Major in Agricultural Biology

The Agricultural Biology major provides a strong scientific foundation in entomology, plant pathology and weed science to address challenges in natural and managed systems. Students will gain tools to foster sustainability and address pressing issues involving biophysical and sociocultural components of these systems. The concentration features courses in agriculture, biology, and ecology as well as practical training through internships and/or research experiences. Students will learn the complex interactions that occur among microbes, insects, and plant species in natural and managed ecosystems and develop skills to use systems thinking to solve real-world problems. Knowledge and skills gained from the major will enable students to identify and solve complex problems in natural and managed systems, especially in implementing effective and sustainable pest management.

Learning Objectives

1. Integrate skills and knowledge to solve problems related to plants, insects, and microbes in natural and managed ecosystems
2. Demonstrate understanding of social, economic, and biophysical aspects of the management of biological problems in natural and managed ecosystems
3. Describe, assess, analyze, and synthesize knowledge from across the curriculum to create solutions for pests and beneficial species in natural and managed ecosystems
4. Promote and practice inclusion to form effective teams that solve complex problems in natural and managed ecosystems
5. Communicate effectively with diverse audiences regarding sustainable pest and pathogen management in natural and managed ecosystems

Potential Occupations

This major will be an excellent choice for students interested in careers as researchers, crop advisors, extension educators, growers, agriculture consultants, production managers, inspectors, diagnosticians, regulatory professionals and for those who wish to pursue careers in academia.

Concentrations

• Entomology Concentration
• Plant Pathology Concentration
• Weed Science Concentration

Advising

Reach out to Chris Amerman to schedule an appointment to change your major/minor. The change of major form can be electronically submitted by a student's main advisor to the Registrar's Office.

• Individualized Appointment with Advisor Link for Scheduling - https://calendly.com/socr-advising​

Our majors and minors have no competitive entry requirements. Courses to take if you are interested in the programs include AB 111, BSPM 102, BSPM 302, BSPM 308, and BSPM 361. Students interested in our program should ideally declare in the first two years, but exceptions can be made depending on the student's previous coursework. 

Learn more about the Agricultural Biology major on the Department of Agricultural Biology website. 

Effective Fall 2025

 Agricultural Biology Electives    

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Select a minimum of one course from each group for a minimum of 12 credits:
Group 1: General and Plant
BC 351	Principles of Biochemistry	4
BZ 223	Plant Identification	3
BZ 331	Developmental Plant Anatomy	4
BZ 338	Comparative Morphology of Vascular Plants	4
BZ 440	Plant Physiology	3
BZ 450	Plant Ecology	4
HORT 221	Landscape Plants	4
HORT 231	Landscape Graphics Studio	4
HORT 232	Principles of Landscape Design	4
HORT 260	Plant Propagation	4
HORT 3XX
HORT 4XX
SOCR 460/HORT 460	Plant Breeding and Biotechnology	3
Group 2: Plant Pathology
AB 521	Forest Health Issues	2
AB 555	Topics in Plant Pathology--Plant Virology	2
BSPM 365	Integrated Tree Health Management	4
BSPM 450	Molecular Plant-Microbe Interaction	3
BZ 333	Introductory Mycology	4
MIP 300	General Microbiology	3
Lecture/laboratory combination:		4
MIP 432/ESS 432	Microbial Ecology
MIP 433/ESS 433	Microbial Ecology Laboratory
Lecture/laboratory combination:		4
SOCR 455	Microbiomes of Soil Systems
SOCR 456	Soil Microbiology Laboratory
Group 3: Entomology
AB 340	Insect Biotechnology	3
AB 420	Horticultural Entomology	2
AB 523	Advanced Evolution/Classification of Insects	5
BSPM 365	Integrated Tree Health Management	4
BSPM 462/BZ 462/MIP 462	Parasitology and Vector Biology	5
NR 312	Applied Insect Ecology	3

¹

 A minimum grade of 'C' (2.000) must be obtained in this course in order to complete the program.

²

Transfer students are required to take AB 270 in lieu of AB 120, AB 130, and AB 230. 

³

Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to 120, of which at least 42 must be Upper-Division (300- to 400-level).

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program: A minimum grade of 'C' (2.000) is required for each course designated by footnote 1 on the Program Requirements tab. 

To prepare for first semester: The curriculum for the Agricultural Biology major assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus. Entering students who are not prepared to take calculus will need to fulfill pre-calculus requirements in the first semester. Those pre-calculus requirements are listed as benchmark courses in Freshman Semester 1 below.