Plant Production and Protection

The Plant Production and Protection degree prepares students for careers in agriculture, natural resources, environmental and life sciences, and advanced graduate studies in the plant sciences.

Program Information

The Department of Plant Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Production and Protection, with four optional concentrations and four minors. Optional concentrations for Plant Production and Protection majors are: 

• Agronomy
• Horticulture
• Integrated Pest Management
• Agroecology and Evolution

Minors available for students pursuing other majors at UW are:  Agronomy, Agroecology, Horticulture, and Plant Protection. These minors allow students within many bachelors programs to obtain an added emphasis in areas that enjoy strong employment opportunities.

A B.S. degree in Plant Production and Protection prepares students for careers in agriculture, natural resources, environmental and life sciences and for advanced graduate studies in specific subdisciplines within these areas. It is a broad, interdisciplinary, undergraduate curriculum that combines and integrates courses in the crop, horticulture, disease, weeds, soil, and insect sciences and is supported by a science-based curriculum and general education. Flexibility is built into the curriculum to readily accommodate students seeking to pursue an emphasis or obtain a minor in a specific discipline. To that end the breadth of the curriculum is balanced with greater depth in biology, chemistry, crop science, entomology, environmental studies, natural resource management, soil science, plant pathology, weed science, horticulture, turf management, pre-veterinary medicine, rangeland ecology and watershed management, animal science, microbiology, and molecular biology. A liberal number of electives permits design of a program that best meets individual career and educational objectives. The Plant Production and Protection program is well suited for students who possess a strong interest in, and an aptitude for, science, agriculture, the environment, life sciences, or natural resources.

The core curriculum is comprised of freshman- through senior-level courses that illustrate dynamic and complex interactions of plants, soils, and plant pests (diseases, insects, weeds) with the environment. Academic training is enhanced with experiential learning through research apprenticeships, internships, field studies, and a special Plant Sciences Capstone course. Special emphasis is given to development of critical thinking and communication skills, problem solving, and application of science. It is an interdisciplinary and highly practical degree program designed to prepare students for "real world" situations.

Plant Production and Protection B.S. degree recipients are prepared for careers with private and public institutions and agencies in such areas as: agricultural consulting, production or sales, research, product development, education, extension education, international programs, and scientific and technological support. These careers include but are not limited to: soil scientist, conservationist, entomologist, consultant, plant scientist, integrated pest management specialist, ecologist, research associate or technician, agronomist, biotechnician, and agroecologist. Degree recipients are also prepared for graduate education in biological and environmental sciences.

The combined Plant Sciences, B.S./M.S. QuickStart  program enables highly-qualified students to be admitted to the M.S. program during the junior year of their B.S. program, and to work thereafter toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Accepted students would earn a B.S. degree in Plant Production and Protection and the M.S. degree in Plant Sciences. Please see additional information under the Plant Sciences Graduate Study section or online at http://www.uwyo.edu/plantsciences/.

FILL OUT AN APPLICATION

There is a low $40 USD non-refundable application fee to apply. If this fee is submitted in the form of an international money order or a check, it must be drawn from a U.S. bank, made payable to the UW Admissions Office. Please print your full legal name on your check or money order.

DISCOVER STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The University of Wyoming offers the International Brown & Gold Commitment for eligible international freshman students. This financial support is based on your international GPA, though students will still have to provide proof of financial support.