PLS_BS - Plant Science

About this Program

• College: Agricultural and Life Sciences
• Degree: Bachelor of Science
• Credits for Degree: 120
• More Info

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

The Plant Science degree provides students with a hands-on, interdisciplinary perspective on the science of plant production and its applications for managing plants in human and natural systems. Students work with faculty advisors to craft a plan of study that helps them gain expertise in a wide array of potential topics, such as sustainable and organic crop production, plant breeding, and genetics, biotechnology, greenhouse and landscape industries, native plant conservation, plant health, and protection, soil management and productivity, and turfgrass.

This major is offered to both incoming freshmen as well as transfer students who have the appropriate credentials through the statewide programs at Gainesville’s main campus, the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka, or the West Florida Research and Education Center in Milton.

Course Requirements

Courses for the major include introductory statistics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, economics, communications, humanities, Quest courses, and Civic Literacy. All students are required to take an introductory plant science course to explore the range of career options and opportunities offered by the major (PLS 3004C). Upper-division requirements include courses in soil science, plant pests and diseases, natural ecosystems or agroecosystems, physiology, genetics, plant production and propagation, lab skills, and a capstone experience. All students must also complete a guided internship or high impact practice (HIP) related to their area of interest.

Courses in the major provide students with the knowledge and fundamental concepts essential to the degree, and upper-division requirements and electives are designed to build knowledge, competency, and skills applicable to professional development. The skills courses, internship or HIP experiences, and capstone courses all help students gain real-world experience in their chosen field.

Students should meet with both their academic advisor and a faculty mentor as early as possible in their academic programs, to explore their interests and receive guidance on appropriate courses to plan their course of study and career paths.