Plant and Soil Sciences

Study the science of plant production and the terrestrial environment, including: crop production; genetics and plant breeding; plant physiology, nutrition and growth regulation; environmental stress; soil physics, chemistry, morphology, and microbiology; and wetland science. Explore environmentally conscious and socially responsible management of plant and soil resources.

This major is also available as a minor.

Concentrations

Students declare a concentration and also select a track of either Business Management or Science.

The Business Management Option emphasizes the managerial, marketing, and economic aspects of a career in plant and soil sciences. Course work may be supplemented with a summer internship or cooperative education experience, providing students with an awareness of the realities of the marketplace and the competitive economic system.

The Science Option prepares student for careers in research and development, graduate study, or other work in the scientific aspects of the field. In addition to taking courses that help integrate scientific theory with practical skills, students are encouraged to gain additional insights into the field by participating with faculty in laboratory and field research projects.

General Studies - Plant and Soil Science

Provides students with the most diverse sampling of courses. Students receive a breadth of training that makes them competitive for a variety of employment opportunities requiring broad horticultural training.

Ornamental Horticulture

Focuses on the identification, production, marketing, and use of herbaceous and woody ornamental plants. Coursework includes classes in plant identification, floricultural crop production, plant propagation, and integrated pest management. The curriculum provides detailed information on optimizing plant yield and quality, reducing ground water pollution, conserving energy, and using environmentally safe and economically feasible methods of pest control. This concentration prepares students for careers in private industry, state and federal agencies, public gardens, and conservatories.

Soil science

Examines the role of soil in the environment. Courses focus on the need for productive soils in plant growth, prevention of soil degradation, bioremediation, pollution transport processes, waste treatment, wetland issues, and control of water pollution by soilborne contaminants. Students study soil chemistry, plant nutrition, soil physics, soil microbiology, soil and water conservation, soil classification, and the interaction of these areas while emphasizing the protection of natural resources. Graduates are employed in both the public and private sectors as soil scientists, environmental consultants, natural resource managers, regulatory specialists, soil evaluators, and wetland scientists.

Sustainable Agriculture - Crop Production

Focuses on the production of food, fiber, and other plant commodities through ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially conscience approaches. Students have the opportunity to focus their studies in the areas of agronomy, fruit and/or vegetable production. The curriculum emphasizes sustainable crop production, cultural requirements, crop physiology, soil productivity, prevention of soil and water degradation, integrated pest management, food quality, and post-harvest handling and storage. The University’s location in the Pioneer Valley, a major vegetable production area, affords students access to local farms for first-hand views of modern cultural practices. Our nearby orchard serves as a living laboratory where students study commercial apple production as well as learning about stone fruits, small fruits, and berry crop production. The program stresses the concepts and practices vital to the preservation of natural resources in managed plant systems.

Sustainable Agriculture - Food Systems

Prepares students for careers in policy, advocacy, community outreach and education on topics related to crop production, food access, and hunger issues, just to name a few. The curriculum combines a solid foundation in horticulture and pest management, and then allows customizing by the student in areas such as business administration, non-profit organization, sociology, political science, community outreach and education, among others. By combining crop production training with skills in communication, education, grant writing, nutrition, resource economics, land use planning, cultural sensitivity, community organizing, and/or policy development, students will gain a broader understanding of the many socioeconomic aspects surrounding food production, access and distribution. Graduates will be uniquely qualified to compete successfully for a wide array of emerging careers in the growing field of food systems.

Turfgrass Management

Concentrates on the production and maintenance of grassed areas, such as home lawns, parks, athletic fields, and golf courses. This concentration integrates scientific theory and practical experience, covering such topics as grass and seed identification, turfgrass culture, physiology, pest control, and equipment maintenance. Graduates are employed in professions as varied as golf course superintendents, managers of parks and recreational areas, lawn care specialists, turfgrass research technicians, and sports turf managers.

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	35	faculty members
	40	students in class of 2006
	5:1	student to faculty ratio
	90%	of juniors surveyed in 2006 were very satisfied or satisfied with their major

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