About this Program
- College: Agricultural and Life Sciences
- Degrees: Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Science
- Credits for Degree: 120
- Specializations: Community Food Systems | General Plant Science | Greenhouse and Landscape Industries | Native Plant Conservation | Plant Breeding and Genetics | Plant Health and Protection | Soil Management and Plant Productivity | Sustainable Crop Production | Turfgrass Science
- Additional Information
- Related Plant Science Programs
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
The plant science degree offers diverse specializations that provide a wide range of professional opportunities. The specializations provide students with an interdisciplinary perspective of these areas and pursue coursework that tracks them into a variety of job opportunities.
The University of Florida offers some of the specializations in this major to transfer students who have the appropriate credentials through the statewide programs at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center in Ft. Lauderdale, the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka, or the West Florida Research and Education Center in Milton.
Course Requirements
The B.S. degree is designed for students with different professional objectives. All students, regardless of degree or specialization, are required to take an introductory plant science course, an introductory statistics course, an economics course, a technical writing course, a speech course, a soil science course, a plant physiology course, a plant pathology course, a professional development course, and a capstone experience course. All students must also complete an internship related to their area of interest.
The B.A. degree is designed for students who want to learn about contemporary food systems from an interdisciplinary perspective. All students are required to take an introductory plant science course, a capstone experience course, and must complete an internship related to their area of interest.
Each specialization has a specific set of required core courses and a number of upper-division electives to choose from that represent important interdisciplinary topic areas. Core courses provide students with the knowledge and fundamental concepts essential to the specialization. Upper-division electives are designed to build knowledge, competency and skills applicable to professional development.
Students should meet with an advisor as early as possible in their academic careers to choose their specialization and to plan their course of study.
Related Plant Science Programs
- Environmental Horticulture minor
- Golf and Sports Turf Management minor
- Plant Science minor
- Environmental Horticulture Management certificate
Bachelor of Science: Native Plant Conservation
This specialization prepares students to apply concepts of plant conservation and ecology to control invasive plants and establish, manage, and protect native plant communities, primarily in natural areas. Students also develop skills necessary for native plant propagation for ecological restoration and sustainable landscapes.
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- Complete 2 of 6 critical-tracking courses, excluding labs: BOT 2010C or BSC 2010/BSC 2010L; BOT 2011C or BSC 2011/BSC 2011L; CHM 2045/CHM 2045L; CHM 2046/CHM 2046L; ECO 2013; MAC 1147
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 2
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 3
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Select one: | 3-4 | |
| Introductory Botany (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences) | ||
| Integrated Principles of Biology 1 and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences) |
||
| ENC 1101 | Expository and Argumentative Writing (State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement: 6,000 words) | 3 |
| MAC 1147 | Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) | 4 |
| MUL 2010 | Experiencing Music (State Core Gen Ed Humanities and International) | 3 |
| Credits | 13-14 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| Select one: | 4 | |
| Plant Diversity (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences) | ||
| Integrated Principles of Biology 2 and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences) |
||
| ENC 2210 | Technical Writing (Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement: 6,000 words) | 3 |
| IDS 1161 | What is the Good Life (Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 |
| STA 2023 | Introduction to Statistics 1 (Gen Ed Mathematics) | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Semester Three | ||
| AEC 3030C or SPC 2608 |
Effective Oral Communication or Introduction to Public Speaking |
3 |
| AMH 2020 | United States Since 1877 (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences and Diversity) | 3 |
| CHM 2045 & 2045L |
General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences) |
4 |
| ECO 2013 | Principles of Macroeconomics (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 4 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| CHM 2046 & 2046L |
General Chemistry 2 and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences) |
4 |
| ENY 3005 & 3005L |
Principles of Entomology and Principles of Entomology Laboratory |
3 |
| SWS 3022 & 3022L |
Introduction to Soils in the Environment and Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory (Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences) |
4 |
| WIS 3401 | Wildlife Ecology and Management | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Summer After Semester Four | ||
