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Plant Production and Protection

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

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Study In Wide-Open Spaces

Plants play a role in our daily lives. They provide raw materials that are used for food to eat, clothing to wear, resources for building, and ornamentals to beautify our communities. Without plants and the research involved in growing plant-based raw materials in economically and environmentally sustainable ways, our world could not function. Do you want to make a difference?

The University of Wyoming's bachelor's degree in Plant Production and Protection can help you become a part of this critical agriculture and environment sector. 

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Program Details

Tuition and Fees

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Program Requirements

Curriculum & Courses

Department

College of Agriculture, Life Sciences & Natural Resources
Department of Plant Sciences

What is Plant Production and Protection?

The bachelor of science in plant production and protection at the University of Wyoming is an interdisciplinary program that integrates plant, soil, pest management, and natural resources sciences. Offered by our multi-disciplinary department, the Plant Production and Protection degree is an innovative and highly practical program. 

This interdisciplinary plant sciences degree strives to capture all components of plant-based agriculture into a complete picture, to hand you the tools for today's global economy and environment. The Plant Production and Protection program emphasizes natural interrelationships among crops, weeds, insects, vegetation diseases, soil, the environment and other components of agricultural systems. 

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Class in the field

With our Plant Production and Protection degree program, you have the opportunity to tailor your degree to suit your particular interests through four specialized concentrations, maximizing the benefits of your degree.

Concentrations:

  • Agronomy
  • Horticulture
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Agroecology & Evolution

Four minors are also available for students pursuing other majors at UW, and may be an excellent complement to  your education.

Minors:

  • Agronomy
  • Agroecology
  • Horticulture
  • Plant Protection

From learning about sustainable agriculture to pest management, Plant Production and Protection students will develop their knowledge in plant sciences to meet their specific needs and interests. Here are just a few examples of courses you might take as a Plant Production and Protection major at the University of Wyoming:

  • Agroecology
  • Ecology of Plant Protection
  • Organic Food Production
  • Invasive Plant Ecology
  • Horticultural Science
  • Sustainable Agriculture
  • Crop Yield Physiology
  • Forage Crop Science
  • Weed Science and Technology
  • Plant Pathology
  • Field Crops Production

View the full Bachelor of Science in Plant Production and Protection degree program curriculum.

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What Can You Do With a Plant Production and Protection Bachelor’s Degree?

The Plant Production and Protection major emphasizes critical thinking, problem solving, communication and interpersonal skills throughout the program, making our graduates highly sought-after in the workforce. Plant Production and Protection students easily find jobs and careers after graduation from our program.  

Here are just a few places where our alumni are changing the plant sciences world: 

Plant Production & Protection Careers

  • Seed and crop protection industries (Bayer, BASF, and others)
  • Federal agencies (US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Bureau of Land Management)
  • Horticultural operations (Plenty, golf courses, greenhouses, and others)
  • State and local agencies (Wyoming Seed Certification, Weed & Pest Districts)
  • Private farms and other production operations

Earning a bachelor's in Plant Production and Protection prepares students well for graduate studies in the plant sciences and related disciplines. Our students get accepted into some of the top graduate programs in the country. Many of our students also choose to remain at the University of Wyoming to earn their graduate degrees (M.S. or Ph.D.). 

 

 

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100% of Plant Production and Protection majors complete an internship or research apprenticeship.

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Plant Production and Protection Bachelor’s Degree Program Highlights

During your time as a Plant Production and Protection student at the University of Wyoming, you will have plenty of hands-on experience and learn from a variety of well-equipped mentors that are ready to develop your knowledge. Plant sciences are not meant to be learned only in a classroom setting, and at UW, you’ll get up close and personal with the materials you’re learning about and be surrounded by students with the same passion as you.

Here are just a few reasons to consider a bachelor’s degree in Plant Production and Protection at UW:

Internships

All Plant Production and Protection students are required to complete an internship that is related to your degree program. These internships provide an opportunity for students to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to on-the-ground experiences, give them valuable experience and focus on career options they might pursue post-graduation. Upon graduation, students are frequently offered a position with the private company or public agency where they completed their internship.

Faculty

The Plant Sciences faculty studies an array of subject areas such as agronomy, agroecology, horticulture, forage crops, breeding and genetics, plant pathology, sustainability and weed science. Several Plant Sciences faculty members are located off-campus at Agricultural and Extension Centers in Powell, Sheridan and Lingle, giving students broader knowledge in plant science from around the state.

Scholarship Opportunities

There are numerous scholarship and financial aid options available for Plant Production and Protection majors. Students will automatically be considered for all scholarship and financial aid opportunities within the college after filling out just ONE general application.

Campus Organizations

Plant Production and Protection majors have the chance to join student-operated clubs and organizations on campus to expand their network and learn outside of the classroom. In addition to the Agroecology Club, ACRES Student Farm and other groups, there are honorary organizations such as Gamma Sigma Delta and Pi Alpha Xi.

This department has done so much for me and my career. I accepted an agronomist position, where I use my degree to assist farmers, ranchers, and landowners to manage their land with fertilizer, pesticide, and seed recommendations. Not only do I enjoy giving back to the community I grew up in, but I get to use the amazing knowledge gained from the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Wyoming!

- Micah McClure
B.S. Agroecology '19, M.S. Plant Sciences '21

Related Programs

If you have a passion for plant production and protection or other areas within the field of agriculture, you may want to explore some of the following programs that could capture your interest:

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Department of Plant Sciences

Department 3354, 1000 E. University Avenue

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-3103

Email: plantsciences@uwyo.edu