You are passionate about plants exploring topics like plant health, soil science, and sustainable growing practices. You want to learn about the sciences related to production, management, and cultivation processes.
About Plant & Soil Systems
Study ways to improve crops and discover new crossbreeds of plants, and learn the latest approaches to the cultivation, marketing, and processing of ornamental plants, fruits, and vegetables. Topics include soil science and conservation, ornamentals and grasses, urban landscape management, sustainable horticulture, and much more.
Concentrations Available
- Agricultural Pest Management - Learn the science behind pest control. Enhance your knowledge of insect, weed, and disease pests and explore pest biology, biological control, and plant resistance.
- Crop Science - Study food and fiber production with an emphasis on crop physiology, crop pests, genetics, soil science, economics, and experimental statistics. This concentration provides a basic sciences background for students who wish to pursue graduate studies.
- Horticultural Sciences - Dig into the latest approaches in plant propagation, cultivation, nutrition, plant protection, and the processing of ornamentals, fruit, and vegetables. Students will also have the opportunity to complete internships and research focused on breeding or organic, sustainable, and conventional production and management.
- Medicinal Plant Sciences - Learn about the production and use of plants for medicinal purposes. Study the biochemical properties of natural plant products and the industries related to medicinal plant production, management, processing, analysis, and the distribution of natural plant products.
- Soil Science - Learn the properties of soil and its importance in agricultural production and environmental sustainability. Study soil health and the factors that affect crop production, soil fertility, soil conservation, air and water quality, and the management of weeds, insects, fungi, and other pests.
- Sustainable Production Systems - Learn the latest approaches to cultivation, marketing, and processing of agronomic crops, ornamental plants, fruits,and vegetables. This concentration is a blend of applied agronomy and horticulture.
- Turf and Landscape Management - Understanding how to manage landscapes, including golf courses, sports fields, botanic gardens, and residential and commercial landscapes. Students learn about turfgrass and landscape management while focusing on plant selection, installation, and maintenance.
- Urban Entomology - Learn how to control arthropod pests and understand how these pests interact with society in urban environments. Study how to manage these pests as you address the behavior, physiology, ecology, and genetics of urban insects.
Possible Careers
- Agricultural business consultant
- Crop scientist
- Entomologist
- Golf course superintendent
- Horticulturist
- Landscape manager
- Soil scientist
Program Requirements
Once you're an LSU student, you'll need to meet the requirements below to continue pursuing this major.
- 2.0 GPA in all coursework (2.5 GPA for transfer)
- 2.0 cumulative GPA in courses toward degree requirements
- grade of "C" or better in ENGL 1001 and MATH 1021 or higher
Senior College
Degree
B.S., Bachelor of Science
Course Load by Subject Area
- Agriculture: High Intensity
- Science: Medium Intensity
- Communication: Low Intensity
- Electives: Low Intensity
- Lab Hours or Field Work: Low Intensity
- View all course loads