Plant and Soil Science
Develop the essential skills and knowledge to be successful in science- or agriculture-related occupations.
Plant and Soil Science, B.S.
The Plant and Soil Science major offers students the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in soil science, horticulture, and agronomy. The degree allows students to focus their coursework on the plant or soil area that interests them.
Good stewardship of crops and land has never been more important. Increasing the quantity and the quality of crop yields and doing so in a way that's sustainable year after year, can be the difference between plenty and privation. For students interested in learning about the complex interactions that must take place before the first shoot breaks through — and wanting to make this field a career — a degree in Plant and Soil Science is an investment in growth. Available courses include the following: Agricultural Biotechnology, Agroecology, Agroforestry, Arboriculture, Field Crop Production, Floriculture, Forage Crops, Fruit Production, Genesis of Soil Landscapes, Greenhouse Management, Horticulture in Our Lives, Landscaping, Nursery Management, Crop Eco-physiology, Soil and Water Conservation, Soil Fertility and Fertilizer, Soil Physical Properties, Soil Survey, and Land Use, Vegetable Gardening, and Woody Landscape Plants. If you want to teach Plant & Soil Science curriculum at a high school or middle school, Certification in Agricultural Education is available. Under the heading "What We're Doing" both stories need to be replaced with newer ones. We can provide a story about the Digital Agriculture grant & camp and also a story about the soil judging team or horticulture judging team.
News Briefs
Area high schoolers dabble with drones, data science at MTSU Digital Agriculture camp
Teenagers learned about drones, data science and how it relates to solving real-world problems with precision agriculture during MTSU Digital Agriculture Camp. During the nearly 3-week camp, students designed, built, and flew their own drone at the MTSU Farm in Lascassas, Tennessee. The camp was led by School of Agriculture faculty members Dr. Song Cui, Dr. Chaney Mosley, and Dr. Samual Haruna. Read more
MTSU Horticulture Judging Team
The MTSU Horticulture Team is comprised of students in the Plant and Soil Science program. The team has been participating in regional and national competitions since 2008. The horticulture competitions are held in conjunction with the American Society for Horticultural Science meetings and are held in different locations each year. Over the years, the MTSU horticulture team has competed in places such as Hawaii, Miami, Dallas, Palm Desert, Orlando, etc. Many team and individual awards have been won including 1st place overall team at the 2012 national competition in Miami. Most recently, students traveled to Oklahoma City in February 2023 where they placed 3rd overall with two team members earning 1st place in floriculture crops (Rachel Walton) and vegetable crops (Zoey Ward).
News Briefs
Area high schoolers dabble with drones, data science at MTSU Digital Agriculture camp
Teenagers learned about drones, data science and how it relates to solving real-world problems with precision agriculture during MTSU Digital Agriculture Camp. During the nearly 3-week camp, students designed, built, and flew their own drone at the MTSU Farm in Lascassas, Tennessee. The camp was led by School of Agriculture faculty members Dr. Song Cui, Dr. Chaney Mosley, and Dr. Samual Haruna. Read more
MTSU Horticulture Judging Team
The MTSU Horticulture Team is comprised of students in the Plant and Soil Science program. The team has been participating in regional and national competitions since 2008. The horticulture competitions are held in conjunction with the American Society for Horticultural Science meetings and are held in different locations each year. Over the years, the MTSU horticulture team has competed in places such as Hawaii, Miami, Dallas, Palm Desert, Orlando, etc. Many team and individual awards have been won including 1st place overall team at the 2012 national competition in Miami. Most recently, students traveled to Oklahoma City in February 2023 where they placed 3rd overall with two team members earning 1st place in floriculture crops (Rachel Walton) and vegetable crops (Zoey Ward).
A focus on hands-on, experiential learning yields a rich harvest of graduates ready to enter the industry's professional ranks. Examples include
- Agronomist
- College professor
- Conservation planner
- Cotton specialist
- Crop consultant
- Crop production specialist
- Custom applicator
- Environmental technician
- Golf course superintendent
- Greenhouse/nursery management
- Plant propagator
- Precision ag specialist
- Research technician
- Sales representative
- Seed production specialist
- Soil conservationist
- Weed specialist
Employers of MTSU alumni include
- Archer Daniels Midland
- Colorburst Landscapes
- Crop Production Services
- Georgia Peanut Commission
- Habersham Gardens
- Jack Daniels Distillery
- Landscape Services Inc.
- National Institute of Health
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
- Pioneer Seed
- SecureLawn
- Tennessee Farmers Coop
- Tractor Supply Company
- TriGreen Equipment
- Tennessee Department of Agriculture
- Tennessee Farm Bureau
- TPC Scottsdale (PGA golf course)
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- United States Department of Agriculture
- University of Tennessee Extension Service
Degrees
A student majoring in Plant and Soil Science can earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Other majors in the School of Agriculture leading to a B.S. are Animal Science, Animal Science with a concentration in Horse Science, Fermentation Science and Agribusiness.
For complete curriculum details, click on REQUIREMENTS.
Although it is not designated as a concentration, students may also take courses in pursuit of an Agricultural Education Certificate and courses in Pre-Forestry. Undergraduate and graduate minors are available in Agriculture.
Graduate study includes the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Horse Science with concentrations in Equine Education, Equine Physiology, and Industry Management.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
MTSU discloses that the Bachelor of Science in Plant and Soil Science, Agricultural Education Certification is a teacher licensure preparation program accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Tennessee Department of Education. Admission to an undergraduate teacher licensure preparation program does not guarantee that students will obtain a teacher license. Successful completion of the meets the educational requirements to apply for a practitioner teacher licensure in Tennessee.
The BS Plant and Soil Science, Agricultural Education Certification disclosure provided on MTSU’s professional licensure disclosure website indicates the states and territories where MTSU has determined, through reasonable and good faith effort, that the program does or does not meet the educational requirements for other US states and territories. Licensing authorities for each state set and enforce their own requirements and standards, which are subject to change. Current and prospective students not located in Tennessee or who plan to seek licensure or certification outside the state of Tennessee should contact the appropriate state licensing agency or board and discuss their plans with an advisor and the MTSU Office of Teacher Licensure before enrolling in the program to ensure they have the most up-to-date information and guidance regarding licensure requirements.
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