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

Bachelor of Science

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.

Bachelor of Arts

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.

Bachelor of Science | Soil Management and Plant Productivity

This specialization closely integrates the study of soil science core disciplines with production agriculture and horticulture. Coursework focuses on foundational principles related to soil health, productivity, and fertility in relation to sustainable plant growth and agricultural practices. Among the principal outcomes of the program is to prepare students for certification as both Associate Professional Soil Scientists and Certified Crop Advisors to better position graduates for employment in related fields.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward 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 5 critical-tracking courses, excluding labs: BOT 2010C or BSC 2010/BSC 2010L; 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 all critical-tracking courses, 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 upper division GPA required
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

• Complete AGR 4214C
• 2.0 upper division GPA required
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 7

• Complete PLS 3223 and PLS 3223L and SWS 4451
• 2.0 upper division GPA required
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 8

• Complete AEB 4126 and PLS 4950
• 2.0 upper division GPA required
• 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.

Approved Electives | Minimum 27 Credits

Choose courses from each focus area; minimum credits for each area listed below. 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.

Soils, Agriculture, and the Environment | Minimum 6 Credits

Plant Pests, Disease, and Pathology | Minimum 6 Credits

Production Agriculture and Management | Minimum 6 Credits

Organic and Alternative Agriculture | Minimum 3 Credits

Agribusiness | Minimum 3 Credits

Other Advisor-Approved Electives | Minimum 3 Credits

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

1. 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.
2. Recommend practices that growers and managers can implement to address the abiotic and biotic components of their cropping system.

Critical Thinking

3. Analyze and apply science-based data to solve problems in plant production, distribution and/or utilization.
4. Design and evaluate a project that addresses a problem or challenge related to their area of interest.

Communication

5. Create, interpret and analyze written text and multimedia presentations.
6. Communicate effectively through oral and multimedia presentations.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types

• Standardized post-test
• Capstone and individual projects
• Final grades