Major Description
With a Plant Biotechnology degree, you can help feed billions sustainably, improve our planet’s health, and make a direct impact on agriculture and the world. Advance plant breeding and plant improvement by learning critical skills in molecular biology, genetics, and genomics. Plant biotechnology is a part of our daily lives in applications such as developing nutritionally enhanced foods, enabling sustainable agricultural production, and engineering plants for industrial and medical purposes. The Plant Biotechnology major provides an interdisciplinary curriculum integrating the science and practice of crop production through courses in molecular biology, genetics and genomics, biochemistry, plant protection, data analysis, and more.
Courses That Introduce the Major
- CPSC 102—Foundational Skills in Crop Sciences
- CPSC 112—Introduction to Crop Sciences
- CPSC 212—Introduction to Plant Protection
- CPSC 261—Biotechnology in Agriculture
- IB 103—Introduction to Plant Biology
Students should consult with an academic advisor regarding course selection prior to the advanced registration period.
Possible Career Opportunities
Areas of Employment for Plant Biotechnology graduates include, but are not limited to: Biotechnology, Plant Protection, Plant Breeding, Agricultural Business, Academic or Governmental Research, Environmental Science, Food Science, Research and Development, Medicine and Pharmaceuticals, and Patent Law.
Common Career Skills
- Knowledge of applied plant biology, genetics and genomics, biochemistry, plant protection, data analysis, and more
- Problem solving abilities
- Proficiency with independent and cooperative work
- Quantitative reasoning
- Self-directed learning
- Written and oral communication skills
Common Career Titles
- Plant Genome Engineering Research Associate
- Plant Protection and Quarantine officer
- Plant Breeder
- Plant Pathologist
- Plant Diagnostician
- Molecular Breeding and Genotyping Scientist
- Geneticist Plants Researcher
- Research Plant pathologist
- Crop Consultant
- FDA food inspector
- Horticulturalist
- Lab Technician
- Agronomic Research Scientist
- Ag business consultant
Enhancing Your Academic Experience
- Participating in undergraduate research
- Applying for a study abroad experience
- Utilizing resources of The Career Center
- Joining a Registered Student Organization (RSO) related to this major
Further Information
There are several professional organizations dedicated to Plant Biotechnology. Their websites might be able to provide a glimpse in the world of Plant Biotechnology. These organizations include American Association of Plant Biologists (ASPB), American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Genetics Society of America (GSA), and The Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB).