Interested in producing and managing plants in a way that conserves natural resources? Consider a major in Sustainable Plant Systems Controlled Environment Agriculture Develop technologies to efficiently produce plants and plant-based products, with optimized resource consumption, using environmentally, socially and economically sustainable growing systems in arid lands and urban settings. Environmental Horticulture Develop methods for producing and managing edible and ornamental plants while minimizing inputs and environmental impact and promoting human health and economic well-being. Agronomy Develop low water use and disease resistant plants that maximize crop yield and plant health in field production where marginal lands often constrain plant production. Turf Science Develop low water use and disease resistant turf grasses that reduce landscape and management inputs for sports fields, residential, and commercial sites. For more information contact an advisor: School of Plant Sciences Tanya Quist tquist@cals.arizona.edu 621-1582 Soil Water & Environmental Science Tom Wilson twilson@ag.arizona.edu 621-908
Why major in Sustainable Plant Systems? Top jobs in progressive fields. Our majors go on to graduate school or work in industry research and development. Many work for large companies, for government or are self-employed business owners. They work in disciplines ranging from sustainable agriculture, plant production, land management, international development and agri-business to ecology, engineering and biofuels production. An outstanding learning environment. Our majors enjoy an interdisciplinary environment with small class sizes, a low student-to-faculty ratio, scholarships, internships, and opportunities for travel. Students gain hands-on experience in reallife applications of soil, water and plant sciences including soil chemistry, water harvesting and plant nutrition, plant breeding, propagation and hydroponics. Hands-on learning experiences. Sustainable Plant Systems majors engage in pioneering research and training with internationally recognized faculty in developing plant production and landscape management systems such as the Controlled Environment Agriculture Center, Herbarium, Campus Arboretum and diverse field stations and agricultural centers throughout AZ. A chance to change the world. Plants are the foundation of biodiversity, global climate and the sustainability of our planet. Increased yields, reduced use of agricultural lands and improved production efficiency are key to healthy ecosystems and sustained human life on earth.
A. General Education (0-6 units) These classes give undergraduates a diverse academic background to complement each major. Foundation Courses English Composition Mathematics (satisfied by MATH 124/125) Pre-Major Communications (satisfied by SWES 408) Second Language Second semester proficiency 6 Units variable Tier 1 Traditions and Cultures Individuals and Societies Tier 2 Humanities Arts Individuals and Societies 6 Units 6 Units Units Units Units B. General Science Core (21-2 Units) * CHEM 151, 152, Intro Chemistry I & II 8 CHEM 241A Organic Chemistry 4 MATH 124 Calculus I with Applications OR MATH 125 Calculus I 5 MATH 26 Statistics OR MATH 6 Intro to Stat Methods OR MGMT 276 Stat Inference OR SBS 200 Intro to Statistics PHYS 102 Physics *ECOL 182L Intro Biology II or MCB 181L Intro Biology I strongly recommended C. Soil & Water Science Core (16 units, 12 upper division units) SWES 200/201 Introduction to Soil Science 4 SWES 16 Soil Fertility & Plant Nutrition SWES 401 Manage Arid Lands & Salt-Affected Soils even SWES 41 Soil Genesis, Morph, & Classification SWES 420 Environmental Physics OR SWES 470 Soil Physics D. Plant Science Core (17 units, 1 upper division units) PLS 240 Plant Biology 4 PLS 12 Plant Genetics 4 PLS 60 Principles of Plant Physiology PLS 405 Weed Science even SELECT 1 OUT OF 2: Ento 468 Insect Pest Management even PLP 05 Introductory Plant Pathology E. Career Preparation Courses (10 units, 5 upper division units) SWES 195B Careers in Crop Production PLS 195A How Feed & Clothe 9 Billion People in 2050 1 1 SWES 408 Technical Writing OR SWES 415 Translating Env Sci OR ENGL 08 Technical Writing OR COMM 12 Applied Organizational Comm OR ENGL 07 Business Writing PLS 498 Capstone 2 ECON 201A Principles of Economics
