Agricultural Science and Technology Major
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
2139 Plant Sciences Building
Phone: 301-405-4359
dcortez@umd.edu
psla.umd.edu
Program Director: John Erwin, 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. Within this major there are three specializations to choose from: Agronomy, Environmental Horticulture, or 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 fruit, vegetable, flower and woody ornamental plant production. The applied aspects of the curriculum include training in plant propagation, greenhouse crop production systems, containerized nursery production, food crop production and controlled environmental systems. Courses are taken in plant science, soil science, plant protection and food safety practices. Graduates of this program pursue careers in urban agriculture, horticultural enterprises and public education programs. 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.
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. First option is to complete a double major in 4 years:
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.
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 wanting to complete a master’s degree can enroll in the 5-year Integrated Master’s with certification program. 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.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will develop technical and knowledge-based skills in the required areas of study.
- Students will use technical and basic learned knowledge to collaborate, solve problems, and then articulate conclusions.
- Students shall develop effective communication skills and demonstrate the ability to present ideas with clarity to an appropriate audience.
- Students will connect and build relationships with external groups in the appropriate fields of study.
Course | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Major Core Courses | ||
ANSC101 | Principles of Animal Science | 3 |
ANSC103 | Principles of Animal Science Laboratory | 1 |
BSCI337 | Biology of Insects | 4 |
or BSCI497 | Insect Pests of Ornamentals and Turf | |
AREC250 | Elements of Agricultural and Resource Economics | 3 |
or AREC306 | Farm Management and Sustainable Food Production | |
CHEM131 & CHEM132 | Chemistry I - Fundamentals of General Chemistry and General Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
ENST200 | Fundamentals of Soil Science | 4 |
MATH113 | College Algebra and Trigonometry | 3 |
PLSC201 | Plant Structure and Function | 4 |
INAG250 | Fundamentals of Agricultural Mechanics | 3 |
Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
Fundamentals of Agricultural Chemistry | ||
Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
PLSC420 | Principles of Plant Pathology | 4 |
PLSC453 | Weed Science | 3 |
Specialization Requirements | 38-71 | |
Select one of the following specializations: | ||
Agronomy | ||
Environmental Horticulture | ||
Agricultural and Extension Education | ||
Total Credits | 77-111 |
Specializations:
Agronomy
Course | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Agronomy Specialization Requirements | ||
Accounting, Education, Computer Science or Policy | Restricted Elective | 3 |
ANSC | Elective | 3 |
ANSC220 | Livestock Management | 3 |
ANSC/PLSC/LARC | Elective | 3 |
AREC | Restricted Elective | 3 |
BSCI160 & BSCI161 | Principles of Ecology and Evolution and Principles of Ecology and Evolution Lab | 4 |
ENST | Restricted Elective | 3 |
PLSC112 & PLSC113 | Introductory Crop Science and Introductory Crop Science Laboratory | 4 |
PLSC | Restricted Elective | 3 |
PLSC389 | Internship | 3 |
PLSC460 | Application of Knowledge in Plant Sciences | 3 |
Total Credits | 35 |
Environmental Horticulture
Course | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Environmental Horticulture Specialization | ||
BSCI170 & BSCI171 | Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology and Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology Laboratory | 4 |
AREC | Restricted Elective | 3 |
Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
Principles of Soil Fertility | ||
Cultural Management of Nursery and Greenhouse Systems: Substrates | ||
Cultural Management of Nursery and Greenhouse Systems; Irrigation | ||
Cultural Management of Nursery and Greenhouse Systems: Nutrients | ||
PLSC203 | Plants, Genes and Biotechnology | 3 |
PLSC110 & PLSC111 | Introduction to Horticulture and Introduction to Horticulture Laboratory | 4 |
PLSC271 | Plant Propagation | 3 |
PLSC303 | Global Food Systems | 3 |
PLSC389 | Internship | 3 |
PLSC400 | Plant Physiology | 4 |
PLSC432 | Greenhouse Crop Production | 3 |
PLSC433 | Technology of Fruit and Vegetable Production | 4 |
PLSC460 | Application of Knowledge in Plant Sciences | 3 |
