""

The study of plants is crucial for the survival of humankind and of the planet. Our entire diet comes either directly or indirectly through plants, and plants are a key source of fuel and energy, medicines, and oxygen in the environment. Plants grown in cultivated environments have critical roles in sustaining life and in supporting our economy.

Plant Science and Technology students will:

  • learn about the biology of plants
  • investigate the role of plants in food and industrial systems, and how these systems affect climate and resource management
  • study the impact of biotechnology, automation, and artificial intelligence in crop production
  • learn from experts in a wide variety of plant species such as grains, fruits, vegetables, herbs, ornamental crops, weeds, and plants that appear in agricultural ecosystems.  

This training will open up a wide range of careers in crop production, precision agriculture, biotechnology, and more.  Additionally, students will be well prepared to attend graduate school in many disciplines from agronomy and crop science to plant biotechnology.

Learn through hands-on, real-world experiences

Core coursework in Plant Science and Technology includes hands-on learning experiences. Examples include using remote sensing to collect data on plant performance, growing crops in hydroponics systems, pollinating plants to create genetic variation, and propagating herbaceous and woody plants.

In addition, students can apply their course learning to real life through research projects, independent studies, and internships with guidance from faculty and staff members. During their final year, majors complete a senior capstone course where they work closely with fellow students and a faculty or staff advisor on a semester-long project designed to bring together a number of aspects of their educational experiences. Through their capstone, students can choose to participate in hands-on projects. For instance, a student’s capstone could require they collect data on plant performance in a field or greenhouse and use those data to develop models that can predict future performance. Students can pursue complex scientific interests during their capstone such as studying the distribution of mineral content in crop seeds. Typically, the capstone project involves problem solving and data analysis in a real-world context.

Build community and networks

Students get to know faculty and instructors through the courses they take, and they can build their networks through independent studies, participation in seminars, paid work in a research or outreach program, field trips, student organizations, and attendance at conferences and workshops. Examples of student organizations include the Badger Crops Club and The People’s Farm. One of the strengths of our program is the opportunity to work with university research and outreach programs and experience scientific inquiry and the communication of scientific findings on real-world problems.

Customize a path of study

Plant Science and Technology students can select from a wide array of elective options to complete coursework that fits their interests and career goals. For some students, gaining experience in a variety of plant materials will be an important career objective, while for other students, exposure to fields such as economics, life sciences communication, foreign languages, or food science might be critical. The Plant Science and Technology major provides ample opportunities for students to identify electives that help build career skills and provide a well-rounded undergraduate experience.

Make a strong start

A number of first-year seminar courses are available to help new students understand academic programs, access student services, and develop time management and study skills.

Gain a global perspective

Many Plant Science and Technology majors study abroad to gain an international perspective and prepare to participate in today’s global economy. Students work with their advisor and the CALS study abroad office to identify appropriate programs. The Plant Science and Technology major is also home to a study abroad program in tropical agriculture that includes a fall semester course and a winter break study abroad experience in Central America.

How to Get in

Requirements Details
How to get in No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare. For information on how to declare, visit Advising & Careers.
Courses required to get in None
GPA requirements to get in None
Credits required to get in Must have fewer than 86 credits.
Other Students who do not meet the requirements above or are not in good academic standing should schedule a meeting with CALS Dean on Call (https://go.wisc.edu/g85h79) to discuss exceptions.

Prospective UW-Madison Students

All prospective UW–Madison students must apply through the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

Students interested in this major should select it as the first choice major on their UW–Madison application. Admitted students who enroll at UW-Madison and attend Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences have the option to declare this major at SOAR. More information is available here.

 

Students declared in the Agronomy or Horticulture BS may not also declare the Plant Science and Technology BS.

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.

General Education
  • Breadth—Humanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
  • Breadth—Natural Science: 4 to 6 credits, consisting of one 4- or 5-credit course with a laboratory component; or two courses providing a total of 6 credits
  • Breadth—Social Studies: 3 credits
  • Communication Part A & Part B *
  • Ethnic Studies *
  • Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B *

* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements.

