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Seed Science

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Administered by the Departments of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Pathology.

Seed Science must be taken as a secondary major in conjunction with a primary major. The seed science program is designed for students with career interests in one or more aspects of the seed industry. Areas of study focus on seeds including production, conditioning, pathology, physiology, quality control, marketing, and seed plant designs.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the science and principles of seed production systems, including seed quality assessment and conditioning, and clearly communicate the importance of seeds to our society.
  2. Articulate the opportunities in the seed industry for seed-related careers.
  3. Apply seed science and technology knowledge for solving seed quality and production problems encountered in the seed industry.

CURRICULUM IN SEED SCIENCE (SECONDARY MAJOR)

Total Degree Requirement:  128 cr.

COMPLETE COMMUNICATION AND LIBRARY REQUIREMENTS OF PRIMARY MAJOR AND 3 CR. FROM THE FOLLOWING:

ENGL 3020Business Communication3
ENGL 3090Proposal and Report Writing3
ENGL 3120Communicating Science and Public Engagement3
ENGL 3140Technical Communication3
SPCM 3120Business and Professional Speaking3

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES: 7 CR.

BIOL 2110
2110L
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I
4
or BIOL 2120
2120L
Principles of Biology II
and Principles of Biology Laboratory II
AGRON 3200Genetics, Agriculture and Biotechnology3
or BIOL 3130 Principles of Genetics

PHYSICAL SCIENCES: 8-9 CR.

CHEM 1630
1630L
College Chemistry
and Laboratory in College Chemistry
5
or CHEM 1770
1770L
General Chemistry I
and Laboratory in General Chemistry I
One of the following:
AGRON 2590Organic Compounds in Plants and Soils3
BBMB 2210Structure and Reactions in Biochemical Processes3
CHEM 2310
2310L
Elementary Organic Chemistry
and Laboratory in Elementary Organic Chemistry
4

MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES 6 CR.

MATH 1400College Algebra3
or MATH 1500 Discrete Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences
Statistics course3

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES: 28-29 CR.

AGRON 1810Introduction to Crop Science3
or HORT 2210 Principles of Horticulture Science
AGRON 1820Introduction to Soil Science3
AGRON 2060Introduction to Weather and Climate3
AGRON 2170Weed Identification1-2
or AGRON 3310 Crops Practicum
AGRON 3160Crop Structure-Function Relationships3
or HORT 3210 Horticulture Physiology
AGRON 3540Soils and Plant Growth3
9 credits from AGRON, HORT, or TSM (6 credits at 3000-4000 level)9

ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS: 9 CR.

ECON 1010Principles of Microeconomics3
Six credits from the following:6
Financial Accounting
Principles of Macroeconomics
Farm Business Management
Small Business Management
Introduction to Agricultural Markets
Agricultural Selling
Entrepreneurship in Agriculture
Managing Organizations
Principles of Marketing

SEED SCIENCE: 16 CR.

AGRON 3170Principles of Weed Science3
AGRON 3380Seed Science and Technology3
AGRON 4210Introduction to Plant Breeding3
ENT 3760Fundamentals of Entomology and Pest Management3
PLP 4080Principles of Plant Path3
One of the following:
AGRON 3110Professional Internship in Agronomy (seed related)1
AGRON 4910Seed Science Internship Experience1-2
HORT 3910Horticultural Management Experience1

HUMANITIES:  3 CR.

3 cr. from approved humanities list: http://www.cals.iastate.edu/student-services/humanities 

SOCIAL SCIENCES: 3 CR.

3 cr. from approved social sciences list: http://www.cals.iastate.edu/student-services/social-sciences

ETHICS:  3 CR.

3 cr. from approved ethics list: http://www.cals.iastate.edu/student-services/ethics

REMAINING CREDITS (STUDENT CHOICE).

Because seed science is a secondary major, the courses taken by the student during the first year will vary, depending on the primary major (see typical program for the primary major).