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Undergraduate Programs Quick Links The Department of Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences (PSIS) offers several undergraduate program options including a Major in Plant, Soil & Insect Sciences, as well as Minors in Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Plant and Soil Sciences. Prospective students who already have a Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field may pursue a Post-graduate Second Bachelors degree within this program. In addition to our undergraduate programs, the department currently has two graduate training programs offering M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. If you have any questions after looking over the material presented, please do not hesitate to contact the Department. The Undergraduate Major Degree Program Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences (PSIS) is a Department in the University of Massachusetts (UMass) College of Natural Sciences (CNS). The department specializes in areas ranging from molecular genetics to management of whole plants and insects. With more than 30 faculty members and two graduate programs, PSIS is one of the largest science departments on the UMass campus. Accordingly, the breadth of the departmental research is expansive. Some of the current areas in which our faculty are pursuing research include: genetic engineering of plants to enhance their uptake of heavy metals in polluted soils; ecology and evolution of plant-insect interactions; pharmaceutical application of herbs and other medicinal plants; behavior, ecology, and management of insect pests; integrated pest management of cultivated crops and minimally managed natural habitats; insect pathogenic viruses; bee pathogens; genomic studies of the agents of infectious diseases including malaria, eastern equine encephalitis and Lyme disease; genomic studies of fungal diseases; plant breeding for disease resistance; stress tolerance in turfgrass; ozone effects on plant growth and reproduction; systematics and evolution of armored scale insects; and studies on sustainable agricultural practices. As a large and diverse department, PSIS meets the needs of a variety of students, particularly those seeking applied training in biology, including but not limited to fields of agroecology, biotechnology, entomology, horticultural sciences, molecular genetics, physiology, plant biology, sustainable agriculture, soil science, turf science and virology. Commonalities of our graduates include rigorous attention to scientific discipline and a desire to take this knowledge into the real world. Students completing a degree in Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences will understand the workings of the biological world and its interface with the environment. Moreover, they are prepared to apply the skill sets they acquire in our program to tackle real problems. Much of the students’ learning comes through work with actual problems in the classroom, laboratory, greenhouse, and field settings. The department has a number of greenhouses on campus, and off-campus facilities include a 200-acre experimental orchard, a research and teaching farm for weed science, vegetable and field crops, as well as an experimental turf farm. Faculty members in the department are actively engaged in research that facilitates instruction on the most up-to-date information and technologies. The Undergraduate Major Curriculum | Areas of Concentration The Curriculum Students begin their studies with introductory classes in the major and with general education courses required of all University students. These initial courses, which include biology, chemistry, ecology and mathematics, form the foundation for more advanced study in the major. The exact sequence of courses is determined by the student's selection of an Area of Concentration. Independent studies and internships are available under each of the concentrations, providing students with the opportunity to integrate laboratory and field work into their curriculum. All concentrations in the major share a common core of discipline areas.
