Plant and Soil Science: Horticulture Specialization (Distance Program), B.S.

About the Plant and Soil Science Bachelor’s Program

The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Plant and Soil Science degree designed to build on a foundation of basic biological and physical science principles. This foundation provides students a broad base of knowledge as well as hands-on experience in many aspects of the plant and soil sciences industry. Students learn the latest methods to produce agronomic, forage, horticultural, and turfgrass crops while conserving natural soil and water resources. In addition, students learn current management techniques to control or prevent plant diseases, insects, and weed species as well as efficient soil nutrient and water management.

A bachelor’s degree in plant and soil science prepares students to manage properly a wide variety of plant and soil issues, such as fertilization and pesticide application, mitigation of urban heat load through appropriate use of landscape plants, improved crop production through plant breeding and biotechnology, and appropriate management practices for vineyard and wineries.

Students may focus on one of four areas of specialization: crop science, environmental soil and water science, horticulture and turfgrass science, or viticulture and enology. This degree prepares students to meet the challenges of sustainable production of plants for food, fiber, fuel, and aesthetic beauty while preserving natural resources and environmental integrity.

The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences offers both a resident and a distance program requiring 120 semester credit hours. For the distance program, students will need to complete a portion of their general coursework at another institution and complete the last 30 semester credit hours at Texas Tech University.