Crop Sciences: Horticultural Food Systems, BS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Crop Science, Horticultural Food Systems Concentration
This concentration provides students with a strong foundation in plant sciences along with specialized knowledge in horticultural fruit and vegetable crop systems at urban, local, and commercial scales. Graduates from this program are prepared for careers as crop consultants, crop protection and production specialists; entrepreneurs in urban and local food systems; greenhouse or farm managers; and as community gardening and horticultural educators. This concentration will also prepare students for graduate studies leading to careers in research, extension, and education. A minimum of 126 total hours is required.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Crop Science, Horticultural Food Systems Concentration
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours.
ACES prescribed and elective courses: 35 hours, of which 20 hours must be completed in residence.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Department 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 | Contemporary Issues in ACES | 2 |
| ECON 102 | Microeconomic Principles | 3 or 4 |
| or ACE 100 | Introduction to Applied Microeconomics | |
| Calculus Option - Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus for Business I | ||
| CPSC 241 | Intro to Applied Statistics | 3 |
| CHEM 102 & CHEM 103 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I | 4 |
| Major Core | ||
| CPSC 102 | Foundational Skills in Crop Sciences | 2 |
| CPSC 112 | Introduction to Crop Sciences | 4 |
| CPSC 212 | Introduction to Plant Protection | 4 |
| Internship or Research Option - Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Crop Sciences Internship | ||
| Undergrad Research or Thesis | ||
| Horticulture Internship | ||
| Undergrad Research or Thesis | ||
| CPSC 498 | Crop Sci Professional Develpmt | 1 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Horticultural Food Systems Core | ||
| CHEM 104 & CHEM 105 | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II | 4 |
| CPSC 382 | Organic Chem of Biol Processes | 4 |
| HORT 100 | Introduction to Horticulture | 3 |
| HORT 205 | Local Food Systems | 3 |
| HORT 341 | Greenhouse Mgmt and Production | 4 |
| NRES 201 | Introductory Soils | 4 |
| Concentration Electives | ||
| Choose from any 300- or 400-level CPSC, HORT, or PLPA courses, excluding CPSC 393, CPSC 395, HORT 393 and HORT 395. | 15 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Hours | 126 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Crop Science, Horticultural Food Systems Concentration
Sample Sequence
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CPSC 102 | 2 | HORT 100 | 3 |
| CPSC 112 | 4 | Calculus Option | 4 |
| CHEM 102 | 3 | CHEM 104 | 3 |
| CHEM 103 | 1 | CHEM 105 | 1 |
| Composition I or Communication Option | 3 | Communication Option or Composition I | 4 |
| ACES 101 | 2 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| ECON 102 or ACE 100 | 3 | CPSC 241 | 3 |
| HORT 205 | 3 | NRES 201 | 4 |
| Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 | CPSC 212 | 4 |
| Advanced CPSC, PLPA, or HORT Elective Course | 3 | Advanced CPSC, PLPA, or HORT Elective Course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Internship or Research Option | 3 | HORT 341 | 4 |
| Advanced CPSC, PLPA, or HORT Elective course | 3 | Advanced CPSC, PLPA, or HORT Elective course | 3 |
| CPSC 382 | 4 | Advanced Elective Course (CPSC, PLPA, or HORT) | 3 |
| CPSC 498 | 1 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 | ||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 126 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Crop Science, Horticultural Food Systems Concentration
Students graduating with the B.S. in Crop Sciences should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge in the key subject matter areas of applied plant biology; crop growth and development; crop management and protection; and soil science.
- Demonstrate an ability to identify a problem and develop solutions using quantitative reasoning skills for analysis of biological data.
- Demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary to listen and make effective arguments, to share applied scientific concepts with the public, and to make use of a broad variety of media.
- Demonstrate an ability to lead and function in multidisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrate the ability to perform self-guided discovery in agricultural sciences, practicing skills of engagement to enhance intellectual curiosity.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Crop Science, Horticultural Food Systems Concentration
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
(217) 333-3570
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