Bachelor of Science in Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Purdue University West Lafayette

Program Overview

Purdue’s Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology degree is for students who want to lead innovation in sustainable agriculture by developing new crop varieties and improving plant traits through genetics and biotechnology. It suits future plant scientists, breeders, and biotech researchers who enjoy lab and field work and want to tackle global food and environmental challenges.

Curriculum structure

In the first year, you build a strong foundation in the life and physical sciences with courses such as General Chemistry, Fundamentals of Biology, and introductory math, alongside an orientation to agriculture at Purdue. These courses prepare you to understand plant systems, chemical principles, and quantitative reasoning before moving into genetics-focused content.

During the second year, you dive into core genetics and agronomy with Genetics and Genetics Laboratory, plus World Crop Adaptation and Distribution and Agronomy Seminar, while continuing physics and selective electives. This stage connects genetic mechanisms to real-world crop diversity and adaptation, and introduces you to departmental research and professional practices through seminars.

In the third and fourth years, you specialize with advanced plant science courses such as Plant Genetics, Principles and Methods of Plant Breeding, and either Crop Physiology and Ecology or Plant Physiology, capped by Agronomy Senior Seminar as a capstone experience. By this point, you’re applying breeding methods, analyzing genetic data, and integrating physiology and ecology to design improved crops for agriculture.

Focus areas

Plant genetics and genomics; plant breeding methods and quantitative genetics; crop physiology and ecology; agricultural biotechnology and genetic engineering; sustainable crop improvement for food security.

Learning outcomes

Graduates can evaluate and create new crop varieties, apply genetic and biotechnological tools to solve agricultural problems, interpret plant physiological and ecological data, and communicate scientific findings for research and industry contexts.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The program is housed in Purdue’s College of Agriculture, which is widely recognized for agronomy and plant sciences; graduates are prepared for roles in seed and biotech companies, public breeding programs, and graduate study in plant sciences.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Purdue Agriculture is consistently ranked among the top agricultural colleges in the U.S., and Purdue as a whole is ranked among the top public universities in the country and top 100 globally, supporting strong industry connections and research opportunities for students.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In Purdue’s Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology program, you learn by doing—working in real labs, greenhouses, and field stations that support plant breeding, genetics, and biotechnology research from day one. The College of Agriculture gives you access to specialized facilities like the Ag Alumni Seed Phenotyping Facility for controlled-environment plant imaging, the Agronomy Center for Research and Education (ACRE) for large-scale field breeding trials, and the Genomics Core Facility for DNA sequencing and analysis, so your coursework connects directly to hands-on research and industry-grade tools. With 100% of students participating in research or internship experiences, you’ll build practical skills that employers and graduate programs value.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Field and controlled-environment research at ACRE (1,400+ acres) for plant breeding, genetics, crop physiology, and variety performance trials
High-throughput phenotyping using automated imaging systems (RGB and hyperspectral) and X‑ray CT root imaging at the Ag Alumni Seed Phenotyping Facility
Genomics and molecular work via the Genomics Core Facility (high/low throughput sequencing, arrays, informatics) to support crop genetics projects
Greenhouse and growth-chamber experiments in the Lilly Greenhouses and Plant Growth Facility and Horticulture Plant Growth Facilities for precise environmental control
Data-driven breeding and digital agriculture projects using advanced sensing, seed analysis, threshing/shelling systems, and data management platforms at the Indiana Corn and Soybean Innovation Center
Research mentorship with faculty leading plant breeding and genetics labs (e.g., wheat breeding, quantitative genetics) and opportunities to join ongoing projects
Internships and research assistant roles across Purdue Agriculture departments and affiliated centers, with many students gaining summer research experience
Access to nearly 40 specialized research core facilities across the Center for Plant Biology, including plant imaging technology and field phenotyping infrastructure
Practical troubleshooting and crop diagnostics through outdoor training laboratories at the Crop Diagnostic Training and Research Center
Collaboration opportunities through the Institute for Plant Sciences and Research Services team for experimental design, data collection, and analysis

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology B.S. at Purdue University prepares students for careers focused on improving crops, developing new plant varieties and using biotechnology to address agricultural challenges. With practical laboratory and field experience, along with internship opportunities, graduates can build a strong foundation for careers in agricultural research, plant biotechnology and crop improvement.

Career opportunities include roles such as Plant Geneticist, Crop Breeder, Biotech Research Scientist and Seed Production Specialist. The degree can also open doors to positions in agricultural research, molecular biology, plant science and genomics.

Career progression and opportunities:

Career support: Purdue Agriculture provides career exploration resources, career advising and career fairs. Its fall and spring career fairs attract more than 250 companies, giving students opportunities to meet employers, explore internships and build professional connections.
Employment outcomes: Purdue Agriculture reports that 91% of its graduates are employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation. The college reports an average beginning salary of $54,336 across its graduates.
Agronomy-related outcomes: Purdue reports an average beginning salary of $50,071 for Agronomy graduates in May 2025. Purdue does not provide a separate salary figure specifically for the Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology major.
Industry exposure: Students can gain experience through Purdue's industry connections in plant breeding and agricultural technology. One example is the collaboration involving Beck's Hybrids and The Data Mine, which connects students with real-world plant breeding and agricultural data projects.
Research opportunities: Purdue Agriculture has more than 470 active industry-sponsored research projects, providing a strong environment for students interested in applying plant science and biotechnology to real agricultural challenges.
Long-term value: The program develops knowledge in plant genetics, breeding and biotechnology, areas that are increasingly important for improving crop productivity, sustainability, resilience and global food security.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates can move directly into agricultural and biotechnology careers or continue their education through graduate study. The scientific and practical training gained through the program provides a strong base for more specialized career paths.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can continue into master's or doctoral programs in areas such as plant breeding, genetics, biotechnology, agronomy, plant science and related agricultural or biological sciences. Graduate study can help students move toward advanced research positions, specialized biotechnology careers, scientific leadership roles or academic careers.