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Seed Science

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

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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 302Business Communication3
ENGL 309Proposal and Report Writing3
ENGL 312Communicating Science and Public Engagement3
ENGL 314Technical Communication3
SP CM 312Business and Professional Speaking3

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES: 7 CR.

BIOL 211
211L
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I
4
or BIOL 212
212L
Principles of Biology II
and Principles of Biology Laboratory II
AGRON 320Genetics, Agriculture and Biotechnology3
or BIOL 313 Principles of Genetics

PHYSICAL SCIENCES: 8-9 CR.

CHEM 163
163L
College Chemistry
and Laboratory in College Chemistry
5
or CHEM 177
177L
General Chemistry I
and Laboratory in General Chemistry I
One of the following:
AGRON 259Organic Compounds in Plants and Soils3
BBMB 221Structure and Reactions in Biochemical Processes3
CHEM 231
231L
Elementary Organic Chemistry
and Laboratory in Elementary Organic Chemistry
4

MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES 6 CR.

MATH 140College Algebra3
or MATH 150 Discrete Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences
Statistics course3

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES: 28-29 CR.

AGRON 181Introduction to Crop Science3
or HORT 221 Principles of Horticulture Science
AGRON 182Introduction to Soil Science3
AGRON 206Introduction to Weather and Climate3
AGRON 217Weed Identification1-2
or AGRON 331 Crops Practicum
AGRON 316Crop Structure-Function Relationships3
or HORT 321 Horticulture Physiology
AGRON 354Soils and Plant Growth3
9 credits from AGRON, HORT, or TSM (6 credits at 300-400 level)9

ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS: 9 CR.

ECON 101Principles 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 317Principles of Weed Science3
AGRON 338Seed Science and Technology3
AGRON 421Introduction to Plant Breeding3
ENT 376Fundamentals of Entomology and Pest Management3
PL P 408Principles of Plant Pathology3
One of the following:
AGRON 311Professional Internship in Agronomy (seed related)1
AGRON 491Seed Science Internship Experience1-2
HORT 391Horticultural 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).