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Crop and Soil Science . . .

focuses on the production of food and fiber and understanding the resources used in that production. Students choose to emphasize either crop science or soil science in their academic program. Crop science is the study of plants and their use as crops to produce food for the human population, feed for our animals, and fiber for our
everyday needs. Soil science is the study of soils and their properties. Knowledge of soils enables us to make wise decisions about using soils in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors of society and provides a framework for using our soil resources in an economically and environmentally sound fashion.

Department of Plant and Earth Science
324 Agriculture Science Hall
(715) 425-3345

Undergraduate Catalog

Our Goal

  • To provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to understand the production of food and fiber.
  • To provide students with the communications skills needed to interact with agricultural and environmental professionals.
  • To provide a knowledge of crop production and soil science in a sustainable fashion.

Why major in Crop and Soil Science?

Students major in Crop and Soil Science for many reasons including one or more of the following:

  1. They enjoy working with plants and soils in a predominately outdoor environment.
  2. They like applying science to practical problems.
  3. They enjoy working with farmers, growers, and other professionals locally, nationally, and internationally.
  4. They want to play an integral role in environmental decisions related to soil conservation, crop production, land use, water quality, or waste management.
  5. They want to contribute to the needs of present and future generations by providing healthy food while maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment.
  6. They desire to experience an enjoyable and satisfying quality of life that comes from understanding the growth of plants and being a part of the process that provides the most basic of
    human needs—food.

What Do Crop and Soil Scientists Do?

Crop and soil scientists use their natural curiosity and enthusiasm for science to help solve some of the toughest problems facing humanity: producing sufficient and affordable food for an increasing population and doing it in a way that protects and preserves our environment. Crop and soil scientists are also involved in protecting soil and water resources and preventing surface water and groundwater pollution.
Many professional crop and soil scientists work closely with farmers, providing information and recommendations to help solve crop and soil related problems, develop nutrient management and soil conservation plans, and design integrated pest management strategies. In all cases crop and soil scientists strive to make agriculture efficient, environmentally sound, profitable, and sustainable for future generations.

Faculty and Facilities

There are six faculty in the crop and soil science program within the plant and earth science department who teach core courses and advise students in the major. Courses directly supporting the major are taught by faculty in environmental science, geology, agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, animal science, and biology. Modern and well-equipped laboratories, computer facilities, and two laboratory farms round out an excellent setting for students studying in crop and soil science.

Bachelor of Science Degree. Crop and Soil Science Major, Crop Option.
Academic Advising Plan.

Semester 1 (Fall)

ANSC 111 Introduction to Animal Science ~ 3
CROP 120 Plants and Society
or General Education EC course ~ 3
CROP 161 Introduction to Plant Science
or AGEN 150 Introduction to Agricultural Engineering
or FDSC 112 Introduction to Food Science ~ 3
ENGL 100 Academic Reading and Writing
(General Education CW) ~ 3
MATH 146 College Algebra ~ 3
Total semester credits ~ 15

Semester 5 (Fall)

CROP 257 Genetics ~ 3
CROP 345 Weed Control ~ 3
BIOL 314 Plant Pathology ~ 3
AGBI 251/252 Ag Biochemestry and Lab ~ 4
General Education SB course ~ 3
Total semester credits ~ 16

Semester 2 (Spring)

BIOL 150 General Biology (General Education SL) ~ 3
CHEM 121 General Chemistry I ~ 5
ENGL 200 Investigating Ideas: Reading, Writing,
and the Disciplines ~ 3
P ED 108 Health and Fitness for Life
(General Education HW) ~ 1
General Education HF course ~ 3
Total semester credits ~ 15

Semester 6 (Spring)

AGEC 355 Agricultural Marketing and Production
or AGEC 360 Farm Management
or AGEC 368 Professional Selling ~ 3
ANSC 341 Biometrics ~ 3
CROP 267 Small Grain and Miscellaneous Crop
Production (3)
or CROP 268 Grain Grading and Seed Analysis (2)
or CROP 363 Pasture Management (2)
or CROP 368 Sustainable Agriculture (3) ~ 2-3
General Education HF course ~ 3
General Education HW course ~ .5
University D course ~ 3
Total semester credits ~ 14.5-15.5

Semester 3 (Fall)

CROP 260 Plant and Seed Identification ~ 2
CROP 263 Forage Crop Production ~ 3
SOIL 210 Introductory Soil Science ~ 3
CHEM 230 General Organic Chemistry ~ 3
General Education SB course ~ 3
Total semester credits ~ 14

Semester 7 (Fall)

BIOL 333 Entomology ~ 3
CROP 451 Integrated Pest Management ~ 3
General Education HW course ~ .5
General Education HF course ~ 3
University G course ~ 3
Directed elective courses ~ 3-5
Total semester credits ~ 15.5-17.5

Semester 4 (Spring)

AGEC 230 Agricultural Economics I ~ 3
AGEN 363 Precision Agricultural Technology
or ANSC 231; HORT 327, 347, 455; SOIL 350 ~ 3-4
CROP 266 Corn and Soybean Production ~ 3
SCTA 101 Fundamentals of Oral Communication
General Education CS course ~ 3
SOIL 311 Soil Fertility ~ 4
Total semester credits ~ 16-17

 

Semester 8 (Spring)

CROP 410 Plant Breeding ~ 3
CROP 435 Crop Physiology ~ 4
CROP 485 Seminar ~ 1
SOIL 440 Soil and Water Conservation ~ 4
General Education MD course ~ 3
Total Semester credits ~ 15

 

Summary of Degree Requirements

General Education/University ~ 40-46 cr.
Foundation Courses in Agriculture ~ 12 cr.
Major Required Courses ~ 14 cr.
Option Required Courses ~ 43-45 cr.
Directed Electives ~ 3-11 cr.
Credits to Degree ~ 120 cr.

This academic plan is an example of how students might choose to fulfill program requirements within a period of four years. After consulting with their advisers, students may make other course choices which would meet the program requirements and be more suitable for them.

PDF version

Updated December 2005

 

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410 South Third Street River Falls, WI USA 54022-5001 (715)425-3911
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