Degree Program Overview

The Department of Plant, Soil, and Entomological Sciences,  "Plant, Soil, and Entomological Sciences:Department"  within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, offers a B.S. in Agroecology, Horticulture and Environmental Quality, and M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in entomology, plant science, and soil science. 

 The Department includes degree programs that focus on the earth’s biological and physical resources allowing students to pursue graduate education or careers in agriculture, horticulture, environmental science or an array of biological sciences.  Students in agriculture and horticulture develop skills needed for professional careers in crop production, plant maintenance, pest control, biotechnology, and biological control of insects, weeds, and diseases.  Students in soil and land resources are prepared for careers relevant to environmental quality and the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of soil and water resources.  Specialization in entomology or more basic areas of plant sciences, e.g. molecular biology, can prepare students for continuing education or employment in many fields of biology.

 Undergraduate Degree Program:

The multidisciplinary, departmental B.S. Program, Agroecology, Horticulture and Environmental Quality, offers students broad-based preparation in agricultural, horticultural, biological and ecological sciences.  There are four areas of specialization within this degree:

The entomology option emphasizes both basic and applied aspects of the study of insects and how they influence human activities.  The program provides a broad entomological education with opportunities to specialize in such areas as agricultural and aquatic entomology, biological control, host plant resistance, insect ecology, insect physiology, and insect-plant relations.  The curriculum is designed for students pursuing professional careers in the basic and applied fields of entomology, or for those interested in continuing their education at the graduate level.

Under the crop and weed science option, students can study crop management, plant protection and fundamental aspects of plant sciences.  Many courses emphasize environmental concerns, ecological relationships, and sustainability of agricultural systems.  Students interested in crop management gain the necessary background to be successful in a wide range of crop related careers in agriculture.  They can tailor their academic program in the basic and applied aspects of crop science to suit their individual interests and career goals.  The crop  and weed science option will prepare students for graduate education or professional careers in cropping systems management, plant protection, agricultural consulting, plant biotechnology, plant breeding and genetics, seed production and certification, and weed science.

The horticulture and urban landscape management option is designed to provide students with a background in production of various horticultural crops and/or urban landscape management.  Students can learn about many facets of horticulture, including horticultural crop production (floral crops, woody landscape plants, fruits or vegetables).  Students can enroll in courses highlighting production and management of horticultural crops that are economically significant to Idaho and the nation.  Students can select courses to help them specialize in a particular career path.  An internship is also available, providing insights into professional horticulture careers.  Courses in a plant science, soils, biology, and entomology further enhance the knowledge needed for a professional career in horticulture.  Students enrolled in this option can prepare for careers in management and operation of commercial greenhouses, nurseries, orchards, vineyards, and vegetable farms.  This option is also flexible enough to enable students to pursue science-oriented careers or advanced degree studies.  Students can also focus on urban landscape management.  They have the opportunity to focus on managing and maintaining the various components of urban landscapes including trees, shrubs, herbaceous plantings, and turf grass.  Majors can specialize in landscape maintenance and golf and sports turf management.  This option also ties in directly to the minor in arboriculture and urban forestry.  The package of courses will prepare students for positions in landscape maintenance and tree and turf management within the growing green industries in the Northwestern United States and nationally.

 The undergraduate soil and land resources option is offered for students who are interested in businesses, industries, and government agencies associated with soils and farm chemicals, as professional soil scientists working with the formation, classification, chemistry, physics, and fertility of valuable soil resources, or as environmental scientists in conserving or improving soil and water quality.  Courses in geology, botany, chemistry, and physics, in addition to soils, are stressed.

The degree offerings are designed to prepare students for graduate school and a variety of rewarding career opportunities.  Each of these degree programs is based on a curriculum designed to prepare students for present and future employment.  The department offers students the opportunity to work closely with faculty in classroom and field situations.  The faculty members provide wide educational experiences for students who major in this department.  Formal courses are offered as needed to serve the students in the various degree programs, and additional specialization may be obtained by enrolling in directed study, special topics, seminar, and other courses, with particular faculty members.  An internship program also is available to provide students with practical job experience and to open doors for career opportunities.

