It provides the most elective credits, which allows students to select courses that complement special interests in farming, marketing, business management, county extension work, etc. This option, which emphasizes proper use of herbicides and other agricultural chemicals, meets the demand for qualified personnel in marketing and application of agricultural chemicals. Also, this option provides a good background for crop production consultants. The greatest emphasis is placed on weed control, but additional courses in entomology, plant pathology and soil science are required. Students interested in weed science should consider a plant protection major.
Students completing a weed science option can qualify easily for a double major in plant protection.
In addition, faculty in plant sciences advise students interested in the Biotechnology, General Agriculture, and Plant Protection majors. The biotechnology major is an interdisciplinary program that stresses basic and applied science courses and lab experience to prepare students for employment in the biotechnology industry or for graduate study. The plant protection major is mentioned with the weed science option above. The general agriculture program exposes students to most disciplines within agriculture for careers focusing on agricultural production.