Agronomic Sciences

This concentration develops agronomists. These scientists have career opportunities with chemical, seed, and fertilizer companies; as consultants; with governmental agencies such as the departments of agriculture and/or natural resources, as pest management specialists and managers or grower organizations; in agencies involving environmental issues; and international agriculture.

 

University and College Requirements (41 credits)

  • Writing, Rhetoric and American Cultures (WRA) - 4 credits
    • WRA 110-150
  • Integrative Studies in Arts and Humanities (IAH) - 8 credits
    • IAH 201-210
    • IAH 211-241
  • Integrative Studies in Social and Behavioral Sciences (ISS) - 8 credits
    • ISS 200-level
    • ISS 300-level
  • PLB 105 Plant Biology - 3 credits
  • PLB 106 Plant Biology Laboratory - 1 credit
  • CEM 141 General Chemistry - 4 credits
  • CEM 143 Survey of Organic Chemistry - 4 credits
  • CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I - 1 credit
  • MTH 116 College Algebra and Trigonometry - 5 credits
  • EC 201 Introduction to Microeconomics - 3 credits

Departmental Requirements (44 credits)

  • CSS 101 Introduction to Crop Science - 3 credits
  • CSS 101L Introduction to Crop Science Laboratory - 1 credit
  • CSS 110 Computer Applications in Agronomy - 2 credits
  • CSS 192 Professional Development Seminar I - 1 credit
  • CSS 210 Fundamentals of Soil and Landscape Science - 3 credits
  • CSS 226L Weed Science Laboratory - 1 credit
  • CSS 313 Data Interpretation and Writing in the Agronomic Sciences - 2 credits
  • CSS 326 Weed Science - 2 credits
  • CSS 330 Soil Chemistry - 2 credits
  • CSS 340 Applied Soil Physics - 2 credits
  • CSS 350 Plant Genetics - 3 credits
  • CSS 360 Soil Biology - 3 credits
  • CSS 470 Soil Resources - 3 credits
  • CSS 480 Soil Fertility and Management - 3 credits
  • CSS 488 Agricultural Cropping Systems: Integration and Problem Solving - 3 credits
  • CSS 492 Professional Development Seminar II - 1 credit
  • CSS 493 Professional Internship - 3 credits
  • ENT 404 Insects: Success in Biodiversity - 3 credits
  • PLP 405 Plant Pathology - 4 credits

One of the following courses (3 credits):

  • HRT 361 Applied Plant Physiology - 3 credits
  • PLB 301 Introductory Plant Physiology - 3 credits

One of the following courses (2 or 3 credits):

  • CSS 222 New Horizons in Biotechnology - 2 credits
  • CSS 441 Plant Breeding and Biotechnology - 3 credits
  • CSS 451 Biotechnology Applications for Plant Breeding and Genetics - 3 credits


Electives (31 to 32 credits)

Suggested Electives


Suggested Course Sequence

Suggested Course Sequence


Suggested Elective Courses

Suggested Electives

Academic Advising

For questions regarding course requirements, substituting or waiving required courses, independent study courses, and planning your semester schedule of courses, contact a Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences academic advisor:

 

Susan Gruber grubers@msu.edu
Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
Plant and Soil Sciences Building
1066 Bogue Street, Room A164
East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1325

phone: (517) 353-0326

More information on the required internship. 

Last Updated 02/3/2023 by LAD

Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).