Crop Sciences: Crop Agribusiness, BS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Crop Sciences, Crop Agribusiness Concentration


The concentration in crop agribusiness is designed for students wanting to combine agronomic production and business management. This concentration prepares students for careers in production and marketing, cropping systems management, and a broad range of multi-functional agricultural enterprises, or for entrance into graduate school.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Crop Sciences, Crop Agribusiness 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.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
fulfilled by CHEM 102, CPSC 112, and IB 103
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
fulfilled by ECON 102 or ACE 100 and any other course approved as Social & Behavioral Sciences
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
fulfilled by MATH 220, MATH 221, or MATH 234, and CPSC 241
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15
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 101Contemporary Issues in ACES2
ECON 102Microeconomic Principles3 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 241Intro to Applied Statistics3
CHEM 102
CHEM 103
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Lab I
4
Major Core
CPSC 102Foundational Skills in Crop Sciences2
CPSC 112Introduction to Crop Sciences4
CPSC 212Introduction to Plant Protection4
Internship or Research Option - Choose 3 hours from the following:3
Crop Sciences Internship
Undergrad Research or Thesis
Horticulture Internship
Undergrad Research or Thesis
CPSC 498Crop Sci Professional Develpmt1
Crop Agribusiness Core
ACCY 200Fundamentals of Accounting3
or ACCY 201 Accounting and Accountancy I
ACE 222Agricultural Marketing3
ACE 231Food and Agribusiness Mgt3
ACE 232Farm Management3
IB 103Introduction to Plant Biology4
NRES 201Introductory Soils4
NRES 474Soil and Water Conservation3
or NRES 488 Soil Fertility and Fertilizers
Concentration Electives
Choose from any 300- or 400-level CPSC, HORT, or PLPA courses, excluding CPSC 393, HORT 393, CPSC 395, HORT 395 & PLPA 39512
Choose from any 300- or 400-level ACE course6
Total Hours126

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Crop Sciences, Crop Agribusiness 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. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
CPSC 1022CPSC 2124
CPSC 1124Calculus Option4
CHEM 1023Communication Option or Composition I4
CHEM 1031ECON 102 or ACE 1003
Composition I or Communication Option3 
ACES 1012 
 15 15
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ACE 2223CPSC 2413
NRES 2014IB 1034
Advanced CPSC, PLPA, or HORT Elective course3Advanced CPSC, PLPA, or HORT Elective Course3
Language Other than English (3rd level)4ACE 2313
Free Elective course2ACCY 200 or 2013
 16 16
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Internship or Research Option3ACE 2323
Advanced CPSC, PLPA, or HORT Elective course3Advanced CPSC, PLPA, or HORT Elective course3
300- or 400-level ACE Course3General Education course3
General Education course3General Education course3
Free Elective course4Free Elective course4
 16 16
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
CPSC 4981NRES 474 or 4883
300- or 400-level ACE Course3General Education course3
General Education course3General Education course3
General Education course3Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3Free Elective course4
Free Elective course3 
 16 16
Total Hours 126

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Crop Sciences, Crop Agribusiness Concentration


Students graduating with the B.S. in Crop Sciences should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge in the key subject matter areas of applied plant biology; crop growth and development; crop management and protection; and soil science.
  2. Demonstrate an ability to identify a problem and develop solutions using quantitative reasoning skills for analysis of biological data.
  3. 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.
  4. Demonstrate an ability to lead and function in multidisciplinary teams.
  5. 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 Sciences, Crop Agribusiness 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