From the field to the lab and everywhere in between, our students find fulfilling careers making a difference in the world.
More than farming, careers in crop sciences allow students to make a difference in the world through plant genetics, biotechnology, business, crop production, sustainability, and other areas of science and technology. Most students graduate with 2+ job offers in consulting, research, medicine, and more. On average, more than 30 percent of our undergraduate students attend graduate school.
2+ job offers
$48,857 average starting salary for
(DATA FROM 2017-2018)
74% of undergrads complete a summer internship
Careers in agribusiness require knowledge in agronomy, biology, business, and technology to help commercial agriculture companies and producers manage successful agricultural enterprises. From finance to plant pathology, agribusiness professionals use a unique background of crop sciences and business to promote the development of crops.
Biotechnologists use biology and technology to help solve global food, fuel, and fiber insecurities. They improve crop varieties and products and develop new products from biological organisms and cells. Biotechnology spans several industries including agriculture, environmental sciences, food technology, medicine, and more.
Crop and Food Production
Producers work to create healthy, sustainable, and environmentally friendly food and fuel sources. They look at the entire crop production process of growth, development, and harvest to maximize efficiency and increase yield. Producers concentrate on reducing plant diseases, pests, and weeds.
Plant Breeding and Genetics
Plant breeders use genetics, agronomy, statistics, and technology to develop crops that are more productive, nutritious, and adaptive to climate change, improving the health of humans, animals, and the earth. They look at the genetic makeup of plants and try to cross plants with desired traits to create new varieties.
Urban Agriculture and Horticulture
Scientists in horticulture and urban agriculture strive to make food and fuel plants more nutritious, productive, and sustainable, in addition to, improving living environments. They work in several industries in agriculture from urban design to viticulture.
Water Quality and Environmental Systems
Scientists in water quality and environmental systems find ways to increase crop productivity while minimizing harm to the environment including soil, water, and air quality. They find new strategies to reduce agricultural water runoff and greenhouse gas emissions and ways to improve nutrient cycling for healthier soil.
Weed scientists use molecular, genomic, and practical approaches to explain how weed species adapt to stress, environmental factors, and herbicides. Research leads to increased food production through the implementation of integrated weed management programs.