Total Credits | 40-41 |
Agricultural and Extension Education: Teaching Certificate
Course | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PLSC110 & PLSC111 | Introduction to Horticulture and Introduction to Horticulture Laboratory | 4 |
or PLSC112 & PLSC113 | Introductory Crop Science and Introductory Crop Science Laboratory | |
BSCI160 & BSCI161 | Principles of Ecology and Evolution and Principles of Ecology and Evolution Lab | 4 |
One of the following courses: | 3 | |
Livestock Management | ||
Dairy Cattle Management | ||
Horse Management | ||
Introduction to Aquaculture | ||
ANSC227 | Eating with Eyes Wide Open | 3 |
AGST442 | (Developing Leadership in Youth and Volunteers) | 3 |
PLSC235 | Irrigation and Drainage | 3 |
or INAG235 | Irrigation and Drainage | |
AGST440 | (Exploring Maryland Agriculture, Agricultural Industries & Agricultural Literacy) | 3 |
PLSC471 | Forest Ecology (or elective focused on Renewable Energy) | 3 |
NFSC112 | Food: Science and Technology | 3 |
or PLSC115 | How Safe is Your Salad? The Microbiological Safety of Fresh produce | |
EDHD426 | Cognitive and Motivational Literacy Content | 3 |
TLPL101 | Inquiry Approach to Teaching STEM (Step 1) | 1 |
TLPL102 | Inquiry Teaching of STEM in Middle School | 2 |
BSCI348 | Special Topics in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics (BSCI348T: Research Methods for Terrapin Teachers) | 3 |
One of the following courses: | 3 | |
Special Topics in Education (TLPL488P: Project Based Instruction) | ||
Student-Centered Curriculum and Instruction | ||
TLPL414 | Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science | 3 |
TLPL415 | Perspectives in Science | 3 |
TLPL425 | Learning and Teaching in Science | 3 |
TLPL478 | Professional Seminar in Education (TLPL478F: Professional Seminar in Education: Agriculture) | 2 |
TLPL479 | Field Experiences in Education (TLPL479F: Field Experience in Science Education) | 1 |
TLPL489 | Internship in Education (TLPL489F) | 12 |
TLPL481 | Embracing Diversity in the Classroom Community | 3 |
Total Credits | 68 |
Agricultural and Extension education: Extension/Industry
Course | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PLSC110 & PLSC111 | Introduction to Horticulture and Introduction to Horticulture Laboratory | 4 |
or PLSC112 & PLSC113 | Introductory Crop Science and Introductory Crop Science Laboratory | |
BSCI160 & BSCI161 | Principles of Ecology and Evolution and Principles of Ecology and Evolution Lab | 4 |
One of the following courses: | 3 | |
Livestock Management | ||
Dairy Cattle Management | ||
Horse Management | ||
ANSC255 | Introduction to Aquaculture | 3 |
ANSC227 | Eating with Eyes Wide Open | 3 |
AGST442 | (Developing Leadership in Youth and Volunteers) | 3 |
PLSC235 | Irrigation and Drainage | 3 |
or INAG235 | Irrigation and Drainage | |
AREC/PLSC/LARC | Restricted Elective | 6 |
AGST440 | (Exploring Maryland Agriculture, Agricultural Industries & Agricultural Literacy) | 3 |
PLSC471 | Forest Ecology (or elective focused on Renewable Energy) | 3 |
NFSC112 | Food: Science and Technology | 3 |
or PLSC115 | How Safe is Your Salad? The Microbiological Safety of Fresh produce | |
BSCI121 | Beekeeping | 2 |
INAG252 | Agricultural Public Relations | 3 |
AGST489 | (Internship or Elective Course) 1 | 3 |
AGST489 | (Internship) 1 | 3 |
TLPL101 | Inquiry Approach to Teaching STEM (Step 1) | 1 |
TLPL102 | Inquiry Teaching of STEM in Middle School | 2 |
One of the following courses: | 3 | |
Special Topics in Education (TLPL488P: Project Based Instruction) | ||
Student-Centered Curriculum and Instruction | ||
TLPL414 | Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science | 3 |
Total Credits | 58 |
- 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 four-year plans in the College of Agricultural and Natural Resources.
Additional information on developing a four-year academic plan can be found on the following pages:
- 4yearplans.umd.edu
- the Student Academic Success-Degree Completion Policy section of this catalog
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: financialaid.umd.edu.
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:
Dr. John Erwin, Chair and Director
jerwin@umd.edu | Room: PLS 2104 | Phone: 301-405-4356
Dr. Bill Phillips, Assistant Clinical Professor, Agronomy Advisor
billii@umd.edu | Room: PLS 2128 | Phone: 301-405-1061
Dr. Diana Cochran, Assistant Clinical Professor, Environmental Horticulture Advisor
cochrand@umd.edu | Room: PLS 2133 | Phone: 301-405-4336
Dr. Melissa Leiden Welsh, Assistant Clinical Professor, Agricultural and Extension Education Advisor
drmwelsh@umd.edu | Room: PLS 2130 | Phone: 301-405-6969
Diana Cortez, Academic Advisor & Lecturer
dcortez@umd.edu | Room: 2139 Plant Sciences Building | Phone: 301-405-4359