Academic Programs Catalog

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

Undergraduate Programs
Minor in Agronomy

The Minor in Agronomy, which is administered by the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, is designed to serve students with majors in fields other than Crop and Soil Sciences who are interested in agronomy and who plan to pursue careers in agriculture for which a basic familiarity with the science of cropping systems is important. The minor will provide an opportunity for students to gain a fundamental understanding of the science of food production, including crop management, soil management, and plant breeding and biotechnology.

This minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Science Degree in Crop and Soil Sciences or the Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Soil Science. With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements of the minor should consult the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences and have their program of study approved in advance and in writing.

Requirements for the Minor in Agronomy

Complete a minimum of 16 credits from the following:

1. All of the following courses (10 credits):
CSS 101 Introduction to Crop Science 3
CSS 101L Introduction to Crop Science Laboratory 1
CSS 210 Fundamentals of Soil Science 3
CSS 488 Agricultural Cropping Systems: Integration and Problem Solving 3
2. Complete 6 credits from the following:
CSS 135 Crop Scouting and Investigation 3
CSS 151 Seed and Grain Quality 2
CSS 201 Forage Crops 3
CSS 212 Advanced Crop Production 2
CSS 222 New Horizons in Biotechnology 2
CSS 251 Organic Farming Principles and Practices 3
CSS 326 Weed Science 2
and
CSS 226L Weed Science Laboratory 1
CSS 330 Soil Chemistry 2
CSS 340 Applied Soil Physics 2
CSS 350 Introduction to Plant Genetics 3
CSS 360 Soil Biology 3
CSS 420 Cover Crops Agroecosystems 3
CSS 441 Plant Breeding and Biotechnology 3
CSS 442 Agroecology Ecology 3
CSS 467 Bioenergy Feedstock Production 3
CSS 470 Soil Resources 3