Bachelor of Science, Major in Plant and Soil Sciences
The Plant and Soil Sciences curriculum provides an educational background to those interested in employment in fields related to production, marketing and/or management of horticultural or agronomic crops; landscape design, installation, and maintenance; and other related businesses. Employment opportunities include, but are not limited to, nursery management, greenhouse plant production, turf management, landscape design and maintenance, floral industry, field crop production or consulting, natural resource conservation programs, chemical and seed production and sales, agricultural extension, and research/teaching.
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science, Major in Plant and Soil Sciences | ||
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | |
| Component Area II (Mathematics) | 3 | |
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) 1 | 8 | |
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) | 3 | |
| Component Area V (Creative Arts) | 3 | |
| Component Area VI (U.S. History) | 6 | |
| Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) | 6 | |
| Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 2 | 4 | |
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| ACOM 3360 | Communication Skills for Agriculturists | 3 |
| or ENGL 3330 | Introduction to Technical Writing | |
| AGRI 1309 | Computers in Agriculture | 3 |
| or CSTE 1330 | Introduction to Computers | |
| CHEM 1406 | Inorganic & Environmental Chemistry 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 1407 | Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry 1 | 4 |
| COMS 1361 | Public Speaking 2 | 3 |
| or COMS 2382 | Communication for Business & the Professions | |
| or AGRI 4388 | Principles of Agriculture Leadership & Community Development | |
| MATH or STAT Elective | 3 | |
| Major: Foundation | ||
| AGRI 4120 | Professional Career Skills | 1 |
| ANSC 1319 & ANSC 1119 | Animal Science and Animal Science Laboratory (Or approved BIOL 4 hour Elective) | 4 |
| PLSC 1307 & PLSC 1107 | Plant Science and Plant Science Laboratory | 4 |
| PLSC 2395 | Ornamental Plant Identification | 3 |
| PLSC 3300 | Applied Plant Physiology | 3 |
| PLSC 3395 | Plant Propagation Techniques | 3 |
| PLSC 3440 | Soil Science | 4 |
| Major: Prescribed Electives | ||
| Select 26 advanced hours from the following: | 26 | |
| Independent Studies | ||
| Landscape Plant Materials | ||
| Production and Management Ornamentals | ||
| Turfgrass Culture | ||
| Landscape Design I | ||
| Fruit & Vegetable Production | ||
| Soil Fertility Management and Fertilizers | ||
| Landscape Operations | ||
| Landscape Design II | ||
| Forage Crops and Pasture Management | ||
| Integrated Pest Management | ||
| Select 3 hour elective from: AGBU, AGET, AGRI, ANSC, EQSC, PLSC or WGMT | 3 | |
| Minor: Required 3 | ||
| Minor 3 | 12 | |
| Minor Advanced Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
CHEM 1406 and CHEM 1407 satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) and the Degree Specific Requirement.
- 2
COMS 1361 and COMS 2382 satisfies three hours of Component Area IX and degree specific area. AGRI 4388 does not satisfy this requirement.
- 3
The following minors cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Early Childhood Education and Minor in Plant and Soil Sciences.
Notes
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.5 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.5 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.
Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement.
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area I | 3 | Component Area I | 3 |
| Component Area II | 3 | Component Area VI | 3 |
| Component Area VI | 3 | Component Area VII | 3 |
| PLSC 1307 & PLSC 1107 | 4 | AGRI 1309 or CSTE 1330 | 3 |
| ANSC 1319 & ANSC 11191 | 4 | ||
| 13 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area IV | 3 | Component Area VII | 3 |
| Component Area V | 3 | Component Area VIII | 3 |
| CHEM 14062 | 4 | CHEM 14072 | 4 |
| PLSC 2395 | 3 | PLSC 3395 | 3 |
| MATH or STAT Elective | 3 | Minor3 | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area IX | 1 | PLSC 3300 | 3 |
| ACOM 3360 or ENGL 3330 | 3 | Major: Prescribed Electives5 | 6 |
| COMS 1361, 2382, or AGRI 43884 | 3 | Minor3 | 6 |
| PLSC 3440 | 4 | ||
| Major: Prescribed Electives5 | 3 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| AGBU, AGET, AGRI, ANSC, EQSC, PLSC or WGMT Elective | 3 | AGRI 4120 | 1 |
| Minor Advanced 3 | 6 | Minor3 | 3 |
| Major: Prescribed Electives5 | 6 | Major: Prescribed Electives5 | 11 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
- 1
Or an approved BIOL four semester credit hour elective.
- 2
CHEM 1406 and CHEM 1407 satisfy the Component Area III (Science) requirement and the Degree Specific Requirement.
- 3
The following minors cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Early Childhood Education and Minor in Plant and Soil Sciences.
- 4
COMS 1361 and COMS 2382 satisfies three hours of Component Area IX and degree specific area. AGRI 4388 does not satisfy this requirement.
- 5
See, Prescribed Electives course list below.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major: Prescribed Electives 5 | ||
| Select 26 advanced hours from the following: | ||
| Independent Studies | ||
| Landscape Plant Materials | ||
| Production and Management Ornamentals | ||
| Turfgrass Culture | ||
| Landscape Design I | ||
| Fruit & Vegetable Production | ||
| Soil Fertility Management and Fertilizers | ||
| Landscape Operations | ||
| Landscape Design II | ||
| Forage Crops and Pasture Management | ||
| Integrated Pest Management | ||
Notes
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.5 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.5 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.
Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.
The BS in Plant and Soil Sciences is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
- Recognize soil characteristics for optimum plant growth.
- Evaluate plants of importance in our society and how those plants are utilized.
- Analyze major insect, disease and weed pests, and control strategies.
- Apply independent and team-working skills to accomplish objectives and meet organizational goals.
- Demonstrate a work ethic and soft skills that are desirable of an employee.
- Use professional oral and written communication skills for the transfer of technologically-rich knowledge.