Total Departmental Course Requirements. Majors will complete a minimum of 30 course credits taken within the Department of Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences. Specific course requirements vary by Concentration Area. Applied Biology and Biotechnology concentration, through theoretical and practical training, prepares students to tackle real-world problems by integrating and applying knowledge they learn from different disciplines. This program includes rigorous training in biology and laboratory methods. Students focus their study in one of two general areas: plant science or general applied biology. They may also choose to focus their advanced course work in plant science and biotechnology, entomology, horticultural sciences, plant pathology, conservation biology, soil science or a related discipline. Many successful graduates work in research or applied aspects of the biotech industries, pest management, agricultural and horticultural businesses, and environmental consulting arenas. Others go on for advanced graduate training for careers in business, the public sector, or academia. View the Course Requirements for the Applied Biology and Biotechnology concentration in the Undergraduate Major Guide. Horticulture concentration stresses the concepts and practices vital to the preservation of natural resources in managed plant systems. This concentration provides students with the tools and knowledge to work in the horticultural field. Students receive scientific training in the production of herbaceous ornamentals, fruits, and vegetables. In addition, students have the option of taking business courses to complement their horticultural training or to further enhance their scientific training through more courses in basic science. The University- operated greenhouses, vegetable field, and orchard are used as laboratory spaces to provide students with hands-on experience related to knowledge they acquire in the classroom. Successful graduates find employment in plant conservatories and arboreta as well as manage businesses such as direct-market farms, greenhouse operations, landscaping firms and nurseries or they continue to graduate school for advanced degrees. View the Course Requirements for the Horticulture concentration in the Undergraduate Major Guide. Sustainable Food and Farming allows students who are interested in the social, political and scientific issues of sustainable agriculture and food systems to seek a broad exposure to this discipline in the liberal arts tradition. In this concentration, students are exposed to a range of courses including the biophysical aspects of agriculture and economic aspects of food production and distribution, as well as the social elements affecting food policy and accessibility. Students can tailor their individual programs to prepare for careers in policy, advocacy, community outreach and education intopics related to crop production, food access, and hunger issues, as well as many others. Graduates will be qualified to compete successfully for a wide array of emerging careers in the growing field of food systems. View the Course Requirements for the Sustainable Food and Farming concentration in the Undergraduate Major Guide. For additional, in depth information about the Sustainable Food and Farming concentration, please click HERE. Turfgrass Science and Management concentration is an applied science program that focuses on the production and maintenance of grassed areas, including home lawns, parks, golf courses and other athletic surfaces. This concentration integrates scientific theory with practical experience, and covers such topics as grass and seed identification, turfgrass culture and physiology, pest control, and equipment maintenance. Students in this concentration have the option of selecting a business management or a science focus. Many graduates find employment in the golf course industry, while others choose to specialize in sports turf management. The lawn care industry also employs many of our graduates in jobs as varied as research, sales, and direct lawn maintenance. View the Course Requirements for the Turfgrass Science and Management concentration in the Undergraduate Major Guide.Internships and Independent Study Students are encouraged to enhance their programs of study with an Internship experience and/or an Independent Study research project. These opportunities provide students with experience and training that will be useful in career planning as well as in decision-making about fields of possible graduate study. Students must have attained at least sophomore status and be in good academic standing. Although the number of credits from Independent Study and Internship is restricted to 6 within the major, the University allows up to 18 credits of Internship to be applied towards the 120 credits required for graduation. Internships: An Internship is a summer or semester-long work experience which allows students to “apprentice” with professionals in their field. Internships are intended to be a learning experience, and do not necessarily provide significant monetary compensation. Instead, academic credits are earned. Students can earn 12 credits for a full time, semester long internship experience and 3 to 9 credits for a summer program. Prior to undertaking an internship, an Academic Contract (Independent Study/Practicum form) must be completed by the student and his/her faculty sponsor including planned activities, a statement of objectives, as well as criteria for evaluation and grading. Independent Study: Students wishing to complete a research project or independent learning project must select a faculty member within the department who will approve the project and provide guidance. An Independent Study Form must be completed which specifies the number of credits to be earned, a statement of objectives, planned activities, and criteria to be used for evaluation and grading. This form must be filed with the Department’s Undergraduate Program Office before the project is initiated.Career and Graduate School Opportunities Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences' graduates are highly employable within their field of specialization. Our graduates are employed in professions as varied as environmental consulting, agronomic and horticultural crop production, secondary school instruction, and golf course and parks management, just to name a few. Recent department graduates are employed as:
Transferring From Another College or University? Students interested in transferring to the University should have taken courses in a variety of disciplines (including writing/composition, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences). The PSIS major requires more than 60 semester credit hours of plant and soil sciences or related course work, so early transfer is recommended to avoid delay of graduation. We recommend that prospective transfer students contact our Undergraduate Program Office as early as possible to discuss appropriate transfer course work. Undergraduate Minor Program Offerings Dr. Susan Han
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