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Office of the University Registrar

2008-09 Undergraduate Catalog

Majors

Plant Science
College: Agricultural and Life Sciences
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Hours for the Degree: 120
Specializations: Agronomy (Science and Technology, Sustainable Crop Production and Management) and Plant Pathology (Biotechnology, Agricultural Technology)
Minor: Yes
Combined-Degree Program: Yes
Website: agronomy.ifas.ufl.edu
Website: plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu

Plant science is a diverse major offered by the departments of Agronomy and Plant Pathology. Specializations include agronomy and plant pathology.

Potential careers include production agriculture, agribusiness sales and marketing, private consulting in crop production and plant protection, environmental policy and regulation, international agriculture and field or laboratory technical support. Plant science can also be used as preparation for a range of studies in graduate school.

Students should meet with an undergraduate coordinator as early as possible in their academic careers.

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.

Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan

Semester 1:

  • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
  • 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking coursework for semesters 1-5
  • Complete 2 of 6 critical-tracking courses, excluding labs: CHM 2045/2045L,
    MAC 1147, AEB 3103 or ECO 2023, BOT 2010C, BOT 2011C, PHY 2004/2004L

Semester 2:

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs

Semester 3:

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs

Semester 4:

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs

Semester 5:

  • Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs

All Specializations
Specialization: Agronomy
Specialization: Plant Pathology

All Specializations

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

Recommended semester plan

Semester 1Credits
MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry (GE-M)4
BOT 2010C Introductory Botany (GE-B)3
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
Humanities (GE-H)3
Elective2
Total 15
Semester 2Credits
BOT 2011C Plant Diversity (GE-B)4
AEE 3030C Effective Oral Communication3
Humanities (GE-H)3
Math (MAC 2233), statistics (STA 2023) or computer science (CGS 2531) course (all GE-M)3-4
Total 13-14
Semester 3Credits
CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P)4
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (3) or
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 or
AEB 3103 Principles of Food and Resource Economics (4) (GE-S)
3-4
AEE 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Elective2
Total 15-16
Semester 4Credits
PHY 2004 and 2004L Applied Physics 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P)4
CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry 2 (3) and Laboratory (1)4
Humanities (GE-H) or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Electives6
Total 17

Specialization: Agronomy

This specialization trains students to apply knowledge of the 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. This specialization prepares students to work in the laboratory and field settings and to develop applied skills for research and extension. Opportunities are available for students to travel within the United States to gain a national view of food production.

Science and Technology Option

This basic sciences option is designed to prepare students for a technical career or graduate school.

Semester 5Credits
AGR 3005 and 3005L Principles of Crop Science (3) and Laboratory (1)4
AGR 3931C Plant Science Information2
SOS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Laboratory (1)4
PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology4
Total 14
Semester 6Credits
AGR 3303 Genetics3
BOT 3503 and 3503L Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants (3) and Laboratory (2) 5
CHM 2200 and 2200L Basic Organic Chemistry (3) and Laboratory (1)4
Electives4
Total 16
Semester 7Credits
BCH 3025 Fundamentals of Biochemistry4
AGR 4321C Plant Breeding3
PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science3
Approved communications3
Approved electives (see adviser)2
Total 15
Semester 8Credits
AGR 4512 Physiology and Ecology of Crops3
AGR 4231C Forage Science and Range Management4
Approved electives (see adviser)8
Total 15

Sustainable Crop Production and Management Option

This option prepares students for the profession of the production management of crops. Courses emphasize aquatic and terrestrial weed management, optimizing management practices (including energy utilization, nutrient management, tillage for soil and water conservation), sustainability and environmental issues.

Semester 5Credits
AGR 3005 and 3005L Principles of Crop Science (3) and Laboratory (1)4
PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology4
SOS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Laboratory (1)4
BCH 3023 Elementary Organic and Biological Chemistry3
Total 15
Semester 6Credits
AGR 3303 Genetics3
AGR 4512 Physiology and Ecology of Crops3
ALS 3133 Agricultural and Environmental Quality3
Approved sustainable agriculture elective3
Approved elective (see adviser)3
Total 15
Semester 7Credits
PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science3
AGR 4321 Plant Breeding3
AGR 3931C Plant Science Information2
ENY 3005 and 3005L Principles of Entomology (2) and Laboratory (1)3
Approved electives (see adviser)4
Total 15
Semester 8Credits
AGR 4231C Forage Science and Range Management4
SOS 4116 Environmental Nutrient Management3
Approved electives (see adviser)8
Total 15

Two courses offered in the summer are encouraged: AGR 4214C Applied Field Crop Production (3) and AGR 4268C Sustainable Agricultural Systems Analysis (3).

Specialization: Plant Pathology

This specialization trains students to apply knowledge of the biology of pathogens to implement integrated disease management practices. Students acquire knowledge about fungi, bacteria, and viruses, as well as environmental factors that cause plant disease. Students investigate the molecular and genetic principles of infection and the development of plant disease and epidemics.

The plant pathology specialization prepares students to work in laboratory and field settings and to develop and implement environmentally safe methods and materials for avoiding or managing plant diseases in agricultural and urban environments. Opportunities are available to obtain research and extension experience by completing projects with faculty in the plant pathology department.

Biotechnology Option

This option is designed to prepare students for graduate school or to work in the research laboratories of biotechnological firms, universities and government agencies.

Semester 5Credits
AGR 3005 Principles of Crop Science3
CHM 2200 and 2200L Basic Organic Chemistry (3) and Laboratory (1)4
PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology (GE-B)4
AGR 3303 Genetics3
Total 14
Semester 6Credits
MCB 2000 and 2000L Microbiology (3) and Laboratory (1)4
PLP 3103C Control of Plant Diseases (odd years)3
SOS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Laboratory (1)4
Approved electives6
Total 17
Semester 7Credits
PLP 3653C Introductory Mycology (even years)4
PLP 4931 Seminar in Plant Pathology1
BCH 3025 Fundamentals of Biochemistry4
AGR 4321 Plant Breeding3
Approved electives4
Total 16
Semester 8Credits
HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology3
PLS 4242C Micropropagation of Horticultural Crops4
HOS 3305 Introduction to Plant Molecular Biology3
ENY 3005 and 3005L Principles of Entomology (2) and Laboratory (1)3
Total 13

Agricultural Technology Option

This option prepares students to work for commodity, seed and agri-chemical industries that diagnose and manage plant diseases. This option also prepares students to work as private practitioners and to enter graduate school.

Semester 5Credits
AGR 3005 Principles of Crop Science3
BCH 3023 Elementary Organic and Biological Chemistry3
PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology (GE-B)4
AGR 3303 Genetics3
Total 13
Semester 6Credits
HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology3
MCB 2000 and 2000L Microbiology (3) and Laboratory (1)4
PLP 3103C Control of Plant Diseases (odd years)3
Approved electives5
Total 15
Semester 7Credits
PLP3653C Introductory Mycology (even years)4
PLP 4931 Seminar in Plant Pathology1
IPM 3022 Fundamentals of Pest Management3
SOS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Laboratory (1)4
Approved electives4
Total 16
Semester 8Credits
NEM 3002 Principles of Nematology3
ENY 3005 and 3005L Principles of Entomology (2) and Laboratory (1)3
AGR 4512 Physiology and Ecology of Crops3
PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science3
Approved electives4
Total 16