Bachelor of Science in Applied Plant and Soil Sciences (On-Campus)

In Fall 2024 Stockbridge launched a new bachelor degree program called Applied Plant & Soil Sciences (APSS).  This new major merges 3 previous bachelor degree programs (Horticultural Science, Plant & Soil Sciences, and Turfgrass Science & Management) into one comprehensive major.  The three previously separate majors are no longer accepting students starting after Fall 2024.  The new APSS major provides access to all of the courses from the three merged majors, offering increased flexibility to shape your major to your developing interests.

What's Applied Plant & Soil Sciences?

If you are debating whether to commit to a traditional major in biology or chemistry or environmental science, but are certain that you have more interest in plants than in animals and humans, the Applied Plant & Soil Sciences major may be right for you.

The bachelor of science in APSS, through theoretical and practical training, prepares students to tackle real-world problems by integrating and applying knowledge they learn from different disciplines.  Courses provide broad foundations in the plant and soil sciences, including plant health and physiology, soil health, plant production, and pest management. 

This program includes a four-course Business Option drawing from the Isenberg School of Management, or a four-course Science Option offering rigorous training in laboratory methods for biology, chemistry, microbiology, ecology, and environmental science.

A rich list of electives allow APSS majors to focus their advanced coursework on specialized topics in plant science and biotechnology, horticultural sciences, plant pathology, sustainable agriculture, conservation biology, turfgrass science, or a related discipline.  

Select the electives that fit your interests.  Concentrate in areas such as:

• Horticulture, plant propagation and greenhouse management
• Turfgrass and sports field management (e.g. golf courses, football stadiums, college facilities)
• Plant health, physiology, and pathology
• Integrated pest management
• Soil health and land planning
• Urban agriculture
• Plant biotechnology and climate remediation
• Scientific research and development

The Stockbridge Advantage

Our founder Levi Stockbridge was the first to apply the scientific method to questions of agriculture.  We've been applying comparative growing conditions and noting their results for over 150 years, and the scientific research produced at Stockbridge is recognized around the globe.  Today, much of our focus is on the science of sustainability.  We learn how plants can assist in climate protection and we develop them to this work even more effectively.  At the same time, we're engineering plants to be better able to resist, and adapt to, current changes in the climate.

Improve Your Lab Skills And Participate In Award-Winning Research

Stockbridge offers direct access to top researchers from 9 different countries, and UMass is ranked #1 in the U.S. for agricultural sciences.  Across your classes, you'll receive rigorous laboratory training in our state-of-the-art labs and greenhouses, with opportunities to join ongoing faculty research projects at Stockbridge, or any other UMass science department, or to propose and pursue your own independent research.  Unlike many other colleges, UMass faculty are required to conduct research and publish new work in their fields.  This not only provides many research opportunities to UMass students, but also renews the freshness of our classes each semester as faculty update their classes with new research questions and discoveries.

Cutting-Edge Research Facilities

Stockbridge facilities include newly renovated, specialized Plant and Soil Laboratories, a technology-enabled, climate-controlled Research and Education Greenhouse, a Hydroponic Greenhouse, an Agricultural Learning Center, plus a Crop and Animal Research Farm, Organic Vineyard, Cold Spring Orchards, and Cranberry Station.  We also maintain a set of highly accurate indoor growing chambers that allow plants to be grown in exact and controlled conditions, raising the integrity of our research.  As a small school of around 300 students, we benefit tremendously from the investments in research and sustainability that have made the University of Massachusetts Amherst a top destination for our award-winning, international faculty.

Careers in Applied Plant & Soil Sciences

See how your selections from our broad catalog of courses could prepare you for jobs in:

Horticulture, Plant Health, and Greenhouse Management

Turfgrass Management

Soil Health

Plant Pathology and Sustainable Pest Management

Urban Agriculture and Food Production

Plant Biotechnology Research and Development

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, pharmaceutical development, or academia.

APSS graduates work in the private and public sectors, and many apply to graduate programs.  Career paths often involve being a specialist in the scientific testing and management of ideal conditions for soil and water quality.  Graduates have become federal and state inspectors for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), head horticulturists at botanical gardens and zoos.  Jobs await in plant breeding, soil conservation, and precision agriculture.  Others become biotech scientists, uncovering the pharmaceutical properties of plants, and conducting agricultural research and development.  Some choose a path as science educators, imparting their passion to younger scientists in training.

Pursuit of a graduate degree provides access to advanced jobs, especially in research.  Bachelor degree students can apply to continue their work at Stockbridge with the faculty they've come to know.  An accelerated “5th year” master’s program is available at Stockbridge, and can quickly make graduates more competitive in job markets.  Additional graduate programs offer a Masters degree, or PhD degree, in Plant and Soil Sciences, Environmental Conservation, or Plant Biology.  You can see our graduate students and the heavv-hitting research areas they've chosen to investigate.

Stockbridge students are full members of the university, and are invited to take advantage of the College of Natural Sciences Career Center, which provides help with resume and cover letter writing as well as a place to practice interview skills.  The entire career center, and its professional staff, are specialized to the needs of science-based careers.  The CNS Career Center hosts multiple career fairs on campus throughout the year, and even provides a downloadable Career Development Handbook for science majors.