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Requirements

In addition to the University General Education Requirements, all undergraduate students in CALS must satisfy a set of college and major requirements. Courses may not double count within university requirements (General Education and Breadth) or within college requirements (First-Year Seminar, International Studies, Science, and Capstone), but courses counted toward university requirements may also be used to satisfy a college and/or a major requirement; similarly, courses counted toward college requirements may also be used to satisfy a university and/or a major requirement.

College Requirements for all CALS BS Degree Programs

Quality of Work: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000 to remain in good standing and be eligible for graduation.
Residency: Students must complete 30 degree credits in residence at UW–Madison after earning 86 credits toward their undergraduate degree.
First year seminar1
International studies3
Physical science fundamentals4-5
General Chemistry I
Chemistry in Our World
Advanced General Chemistry
Biological science5
Additional science (biological, physical, or natural)3
Science breadth (biological, physical, natural, or social)3
CALS Capstone Learning Experience: included in the requirements for each CALS major (see "major requirements")

Major Requirements

Foundation27-33
Plant Science and Technology Core22-25
Plant Science and Technology Electives15
Capstone2
Total Credits66-75

Foundation

Mathematics

Complete one of the following (or requirement may be fulfilled through placement exam):

MATH 112
MATH 113
College Algebra
and Trigonometry
6
MATH 114 Precalculus5
MATH 171 Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry I5

Statistics 

Complete one of the following:

STAT 240 Data Science Modeling I4
STAT 301 Introduction to Statistical Methods3
STAT 371 Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences3

Chemistry

Complete one of the following:

CHEM 103
CHEM 104
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry II
9
CHEM 109 Advanced General Chemistry5

Biology

Complete one of the following sequences:

Sequence 1
BIOLOGY/​BOTANY  130 General Botany5
BIOLOGY/​ZOOLOGY  101 Animal Biology3
BIOLOGY/​ZOOLOGY  102 Animal Biology Laboratory2
Total Credits10
 Sequence 2
BIOLOGY/​BOTANY/​ZOOLOGY  151 Introductory Biology5
BIOLOGY/​BOTANY/​ZOOLOGY  152 Introductory Biology5
Total Credits10
Sequence 3
BIOCORE 381 Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics3
BIOCORE 382 Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics Laboratory2
BIOCORE 383 Cellular Biology3
BIOCORE 384 Cellular Biology Laboratory2
Total Credits10

Economics

Complete one of the following:

A A E 101 Introduction to Agricultural and Applied Economics4
ECON 101 Principles of Microeconomics4
ECON 111 Principles of Economics-Accelerated Treatment4

Plant Science and Technology Core

Plant Science

Complete all of the following:

PLANTSCI 110 Introduction to Plant Science and Technology4
PLANTSCI 310 Plant Science and Technology in Cropping Systems4
SOIL SCI 301 General Soil Science3
Total Credits11

Genetics

Complete one of the following:

GENETICS 466 Principles of Genetics3
PLANTSCI 338 Plant Breeding and Biotechnology3

Systems

Complete one of the following:

PL PATH 300 Introduction to Plant Pathology4
PLANTSCI 300 Cropping Systems3
ENTOM/​ZOOLOGY  302 Introduction to Entomology4

Environment

Complete one of the following:

PLANTSCI 320 Environment of Cultivated Plants3
BOTANY 500 Plant Physiology3-4

Technology

Complete one of the following:

PLANTSCI 340 Plant Genome Engineering and Editing3
PLANTSCI 334
PLANTSCI 335
Greenhouse Cultivation
and Greenhouse Cultivation Lab
3
BSE 305 Introduction to Precision Agriculture3
BSE 380 Introductory Data Science for the Agricultural and Life Sciences 3

Plant Science and Technology Electives

Major Depth9
Major Breadth6
Total Credits15

Major Depth

Complete 9 credits. A course completed to meet the Core may not count as a major depth course.

