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Cropping Systems

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences


 

QUICK JUMP
  Cropping Systems
  Requirements and Core Courses
  Careers in Cropping Systems
  Salaries
  Scholarships and Financial Aid
  Related Fields of Study That May Interest You
  Contact Information

Cropping Systems

The Cropping Systems Option in Agricultural and Food Systems is for students interested in crop production and plant/soil/pest management. This option focuses on environmental quality in agronomic cropping systems. Students interested in genetics and molecular biology should also explore the Crop Science degree program.

• Offered at WSU: Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Food Systems with a major in Plant and Soil Systems and an option in Cropping Systems
• Available at: Pullman

Requirements and Core Courses

—Bachelor of Science in Crop Science with an option in Cropping Systems
Students in this program take a minimum of 120 credits in courses to meet University general education requirements, departmental core requirements, requirements specific to the cropping systems option, and electives. Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.

DEPARTMENTAL CORE REQUIREMENTS
Bot 320—Introductory Plant Physiology
Chem 106—Principles of Chemistry II
     or Chem 102—Chemistry Related to Life Sciences
Chem 240—Elementary Organic Chemistry
CropS 101—Introductory Field Crop Science
CropS 201—Growth & Development of World Crops
CropS 305—Ecology and Management of Weeds
CropS 411—Crop Environment Interactions
CropS 412—Seminar
CropS 498—Professional Internship
     or CropS 499—Special Problems
     or UH 450—Honors Thesis
Math 107—Elementary Functions
Pl P 429—General Plant Pathology
SoilS 201—Soil: A Living System

OPTION REQUIREMENTS:
CropS 360—World Agricultural Systems
CropS 403—Advanced Cropping Systems
CropS 410—Seed Science and Technology
CropS 445—Plant Breeding
One of the following:
     CropS 302—Forage Crops
     Hort 320—Vegetable Production
     Hort 420—Potato Production and Physiology
     SoilS 467—Regional Landscape Inventory Analysis
     SoilS 441—Soil Fertility
     SoilS 442—Soil Analysis for Environmental and Crop Mgmt
     Ag Ec 300- or 400-level upper division course (Ag Ec 340—Intro to Farm and Ranch Management is strongly recommended.)
     Entom 340—Agricultural Entomology
     IPM 462—Integrated Pest Management

Careers in Cropping Systems

The cropping systems option is for students interested in careers such as certified crop advisors, consultants, field representatives, farm managers, and crop specialists.

Crop scientists (or agronomists) are involved in improving food, feed, and fiber production. They study metabolic and developmental processes of crop plants and seeds, develop improved crop varieties through plant breeding and biotechnology, design sustainable crop production and management systems that conserve natural resources while enhancing crop yields, and investigate the impact of cropping systems on agricultural and nonagricultural ecosystems.

Employment is available in government and commercial agencies such as the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Cooperative Extension; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Washington State Department of Ecology, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Natural Resources; and in food processing companies, insurance agencies, and commercial concerns dealing with farm products, fertilizers and agricultural chemicals, and seeds.

Opportunities also exist for further study and employment in international agriculture such as through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and The World Bank, international research institutes, church run agricultural development organizations, and the U.S. Peace Corps. Teaching, research, and extension careers are available in community colleges and universities for graduates with advanced degrees.

Salaries

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, beginning salary offers in 2005 for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in plant sciences averaged $31,226 a year; and in other agricultural sciences, $33,850 a year.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Standards reports that the median annual earnings of agricultural scientists and food scientists were $48,670 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $35,770 and $65,990. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,750, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $85,460.

Washington state agricultural technician positions have a salary range between $26,600 and $42,900 in 2005.

Average salary for federal employees in agronomy in 2003 was $68,846.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Crop science students may be eligible for scholarships from the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, as well as scholarships from the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.

Students may also qualify for state, federal, and University-level scholarships and financial assistance. For more information contact the WSU Office of Scholarship Services.

Related Fields of Study That May Interest You

• Crop science/biotechnology
• Crop science business and industry
• Environmental soil science
• Precision farming
• Soil management
• Sustainable agriculture
• Turf management

Contact Information
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
Washington State University
201 Johnson Hall
PO Box 646420
Pullman, WA 99164-6420
Fax: 509-335-8674
afs@wsu.edu
509-335-2615
 

Strengths of the Program

  • WSU provides the state’s only four-year program in crop and soil sciences.
  • Learn skills that can help solve environmental and food problems or create enjoyable living conditions.
  • Study under faculty members who are among the field’s most productive and creative in the nation, several of whom are members of the National Academy of Science.
  • Pursue direct research in such areas as organic crop production systems, plant breeding, biotechnology, groundwater contamination prevention, and turf and golf course management.
  • Work with faculty who obtain research funding from the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Agriculture.
  • Receive top-quality classroom, field, and laboratory experiences required for well-paying careers in industry, government, and farming.
  • You can join a math, science, and engineering community residence hall at WSU Pullman—share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.
Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us