Advanced Study Concentration

This concentration is specifically designed for those students that plan to attend graduate school. While all of the concentrations in the department prepare students for graduate study, this concentration requires the completion of advanced levels of math, chemistry and biochemistry. It also requires the completion of original research and presentation of the results in written form and in an oral or poster format.

University and College Requirements (44 credits)

  • Writing, Rhetoric and American Cultures (WRA) - 4 credits
    • WRA 110-150
  • Integrative Studies in Arts and Humanities (IAH) - 8 credits
    • IAH 201-210
    • IAH 211-241
  • Integrative Studies in Social and Behavioral Sciences (ISS) - 8 credits
    • ISS 200-level
    • ISS 300-level
  • PLB 105 Plant Biology - 3 credits
  • PLB 106 Plant Biology Laboratory - 1 credit
  • CEM 151 Principles of Chemistry I - 4 credits
  • CEM 152 Principles of Chemistry II - 3 credits
  • CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I - 1 credit
  • CEM 251 Organic Chemistry I - 3 credits
  • CEM 252 Organic Chemistry II - 3 credits
  • MTH 132 Calculus I - 3 credits
  • EC 201 Introduction to Microeconomics - 3 credits

Departmental Requirements (48 credits)

  • CSS 101 Introduction to Crop Science - 3 credits
  • CSS 110 Computer Applications in Agronomy - 2 credits
  • CSS 101L Introduction to Crop Science Laboratory - 1 credit
  • CSS 192 Professional Development Seminar I - 1 credit
  • CSS 210 Fundamentals of Soil and Landscape Science - 3 credits
  • CSS 288 Principles of Weed Management - 3 credits
  • CSS 330 Soil Chemistry - 2 credits
  • CSS 340 Applied Soil Physics - 2 credits
  • CSS 350 Plant Genetics - 3 credits
  • CSS 360 Soil Biology - 3 credits
  • CSS 470 Soil Resources - 3 credits
  • CSS 480 Soil Fertility and Management - 3 credits
  • CSS 488 Agricultural Cropping Systems: Integration and Problem Solving - 3 credits
  • CSS 492 Professional Development Seminar II - 1 credit
  • CSS 499 Undergraduate Research - 3 credits
  • BMB 401 Basic Biochemistry - 4 credits
  • ENT 404 Insects: Success in Biodiversity - 3 credits
  • PLP 405 Plant Pathology - 4 credits
  • STT 421 Statistics I - 3 credits
  • One of the following courses (3 credits):
    • HRT 361 Applied Plant Physiology - 3 credits
    • PLB 301 Introductory Plant Physiology - 3 credits
  • One of the following courses (3 credits):
    • CSS 441 Plant Breeding and Biotechnology - 3 credits
    • CSS 451 Biotechnology Applications for Plant Breeding and Genetics - 3 credits

Electives (22 credits)

Suggested Electives

Suggested Course Sequence

Advanced Studies Suggested Course Sequence


Suggested Elective Courses

Suggested Electives


Academic Advising

For questions regarding course requirements, substituting or waiving required courses, independent study courses, and planning your semester schedule of courses, contact a Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences academic advisor:

Susan Gruber, (517) 353-0326, grubers@msu.edu

Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
Plant and Soil Sciences Building
1066 Bogue St, Room A164
East Lansing, MI 48824

Last Updated 08/31/2016

Crop and Soil Sciences (B.S.)