Agriculture and Natural Resources > PSLA
Menu

Welcome to Plant Science and Landscape Architecture!

Join us and LEARN how to:

  • Grow food (fruit and vegetables), grain, fiber and ornamental crops (flowers, trees and shrubs) profitably and sustainably (Agricultural Science & Technology)
  • Lead, educate, and  participate in the careful stewardship, planning, and artful co-creation of our cultural and natural landscapes (Landscape Architecture)
  • Use new cutting-edge technologies in plant molecular biology and genomics and plant breeding to solve crop production challenges in a changing word (Plant Sciences)
  • Educate the agricultural and extension educators of the future (Extension Education)
  • Reduce chemical use and increase farm profitability and number.

 

We also offer joint programs in:

 

Participate in leading RESEARCH and EXTENSION

We strive to allow every student to make a difference in the world by ensuring they gain expertise in an area they are passionate about related to food, grain and fiber production, plant biology, ecology, education and landscape architecture.

Information for...

Students

The Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA) offers a number of undergraduate majors. 

Alumni

Are you a PSLA Alumni? We want to hear from you!  The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Alumni Network is one of the numerous academic networks within the University of Maryland Alumni Association that allows you to remain an active and engaged member of our community.

Learn more

Home Gardeners, Industry & Businesses

We have gathered resources that we hope will be useful to you! Please check our Resources page for more information!

If you have any questions, suggestions, comments, please email us at psla@umd.edu.

Learn more!

Student Spotlight: PSLA Ph.D. student Hongjin Lu Receives the 2025 3MT Thesis award at campus level.

My name is Hongjin Lu, I'm a second‑year PhD student in Dr. Mengjun Hu's Small Fruit Pathology Lab, my research centers on monitoring fungicide resistance and uncovering novel resistance mechanisms in Botrytis isolates from strawberry fields. 

I was the recipient of  Leland E. and Catherine B. Scott Award in 2023-2024 academic year.

At the PSLA department, I enjoy a collaborative and supportive environment, with abundant opportunities to present my work and engage in extension outreach. I have gained valuable experience communicating research to growers and the broader community and look forward to applying my knowledge beyond the university setting.

 

Learn More

Alumni Spotlight- Recent PSLA Graduates Caitlin Steinthal and Marquis Barnes talk Friendship

Caitlin Steinthal (BS PLSC) and Marquis Barnes (BLA) both graduated in May of 2020. Caitlin shares how her friendship with Marquis and their similar interests made the UMD undergraduate experience a truly positive one.

Interested in sharing your student/alumni experience? Contact us today!

Learn more

News & Events

Events

View All Events
Mar
02

Spring 2026 PSLA Seminar Series

Mar
04

UMD Giving Day
Mar
27

AGNR Admitted Student Info Session, Including Breakout Session with Your Major

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
© 2018-2026 College of Agriculture and Natural Resources | AGNR Home
Web Accessibility | Privacy Policy

University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.