PLANTSCI 227 Propagation of Horticultural Plants3
PLANTSCI/​PL PATH  262 Turfgrass Management Laboratory1
PLANTSCI/​LAND ARC  263 Woody Landscape Plant Identification, Culture, and Use 4
PLANTSCI 300 Cropping Systems3
PLANTSCI 302 Forage Management and Utilization3
PLANTSCI 320 Environment of Cultivated Plants3
PLANTSCI 340 Plant Genome Engineering and Editing3
PLANTSCI 334 Greenhouse Cultivation2
PLANTSCI 338 Plant Breeding and Biotechnology3
PLANTSCI 360 Genetically Modified Crops: Science, Regulation & Controversy2
PLANTSCI 370 World Vegetable Crops3
PLANTSCI 376 Tropical Horticultural Systems2
PLANTSCI 378 Tropical Horticultural Systems International Field Study2
AGROECOL 377 Global Food Production and Health3
DY SCI 471 Food Production Systems and Sustainability3
PLANTSCI 501 Principles of Plant Breeding3
PLANTSCI 502 Techniques of Plant Breeding1
PLANTSCI/​ATM OCN  532 Environmental Biophysics3
PLANTSCI 550 Molecular Approaches for Crop Improvement3
BSE 305 Introduction to Precision Agriculture3
BSE 365 Measurements and Instrumentation for Biological Systems3
BSE 380 Introductory Data Science for the Agricultural and Life Sciences 3
BSE 405 Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture3
BOTANY 300 Plant Anatomy4
ENTOM/​ZOOLOGY  302 Introduction to Entomology4
BOTANY 500 Plant Physiology3-4
ENTOM 351 Principles of Economic Entomology3
ENTOM/​BOTANY/​ZOOLOGY  473 Plant-Insect Interactions3
GENETICS 466 Principles of Genetics3
GENETICS/​BIOCHEM  631 Plant Genetics and Development3
PL PATH 300 Introduction to Plant Pathology4
SOIL SCI 332 Turfgrass Nutrient and Water Management3
PL PATH 315 Plant Microbiomes4
PL PATH/​BOTANY/​ENTOM  505 Plant-Microbe Interactions: Molecular and Ecological Aspects3
PL PATH 517 Plant Disease Resistance2-3
PL PATH 559 Diseases of Economic Plants3

Major Breadth

Complete 6 credits.

