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 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