Soil and Crop Sciences – Sustainable Agricultural Management (B.S.)

Learn to design the agroecosystems of tomorrow

Growing food more sustainably requires a commitment to innovation. To continue feeding our expanding population, the agriculture industry faces complex challenges, from drought to soil degradation to global climate change.

CSU’s online Soil and Crop Sciences bachelor’s degree with a concentration in Sustainable Agricultural Management will help you build knowledge in:

• Agronomy and soil science
• Agricultural science and cropping systems
• Applied entomology and pest management
• Ecological and environmental sustainability

Build practical knowledge in modern agricultural processes and systems. Discover how to leverage technology and data to drive strategic decision-making in cropping system management while maintaining (or improving) soil health.

Gain the skills to become a capable agronomist

Students in this program will learn how to:

1. Design, evaluate, and manage complex agroecosystems
2. Synthesize information from field and lab observations
3. Identify, formulate, and solve complex agronomy problems
4. Apply principles of soil and plant functionality across varying environments
5. Collaborate and lead diverse teams to set goals and expectations
6. Communicate professionally to a variety of stakeholders and audiences

After completing this program, you will be prepared for a career in the agriculture industry. Job opportunities for students with a Soil and Crop Sciences degree may include:

• Soil scientist
• Field research agronomist
• Crop science R&D specialist
• Agronomy and soil science consultant
• Regenerative agriculture specialist
• State agricultural extension agent

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, soil and plant scientists earn an average annual salary of $76,410.

Industry Profile

Industries with the highest levels of employment in Soil and Plant Scientists:

Industries with the highest concentration of employment in Soil and Plant Scientists:

(1) Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers.
(2) Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a "year-round, full-time" hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.
(3) The relative standard error (RSE) is a measure of the reliability of a survey statistic. The smaller the relative standard error, the more precise the estimate.
(7) The value is less than .005 percent of industry employment.
(8) Estimate not released.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Requirements to Graduate:

A minimum of 120 credits are required to complete this degree. This includes

• 42 upper-division (300-400 level) credits
• 30 upper-division credits completed through Colorado State University

The number of courses needed for completion of the program depends on:

• The number of transfer credits awarded
• Fulfillment of All-University Core Curriculum
• Degree coursework requirements

Curriculum

The curriculum listed below is intended to inform prospective students about the overall theme of the program and should not be used as an example program of study. Students need to consult their advisor to develop a degree completion plan based on the credits transferred into this program. You have the option to use the Transferology™ website to conduct a self-review of your potential transfer courses. This tool will assist you in seeing how your previous college coursework may transfer to CSU.

Note: This program has 2+2 partnerships with institutions such as Northeast Community College, Nebraska. If you completed your Associates degree from any of the partner schools, give us a call to walk through available options.

FRESHMAN YEAR COURSES

• AREC 202 – Agricultural and Resource Economics (GT-SS1) AUCC-3C (3 cr.)
• BZ 120 – Principles of Plant Biology (GT-SC1) AUCC-3A (4 cr.)
• CHEM 107 – Fundamentals of Chemistry (GT-SC2) AUCC-3A (4 cr.)
• CHEM 108 – Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory (GT-SC1) AUCC-3A (1 cr.)
• CO 150 – College Composition (GT-CO2) AUCC-1A (3 cr.)
• MATH 117 – College Algebra in Context I (GT-MA1) AUCC-1B (1 cr.)
• MATH 118 – College Algebra in Context II (GT-MA1) AUCC-1B (1 cr.)
• MATH 124 – Logarithmic and Exponential Functions (GT-MA1) AUCC-1B (1 cr.)
• SOCR 100 – General Crops (4 cr.)
• SOCR 193 – Pathways to Success (1 cr.)
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – AUCC-1C (3 cr.)
• Arts and Humanities – AUCC-3B (3 cr.)
• General Elective – AUCC-3B (1 cr.)