A A E 319 The International Agricultural Economy3
A A E 320 Agricultural Systems Management3
A A E 322 Commodity Markets4
A A E 323 Cooperatives and Alternative Forms of Enterprise Ownership3
A A E 419 Agricultural Finance3
A A E 422 Food Systems and Supply Chains3
BIOCHEM 501 Introduction to Biochemistry3
BSE 301 Land Information Management3
BOTANY 305 Plant Morphology and Evolution4
BOTANY 400 Plant Systematics4
BOTANY 401 Vascular Flora of Wisconsin4
BOTANY/​ANTHRO/​ZOOLOGY  410 Evolutionary Biology3
BOTANY 422 Plant Geography3
BOTANY/​AMER IND/​ANTHRO  474 Ethnobotany3-4
COMP SCI 220 Data Science Programming I4
F&W ECOL/​ENVIR ST  100 Forests of the World3
F&W ECOL/​C&E SOC/​SOC  248 Environment, Natural Resources, and Society3
F&W ECOL 300 Forest Measurements4
F&W ECOL/​ENVIR ST/​G L E/​GEOG/​GEOSCI/​LAND ARC  371 Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing3
GEN BUS 310 Fundamentals of Accounting and Finance for Non-Business Majors3
GEN BUS 311 Fundamentals of Management and Marketing for Non-Business Majors3
LSC 270 Marketing Communication for the Sciences3
GENETICS 545 Genetics Laboratory2
GEOG/​ENVIR ST  309 People, Land and Food: Comparative Study of Agriculture Systems3
GEOG/​BOTANY  338 Environmental Biogeography3
GEOG/​ENVIR ST  339 Environmental Conservation4
PLANTSCI 121 Colloquium in Plant Science and Technology 1
PLANTSCI 234 Herbaceous Ornamental Plant Identification, Culture, and Use4
PLANTSCI 240 The Science of Cannabis1
PLANTSCI/​PL PATH  261 Sustainable Turfgrass Use and Management2
AGROECOL/​HIST SCI  301 (Horti)Cultural Roots: Human Histories of Plants and Science4
PLANTSCI 230 Wines and Vines of the World2
HORT/​PLANTSCI  350 Plants and Human Wellbeing2
PLANTSCI 351 A Deeper Look at Plants and Human Wellbeing1
PLANTSCI 372 Seminar in Organic Agriculture1
PLANTSCI 380 Indigenous Foodways: Food and Seed Sovereignty2
LAND ARC 260 History of Landscape Architecture3
PL PATH 311 Global Food Security3
SOIL SCI 323 Soil Biology3
SOIL SCI/​ENVIR ST  324 Soils and Environmental Quality3
SOIL SCI 327 Environmental Monitoring and Soil Characterization4
SOIL SCI/​ENVIR ST  575 Assessment of Environmental Impact3
SOIL SCI 585 Using R for Soil and Environmental Sciences3
SOIL SCI 621 Soil and Environmental Chemistry 3

Capstone

PLANTSCI 510 Senior Capstone Experience2
Total Credits2

University Degree Requirements

Total Degree To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements.
Residency Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs.
Quality of Work Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Define biological processes related to plant growth, development, and productivity and explain their role in plant and agroecosystem sciences
  2. Apply scientific and technological concepts and critical thinking skills to analyze global issues in plant and agroecosystem sciences
  3. Communicate solutions to complex problems in the field of plant science and technology to diverse audiences composed of peers, scientists, and/or professionals

Four-Year Plan

This sample four-year plan is a tool to assist students and their advisors.  Students should use their DARS report, the degree planner, Guide requirements, and the course search & enroll tools to make their own four-year plan based on their placement scores, credit for transferred courses and approved examinations, and individual interests.

Note: Math course selection is based on placement scores. Plant Science and Technology majors must complete MATH 112 & MATH 113 or MATH 114 or satisfy the math requirement by placement exam.

Sample four-year plan with  BOTANY/​BIOLOGY  130 in the first semester

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CALS First-Year Seminar1ZOOLOGY/​BIOLOGY  101
ZOOLOGY/​BIOLOGY  102
5
PLANTSCI 1104Ethnic Studies3
BOTANY/​BIOLOGY  1305MATH 1133
MATH 1123A A E 1014
Communication A3 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 1034Communications B3
STAT 3713Plant Science and Technology Core - Systems or Environment3
Plant Science and Technology Core - Systems or Environment3CHEM 1045
General Education3PLANTSCI 3104
Elective1 
 14 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SOIL SCI 3013Plant Science and Technology Core - Genetics or Technology3
Plant Science and Technology Core - Genetics or Technology3CALS International Studies Requirement3
Major Depth Elective3Major Breadth Elective3
General Education3Electives6
Elective3 
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Major Depth Elective3Major Depth Elective3
Major Breadth Elective3Electives10
Electives9PLANTSCI 5102
 15 15
Total Credits 120