 For advanced studies, specially equipped laboratories for histology, anatomy, and physiology and greenhouse laboratory units with controlled temperature and light programmed rooms and growth chambers are available.  A state of the art biotechnology facility that has space to accommodate 101 faculty, staff, and students.  The university has 1,145 acres for field crops, orchards, and livestock located close to campus.  Excellent field and laboratory facilities are also available at research and extension centers at Aberdeen, Parma, and Twin Falls.  The department has three important scientific collections: the entomology museum, the soil monolith collection and a weed herbarium.  Additionally, the graduate program is closely coordinated with the Departments of Entomology, Crop and Soil Sciences, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, and Plant Pathology at Washington State University (eight miles away), enhancing the department's offerings.

The degree offerings are designed to prepare students for graduate school and/or a variety of rewarding career opportunities. Each of these degree programs is based on a curriculum designed to prepare students for present and future employment. The department offers students the opportunity to work closely with faculty in classroom and field situations. The faculty members provide wide educational experiences for students who major in this department. Formal courses are offered as needed to serve the students in the various degree programs, and additional specialization may be obtained by enrolling in directed study, special topics, seminar, and other courses, with particular faculty members. An internship program also is available to provide students with practical job experience and to open doors for career opportunities.

For advanced studies, specially equipped laboratories for histology, anatomy, and physiology and greenhouse laboratory units with controlled temperature and light programmed rooms and growth chambers are available. A state of the art biotechnology facility that has space to accommodate 101 faculty, staff, and students. The university has 1,145 acres for field crops, orchards, and livestock located close to campus. Excellent field and laboratory facilities are also available at research and extension centers at Aberdeen, Parma, and Twin Falls. Additionally, the graduate program is closely coordinated with the Departments of Entomology, Crop and Soil Sciences, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, and Plant Pathology at Washington State University (eight miles away), enhancing the department's offerings.

Graduate Degree Programs

Candidates must fulfill the requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and of the Department of Plant, Soil, and Entomological Sciences.  See the College of Graduate Studies section of Part 4 for general requirements applicable to each degree.

Master and Doctoral students will choose a major professor with the concurrence of the faculty member involved.  This choice is based upon the availability of the faculty member and the compatibility of the student's research interests with those of the professor. 

Master of Science, Major in Entomology, Plant Science and Soil Science.  Thesis and non-thesis options are offered.  General M.S. or non-thesis M.S. requirements apply.   These requirements include a formal program of at least 30 semester hours.  Specific requirements for each degree are determined by the student's graduate committee.  Admission to graduate programs requires an undergraduate degree.  Candidates for the M.S. with course deficiencies in their undergraduate program may be required to list those courses as deficiencies on their M.S. program.  Candidates for this degree must complete an independent research project and submit an acceptable thesis or research report as well as pass a final oral examination.

Graduate work in entomology is offered in the following specialized areas:  agricultural entomology, biological control of insects and weeds, insect biology, insect ecology, insect-plant interactions, insect anatomy and insect physiology, insect transmission of plant viruses, plant resistance to insects, systematic entomology, and integrated pest management.  Graduate students have access to one of the Pacific Northwest's outstanding insect collections and comprehensive entomological libraries.

Graduate work in plant science is offered in the following specialized areas:  plant pathology, plant breeding and genetics, plant physiology, weed science, crop management, and horticulture, including fruit and vegetable crops, landscape management and ornamentals.  Graduate majors in plant pathology can specialize in bacteriology, biological control, epidemiology, molecular biology, nematology, and virology.

Graduate students in soil science may concentrate in specialty areas such as soil physics, chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, fertility, or soil genesis and morphology.  A graduate program may be focused on a wide variety of soil-related issues such as environmental contamination, water quality, soil remediation and cleanup, soil and water conservation, precision agriculture, or plant nutrition. 

Doctor of Philosophy, Major in Entomology, Plant Science, or Soils.  University Ph.D. requirements apply.  Additional specific requirements are determined by the student's graduate committee.

 Faculty members are concerned with the needs and interests of individual students. Questions regarding programs, arrangements, or facilities are welcome. Prospective majors in entomology, plant science, or soil and land resources should consult the department head in Room 242, Agricultural Science Building, or telephone 208/885-6930.