Total Credits: 30

SOPHOMORE YEAR COURSES

• LAND 220/LIFE 220 – Fundamentals of Ecology (GT-SC2) AUCC-3A (3 cr.)
• NR 319 – Introduction to Geospatial Science (4 cr.)
• SOCR 210 – Microbiome Roles in a Sustainable Earth (GT-SC2) AUCC-3A (3 cr.)
• SOCR 221 – Cropping Systems Field Experience (1 cr.)
• SOCR 240 – Introductory Soil Science (4 cr.)

Select one course from the following:

• BSPM 201 – Weed Management and Control (3 cr.)
• BSPM 308 – Ecology and Management of Weeds (3 cr.)

Select one course from the following:

• STAT 201 – General Statistics (GT-MA1) AUCC-1B (3 cr.)
• STAT 301 – Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods (3 cr.)

• Arts and Humanities - AUCC-3B (3 cr.)
• Historical Perspectives - AUCC-3D (3 cr.)
• General Elective (3 cr.)

Total Credits: 30

JUNIOR YEAR COURSES

• BZ 440 – Plant Physiology (3 cr.)
• SOCR 330 – Principles of Genetics (3 cr.)
• SOCR 350 – Soil Fertility Management (3 cr.)
• SOCR 351 – Soil Fertility Laboratory (1 cr.)
• SOCR 370 – Climate-Smart Irrigation Principles (2 cr.)
• SOCR 405/ESS 405 – Global Agriculture and Environmental Change (3 cr.)
• Advanced Writing (3 cr.)
• Technical Electives (4 - 6 cr.)
• Upper-Division Electives (6 -8 cr.)

Total Credits: 30

SENIOR YEAR COURSES

• AB 451 – Integrated Pest Management (3 cr.)
• BSPM 302 – Applied and General Entomology (2 cr.)
• BSPM 303A – Entomology Laboratory: General (2 cr.)
• SOCR 371 – Climate-Smart Irrigation Management (1 cr.)
• SOCR 425 – Internet of Ag Things--Sensors and Data Lab (2 cr.)
• SOCR 492 – Preparing for Impact--Your Career Journey AUCC-4A,4C (1 cr.)

Choose one of the following: (3 - 4 cr.)

• SOCR 421 – Agroecosystem Management AUCC-4A,4B,4C
• SOCR 460/HORT 460 – Plant Breeding and Biotechnology AUCC-4A,4B,4C

Select one course from the following: (1 cr.)

• SOCR 486 – Practicum AUCC-4C
• SOCR 487 – Internship

Total Credits: 30

Note: You will select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).

Additional coursework may be required due to prerequisites.

All-University Core Curriculum (AUCC) – 25 additional credits

Students are strongly encouraged to select AUCC courses in consultation with their academic advisor. This program has particular recommendations for satisfying some areas of AUCC.

Technical Electives

• BSPM 361 – Elements of Plant Pathology (3 cr.)
• SOCR 320 – Sustainable Forage Management for Livestock(3 cr.)
• SOCR 322 – Principles of Microclimatology (3 cr.)
• SOCR 343 – Composting Principles and Practices (1 cr.)
• SOCR 400 – Soils and Global Change-Impacts and Solutions (3 cr.)
• SOCR 424/HORT 424 – Topics in Organic Agriculture (3 cr.)
• SOCR 441 – Soil Ecology (3 cr.)
• SOCR 442 – Forest and Range Soils (3 cr.)
• SOCR 455 – Microbiomes of Soil Systems (3 cr.)

Program Total Credits: 120

Every day, researchers, faculty, and students at CSU work on the critical scientific and technological solutions needed to build more sustainable food systems. The CSU community is actively engaged in developing strategies to reverse climate change, including integrating complex soil regeneration systems, developing more resilient crops, and advancing water conservation strategies with data collection and analytics.

Learn more about CSU’s Soil and Crop Sciences Department within the College of Agricultural Science and meet the dedicated team working to advance this important field.

Application Deadlines

Planning to transfer credits from another college or university? Please review our FAQ page, then complete a Tentative Transfer Evaluation Form to see how your prior credits may transfer.