This is an archived copy of the 2016-17 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://bulletin.ndsu.edu.

Crop and Weed Sciences

Crop and Weed Sciences Major

Instruction in crop and weed sciences includes field and forage crop production and management, weed science, general and plant genetics, plant breeding, and biotechnology. The study of botany and other plant sciences, entomology, plant pathology, and soil science is basic or related to crop and weed sciences. Students may obtain either a major or minor. The Crop and Weed Sciences major or minor is intended for general use in sales, research, and technical services (crop consultant) of agribusinesses involved in seed, chemical, and other plant production, protection, and management aspects; in natural resources conservation service; by those interested in production agriculture; or as a prerequisite for graduate study. For more details on M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, see the Graduate School Bulletin.

Curriculum Options

Students select one of the following options within Crop and Weed Sciences:

  • Agronomy: This option is for students most interested in production agriculture. This is the most popular option with students and provides the most flexibility of course selection. Completing the basic crop and weed sciences curriculum fulfills this option.
  • Biotechnology: This option is intended for students who wish to work in the biotechnology industry or pursue graduate study in the crop biotechnology area. Students interested in biotechnology also may pursue the interdisciplinary Biotechnology major (see Interdisciplinary Programs section).
  • Science: This option is intended for students who are interested in graduate studies and want more basic science courses as a foundation for graduate studies.
  • Weed Science: This option is intended for students interested in crop consulting, weed science, or integrated pest management. Additional courses in pest management are required to provide exposure to common issues encountered in these careers and practice in diagnosis and resolution.

Special Opportunities

Agronomy Club: The Agronomy Club meets twice each month. Members join in campus and community activities, arrange speakers on agricultural topics, and participate in meetings and contests at the regional and national levels. The club also coordinates tours to local agribusinesses to gain a better perspective of career opportunities. Students with an interest in agriculture are encouraged to attend, regardless of chosen major.

Crop and Weed Sciences Minor

Students may minor in Crop and Weed Sciences by selecting a total of 18 credits of study in crop and weed sciences or closely related fields.

Major Requirements

Major: Crop & Weed Sciences

Degree Type: B.S.
Minimum Degree Credits to Graduate: 128

General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree

  • A dynamic list of approved general education courses offered by term is available on the NDSU General Education Requirements website.
  • General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review the major, minor, and program emphases requirements for minimum grade restrictions, if applicable.
First Year Experience (F)1
Skills For Academic Success (Also offered with the following prefixes: ABEN, AGRI, BUSN, HD&E, ME, NURS, PHRM)
Communication (C)12
College Composition I
College Composition II
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Upper Division Writing
Quantitative Reasoning (R) 3
Science and Technology (S) 10
Humanities and Fine Arts (A) 6
Social and Behavioral Sciences (B) 6
Wellness (W) 2
Cultural Diversity (D) *†
Global Perspectives (G) *†
Total Credits40

Major Requirements

Required Courses for Crop & Weed Sciences
AGRI 150Agriculture Orientation (Not required for students transferring in 24 or more credits.)1
BIOL 150
150L
General Biology I
and General Biology I Laboratory
4
Select one of the following:4
General Biology II
and General Biology II Laboratory
Structure and Diversity of Plants and Fungi
CHEM 121
121L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Laboratory (May satisfy general education category S)
4
CHEM 122
122L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Laboratory (May satisfy general education category S)
4
ECON 201Principles of Microeconomics (May satisfy general education category B and G)3
ENT 350General Entomology3
PLSC 110World Food Crops (May satisfy general education category S)3
PLSC 215Weed Identification1
PLSC 225Principles of Crop Production3
PLSC 312Expanding the Boundaries of Learning with Service1
PLSC 315
315L
Genetics
and Genetics Laboratory (May satisfy general education category S)
4
PLSC 320Principles of Forage Production3
PLSC 323Principles of Weed Science3
PLSC 444Applied Plant Breeding and Research Methods3
PLSC 455Cropping Systems:An Integrated Approach3
PLSC 491Seminar1
PPTH 324Introductory Plant Pathology3
SOIL 210Introduction to Soil Science3
STAT 330Introductory Statistics (May satisfy general education category R)3
Options: Select one of four options listed below.19-30
The standard option for this major is Agronomy. Students who wish to declare a specific option must officially declare that option with the Office of Registration and Records.
Total Credits76
Agronomy Option - 19-20 Credits

For students interested in production agriculture; this option provides the most flexibility in course selection.

MICR 202
202L
Introductory Microbiology
and Introductory Microbiology Lab
3
BOT 380Plant Physiology3
CHEM 240Survey of Organic Chemistry3 or 4
or CHEM 260 Elements of Biochemistry
or BOT 460 Plant Ecology
MATH 103College Algebra (or higher)3
PLSC 300-400(no more than 2 credits of co-op)4
SOIL 322Soil Fertility and Fertilizers3
Total Credits19-20
Biotechnology Option - 19-21 Credits

For students who wish to work in the biotechnology industry or pursue graduate study in crop biotechnology.

BIOC 460Foundations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I3
BOT 380Plant Physiology3
MATH 105Trigonometry3 or 4
or MATH 146 Applied Calculus I
MICR 350
350L
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Lab
5
PLSC 453Advanced Weed Science2 or 3
or PLSC 431 Intermediate Genetics
PLSC 484Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology3
Total Credits19-21
Science Option - 30 Credits

For students interested in advanced study and want more foundation studies.

MICR 202
202L
Introductory Microbiology
and Introductory Microbiology Lab
3
BOT 380Plant Physiology3
CHEM 341
341L
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
4
MATH 146Applied Calculus I4
PLSC 300-400(No more than 2 credits of co-op may be used)4
Science and Math Electives12
Total Credits30
Weed Science Option - 27-28 Credits

For students interested in crop consulting, weed science, and plant protection areas.

AGEC 375Applied Agricultural Law3
or AGEC 484 Agricultural Policy
or BUSN 431 Business Law I-Contracts, Property and Torts
or SAFE 452 Food Laws and Regulations
MICR 202
202L
Introductory Microbiology
and Introductory Microbiology Lab
3
BOT 380Plant Physiology3
CHEM 240Survey of Organic Chemistry3 or 4
or CHEM 260 Elements of Biochemistry
MATH 103College Algebra (or higher level)3
PLSC 433Weed Biology and Ecology2
PLSC 453Advanced Weed Science2
PLSC 300-4002
PPTH 454Diseases Of Field and Forage Crops3
SOIL 322Soil Fertility and Fertilizers3
Total Credits27-28

Degree Requirements and Notes                                                                         

  • The program of study allows no more than 6 credits of cooperative education (co-op) to be counted toward degree requirements.

Minor Requirements

Crop & Weed Science Minor

Minor Requirements

Required Credits: 18

Required
PLSC 110World Food Crops3
PLSC 225Principles of Crop Production3
Elective Courses: Select two of the following:6-7
Genetics
and Genetics Laboratory (both must be taken to count as one selection)
Principles of Forage Production
Principles of Weed Science
Elective Courses: 5-6
Other courses approved by the department:
Weed Identification
Introduction to Soil Science
General Entomology
Introductory Plant Pathology
PLSC 300-400
Level Course
Total Credits18-19

Minor Requirements and Notes

  • A minimum of 8 credits must be taken at NDSU.
  • Students must earn a minimum 2.00 GPA for the minor requirements.