Plant Sciences, Bachelor of Science College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
The Plant Sciences major is designed for students who are interested in a scientific understanding of how plants grow and develop in managed agricultural ecosystems and how plant products are utilized for food, fiber and environmental enhancement. Advances in science and technology have provided new insights and options for using plants to address the issues associated with providing renewable food, fiber and energy resources for a growing global population while minimizing adverse impacts on the natural environment. Graduates in Plant Sciences are able to apply their skills and knowledge to a diverse range of agricultural and environmental goals or pursue advanced degrees in plant sciences.
The Program
The curriculum provides depth in the biological and physical sciences and a sound understanding of how plants obtain and utilize resources from their environment to sustain their growth and development. The influences of genetics, management systems and environmental inputs on crop development and productivity are emphasized along with the postharvest preservation and marketing of plant products. Students will develop an area of specialization with options in Crop Production, Plant Genetics & Breeding, or Postharvest Biology & Technology. An Individual option is also available to match specific subject matter or career goal interests in the plant sciences. All students gain practical experience through a combination of practical laboratory courses and internships. Students may also pursue an Honors thesis in their senior year.
Lead Faculty Advisor
Advising for the major is located in 1220 Plant & Environmental Sciences; plsadvising@ucdavis.edu. For more information, see Undergraduate Advising.
Career Alternatives
Graduates from this program are prepared to pursue a wide range of careers, including various technical and management positions in agricultural & business enterprises, farming, or consulting; public, private & non-profit agencies; Cooperative Extension; international development; teaching; or agricultural & environmental journalism and communication services. Graduates are qualified to pursue graduate studies in the natural and agricultural sciences, such as plant biology, genetics, breeding, horticulture, agronomy, biotechnology, ecology, environmental studies, pest management, education, or business management.
The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the Plant Sciences Bachelor of Science is 116.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Preparatory Subject Matter | ||
| Biological Science | 10 | |
| Introduction to Biology: Essentials of Life on Earth | ||
| Introduction to Biology: Principles of Ecology & Evolution | ||
| Plant Sciences & Statistics | 12 | |
| Botany & Physiology of Cultivated Plants | ||
| Seminar: Overview of the Plant Sciences Major | ||
| Application of Computers in Technology | ||
or PLS 021V | Application of Computers in Technology | |
| Applied Statistics in Agricultural Sciences | ||
| Chemistry | 16-22 | |
| General Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| Choose a series: | ||
| Organic Chemistry: Brief Course | ||
| Organic Chemistry: Brief Course | ||
| OR | ||
| Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences | ||
| Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences | ||
| Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences | ||
| Physics | 12 | |
| General Physics | ||
| General Physics | ||
| General Physics | ||
| Mathematics | 8 | |
| Calculus for Biology & Medicine | ||
| Calculus for Biology & Medicine | ||
OR | ||
| Calculus for Data-Driven Applications | ||
| Calculus for Data-Driven Applications | ||
| Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal | 58-64 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | ||
| Soil Science | 5 | |
| Principles of Soil Science | ||
| Plant Science | 25 | |
| Metabolic Processes of Cultivated Plants | ||
| Growth & Yield of Cultivated Plants | ||
| Environmental Interactions of Cultivated Plants | ||
| Metabolic Processes of Cultivated Plants Laboratory | ||
| Growth & Yield of Cultivated Plants Laboratory | ||
| Environmental Interactions of Cultivated Plants Laboratory | ||
| Agriculture & the Environment | ||
| Plant Genetics | ||
