Agronomy, BS
Overview
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agronomy
Agronomy is the fundamental agricultural science: managing multiple parts of agricultural systems to sustainability and economically meet the growing need for food, fuel and fiber. The agronomy major provides a foundation that by necessity integrates the science and practice of agricultural production through courses in plant biology, genetics, weed and pest management, soil science, environmental quality, and agricultural management practices. The program also offers many opportunities to participate in research and internships. This curriculum prepares students for careers in agricultural sciences as well as for entrance into graduate and professional schools. Our students pursue employment in scientific research or fields related to agronomy including crop consulting, soil and crop management, international food security and agricultural development, and science policy.
Degree Requirements
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agronomy
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300 and 400 level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-8 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-15 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Departmental Foundation | ||
| Communication Option: | 3 or 6 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Let’s Talk about Food, Agriculture, and the Environment | ||
| Oral & Written Comm I and Oral & Written Comm II | ||
| ACES 101 | 2 | |
| or ACES 200 | ACES Transfer Orientation | |
| Calculus Option - Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus for Business I | ||
| CHEM 102 & CHEM 103 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I | 4 |
| CHEM 104 & CHEM 105 | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II | 4 |
| ECON 102 | Microeconomic Principles | 3 or 4 |
| or ACE 100 | Introduction to Applied Microeconomics | |
| CPSC 241 | Intro to Applied Statistics | 3 |
| Major Core | ||
| CPSC 102 | Foundational Skills in Crop Sciences | 2 |
| CPSC 112 | Introduction to Crop Sciences | 4 |
| CPSC 212 | Introduction to Plant Protection | 4 |
| CPSC 498 | Crop Sci Professional Develpmt | 1 |
| IB 103 | Introduction to Plant Biology | 4 |
| IB 150 | Organismal & Evolutionary Biol | 4 |
| NRES 201 | Introductory Soils | 4 |
| Internship or Research/Thesis Option - Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Crop Sciences Internship | ||
| Horticulture Internship | ||
| Undergrad Research or Thesis | ||
| Undergrad Research or Thesis | ||
| Undergrad Research or Thesis | ||
| Agronomy Requirements | ||
| CPSC 336 | Tomorrow's Environment | 3 |
| CPSC 352 | Plant Genetics | 4 |
| CPSC 382 | Organic Chem of Biol Processes | 4 |
| CPSC 418 | Crop Growth and Management | 3 |
| Major Electives | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Hours | 126 | |
Sample Sequence
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Agronomy
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
First Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| CPSC 102 - Foundational Skills in Crop Sciences | 2 |
| CPSC 112 - Introduction to Crop Sciences | 4 |
| CHEM 102 - General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 103 - General Chemistry Lab I | 1 |
| Composition I or Communication Option | 3 |
| ACES 101 - or ACES 200 - ACES Transfer Orientation | 2 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| CPSC 212 - Introduction to Plant Protection | 4 |
| Calculus Option | 4 |
| CHEM 104 - General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 105 - General Chemistry Lab II | 1 |
| Communication Option or Composition I | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
Second Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| NRES 201 - Introductory Soils | 4 |
| ECON 102 - Microeconomic Principles or ACE 100 - Introduction to Applied Microeconomics | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| Advanced CPSC, PLPA, or HORT Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| CPSC 241 - Intro to Applied Statistics | 3 |
| IB 103 - Introduction to Plant Biology | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Advanced CPSC, PLPA, or HORT Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
Third Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| CPSC 382 - Organic Chem of Biol Processes | 4 |
| Internship or Research/Thesis Option | 3 |
| Advanced CPSC, PLPA, or HORT Elective course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| IB 150 - Organismal & Evolutionary Biol | 4 |
| Advanced CPSC, PLPA, or HORT Elective course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
Fourth Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| CPSC 352 - Plant Genetics | 4 |
| CPSC 498 - Crop Sci Professional Develpmt | 1 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Advanced CPSC, PLPA, or HORT Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| CPSC 336 - Tomorrow's Environment | 3 |
| CPSC 418 - Crop Growth and Management | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Total Hours
Total hours for all requirements: 126
Learning Outcomes
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agronomy
- Students will demonstrate proficiency in the areas of crop production, plant breeding, pathogen control, soil and nutrient management, genetics and genomics, environmental quality, and data analysis.
- Students will gain leadership skills through team-based science in an experiential learning context to become leaders in scientific fields.
- Students will communicate agronomy content to the public using traditional and 21st century media platforms.
- Students will discover how agronomy can be used as the foundation to solve global and regional food security challenge, and how agronomy is an ever-evolving field poised to meet the demand for food of a growing population.
- Students will develop professional networks that will enhance future career choices.
Contact Information
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agronomy
Crop Sciences
Crop Sciences website
AW-101 Turner Hall
MC-046
1102 S. Goodwin Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-3420
cropsciences@illinois.edu
College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences
College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences website
ACES Office of Academic Programs
128 Mumford Hall
1301 West Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-3380
aces-academics@illinois.edu
Advising
Advising website
Undergraduate Advising email: ugrad@cropsciences.illinois.edu
Graduate Advising email: grad@cropsciences.illinois.edu
Admissions
ACES Undergraduate Admissions
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Graduate Admissions
(217) 333-3380
visitACES@illinois.edu