Getting Your Undergraduate Degree in
Soil and Crop Sciences
Students testing soil quality.
Welcome
The major in Soil and Crop Sciences provides the required core courses and the flexibility to develop a broad-based understanding and appreciation for the basic natural and social sciences; communication skills, and to explore human interests and leadership potential. Students from a wide range of rural and urban backgrounds learn principles that apply to the current challenges in soil, plant, and environmental sciences. Each graduating senior with a major in Soil and Crop Sciences will participate in an assessment of the educational progress of students within this major. Presentations in senior seminar, performance in the senior-level crop and soil management courses, and performance on the exit evaluation will be used to assess student learning.
The Department's regular faculty instruct all level classes with typical enrollments of approximately 40 students per class. Each instructor holds regular office hours for meetings and answering questions during teaching semesters. The faculty also serves as advisors to majors and double majors.
A student may major in Soil and Crop Sciences without declaring a specific concentration. Emphasis is on providing the student maximum flexibility in tailoring the curriculum to meet individual needs. Credits of technical electives and free electives meet the needs of students transferring into this department from other programs. This concentration also best meets the needs of students wanting to develop a second major. (Concentration Sheet)
Second Major with Agricultural Business
A specialized curriculum that creates both a major in Soil and Crop Sciences as well as Agricultural Business prepares students to effectively integrate Soil and Crop Science principles with sound business practice. (Course Requirements)
Second Major with Agricultural Education
A specialized curriculum that creates both a major in Soil and Crop Sciences as well as Agricultural Education prepares students to effectively integrate Soil and Crop Science principles with teaching youth and adults in the agricultural industry. (Course Requirements)
Agronomic Production Management
Students prepare for careers in production agriculture or agribusiness by combining basic science, business and economics with technical soil and crop science courses and experiences. The use of new tools such as precision agriculture and biotechnology are an integral part of the learning experience. Career areas include agronomic business managers in seed, chemical, and fertilizer companies, agricultural cooperatives and agricultural consultant services. Concentration Sheet >>
Seed Science Option
Students seeking careers in the dynamic science of seeds follow course work in the Agronomic Production Management curriculum with additional emphasis placed on specialized seed science courses. The commercial seed industry, along with public agencies, provides career opportunities in the development, production, conditioning, testing, marketing, and distribution of seeds.
Requirements for this option are designated on the Agronomic Production Management concentration sheet above.
Applied Information Technology
Educates students in utilizing advanced information technology to better make decisions in crop production, soil and environmental management, and to meet technological opportunities in industry (consulting/GIS/GPS/remote sensing). Students will take coursework in computer science, data management, business, crop science, and soil science to utilize advanced information technology to examine agroecosystem management zones. This understanding will lead to improved environmental stewardship and profitability. Career opportunities exist with equipment companies, consulting firms, state and federal agencies, and agricultural data management firms. More >>
Concentration Sheet >>
Environmental Soil Science
Students learn how to apply the basic sciences to the prevention and remediation of environmental problems in soils associated with human activities such as mining, industrial hazardous waste production, ecosystem disturbances, and agricultural production. The curriculum is rigorous and includes inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, microbiology, mathematics and statistics. Specialization courses in the application of the basic sciences to soils are also required, including a synthesis course where case studies in a number of real-life soil science applications are considered. Career opportunities exist at all degree levels in state and federal health and environmental agencies, natural resource agencies (water and soil), state and national parks services, private industry as environmental assessors, and in the rapidly growing environmental consulting profession. More >>
Concentration Sheet >>
Interdisciplinary Program in Organic Agriculture
This program is for agriculture and horticulture students considering a career in organic food production, or for any student concerned about the environmental and sociological impacts of conventional agricultural practices and interested in alternative approaches. Participating students are enrolled at Colorado State University and receive their degree from their home department, with completion of the Interdisciplinary Studies Program recorded on their official transcripts. More >>
Concentration Sheet >>
International Soil and Crop Science
Students prepare for exciting and challenging careers in developing nations by understanding appropriate soil and crop science practices compatible with the climate and socioeconomic constraints of the host country. The curriculum focus is an appropriate blend of basic science and social science courses with technical Soil and Crop Science courses. CSU's international reputation in working with developing countries through the Peace Corps provides excellent opportunities for career development. There is a wealth of knowledge from faculty who have international experience. Concentration Sheet >>
Plant Biology, Genetics and Breeding
This concentration focuses on the rapidly changing science of plant genetics and the application of biotechnology to crop improvement. The curriculum for this concentration places emphasis on genetics, biotechnology, and plant breeding and important allied fields such as chemistry/biochemistry, plant physiology, entomology, and plant pathology. Career opportunities, available in both the public (USDA, universities), and private sectors, include basic research, plant breeding, product development and sales, and many other areas. More >>
Concentration Sheet >>
Soil Resources and Conservation
Students prepare for careers in planning, conservation, and management of soil and water resources. The curriculum focus is on the application of basic science with technical Crop and Soil Science courses to Soil and Water Resource Management. Career emphasis is on interpretation of land suitable for agricultural, urban, industrial, recreation, waste disposal and water management systems. Concentration Sheet >>
Minor in Soil Resources and Conservation
The purpose of the minor in soil resources and conservation is to give students with appropriate biological sciences background opportunity to formalize their interests in an organized course of study.
Concentration Sheet >>