| BOT 3151C | Local Flora of North Florida | 3 |
| Elective (Writing Requirement: 6,000 words) | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Semester Five | ||
| BCH 3023 | Elementary Organic and Biological Chemistry | 3 |
| ORH 3513C | Environmental Plant Identification and Use (Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| PCB 2441 | Biological Invaders (Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| PLP 3002C | Fundamentals of Plant Pathology (Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences) | 4 |
| PLS 3004C | Principles of Plant Science (Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| EVR 3323 | Introduction to Ecosystem Restoration | 4 |
| ORH 4933 | Professional Seminar in Environmental Horticulture | 1 |
| PCB 3601C | Plant Ecology | 3 |
| PHY 2004 & 2004L |
Applied Physics 1 and Laboratory for Applied Physics 1 |
4 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer After Semester Six | ||
| PLS 4941 | Practical Work Experience | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Semester Seven | ||
| AGR 4512 or HOS 4304 |
Physiology and Ecology of Crops or Horticultural Physiology |
3 |
| ORH 4848 | Landscape Plant Establishment | 2 |
| PLS 3223 & 3223L |
Plant Propagation and Plant Propagation Laboratory |
3 |
| PLS 4601C | Principles of Weed Science | 3 |
| PLS 4613 | Aquatic Weed Control | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| AEB 4126 | Agricultural and Natural Resource Ethics (Gen Ed Humanities or Social and Behavioral Sciences; Writing Requirement: 6,000 words) | 3 |
| PCB 4043C | General Ecology | 4 |
| PLS 4950 | Plant Science Capstone | 3 |
| Approved electives | 5 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Minimum 5 Credits
Students must consult with their advisor for assistance in selecting the designated listed electives in order to take applicable and appropriate courses for the students’ job and career aspirations. Consult an advisor for other options, which may include study abroad courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ALS 3133 | Agricultural and Environmental Quality | 3 |
| ALS 3153 | Agricultural Ecology | 3 |
| ALS 4154 | Global Agroecosystems | 3 |
| AOM 3333 | Pesticide Application Techniques | 3 |
| BOT 2710C | Practical Plant Taxonomy | 3 |
| BOT 3503 | Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants | 3 |
| BOT 4650 | Plant Symbiosis | 3 |
| BOT 4935/5225C | Special Topics (Plant Anatomy) | 4 |
| BSC 2862 | Global Change Ecology and Sustainability | 3 |
| EES 4050 | Environmental Planning and Design | 3 |
| EES 4103 | Applied Ecology | 2 |
| EVS 3000 | Environmental Science | 3 |
| FOR 3214 | Fire Ecology and Management | 2 |
| FOR 4110 | Ecology and Restoration of Longleaf Pine Ecosystems | 3 |
| FOR 3153C | Forest Ecology | 3 |
| FOR 4090C | Urban Forestry | 3 |
| GIS 4121 | Geospatial Analysis | 3 |
| LDE 4404C | Advanced Residential Landscape Design | 3 |
| ORH 3815C | Florida Native Landscaping | 3 |
| ORH 4932 | Special Topics in Environmental Horticulture (Hydroponic Systems) | 2 |
| PLS 4242C | Micropropagation of Horticultural Crops | 4 |
| STA 3024 | Introduction to Statistics 2 | 3 |
| SWS 4244 | Wetlands | 3 |
| SWS 4720C | GIS in Soil and Water Science | 3 |
| SWS 4800 | Environmental Soil and Water Monitoring Techniques | 3 |
| WIS 3402 | Wildlife of Florida | 3 |
| WIS 4203C | Landscape Ecology and Conservation | 3 |
| WIS 4427C | Wildlife Habitat Management | 3 |
| WIS 4934 | Topics in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (Wetland Management and Research Techniques) | 3 |
The plant science major, offered jointly by the departments of Agronomy and Plant Pathology, enables students to apply 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. They will acquire knowledge about fungi, bacteria and viruses, as well as environmental factors that cause plant disease. This program prepares students to work in the lab and field settings and to develop applied skills for research and extension.
Before Graduating Students Must
- Complete a research paper and an oral presentation with satisfactory faculty evaluation.
- Achieve minimum grades of C in AEC 3030C and AEC 3033C. These courses are graded using rubrics developed by a faculty team.
- Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.
Students in the Major Will Learn to
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Content
- Describe plant growth and development in terms of plant morphology and physiology and evaluate the abiotic and biotic factors that impact plant growth and management.
- Recommend practices that growers and managers can implement to address the abiotic and biotic components of their cropping system.
Critical Thinking
- Analyze and apply science-based data to solve problems in plant production, distribution and/or utilization.
- Design and evaluate a project that addresses a problem or challenge related to their area of interest.
Communication
- Create, interpret and analyze written text and multimedia presentations.
- Communicate effectively through oral and multimedia presentations.
Curriculum Map
I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed
| Courses | SLO 1 | SLO 2 | SLO 3 | SLO 4 | SLO 5 | SLO 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEC 3030C | I, R, A | |||||
| AEC 3033C | I, R, A | |||||
| PLS 3004C | I | I | I | I | ||
| PLS 4932 | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| PLS 4941 | R | R | R | R | R | R |
Assessment Types
- Standardized post-test
- Capstone and individual projects
- Final grades