Future Students | Current Students | Alumni | Community & Friends

Plant Sciences

Learn More
Division of Plant Sciences 1-41 Agriculture Building Columbia, MO 65211 Phone: 573-882-3001 Fax: 573-882-2699 E-mail: plantsciences@missouri.edu

Major Curriculum*
Course	Credit
First Semester
U.S History	3
English Composition	3
Elective	3
Plant Science Orientation	1
Humanities Elective	3

Second Semester
Plant Growth and Development	4
Algebra	3
Humanities Elective	3
Finite Mathematics	3
Elective	3
Speech	3

Third Semester
Entomology	3
Botany	3
Applied Microeconomics	3
Pesticide Application Equipment	3
Computer Science	3

Fourth Semester
Soils	3
Soils Lab	2
Chemistry 1	3
Applied Macroeconomics	3
Statistics	3
Undergraduate Seminar	1

Fifth Semester
Undergrad Seminar	3
Chemistry 2	3
Plant Propagation	3
Irrigation and Drainage	6
Business Elective	3

Sixth Semester
Biochemistry	3
Biology of Fungi	3
Turfgrass Management	3
Plant and Animal Genetics	3
Writing Intensive Course	3

Seventh Semester
Weeds	4
Sports Turf	3
Wood Plant Material	3
Capstone Experience or Internship	3

Eighth Semester
Marketing	3
Landscape Maintenance	3
Turf Pest Management	3
Consumer and Family Economics	3
Humanities Elective	3

Note: The Plant Sciences program offers emphasis areas in Crop Management, Landscape Horticulture, Ornamental Plant Production and Operations Management, Plant Biology, Genetics and Biotechnology, Plant Protection and Turfgrass Management.

*Turfgrass management emphasis area. Individual degree programs may vary.

Minor Curriculum
A minor in Plant Sciences shall consist of a minimum of 15 hours of formal coursework in Plant Sciences (PS) designated courses. Of the 15 hours selected, a minimum of 12 hours must be numbered 2000 or above, of which at least 9 hours must be numbered 3000 or above. Note: Problems courses, Readings courses, Internship courses and Undergraduate Research courses are not acceptable courses for the Plant Sciences minor, unless approved by the Director for Undergraduate Programs.

From the food on our plates to the homes we live in to the fuel in our vehicles, plants impact all aspects of our daily lives.

As an ever-growing human population continues to increase the demand for crops and other plant products, so too does the demand increase for those skilled in improving their production, protection and use.

If you're interested in answering these challenges from the field to the laboratory, then a career in plant sciences is right for you.

Plant Sciences

Career Opportunities

A bachelor's of science degree in plant sciences from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) will provide you with all the skills you'll need to succeed in a wide variety of plant science careers.

Students enroll in a generalized core curriculum, then further refine their expertise by choosing among a variety of discipline-specific emphasis areas including: plant breeding, genetics and biotechnology; crop management; landscape horticulture; ornamental plant production; plant biology; plant protection; precision agriculture; and turfgrass management. A few of the plant sciences careers you might consider include:

Crop management specialists find employment with universities, the USDA Agricultural Research Service or private companies. They answer agronomic questions specific to their region and study major agronomic and forage crops or the feasibility of growing an alternative crop for a niche market.
Horticulturists use their knowledge of plant biology, genetics and resource management to produce the highest quality fruits, vegetables, trees, shrubs and flowers with minimal environmental side effects. Career choices include research institutions, management of botanic gardens or greenhouses or landscape design. Not interested in working for someone else? Then take advantage of opportunities that exist for beginning a small business.
Plant biologists or biotechnologists are employed in technical positions by life science companies such as Monsanto and DuPont. Skills needed to fill these positions include genetic engineering, molecular biology and traditional plant breeding. Discipline goals may involve development of crops with specific traits such as production of medicinal compounds or improving crop resistance to adverse environmental conditions, pests or other stresses.
Plant protection specialists develop control strategies for insects, pathogens and weeds in agronomic, horticultural or forestry settings.
Turfgrass managers may be hired by a professional sports team, or by a local golf course, city park or high school. They are responsible for maintaining and improving the ability of a surface to withstand the demands of sports traffic.

Research/Internship Opportunities

As a plant sciences student, your chances to gain real-world experience through research and internships are almost as unlimited as the plant species you'll study.

Work side-by-side with plant sciences faculty and get hands-on experience with basic or applied research in numerous areas including plant genetics or golf course maintenance.

Opportunities exist during the school year and summer for on-campus employment as field, greenhouse or lab assistants. You are also encouraged to complete an off-campus internship. Among the opportunities for plant sciences students are internships with botanical gardens, seed or chemical companies, private nurseries, golf courses, life science companies, and state and federal government agencies.

Get Involved on Campus

Want to have fun and develop your leadership skills and professional contacts at the same time? Then join one or more of the College’s student clubs and organizations. There are more than 30 to choose from, and each gives you the opportunity to apply what you’re learning in the classroom while making lifelong friends.

Here are a few organizations you might consider joining as a plant sciences student:

Agronomy Club: The Agronomy Club strives to stimulate interest in agronomic work and provide leadership and training opportunities that allow students to make meaningful contacts with prominent professionals. Members can attend regional and national conventions, go on field trips, and participate in the many contests offered by SASES. Other activities include our fundraisers, bonfire in the fall, and baseball trip in the spring.
Plant Sciences Department
1-40 Agriculture Building, 573-884-5776
Horticulture Club: The Horticulture Club is a club for students majoring in Plant Science or for those with an interest in plants. The club provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the greenhouse, provide service to both the University community and the community at large and to enjoy social recreation with students and faculty who share a common interest in plants. Members participate in many activities, field trips and tours, social activities and community service projects throughout the year. They also spend a lot of time working in the greenhouse to raise plants for the three large sales they host during the school year. The sales include a poinsettia sale in December, a rose sale on Valentine's Day and a bedding plant sale each spring.
Plant Sciences Department
1-87 Agriculture Building, 573-882-9631
MU Student Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is for all students interested in golf course management. The chapter provides both information about career directions, as well as an avenue for an exchange of information and ideas between students and golf course professionals.

Plant Sciences

Division of Plant Sciences

Career Opportunities

Research/Internship Opportunities

Get Involved on Campus

Learn More