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.
| 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 | Intro to Technical Writing | |
| AGRI 1309 | Computers in Agriculture | 3 |
| or CSTE 1330 | Introduction to Computers | |
| CHEM 1406 | Inorganic & Envir Chemistry 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 1407 | Intro Organic and Biochemistry 1 | 4 |
| COMS 1361 | Public Speaking 2 | 3 |
| or COMS 2382 | Comm. for Bus. & Professions | |
| or AGRI 4388 | Prin of Ag Leadership/Comm Dev | |
| MATH or STAT Elective | 3 | |
| Major Core | ||
| AGRI 1131 | Intro to Pro Leadership 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 |
| Major | ||
| AGRI 4120 | Professional Career Skills | 1 |
| PLSC 2395 | Ornamental Plant Identification | 3 |
| PLSC 3395 | Plant Propagation Techniques | 3 |
| PLSC 3440 | Soil Science | 4 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 28 advanced hours from the following | 28 | |
| Independent Studies | ||
| Landscape Plant Materials | ||
| Production & Mgt Ornamentals | ||
| Turfgrass Culture | ||
| Landscape Design I | ||
| Fruit & Vegetable Production | ||
| Soil Fertility Mgt Fertilizers | ||
| Landscape Operations | ||
| Landscape Design II | ||
| Forage Crops & Pasture Mgmt | ||
| Integrated Pest Management | ||
| Select 3 hour elective from: AGBU, AGET, AGRI, ANSC, EQSC, PLSC or WGMT | 3 | |
| Minor (required) | ||
| Minor | 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. |
Note: Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement.
| 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 |
| AGRI 1131 | 1 | AGRI 1309 or CSTE 1330 | 3 |
| PLSC 1307 & PLSC 1107 | 4 | ANSC 1319 & ANSC 11191 | 4 |
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area V | 3 | Component Area VII | 3 |
| Component Area IV | 3 | Component Area VIII | 3 |
| CHEM 14062 | 4 | CHEM 14072 | 4 |
| MATH or STAT Elective | 3 | Minor | 3 |
| PLSC 2395 | 3 | PLSC 3395 | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area IX | 1 | Minor | 6 |
| ACOM 3360 or ENGL 3330 | 3 | Plant and Soil Sciences Advanced Electives | 9 |
| COMS 1361, 2382, or AGRI 43883 | 3 | ||
| PLSC 3440 | 4 | ||
| Plant and Soil Sciences Advanced Elective | 3 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| AGRI Elective | 3 | AGRI 4120 | 1 |
| Minor Advanced Courses | 6 | Minor | 3 |
| Plant and Soil Sciences Advanced Electives | 6 | Plant and Soil Sciences Advanced Electives | 10 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
| 1 | Or approved BIOL 4 semester credit hour elective. |
| 2 | CHEM 1406 and CHEM 1407 satisfy the Component Area III (Science) requirement. |
| 3 | COMS 1361 and COMS 2382 satisfies three hours of Component Area IX and degree specific area. AGRI 4388 does not satisfy this requirement. |
Note: 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 Science 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.
