About the Online + Plant and Soil Science, B.S.: Horticulture Concentration
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 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
Disclaimer: This curriculum serves as a recommended course sequence and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not guaranteed to reflect each student’s unique academic needs and is subject to change based on course availability, institutional updates, and individual advising. Students should consult with an academic advisor to confirm their personalized degree plan.
Summer
- PSS Economics Requirement 3 Semester Credit Hours (also counts as Social and Behavioral Science)
- Required Concentration Course 3 Semester Credit Hours
Late Fall
- Required Concentration Course 3 Semester Credit Hours
- Elective Concentration Course 3 Semester Credit Hours
Summer
- Creative Arts 3 Semester Credit Hours
- Required Concentration Course 3 Semester Credit Hours
Late Fall
- Elective Concentration Course 3 Semester Credit Hours
- PSS 4100 - Seminar 1 Semester Credit Hours
- Required Concentration Course 3 Semester Credit Hours
Early Spring
- Elective Concentration Courses 6 Semester Credit Hours
Late Spring
- Elective Concentration Courses 5 Semester Credit Hours
Required Concentration Hours (24 hours)
Plus Select 12 hours from:
Elective Concentration Hours (17 hours)
