Agricultural Science and Technology Major

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
2139 Plant Sciences Building
Phone: 301-405-4359
dcortez@umd.edu
http://psla.umd.edu

Program Director: Melissa Leiden Welsh, Ph.D.

Agricultural Science and Technology is an interdisciplinary major focusing on sustainable production of food, feed, fiber, fuel, and ornamentals as well as developing skills to provide agricultural education for all. This major is a science-based curriculum that allows students to obtain technological skills while developing critical thinking in a broad area of agricultural studies. There are three specializations to choose from in this major: Agronomy, Environmental Horticulture (fruit, vegetable and ornamental production outdoors and in controlled environment and hydroponic systems), and Agricultural and Extension Education. 

Agronomy

Agronomy students will focus on a broad range of agricultural disciplines providing them with a comprehensive education in crop, soil and animal sciences.  Students will take courses in animal science, crop science, soil science, agricultural economics and plant protection. This specialization has electives that allows students to design their curriculum and develop knowledge in areas that meet their future goals. Graduates will be prepared to work in the agricultural industry in agricultural extension, management, marketing, regulatory, support services, as well as other opportunities.

Environmental Horticulture

The Environmental Horticulture specialization focuses on the science, technology and management of sustainable fruit, vegetable, flower and woody ornamental plant production as well as controlled environment agriculture and hydroponic crop production. Applied aspects of the curriculum include training in plant propagation, plant identification, field production of fruits, vegetables and ornamental crops, greenhouse crop production, containerized nursery production, and food production in controlled environment and hydroponic systems. Courses are taken in plant science, soil science, plant pathology and entomology, plant protection and food safety. Graduates of this program pursue careers in production horticulture, urban agriculture, food safety and public education programs. Some own their own businesses. Students can prepare for plant science graduate programs by taking additional courses.

Agricultural and Extension Education

The Agricultural and Extension Education specialization provides students with varying coursework in agribusiness & communications; animal, food & plant sciences; biotechnology; environmental & natural resources; leadership, youth & career development; power, structural & technical systems; and foundational pedagogical education courses. Students practice agricultural literacy techniques throughout their individualized learning experiences to develop mastery in educating using agricultural concepts with diverse audiences. Inclusion within the Terrapin Teachers program provides cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary opportunities for learning with peers.

Graduates focused on formal education may become certified secondary high school agricultural teachers in public or private schools or specialize in an area for career technical education.  Those focused as agricultural advocates may seek non-formal education jobs in non-profit agricultural literacy based foundations, become Extension youth educators, Extension agricultural specialists, or work within agricultural industry public relations areas. Proximity to federal agencies provides students with an opportunity to expand their international and regulation agency networking skills.

Undergraduates have two options.

  1. The first option is to complete a double major in 4 years*: (1) Agricultural Science and Technology, Agricultural and Extension Education specialization and (2) Secondary Sciences Education. Graduates of this option are eligible to obtain teacher certification. 

    *With Junior status, students could opt to enroll in the Integrated Master Certificate Program (IMCP) and complete a Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Education (M.Ed.) with Certification in the 5th year. These students are able to complete additional agricultural content courses due to the majority of their educational courses being completed in the 30 credit master’s program.
  2. The second option is to major in Agricultural Science and Technology, Agricultural and Extension Education specialization with no teacher certification and focus on Extension/Industry internships. Students graduating from this option could apply at a later date to complete a master’s degree through the Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Education (M.Ed.) with the teacher certification (MCERT) program.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will develop technical and knowledge-based skills in the required areas of study.
  2. Students will use technical and basic learned knowledge to collaborate, solve problems, and then articulate conclusions.
  3. Students shall develop effective communication skills and demonstrate the ability to present ideas with clarity to an appropriate audience.
  4. Students will connect and build relationships with external groups in the appropriate fields of study.

Grading Policy: Students in the Agricultural Science & Technology program are required to earn grades of “C-” or higher in all required courses including courses used to satisfy elective requirements.

