In the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences .
Course Offerings in Crop and Soil Sciences
Course Offerings in Horticulture
Course Offerings in Plant Biology
Course Offerings in Plant Breeding and Genetics
Course Offerings in Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology
Plant sciences prepares students for careers that meet the challenges of providing a safe, nutritious, and abundant food supply for a growing world population and using plants to enhance the beauty of our landscapes. It is a multi-departmental program administered by faculty in the Departments of Crop and Soil Sciences , Horticulture , Plant Biology , Plant Breeding and Genetics , and Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology , representing one of the strongest groups of plant scientists in the world. Students in the program share a common interest in learning about topics associated with plant growth and development in the broadest sense, but beyond that common thread, individual career goals vary widely. Some have their sights set on careers in applied agriculture, others plan to contribute to advancements of our knowledge by way of teaching or research, and still others see study in plant science as a stepping-stone to specialized training in business, government, or law. In addition to the college distribution requirements, Plant Science majors must take at least one course in each of several areas, including botany, plant physiology, ecology, taxonomy/systematics, genetics, statistics, plant-pest interactions, crop production, and soil science, for a total of 40 credits.
Students who begin with well-defined interests or who identify certain areas of interest after several semesters of course work may choose a specialization within one of the five cooperating departments. Each specialization has additional requirements beyond the basic core courses. However, students who are uncertain about the breadth of their interests or who are seeking as much flexibility as possible may choose to design their course of study in plant sciences without declaring a specialization. Those students develop a strong background in plant science but have fewer required courses so that they can explore other areas of interest.
More than 140 courses that deal directly with some area of plant science are offered by the cooperating departments, and other courses relating to plant science are offered elsewhere in the university. There are also ample opportunities for internships, undergraduate teaching, and research experience. Qualified students, especially those expecting to go on for graduate degrees, are encouraged to avail themselves of such opportunities. Students who are planning to enter the workforce immediately upon completion of the B.S. degree are encouraged to obtain practical experience. This may involve summer employment in research or in a plant production or maintenance-related industry such as a lawn and tree care company, commercial greenhouse, nursery, orchard, vineyard or winery, botanical garden or arboretum, crop production farm, or with Cooperative Extension. Plant sciences faculty members also encourage students to avail themselves of opportunities to work and/or study abroad.
In addition to classrooms and laboratories in five buildings on the Cornell campus proper, research and teaching facilities adjacent to the campus are freely available to students for hands-on practice, technical training, independent research projects, and internships. These facilities include research orchards and vineyards, golf courses and a turf research facility, the Cornell Plantations (including arboretum and natural areas), and vegetable and field crop farms. Demonstration/research facilities in Aurora (Cayuga County), Geneva (Ontario County), Highland (Ulster County), Lake Placid (Essex County), Middletown (Orange County), Odessa (Tioga County), and Riverhead (Suffolk County) are also sites administered by departments in the Plant Sciences consortium and are available for undergraduate and graduate field study.
For more information about this major, see hort.cals.cornell.edu/cals/hort/teaching/plant-sci-undergrad/index.cfm.
Crop science is a specialization that focuses on the major food and feed crops of the world, such as wheat, corn, rice, soybeans, and alfalfa. In addition to 15 credits in applied crop science, students in this program take at least 6 credits in plant protection (weed science, entomology, and plant pathology) and at least 6 credits in soil science. The crop science specialization can be focused on preparation for graduate school or be combined with a crop management minor for those planning to be certified crop advisors.
Horticulture. Derived from the Latin word “hortus,” meaning garden, horticulture is a blend of science and culture involving knowledge of plants grown in farms and gardens, parks and landscapes, and athletic and recreational facilities; indoor plants; greenhouse and nursery plant production; and crops used for wines, herbs and spices, medicinal purposes, and coffee and teas. The knowledge and skills essential to grow, maintain, process, and market horticultural plants are in high demand in a world increasingly concerned with environmental quality, recreation, and health.
The 40 faculty members in horticulture specialize in almost every aspect of horticultural science, with active research and outreach programs regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Students choosing a concentration in horticulture must complete a minimum of 40 credits of core courses for the plant sciences major, plus the following courses:
Students transferring into Cornell from other colleges can petition to waive or adjust these requirements, in consultation with their faculty advisors.
Plant biology stresses a basic understanding of how plants function, grow, and develop, as well as a study of their genome, evolution, and relationships to humans. It provides undergraduates with a thorough preparation for graduate study in addition to exciting practical careers in plant sciences. In cooperation with an advisor, each student plans a curriculum with a concentration in basic sciences, supplemented by more advanced courses in plant biology. Students specializing in plant biology within the plant sciences major should take a minimum of four courses beyond the core of plant sciences courses. Options include plant molecular biology, plant cell biology, biochemistry, ethnobotany, and further courses in the function, growth, genetics, systematics, ecology, and evolution of plants. Individual research under professorial guidance is encouraged. Different options within plant biology afford a flexible curriculum.
Plant breeding and genetics relates information about genetics/genomics of plants to the improvement of cultivated plant species. Agriculturally important genes are identified, characterized, and deployed through combinations of molecular studies and sexual crosses. This area of study integrates genetic information with plant physiology/biochemistry, plant pathology, entomology, conservation biology, international agriculture, and related areas to create crops that meet the needs of modern society. In addition to the core plant sciences courses, students should take PLBR 2010 , PLBR 4030 , and BIOPL 3430 . Other courses may be included after consultation with the advisor. Students are encouraged to participate in research projects and take advantage of opportunities for internships in industry.
Plant pathology and plant-microbe biology faculty study interactions of plants with pathogenic and beneficial microorganisms and with toxic elements in air and water. Some specialists in the field choose to focus their attention on the cause and management of plant diseases and others employ contemporary tools of molecular biology to answer fundamental questions about the nature of host-pathogen interactions. Working together, they advance the frontiers of science to ensure rapid deployment of new strategies for growing healthy crops with maximum yields and minimal impacts on the surrounding environment. For most students, a concentration in Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology is preparation for graduate study in the field. However, graduates may also be employed as sales or technical representatives with agribusiness firms, Cooperative Extension educators, state or federal regulatory officials, and laboratory technicians. Suggested courses beyond the Plant Science core include organic chemistry, biochemistry, calculus, introductory plant pathology, mycology, entomology, and plant breeding.
Plant protection is offered to students who are interested in the management of plant pests. It includes the study of insects, diseases, weeds, vertebrate pests, and other factors that prevent maximum crop production. Although designed as a terminal program for students desiring practical preparation for careers in pest management, the specialization can also provide an adequate background for graduate work in entomology, plant pathology, or weed science.