F. Sub-plans (Choose one of the following 5 sub-plans) Controlled Environment Agriculture (18 units, must include 12 upper division) Required Courses (9 Units) Units Fall Spring PLS 217 Controlled Environment Production PLS 97B Advanced Greenhouse Crop Production PLS 475A Physiology of Plant Production in even years Controlled Environments Suggested electives include: (must total 9 Units) ABE 456 Irrigation Systems Design PLS 9 Nursery Systems Management odd years PLS 54 Sustainable Horticulture even years PLS 46 Postharvest Physiology, Technology and odd years Produce Safety PLS 479 Applied Instrumentation for Controlled Environment Agriculture PLS 48 Controlled Environment Systems ENTO 497C Greenhouse Pest Management: Methods and Practice PLP 05 Introductory Plant Pathology Environmental Horticulture (18 units, must include 12 upper division units) Required Courses (9 Units) Units Fall Spring PLS 25 Introductory Horticulture odd years PLS 0 Plant Propagation odd years PLS 475A Physiology of Plant Production in even years Controlled Environments Suggested electives include: (must total 9 Units) PLS 217 Controlled Environment Production PLS 9 Nursery Systems Management odd years PLS 54 Sustainable Horticulture even years PLS 97B Advanced Greenhouse Crop Production PLS 46 Postharvest Physiology, Technology and Summer (online) Produce Safety PLS 479 Applied Instrumentation for Controlled Environment Agriculture PLS 48 Controlled Environment Systems ENTO 468 Insect Pest Management even years PLP 05 Introductory Plant Pathology Agronomy (18 units, must include 12 upper division units) Required Course ( Units) Units Fall Spring PLS 06 Crop Science and Production Suggested electives include: (must total 15 Units) ABE 456 Irrigation Systems Design AREC 15 Agribusiness Economics and Management ENTO 468 Insect Pest Management GEOS 251 Physical Geology 4 SWES 454 Water Harvesting ENTO 468 Insect Pest Management even years PLP 05 Introductory Plant Pathology
F. Sub-plans (continued) Turfgrass Science (18 units, must include 12 upper division units) Required Courses (18 Units) Units Fall Spring PLS 06 Crop Science and Production PLS 270 Golf & Sport Turf Management PLS 55 Turfgrass Management PLS 455 Turfgrass Science: Env. Stress AGTM 0 Turf and Landscape Technology ABE 456 Irrigation Systems Design
Sustainable Plant Systems Major Four-Year Sample Plan SEMESTER 1 16 SEMESTER 5 16 ENGL 101 English Composition Elective MATH 124 Calculus 5 PLS 405 Weed Science CHEM 151General Chemistry 4 TIER II TIER I ECON 201A Principles of Economics PLS 195A or SWES 195B 1 2 nd Language, 2 nd Semester 4 SEMESTER 2 14 SEMESTER 6 15 2 nd Language, 1 st Semester 4 Elective CHEM 152 General Chemistry II Elective TIER I PLS 60 Plant Growth & Physiology SWES 200/201 General Soils 4 TIER II SEMESTER 16 SWES 401 CHEM 241A Organic Chemistry SEMESTER 7 14 PLS 240 Plant Biology 4 PLS 498 Senior Capstone 2 PLS 05 Plant Pathology PHYS 102 Introductory Physics ENGL 102 1 st Year Composition Elective TIER I SWES 41 SEMESTER 4 16 Elective MATH 26 Intro Statistics/Biostatistics SEMESTER 8 15 SWES 16 SWES 470 PLS 12 Animal and Plant Genetics 4 SWES 408 (UD Communication) Tier I TIER II ENTO 468
Career Opportunities for Sustainable Plant Systems Majors Biotech Industry- Greenhouse or field manager Research technician Biological supplies product developer Education and Academia- Professor Extension agent or specialist Technical staff lab manager researcher School teacher or administrator Horticultural scientist Herbarium or living collections curator Greenhouse manager Greenhouse designer or engineer Turfgrass developer or manager Mycologist Paleobotanist Landscape Management- Landscape contractor Sod and seed production manager Sports turf (Athletic fields) manager Golf course superintendents & assistant Parks grounds supervisor Testing or consulting service contractor Publishing- Science editor Science writer Technical writers Professional Societies- Scientific society director, associate/administrator Sales and Private Industry- Biotech or agricultural chemical and equipment sales representative Nursery owner or manager Plant pathologist Plant disease diagnostician Epidemiologist Agricultural engineer Environmental scientist Microbiologist Government- Research director or administrator National, state and local government state conservation and wildlife agent Agricultural inspector (USDA) Science and Society/ Public Policy- Food Scientist Soil scientist Forester or urban forestry manager Arborist Soil and water conservationist Botanical garden director scientist educational program coordinator Government and private industry policy advocate conservation & environmental policy Agricultural policy Science policy