College Life

Private Schools That Are Well Known for This Major

• Cornell University
• Washington University—St. Louis
• Duke University
• Harvard University

State Schools That Are Well Known for This Major

• Michigan State University
• Ohio State University
• Pennsylvania State University
• Purdue University
• University of California—Berkeley

Classes in the Major

Chemistry: Anywhere you study plant science will require you take chemistry, but that comes with the territory in almost all classes that have "science" in the title. This will usually mean general chemistry for two semesters, but sometimes more will be needed, such as organic chemistry. These classes will show you what's happening within the physical structures of the plants you'll be working with later on, and can offer a serious edge when it comes to determining issues like disease.

Math: These days, you've got to take calculus for just about everything, and plant science is no different. Some schools will have you taking Calculus 1 while others will make you go up to Applied Calculus. Luckily, one or two courses is generally the extent of the math, so you can breathe easy if you aren't a math person...or cry, if you are. Like chemistry, these courses will help you handle the more minute aspects of handling plants, so don't just blow them off. These classes ain't no dandelion.

Soil Management: These classes are obviously important because, you know, plants dig soil. You'll learn about the principles of managing soil, the nutrients involved with healthy soil, and relationships between soil and the plants they support. If you think of a plant growing, you can't avoid thinking of the dirt it's coming from. These courses will help you begin analyzing that dirt to determine if it's going to be helpful or harmful for the plants you're interested in.

Horticulture: How to cultivate and manage plants, i.e. horticulture, is pretty stinkin' important to people studying plant science. These classes will teach you things like the proper way to pot plants, how to manage different fruit species, and the best way to produce vegetables. If those topics don't immediately make you say, "I should so totally take these classes," then you're looking at the wrong major, bub. We're saying this is basically the most important set of classes you could take for this major.

Agroecology: This portion of your education is on par with horticulture when it comes to importance. Here, you'll learn the principles of ecology and how they affect crops and other plants. Sustainable practices are discussed, as well as topics like nutrient cycling, pest management, and hydrologic cycles. If you think these classes are going to contain more information than "what is a plant?" then you are absolutely correct. You'll be given a lot of valuable information that you won't want to forget.