PLANT PATHOLOGY | 4 |
CROP 440 | WEED MANAGEMENT | 4 |
HORT 463 | SEED BIOLOGY | 3 |
Elective | 4 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Winter | ||
PBG 441 | PLANT TISSUE CULTURE | 4 |
HORT 411 | HORTICULTURE BOOK CLUB | 1 |
Horticultural Production Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 14 | |
Spring | ||
HORT 407 | SEMINAR | 1 |
HORT 480 or HORT 481 | CASE STUDIES IN CROPPING SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT or HORTICULTURE PRODUCTION CASE STUDIES | 4 |
PBG 410 | INTERNSHIP | 6 |
Elective | 4 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Total Credits | 180 |