Course Title Credits
Major Core Courses
Foundational Science Courses7-8
Chemistry I - Fundamentals of General Chemistry
and General Chemistry I Laboratory
Select one of the following:
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
or PLSC275
Foundational Agricultural Courses
PLSC201Plant Structure and Function3
PLSC206Plant Structure and Function Laboratory1
ENST200Fundamentals of Soil Science4
Plant Protection Courses
BSCI337Biology of Insects4
or BSCI487 IPM: Science-Based Decision Making for Sustainable Pest Management
or BSCI497 Insect Pests of Ornamentals and Turf
PLSC420Principles of Plant Pathology4
PLSC453Weed Science3
Specialization Requirements54-75
Select one of the following specializations:
Agronomy
Environmental Horticulture
Agricultural and Extension Education
Total Credits80-102

Specializations:

Agronomy

Course Title Credits
Agronomy Specialization Requirements
Mathematics Course
MATH115Precalculus3
Biology, agronomy and animal science courses
BSCI160
BSCI161
Principles of Ecology and Evolution
and Principles of Ecology and Evolution Lab
4
PLSC112
PLSC113
Introductory Crop Science
and Introductory Crop Science Laboratory
4
ANSC101
ANSC103
Principles of Animal Science
and Principles of Animal Science Laboratory
4
AGST400Advanced Crop Science3
AGST401Tractor and Equipment Operation, Safety and Maintenance1
AREC306Farm Management and Sustainable Food Production3
Animal Management Course (select one)3
Livestock Management
Horse Management
Dairy Cattle Management
Sheep Management
Introduction to Aquaculture
Commercial Poultry Management
Grazing Animal Management
Upper level (greater or equal to 300) restricted electives
AGST, PLSC or ANSC Restricted Elective 1,23
AREC or BMGT Restricted Elective 1,33
AGST or PLSC Restricted Elective 1,43
AGST or PLSC Restricted Elective 1,43
AGST or PLSC Restricted Elective 1,43
ENST Restricted Elective 1,53
Multidiscipline Restricted Elective (Course is restricted to Education, Computer Application or Policy.) 1,63
Internship and capstone courses
PLSC389Internship3
PLSC460Application of Knowledge in Plant Sciences3
General Electives6
Total Credits58
1

This course will be chosen in consultation with the academic advisor.

2

This course is restricted to 300-level or above courses within the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences.

3

This course is restricted to 300-level or above courses with the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics or the Robert H. Smith School of Business.

4

This course is restricted to 300-level or above courses within the Agricultural Science and Technology program or the Plant Science program.

5

This course is restricted to 300 level or above courses within the Department of Environmental Science and Technology.

6

This course is restricted to Education, Computer Science or Policy.

Environmental Horticulture

Course Title Credits
Environmental Horticulture Specialization Requirements
Mathematics Course
MATH115Precalculus3
Economics Course3
Select one of the following:
Elements of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Principles of Microeconomics
Introductory Course3-4
Select one of the following:
Principles of Animal Science
and Principles of Animal Science Laboratory
Introduction to the Business Value Chain
The Intentional Self
Pollinators in Crisis
The World Today: Global Perspectives
As the World Turns: Society and Sustainability in a Time of Great Change
Environmental Geology
Fundamentals of Agricultural Mechanics
Urban Agriculture: Designing and Assessing Edible Landscapes
Greening Cities: Who Wins, Who Loses, and Who Cares?
Introduction to Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design
Environmental Justice: Same World, Different Built Environment
Intensive Elementary Spanish
Biological Sciences4
Complete the following courses:
Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology
and Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology Laboratory
Foundational Horticulture Courses7
Complete all listed courses
Introduction to Horticulture
and Introduction to Horticulture Laboratory
Plant Propagation
Lower level (greater or equal to 100) restricted electives6-8
Select two of the following courses:
Did Yeast Create Civilization?
Feeding Ten Billion by 2050: Food Security and Crop Protection
Plants, Genes and Biotechnology
Introduction to Turf Science and Management
Plant Diversity
Woody Plants for Mid-Atlantic Landscapes I
Woody Plants for Mid-Atlantic Landscape II
Weather and Climate
and Weather and Climate Laboratory
Agriculture Business, Economics, Management or Marketing Course3
Select one of the following:
Farm Management and Sustainable Food Production
Global Poverty and Economic Development
World Hunger, Population, and Food Supplies
BMGT Restricted Elective 1,2
Financial Applications for the Green Industry
Advanced Horticulture Courses
Complete all listed courses:
PLSC432Greenhouse Crop Production3
PLSC433Technology of Fruit and Vegetable Production4
Upper level (greater or equal to 300) restricted electives6-8
Select two of the following:
Crafty Beverage Crops
Tractor and Equipment Operation, Safety and Maintenance
Principles of Soil Fertility
People and the Environment
Global Food Systems
Plant Physiology
Green Roofs and Urban Sustainability
Environmental Horticulture
Cultural Management of Nursery and Greenhouse Systems: Substrates
Cultural Management of Nursery and Greenhouse Systems; Irrigation
Cultural Management of Nursery and Greenhouse Systems: Nutrients
Forest Ecology
AGST or PLSC Approved Elective 1,3
Career Preparation Courses6
Internship 4
Special Problems in Plant Science
Application of Knowledge in Plant Sciences
General Electives6
Total Credits54-59
1