| Internship (Capstone Experience: Internship/Research Report) | ||
or PLS 199 | Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates | |
| Restricted electives; choose at least two from two different categories: | 7-10 | |
| Plant Diversity/Evolution/Taxonomy | ||
| Taxonomy & Ecology of Environmental Plant Families | ||
| Introduction to Evolution | ||
| Systematics of Vascular Plants | ||
or PLB 127 | Systematics of Vascular Plants | |
or PLS 127 | Systematics of Vascular Plants | |
| Evolution of Crop Plants | ||
| Plant Morphology & Evolution | ||
| Ecology | ||
ENH 160 series: | ||
| Restoration Ecology | ||
| Restoration Ecology Laboratory | ||
| Plant Ecology | ||
| Introduction to Plant Pathology | ||
| Sustainability & Agroecosystem Management | ||
PLS 147 series: | ||
| California Plant Communities | ||
| California Plant Communities Field Study | ||
| Pest Management | ||
| Arthropod Pest Management | ||
| Plant Nematology | ||
| Population Biology of Invasive Plants & Weeds | ||
| Concepts in Pest Management | ||
| Introduction to Weed Science | ||
| Depth Subject Matter Subtotal | 37-40 | |
| Areas of Specialization; choose one: | 21-34 | |
In consultation with an advisor, a student may complete requirements for more than one specialization, which can be noted on the student’s transcript. | ||
| Total Units | 116-138 | |
Areas of Specialization
Crop Production & Agroecology Option
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Major Electives; not included in AOS unit count: | ||
| Sustainability & Agroecosystem Management | ||
| Required courses: | 8 | |
| Plant-Water-Soil Relationships | ||
| Mineral Nutrition of Plants | ||
| Production; choose two: | 4-9 | |
| Management of Container Media | ||
| Greenhouse & Nursery Crop Production | ||
| Just Coffee: The Biology, Ecology & Socioeconomic Impacts of the World’s Favorite Drink | ||
or PLS 007V | Just Coffee: The Biology, Ecology & Socioeconomic Impacts of the World's Favorite Drink | |
| Organic Crop Production Practices | ||
| Crop Management Systems for Vegetable Production | ||
| Principles of Agronomic Crop Production Systems | ||
| Forage Crop Production | ||
| Biological Applications in Fruit Tree Management | ||
| Biological Applications in Fruit Production | ||
| Agroforestry: Global & Local Perspectives | ||
| Trees & Forests | ||
| Fruit & Nut Cropping Systems | ||
| Fruit & Nut Cropping Systems | ||
| Principles & Practices of Plant Propagation | ||
| Advanced Soil Science; choose one: | 3-4 | |
| Soil Microbiology | ||
| Environmental Soil Chemistry | ||
| Soil Ecology | ||
| Sustainable Nutrient Management | ||
| Global Food Systems; choose one: | 4 | |
| Population, Environment & World Agriculture | ||
| Food Systems | ||
| Introduction to International Agricultural Development | ||
| Pest Management; choose one in addition to core: | 3-5 | |
| Arthropod Pest Management | ||
| Plant Nematology | ||
| Introduction to Weed Science | ||
| Introduction to Plant Pathology | ||
| Concepts in Pest Management | ||
| Population Biology of Invasive Plants & Weeds | ||
| Grapevine Pests, Diseases & Disorders | ||
| Outreach & Communication; choose one: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Environmental Education | ||
| Total Units | 26-34 | |
Crop Quality & Safety Option
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | 14 | |
| Biology and Quality of Harvested Crops | ||
PLS 173 | (Discontinued) | |
| Microbiology & Safety of Fresh Fruits & Vegetables | ||
PLS 196 | (Discontinued) | |
| Depth; choose 8 units: | 8 | |
| Intermediate Microeconomics: Theory of Production & Consumption | ||
| Principles of Quality Assurance in Food Processing | ||
| Design & Analysis for Sensory Food Science | ||
| Food Packaging | ||
| Flower Power; Art & Science of Flowers & Their Uses | ||
or PLS 006V | Flower Power; Art & Science of Flowers & Their Uses | |
| Just Coffee: The Biology, Ecology & Socioeconomic Impacts of the World’s Favorite Drink | ||
or PLS 007V | Just Coffee: The Biology, Ecology & Socioeconomic Impacts of the World's Favorite Drink | |
| Biological Applications in Fruit Tree Management | ||
| Biological Applications in Fruit Production | ||
| Total Units | 22 | |
Ecological Management & Restoration Option
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Major Electives (not included in AOS unit count): | ||
