The Plant and Soil Sciences minor provides students with hands-on, foundational knowledge in plant biology and soil science - an ideal way to boost your resume if you are majoring in agriculture, environmental sciences, or life sciences. It's a great way to stand out in the job market and expand your skills in food, fiber, fuel, and natural resources management.
Earning a minor in Plant and Soil Sciences provides students with foundational knowledge in plant biology and soil science, enhancing their understanding of how ecosystems function, crops grow, and soils support sustainable agriculture. This minor is an excellent complement to majors in agriculture, environmental sciences, life sciences, or related fields, offering practical skills applicable to careers in agronomy, conservation, environmental consulting, and agricultural technology. By integrating scientific principles with hands-on learning, the minor prepares students for diverse opportunities in agriculture, environmental sciences, or life sciences industries.
To complete the Plant and Soil Science minor, students must successfully complete 19 credits, not including pre-minor requirements. All students must complete PLS 103 or PLS 104, PLS 210, PLS 366, plus one course from each area (Plant, Soil, Supporting) totaling nine credits. Other courses may substitute pending approval.
Students must complete CHE 105 General College Chemistry I or CHE 109/110 General College Chemistry IA and IB.
Only a few things are essential to life, and food is one of them. Students successfully completing this course will leave with an understanding of the need to sustainably expand the world's food supply, the basic principles of plant and soil science and their application to this problem, and their own potential role in determining our ability to meet this challenge. Students may not receive credit for both this course and PLS 104. (3 credits) Prerequisite: None
The course explores the biological and environmental constraints on food production, the ways that agricultural science had dealt with these in the past and possible ways for the future, as well as societal and cultural issues, such as population growth, human health, education, and food definitions, that also impact food security. Students may not receive credit for both this course and PLS 103. (3 credits) Prerequisite: None
This course is intended to provide a basic understanding of the natural products and processes that shape the nature of modern plants and govern their interactions with the environment and other living organisms. (3 credits) Prerequisite: None
Study of the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils and how these properties relate to plan nutrient availability and plant growth, land-use planning and management issues, and soil and water quality issues. (4 credits) Prerequisite: CHE 105
At least one course must be selected from the Plant area.
At least one course must be selected from the Soil area.
*May be repeated but only one instance, up to three credits total, counts towards minor.
At least one course must be selected from the Supporting area.
Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food & Environment