This course will be chosen in consultation with the academic advisor.

2

This course is restricted to the 200-level or above.

3

This course is restricted to 300-level or above courses within the Agricultural Science and Technology program or the Plant Sciences program.

4

Requires approval from advisor.

Agricultural and Extension Education: Teaching Certificate

Course Title Credits
Agriculture-Related Courses
Animal Science
ANSC101
ANSC103
Principles of Animal Science
and Principles of Animal Science Laboratory
4
One of the following animal management courses:3
Livestock Management
Horse Management
Dairy Cattle Management
Sheep Management
Introduction to Aquaculture
Commercial Poultry Management
Grazing Animal Management
Agribusiness
MATH113College Algebra and Trigonometry3
AREC250Elements of Agricultural and Resource Economics3
Biology
BSCI160
BSCI161
Principles of Ecology and Evolution
and Principles of Ecology and Evolution Lab
4
Power, Structural & Technical
INAG250Fundamentals of Agricultural Mechanics3
PLSC2353
or INAG235 Irrigation and Drainage
Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources
PLSC471Forest Ecology (or elective focused on Renewable Energy)3
Plant Sciences
PLSC110
PLSC111
Introduction to Horticulture
and Introduction to Horticulture Laboratory
4
or PLSC112
PLSC113
Introductory Crop Science
and Introductory Crop Science Laboratory
Food Science
NFSC112Food: Science and Technology3
or PLSC115 How Safe is Your Salad? The Microbiological Safety of Fresh produce
Leadership & Career Development
AGST440Exploring Maryland Agriculture, Agricultural Industry, and Agricultural Literacy (Exploring Maryland Agriculture, Agricultural Industries & Agricultural Literacy)3
AGST442 (Developing Leadership in Youth and Volunteers)3
EDHD426Cognitive and Motivational Literacy Content3
Education Pre-Professional
TLPL101Inquiry Approach to Teaching STEM (Step 1)1
TLPL102Inquiry Teaching of STEM in Middle School2
One of the following courses:3
Student-Centered Curriculum and Instruction
Special Topics in Education (TLPL488P: Project Based Instruction)
TLPL414Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science3
Teacher Certification
Professional Courses
TLPL415Perspectives in Science3
TLPL425Learning and Teaching in Science3
or AGST425
TLPL481Embracing Diversity in the Classroom Community3
Student Teaching
TLPL478Professional Seminar in Education (TLPL478F: Professional Seminar in Education: Agriculture)2
TLPL479Field Experiences in Education (TLPL479F: Field Experience in Science Education)1
TLPL489Internship in Education (TLPL489F)12
Total Credits75