| Systematics of Vascular Plants | ||
or PLB 127 | Systematics of Vascular Plants | |
or PLS 127 | Systematics of Vascular Plants | |
| Ecological Management & Restoration; choose at least four: | 12-17 | |
| Management of Container Media | ||
| Restoration Ecology and Restoration Ecology Laboratory | ||
| Role of Fire in Natural Ecosystems | ||
| Wetland Ecology | ||
| Population Biology of Invasive Plants & Weeds | ||
| Grassland Ecology | ||
PLS 135 | (Discontinued) | |
| Trees & Forests | ||
| California Plant Communities and California Plant Communities Field Study | ||
| Sustainability & Agroecosystem Management | ||
| Urban Ecology | ||
| Ecosystem & Landscape Ecology | ||
| Principles & Practices of Plant Propagation | ||
| Environmental Analysis, Monitoring, & Policy; choose at least two: | 7-9 | |
| Environmental Monitoring | ||
| The Policy Process | ||
| Public Lands Management | ||
| Environmental Impact Assessment | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Outreach & Communication; choose one: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Environmental Education | ||
| Internship: | 2 | |
PLS 164 | (Discontinued) | |
| Internship | ||
| Total Units | 24-32 | |
Environmental Horticulture & Urban Landscape Management Option
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Major Electives; not included in AOS unit count: | ||
| Taxonomy & Ecology of Environmental Plant Families | ||
| Concepts in Pest Management | ||
| Required Courses: | 8 | |
| Physiology of Environmental Stresses in Plants | ||
| Urban Ecology | ||
| Depth | ||
| Choose at least three of the following: | 9-13 | |
| Urban Forests are Nature-Based Solutions | ||
| Management of Container Media | ||
| Greenhouse & Nursery Crop Production | ||
| Woody Plants in the Landscape: Growth, Ecology & Management | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Introduction to Plant & Crop Systems Modeling | ||
| Mineral Nutrition of Plants | ||
| Principles & Practices of Plant Propagation | ||
| Soil Ecology | ||
| Choose one: | 4 | |
| Urban & Regional Planning | ||
| Environmental Impact Assessment | ||
| Total Units | 21-25 | |
Individual Option
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Choose a minimum of 23 upper division units, with approval from the master advisor, to form a coherent program of study resulting in expertise and competence in a sub-discipline of plant sciences. | 23 | |
| Total Units | 23 | |
Plant Breeding, Genetics, & Genomics Option
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | 18 | |
| Genes & Gene Expression | ||
| Principles of Plant Biotechnology | ||
| Plant Genetics & Biotechnology Laboratory | ||
| Professionalism & Ethics in Genomics & Biotechnology | ||
| Introduction to Plant Breeding | ||
| Production; choose one: | 2-5 | |
| Management of Container Media | ||
| Greenhouse & Nursery Crop Production | ||
| Just Coffee: The Biology, Ecology & Socioeconomic Impacts of the World’s Favorite Drink | ||
or PLS 007V | Just Coffee: The Biology, Ecology & Socioeconomic Impacts of the World's Favorite Drink | |
| Organic Crop Production Practices | ||
| Crop Management Systems for Vegetable Production | ||
| Principles of Agronomic Crop Production Systems | ||
| Forage Crop Production | ||
| Biological Applications in Fruit Tree Management | ||
| Biological Applications in Fruit Production | ||
| Trees & Forests | ||
| Agroforestry: Global & Local Perspectives | ||
| Fruit & Nut Cropping Systems | ||
| Fruit & Nut Cropping Systems | ||
| Principles & Practices of Plant Propagation | ||
| Restricted Elective; choose one: | 3-5 | |
Choose one additional course from either Production or Depth Subject Matter. | ||
| Total Units | 23-28 | |
Plant Informatics Option
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | 15 | |
| Applied Bioinformatics | ||
| Introduction to Plant & Crop Systems Modeling | ||
| Introduction to Digital Agriculture | ||
| Proximal & Remote Sensing of Plants | ||
| Depth; choose three: | 11-12 | |
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Plant-Water-Soil Relationships | ||
| Concepts in Pest Management | ||
| Sustainability & Agroecosystem Management | ||
| Physiology of Environmental Stresses in Plants | ||
| Mineral Nutrition of Plants | ||
| Total Units | 26-27 | |