Crop Sciences: Horticultural Food Systems, BS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Crop Science, Horticultural Food Systems Concentration

department website: https://cropsciences.illinois.edu/

department faculty: https://cropsciences.illinois.edu/people/faculty/


overview of college admissions & requirements: Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

college website: https://aces.illinois.edu/

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 in Crop Science, Horticultural Food Systems Concentration

Prescribed Courses including Campus General Education

Composition I and Speech
RHET 105Writing and Research4
or equivalent - see College Composition I requirement (3 or 4)
CMN 101Public Speaking3
Advanced Composition
Select from campus approved list.3-4
Cultural Studies
Select one course from Western culture, one from non-Western culture, and one from U.S. minority culture from campus approved lists.9
Foreign Language
Coursework at or above the third level is required for graduation.
Quantitative Reasoning I
Select one of the following:4-5
MATH 220
Calculus
MATH 221
Calculus I
MATH 234
Calculus for Business I
Quantitative Reasoning II
CPSC 241Intro to Applied Statistics3
Natural Sciences and Technology
See Specific Concentration Requirements
Humanities and the Arts
Select from campus approved list6
Social and Behavioral Sciences
ACE 100Introduction to Applied Microeconomics 13-4
or ECON 102 Microeconomic Principles
Select from campus approved list.3-4
ACES required
ACES 101Contemporary Issues in ACES2
Required Concentration58-79
Concentration prescribed courses. See specific concentration requirements.
Total Hours126

Concentration Requirements

Natural Science and Technology Required15-16
CHEM 102
& CHEM 103
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Lab I
CHEM 104
& CHEM 105
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Lab II
CHEM 232
Elementary Organic Chemistry I
or CPSC 382
 Organic Chem of Biol Processes
IB 103
Introduction to Plant Biology
Concentration Required Core Courses:29
CPSC 102
Foundational Skills in Crop Sciences
CPSC 226
CPSC 270
Applied Entomology
CPSC 498
Crop Sci Professional Develpmt
HORT 100
Introduction to Horticulture
HORT 240
Plant Propagation
HORT 360
Vegetable Crop Production
HORT 361
Small Fruit Production
HORT 362
Tree Fruit Production
NRES 201
Introductory Soils
PLPA 204
Select 7 or 8 hours from the following specialized courses:7-8
CPSC 352
Plant Genetics
HORT 341
Greenhouse Mgmt and Production
HORT 442
Plant Nutrition
CPSC 484
Plant Physiology
or IB 420
 Plant Physiology
NRES 438
Soil Nutrient Cycling
or NRES 488
 Soil Fertility and Fertilizers
Select 15 hours from the following focus area electives:15
ACE 231
Food and Agribusiness Mgt
CPSC 261
Biotechnology in Agriculture
CPSC 431
Plants and Global Change
CPSC 437
Principles of Agroecology
HORT 180
HORT 205
Local Food Systems
HORT 301
HORT 341
Greenhouse Mgmt and Production 1
HORT 344
Planting for Biodiversity and Aesthetics
HORT 363
Postharvest Handling Hort Crop
HORT 421
Horticultural Physiology 1
HORT 434
HORT 435
Urban Food Production
HORT 442
Plant Nutrition 1
HORT 447
Horticultural Plant Breeding
HORT 475
TSM 311
Humanity in the Food Web
Total ACES prescribed and elective hours must total 35 hours, of which 20 must be completed in residence.
Total Required Concentration Hours:51-52