Agricultural and Extension education: Extension/Industry

Course Title Credits
Agriculture-Related Courses
Animal Science
ANSC101
ANSC103
Principles of Animal Science
and Principles of Animal Science Laboratory
4
One of the following animal management courses:3
Livestock Management
Horse Management
Dairy Cattle Management
Sheep Management
Commercial Poultry Management
Grazing Animal Management
Agribusiness
MATH113College Algebra and Trigonometry3
AREC250Elements of Agricultural and Resource Economics3
Biology
BSCI160
BSCI161
Principles of Ecology and Evolution
and Principles of Ecology and Evolution Lab
4
Power, Structural & Technical
INAG250Fundamentals of Agricultural Mechanics3
PLSC2353
or INAG235 Irrigation and Drainage
Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources
PLSC471Forest Ecology (or elective focused on Renewable Energy)3
Plant Sciences
PLSC110
PLSC111
Introduction to Horticulture
and Introduction to Horticulture Laboratory
4
or PLSC112
PLSC113
Introductory Crop Science
and Introductory Crop Science Laboratory
Food Science
NFSC112Food: Science and Technology3
or PLSC115 How Safe is Your Salad? The Microbiological Safety of Fresh produce
Leadership & Career Development
AGST442 (Developing Leadership in Youth and Volunteers)3
AGST440Exploring Maryland Agriculture, Agricultural Industry, and Agricultural Literacy (Exploring Maryland Agriculture, Agricultural Industries & Agricultural Literacy)3
Education Pre-Professional
TLPL101Inquiry Approach to Teaching STEM (Step 1)1
TLPL102Inquiry Teaching of STEM in Middle School2
One of the following courses:3
Special Topics in Education (TLPL488P: Project Based Instruction)
Student-Centered Curriculum and Instruction
TLPL414Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science3
Industry/Extension
Agricultural Expanded
ANSC255Introduction to Aquaculture3
BSCI1212
INAG252Agricultural Public Relations3
AREC/PLSC/LARC Restricted Elective6
AREC/PLSC/LARC: Restricted Elective
AGST Internship or Elective 16
AGST489Special Topics in Agricultural Science and Technology (Internship)3
AGST489Special Topics in Agricultural Science and Technology (Internship or Elective Course)3
Total Credits74
1

Internship requirement: Students will either do two internships for a total of 6 credits or one internship for 3 credits and take a different elective course for 3 credits.

Click here for roadmaps for graduation plans in the College of Agricultural and Natural Resources.

Additional information on developing a graduation plan can be found on the following pages:

The department has mandatory faculty advising for each of its major and minor programs. Students are required to meet with their faculty advisor at least twice a year. 

For additional information please see:

Concentration Faculty Advisor
Agricultural and Extension Education Dr. Melissa Leiden Welsh, Director and Assistant Clinical Professor, Agricultural and Extension Education Advisor, drmwelsh@umd.edu
Agronomy Dr. Bill Phillips, Assistant Clinical Professor, Agronomy Advisor, billii@umd.edu
Environmental Horticulture Dr. Diana Cochran, Assistant Clinical Professor, Environmental Horticulture Advisor, cochrand@umd.edu
General Questions Diana Cortez, Academic Advisor & Lecturer, dcortez@umd.edu

Undergraduate Research Experiences

Students are encouraged to take part in faculty mentored research. Please contact an advisor for more information.

Internships

Internships are a part of the required curriculum and can be in private or government sector employment. Formal (K-12 schools) and non-formal (non-profits, industry & Extension) education settings are available for students in the Agricultural & Extension Education specialization.

Student Clubs and Professional Organizations

Faculty in the department advise student clubs. The department also sponsors student teams that participate in regional and national contests. These teams participate in competitions in the following areas: turf and crop science.

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

Several scholarships and awards are available to AGST students. Contact the Associate Dean's office at 301-405-2078 for additional information. The Department also maintains a listing of scholarships. For more information regarding these scholarships contact the Chair's office in 2104A Plant Sciences, 301-405-4356.

The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) administers all types of federal, state and institutional financial assistance programs and, in cooperation with other university offices, participates in the awarding of scholarships to deserving students. For information, visit: http://financialaid.umd.edu.