Plant Science
Plant science is a diverse major offered by the departments of Agronomy and Plant Pathology. Specializations include agronomy and plant pathology.
About This Major
- College: Agricultural and Life Sciences
- Degree: Bachelor of Science
- Hours for the Degree: 120
- Specializations: Agronomy (Science and Technology, Sustainable Crop Production and Management) and
Plant Pathology (Biotechnology, Agricultural Technology) - Minor: Yes
- Combined-Degree Program: Yes
- Website: agronomy.ifas.ufl.edu
- Website: plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu
Overview
Potential careers include production agriculture, agribusiness sales and marketing, private consulting in crop production and plant protection, environmental policy and regulation, international agriculture and field or laboratory technical support. Plant science can also be used as preparation for a range of studies in graduate school.
Students should meet with an undergraduate coordinator as early as possible in their academic careers.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking coursework for semesters 1-5
- Complete 2 of 6 critical-tracking courses, excluding labs: AEB 3103 or ECO 2023,
BOT 2010C, BOT 2011C, CHM 2045/2045L, MAC 1147, PHY 2004/2004L
Semester 2
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
Semester 3
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
Semester 4
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs
Semester 5
- Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs
All Specializations
Specialization: Agronomy
Specialization: Plant Pathology
All Specializations
Recommended semester plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| BOT 2010C Introductory Botany (GE-B) | 3 |
| MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry (GE-M) | 4 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Elective | 2 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication | 3 |
| BOT 2011C Plant Diversity (GE-B) | 4 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| MAC 2233 Survey of Calculus 1 (3) or STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (3) or CGS 2531 Problem Solving Using Computer Software (3) (all GE-M) | 3 |
| Total | 13 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| AEC 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences (WR) | 3 |
| CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) | 4 |
| ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics or AEB 3103 Principles of Food and Resource Economics (GE-S) | 4 |
| Elective | 2 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry 2 (3) and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| PHY 2004 and 2004L Applied Physics 1 (3) and Applied Physics 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) | 4 |
| Electives | 5 |
| Humanities (GE-H) or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
Specialization: Agronomy
This specialization trains students to apply knowledge of the principles associated with production and improvement of agronomic crops. Students will acquire knowledge about the scientific fundamentals of plant growth of field and forage crops. This specialization prepares students to work in the laboratory and field settings and to develop applied skills for research and extension. Opportunities are available for students to travel within the United States to gain a national view of food production.
Science and Technology Option
This basic sciences option is designed to prepare students for a technical career or graduate school.
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| AGR 3005 and 3005L Principles of Crop Science (3) and Principles of Crop Science Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| AGR 3931C Plant Science Information | 2 |
| PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology | 4 |
| SWS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| AGR 3303 Genetics | 3 |
| BOT 3503 and 3503L Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants (3) and Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants Laboratory (2) | 5 |
| CHM 2200 and 2200L Basic Organic Chemistry (3) and Basic Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| Electives | 4 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| AGR 4321 Plant Breeding | 3 |
| BCH 3025 Fundamentals of Biochemistry | 4 |
| PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science | 3 |
| Approved communications | 3 |
| Approved elective (see adviser) | 2 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| AGR 4231C Forage Science and Range Management | 4 |
| AGR 4512 Physiology and Ecology of Crops | 3 |
| Approved electives (see adviser) | 8 |
| Total | 15 |
Sustainable Crop Production and Management Option
This option prepares students for the profession of the production management of crops. Courses emphasize aquatic and terrestrial weed management, optimizing management practices (including energy utilization, nutrient management, tillage for soil and water conservation), sustainability and environmental issues.
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| AGR 3005 and 3005L Principles of Crop Science (3) and Principles of Crop Science Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| BCH 3023 Elementary Organic and Biological Chemistry | 3 |
| PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology | 4 |
| SWS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| AGR 3303 Genetics | 3 |
| AGR 4512 Physiology and Ecology of Crops | 3 |
| ALS 3133 Agricultural and Environmental Quality | 3 |
| Approved elective (see adviser) | 3 |
| Approved sustainable agriculture elective | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| AGR 3931C Plant Science Information | 2 |
| AGR 4321 Plant Breeding | 3 |
| ENY 3005 and 3005L Principles of Entomology (2) and Principles of Entomology Laboratory (1) | 3 |
| PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science | 3 |
| Approved electives (see adviser) | 4 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| AGR 4231C Forage Science and Range Management | 4 |
| SWS 4116 Environmental Nutrient Management | 3 |
| Approved electives (see adviser) | 8 |
| Total | 15 |
Two courses offered in the summer are encouraged: AGR 4214C Applied Field Crop Production (3) and AGR 4268C Sustainable Agricultural Systems Analysis (3).
Specialization: Plant Pathology
This specialization trains students to apply knowledge of the biology of pathogens to implement integrated disease management practices. Students acquire knowledge about fungi, bacteria, and viruses, as well as environmental factors that cause plant disease. Students investigate the molecular and genetic principles of infection and the development of plant disease and epidemics.
The plant pathology specialization prepares students to work in laboratory and field settings and to develop and implement environmentally safe methods and materials for avoiding or managing plant diseases in agricultural and urban environments. Opportunities are available to obtain research and extension experience by completing projects with faculty in the plant pathology department.
Biotechnology Option
This option is designed to prepare students for graduate school or to work in the research laboratories of biotechnological firms, universities and government agencies.
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| AGR 3005 Principles of Crop Science | 3 |
| AGR 3303 Genetics | 3 |
| CHM 2200 and 2200L Basic Organic Chemistry (3) and Basic Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology (GE-B) | 4 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| MCB 2000 and 2000L Microbiology (3) and Microbiology Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| PLP 3103C Control of Plant Diseases (odd years) | 3 |
| SWS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Total | 17 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| AGR 4321 Plant Breeding | 3 |
| BCH 3025 Fundamentals of Biochemistry | 4 |
| PLP 3653C Introductory Mycology (even years) | 4 |
| PLP 4931 Seminar in Plant Pathology | 1 |
| Electives | 4 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| ENY 3005 and 3005L Principles of Entomology (2) and Principles of Entomology Laboratory (1) | 3 |
| HOS 3305 Introduction to Plant Molecular Biology | 3 |
| HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology | 3 |
| PLS 4242C Micropropagation of Horticultural Crops | 4 |
| Total | 13 |
Agricultural Technology Option
This option prepares students to work for commodity, seed and agri-chemical industries that diagnose and manage plant diseases. This option also prepares students to work as private practitioners and to enter graduate school.
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| AGR 3005 Principles of Crop Science | 3 |
| AGR 3303 Genetics | 3 |
| BCH 3023 Elementary Organic and Biological Chemistry | 3 |
| PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology (GE-B) | 4 |
| Total | 13 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology | 3 |
| MCB 2000 and 2000L Microbiology (3) and Microbiology Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| PLP 3103C Control of Plant Diseases (odd years) | 3 |
| Electives | 5 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| IPM 3022 Fundamentals of Pest Management | 3 |
| PLP 3653C Introductory Mycology (even years) | 4 |
| PLP 4931 Seminar in Plant Pathology | 1 |
| SWS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| Electives | 4 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| AGR 4512 Physiology and Ecology of Crops | 3 |
| ENY 3005 and 3005L Principles of Entomology (2) and Principles of Entomology Laboratory (1) | 3 |
| NEM 3002 Principles of Nematology | 3 |
| PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science | 3 |
| Electives | 4 |
| Total | 16 |