Crop and Weed Science

This is an archived copy of the 2023-24 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.ndsu.edu.

Major Requirements

Major: Crop & Weed Sciences

Degree Type: B.S.
Minimum Degree Credits to Graduate: 120

University Degree Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
  2. Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework.  Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
  3. Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
  4. A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  5. At least 30 credits must be NDSU resident credits.  Resident credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.
  6. At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
  7. Students presenting transfer credit must meet the NDSU residence credits and the minimum upper level credit. Of the 30 credits earned in residence, a minimum of 15 semester credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 semester credits must be in the student’s curricula for their declared major.

For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.

University General Education Requirements

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 Credits39
*

 May be satisfied by completing courses in another General Education category.

 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 major requirements to determine if specific courses can also satisfy these general education categories.

  •  A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.

Major Requirements

Required Courses for Crop & Weed Sciences
PLSC 189Skills for Academic Success1
BIOL 150
150L
General Biology I
and General Biology I Laboratory
4
BIOL 151
151L
General Biology II
and General Biology II Laboratory
4
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
1

 AGRI189 is only required for first-time, first-year students--A first-time, first-year student is defined as a student who has not yet completed a college course as a college student.  Students that are not first-time, first-year students that either transfer into the university or change their major are not required to take AGRI 189.

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
PLSC 380Principles of Plant Physiology3
CHEM 240Survey of Organic Chemistry3-4
or BIOC 260 Elements of Biochemistry
or BIOL 461 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
PLSC 380Principles of Plant Physiology3
MATH 105Trigonometry3-4
or MATH 146 Applied Calculus I
MICR 350
350L
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Lab
5
PLSC 453Advanced Weed Science2-3
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
PLSC 380Principles of Plant 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.

MICR 202
202L
Introductory Microbiology
and Introductory Microbiology Lab
3
PLSC 380Principles of Plant Physiology3
CHEM 240Survey of Organic Chemistry3-4
or BIOC 260 Elements of Biochemistry
MATH 103College Algebra (or higher level)3
PLSC 433Weed Biology and Ecology2
PLSC 453Advanced Weed Science2
ENT 431Principles of Insect Pest Management3
PPTH 454Diseases Of Field and Forage Crops3
SOIL 322Soil Fertility and Fertilizers3
Total Credits25-26

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

Minor: Crop & Weed Science

Minimum 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.