Dec 10, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog

Plant and Soil Science, B.S.: Hybrid/Off-Campus


About the B.S. in Plant and Soil Science


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 with 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 vineyards and wineries.

Students may focus on one of six areas of concentration: crop science, environmental soil and water science, horticulture and turfgrass science, viticulture and enology, horticulture at a distance, or local food and wine production. 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 Science offers on-campus, distance, and hybrid/off-campus programs 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 through Texas Tech University.  For the hybrid/off-campus program, students may need to complete a portion of their general coursework at another institution and complete the last 30 semester credit hours at Texas Tech University’s Lubbock Campus, Fredericksburg Campus, or online. Students must earn a grade of C or greater in all courses required for graduation. All electives are subject to departmental approval.

Communication Literacy Requirement. Communication Literacy courses for the Plant and Soil Science major are PSS 1100 , PSS 3323 , PSS 4100 , and PSS 4421 .

Recommended Curriculum


First Year


Total: 15

Spring


Total: 16

Second Year


Fall


Total: 16

Total: 13

Third Year


Fall


Total: 13-14

Spring


Total: 16

Fourth Year


Fall


Total: 15

Spring


Total: 16

Total Hours: 120


* Major course requirement
See www.pssc.ttu.edu/ProgramPages/CourseRot.php for rotation of courses.
Students must fulfill the university’s Multicultural/Language, Philosophy, and Culture/Creative Arts requirements.

All PSS courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C.
All students will be advised prior to registration.

Local Food and Wine Production Concentration


Concentration Electives (12-13 hours)


Viticulture and Enology Concentration


Required Electives (26 hours)


Concentration Electives (13-14 hours)