Sample four-year plan with CHEM 103 in the first semester

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CALS First-Year Seminar1CHEM 1045
CHEM 1034Ethnic Studies3
PLANTSCI 1104STAT 3713
MATH 1145Communication A3
 Elective 1
 14 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOLOGY/​BOTANY  1305Communications B3
A A E 1014ZOOLOGY/​BIOLOGY  101
ZOOLOGY/​BIOLOGY  102
5
SOIL SCI 3013PLANTSCI 3104
General Education3Plant Science and Technology Core - Environment or Systems3
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Plant Science and Technology Core - Environment or Systems3Plant Science and Technology Core - Genetics or Technology3
Major Depth Elective3Major Breadth Elective3
General Education3Electives6
Elective3CALS International Studies Requirement3
Plant Science and Technology Core - Genetics or Technology3 
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Major Depth Elective3PLANTSCI 5102
Major Breadth Elective3Electives10
Electives10Major Depth Elective3
 16 15
Total Credits 120

Advising and Careers

Advising

Each student receives one-on-one guidance from their professional advisor. Academic advisors will help students build an individualized, four-year plan. Many Plant Science and Technology majors complete certificates or double majors.

Career Opportunities

The knowledge and skills developed through the Plant Science and Technology major prepare students for a wide variety of careers. The program is designed to allow students to pursue their interests and career goals. Some of the areas students may work in include: crop production and consulting, precision agriculture, biotechnology, state and federal agencies, and other policy positions. Students may also continue their education in graduate programs in several different plant science programs that incorporate a wide range of interests such as crop science, agronomy, horticulture, and plant biotechnology.

Career Advising

Students are encouraged to begin the career exploration process early in their UW-Madison journey by working with advisors, faculty, and CALS Career Services. These resources can help students reflect on their values, identify career goals, and outline strategies to achieve them. CALS Career Services advisors can help students one-on-one with their career goals, resume and cover letter help, interview prep, and more.

Wisconsin Experience

Research Experience

Students are encouraged to get involved with plant science and technology research on campus. Students primarily find research opportunities by directly contacting faculty or searching on the Student Job Center.

Internships

Plant Science and Technology students have many opportunities for hands-on experience through internships. On campus, students can get experience by working at one of the green spaces on campus. Some examples are Allen Centennial Garden, D.C. Smith Greenhouse, the Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center, Walnut Street Greenhouses, and UW Student Organic Farm. Students can also intern off-campus. Some examples are working at an agricultural business, a farm, a non-governmental organization, or one of the Agricultural Research Stations. Students can connect with their advisor or CALS Career Services to learn more about internships.

Student Organizations

Connect with other Plant Science and Technology students and those interested in plants and technology by joining a student organization. Organizations of particular interest to Plant Science and Technology students include Badger Crops Club, UW Campus Food Shed, and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS).  A list of organizations is available on the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences website.

Global Engagement

Plant Science and Technology students can study or intern abroad through one of UW-Madison’s 260+ programs. Visit our Major Advising Page to learn more about studying abroad as a Plant Science and Technology major.

Resources and Scholarships

Plant Science and Technology students have access to hands-on experiences on and off campus at UW-Madison facilities such as:

  • Agricultural Research Stations – there are over 10 research stations across the state of Wisconsin that are used by faculty, staff, and students to conduct research
  • Allen Centennial Garden – a free, public garden that is located right down the street from the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences. The garden hosts events, classes, festivals, workshops, and more.
  • CALS Greenhouses – located right on campus, a variety of Wisconsin agricultural crops are studied here.
  • D.C. Smith Greenhouse – an instructional greenhouse that grows plants for departments and programs of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Many classes are also taught in the greenhouse.
  • UW Arboretum – located off campus on Seminole Hwy, the UW Arboretum’s mission is to “Conserve and restore Arboretum lands, advance restoration ecology, and foster the land ethic.”
  • Wisconsin Crop Improvement Center (WCIC) – located off campus in Middleton, the WCIC is a 100,000 square foot agricultural biotechnology/greenhouse complex. The building houses a state-of-the-art transgenic plant laboratory which supports unprecedented scientific advancement opportunities to improve plants for humans, livestock, and the environment.

Scholarships

College of Agricultural and Life students receive more than $1.25 million annually in scholarship awards. Plant Science and Technology majors can apply for these scholarships through a single application in the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH). To learn more about college scholarships please visit the CALS scholarship website.