Bachelor in Science in Plant Science

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Maryland College Park

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Plant Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park combines fundamental science with applied plant production and technical training, preparing students for careers in research, industry and the public sector. Students can tailor the degree through Plant Biology, Turf and Golf Course Management, or Urban Forestry, studying areas such as plant structure and function, soil science, plant pathology, horticulture, biotechnology and plant management.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific and plant-science foundation through courses such as CHEM131/132 – Chemistry I: Fundamentals of General Chemistry and General Chemistry I Laboratory, ENST200 – Fundamentals of Soil Science, and PLSC110/111 – Introduction to Horticulture and Introduction to Horticulture Laboratory. The introductory laboratory work gives students practical exposure to plant growth and development, while PLSC112/113 – Introductory Crop Science and Introductory Crop Science Laboratory provides an alternative foundation focused on crop plants and their production.

Year 2: Students move deeper into plant biology through PLSC201 – Plant Structure and Function and PLSC206 – Plant Structure and Function Laboratory, developing an understanding of plant structure and biological processes through laboratory study. Depending on their specialization, students can also begin subjects such as PLSC203 – Plants, Genes and Biotechnology, PLSC226 – Plant Diversity, or PLSC253 – Woody Plants for Mid-Atlantic Landscapes I.

Year 3: Advanced study becomes more closely aligned with the student's chosen concentration. Plant Biology students can study PLSC400 – Plant Physiology, PLSC420 – Principles of Plant Pathology, and advanced plant-science subjects, while students in other pathways may study PLSC272 – Principles of Arboriculture, PLSC401 – Pest Management Strategies for Turfgrass, or PLSC471 – Forest Ecology.

Year 4: Students apply their accumulated knowledge to professional and practical problems through advanced coursework and applied experiences. PLSC460 – Application of Knowledge in Plant Sciences is a capstone-style course involving plant-science professionals and student-led discussions, where students apply their knowledge to issues such as nutrient management, integrated pest management, plant biotechnology and urban/rural ecosystems; the curriculum can also include PLSC389 – Internship depending on the pathway.

Focus areas: Plant Biology, Turf and Golf Course Management, Urban Forestry, horticulture, crop science, plant biotechnology, plant pathology, soil science, pest management, plant physiology and environmental plant management.

Learning outcomes: Students develop the ability to use scientific and technical knowledge, collaborate and solve problems, communicate conclusions clearly, and build relationships with external groups in their professional fields.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The official program information does not state a specific professional accreditation for the B.S. Plant Sciences degree. The curriculum instead emphasises applied technical preparation, professional interaction, internships and practical plant-science experience.

Reputation (employability rankings): The official program page describes Plant Sciences as preparing students for research, public-sector and industry careers, with Plant Biology specifically designed for graduate/professional school and research careers. The official program information reviewed does not publish a program-specific employability ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor in Science in Plant Science at the University of Maryland, College Park gives students direct opportunities to learn plant science through fieldwork, laboratory study, research projects and professional internships. Students can work with plants in field and laboratory settings, conduct faculty-mentored research, and use quantitative methods and Excel-based statistical analysis to interpret plant data. The program also connects students with UMD’s agricultural research infrastructure, including the Research Greenhouse Complex, which contains research laboratories, growth chambers and field-oriented research facilities.

Students can build practical experience through several university-supported opportunities:

Plant science laboratory and fieldwork: PLSC 226 – Plant Diversity combines lecture, field and laboratory study, where students identify plant families, genera and species and develop plant-keying skills.
Quantitative plant research: Plant Science coursework gives students hands-on experience collecting quantitative plant data and performing statistical analysis using Excel; students can also analyse publicly available biological datasets and investigate gene-expression patterns.
Independent research projects: PLSC 399 – Special Problems in Plant Science allows students to undertake faculty-directed research involving field, greenhouse, laboratory, studio and/or library studies.
Internships: PLSC 389 – Internship provides academic credit for practical work in horticultural and agronomic industries, botanical gardens and arboreta, giving students direct professional experience.
Research greenhouse facilities: The Research Greenhouse Complex includes approximately 39,729 square feet of greenhouse space, plus teaching and research laboratories, growth chambers and meeting facilities. It houses the Plant Research Growth Facility, Norton-Brown Herbarium and field-oriented research laboratories.
Agricultural research farms: UMD’s Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station Research and Education Centers provide opportunities to engage with applied agricultural research. Current internship opportunities involve crop production, agronomy, precision agriculture, nutrient management, integrated pest management, soil and water conservation and other real-world agricultural practices.
Faculty-mentored research: The UMD Office of Undergraduate Research provides opportunities such as FIRE (First-Year Innovation & Research Experience), IRIE (Immersive Research Internship Experience) and SPIRE (Student-Proposed Innovation & Research Experience), giving undergraduates opportunities to work with faculty on research projects.
Agriculture-focused summer research: SOARE – Summer Opportunities in Agricultural Research and the Environment provides undergraduate students with on-campus agricultural research experience, faculty relationships and exposure to graduate-level research.
Agricultural internships: The University of Maryland Extension Workforce Development Internship is a 10-week, full-time paid summer opportunity for undergraduates interested in agriculture and natural-resources careers, while the MAES summer internship places students at research centres to work alongside farm crews and UMD faculty.
Research & Education Centers: Facilities such as the Western Maryland Research & Education Center support research in crop varieties, cropping systems, nutrient management, weed control, tree and small-fruit production and integrated pest management, with projects involving UMD faculty and external agricultural organisations.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Plant Science at the University of Maryland, College Park prepares students for careers across plant biology, turf and golf course management, and urban forestry, with a combination of fundamental science and applied technical training. The program can also provide a strong foundation for graduate study, particularly for students interested in plant biology, agricultural biotechnology, forestry or advanced plant-science research.

Typical career opportunities include:

Plant Research Specialist
Urban Forester
Turfgrass Professional
Agricultural/Plant Science Specialist

Students can build their career through the university's dedicated opportunities and industry connections:

Career placement: UMD's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources reports a 94% placement rate for its students and provides career preparation, graduate-school resources, salary information and agriculture-related career profiles.
Internships: More than 79% of AGNR students reported completing at least one internship during their time at UMD. Students can find positions through Handshake, the college's preferred online job and internship database.
Practical employer engagement: Students can participate in Intern For a Day, career shuttles, career fairs and networking events, allowing them to visit organisations, observe professionals and learn about actual workplace roles.
Plant-science research: The Plant Science department supports undergraduate research, and current Plant Sciences students highlight opportunities in basic biological research, applied agricultural research, native biodiversity and urban forestry.
Industry and professional connections: AGNR connects students with employers across agronomy/plant science, agricultural production, conservation, environmental research, landscape architecture and sustainability, providing exposure to a broad range of plant-related career sectors.
Graduate opportunities: UMD offers Plant Science B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. programs, so students interested in research can progress from the bachelor's degree into advanced plant-science study.
Further professional development: Students can access resume resources, practice interviews, Handshake appointments, professional advice, LinkedIn Learning, experiential-learning funding and sustainability internship funding through AGNR's career ecosystem.
Graduate outcomes: An AGNR graduation survey found that 86% of respondents had completed at least one internship, with 58% of reported internship experiences paid and 41% earning academic credit, demonstrating the strong emphasis on gaining workplace experience before graduation.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into M.S. or Ph.D. study in Plant Science, particularly through UMD's Plant Biology pathway, which the university describes as preparation for postgraduate study in plant biology and related areas. Students can also use the degree as preparation for graduate programs in forestry and other related fields, depending on their chosen Plant Science concentration.