Major in Soil and Crop Sciences, Sustainable Agricultural Management Concentration

The sustainability of people and our planet relies on continued innovation in the way we grow food. Farming faces numerous complex challenges, as we need to feed a growing population, enhance the efficiency of agriculture, while addressing issues of soil degradation and pollution.

With a major in Soil and Crop Sciences in the Sustainable Agricultural Management Concentration, students gain a solid foundation of agronomic principles and practices to achieve economic and environmental sustainability while helping design and develop the agroecosystems of tomorrow. Students build practical knowledge of farming systems and utilize advanced technologies to drive decision-making in cropping system management, while maintaining or improving soil health.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this concentration, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate technical competency in the fundamental principles of agroecosystems and synthesize information from field and laboratory observations.
2. Identify, formulate, and solve complex agroecosystem problems by applying principles of soil and plant functionality across varying environments. 
3. Collaborate with diverse teams to set goals and expectations, foster individual strengths and leadership, and encourage creativity and inclusivity in solving problems. 

Effective Fall 2026

Technical Electives 

Course List

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

¹

Select from list of technical electives.

²

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).