Agronomy is plant biology striving to meet the world's expanding need for food, fiber, and fuel in an efficient, environmentally sound, and sustainable manner.

An undergraduate student majoring in Agronomy earns a bachelor of science degree. The Agronomy curriculum offers undergraduate and graduate studies in plant biotechnology, breeding, genetics, physiology, crop management and protection strategies, agroecology, and sustainable agriculture. Agronomy undergraduate students concentrate on plant science courses but also select related courses in soil science, genetics, economics, business, engineering, entomology, and the animal sciences, depending upon their interests.

The current demand for Agronomy graduates exceeds supply, and we expect the demand to increase. Career possibilities include biotechnology, research, agri-business, resource conservation, and crop production and management. In addition to classroom learning, students gain practical experience in their area of interest and earn degree credit at the same time through internships and independent study. The Agronomy major also serves as an excellent foundation for students interested in pursuing advanced studies in plant biotechnology, breeding, genetics, physiology, crop management, agroecology, or sustainable agriculture. Graduate programs are described in the Graduate Guide.

Professors

Ané, Jean-Michel
Conley, Shawn
de Leon, Natalia
Duke, Stan
Henson, Cynthia
Gutierrez, Lucia
Jackson, Randy
Jahn, Molly
Kaeppler, Shawn
Kucharik, Chris (chair)
Lauer, Joe
Renz, Mark
Stoltenberg, Dave
Tracy, William

Associate Professors

Kaeppler, Heidi

Assistant Professors

Picasso, Valentin
Werle, Rodrigo

For more information about our faculty and their research interests, visit our departmental website.

The Department of Agronomy is proud to participate in the CALS Scholarship Program, which awards thousands of dollars to undergraduate scholars every year. The majority of our students have some form of financial aid through CALS, the university, or work-study or laboratory jobs.

In addition, the department awards money each year to students who wish to study abroad.