The Plant Science and Landscape Architecture programs prepare students for careers and graduate study.
About Us (Video)
This video gives you a quick glimpse about what our majors have to offer as well as an overview of some career paths.
Undergraduate Programs
Browse through our different majors below to learn more.
Agricultural Science & Technology
Specializations:
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Agricultural & Extension Education
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Agronomy
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Environmental Horticulture
Our Agricultural Science and Technology Program is a science based curriculum that allows students to obtain technological skills in a broad area of agricultural studies. Agricultural Science and Technology students are required to choose a specialization in Agricultural and Extension Education, Agronomy, or Environmental Horticulture. Students take courses in agronomy or environmental horticulture, plant science, agricultural economics, animal sciences, environmental science, and pest management. We also have a dual degree option within Agricultural & Extension Education!
Keywords: agronomy, environmental horticulture, agricultural education, soil science, greenhouse management, container nursery production, fresh fruit and vegetable production, plant protection, food safety, education, Agriculture, Extension, Education, Ag Education, Outreach, teachers, FFA, Agronomic, Precision Agriculture, Sustainability, Sustainable Agriculture, Plant Protection (Includes - Weed Science, Plant Pathology, Entomology), Crop Production, Soils, Grain Production, Small Grains, Corn, Soybean, Barley, Oats, Wheat, Rye, Alfalfa, "Feed, Food, Fiber, Fuel", Science, Technology, Crop Physiology, Agronomist, Crop Specialists, Food Production, Pest Management, Agronomy Student, Land Grant, Field Crops, Row Crops, Agroecology, Interdisciplinary, Hay, Silage, Haylage
Landscape Architecture
Areas of interest:
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Community Design
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Creative Design
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Ecological Design
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Urban Design
The Landscape Architecture Program helps landscape architects lead, educate, and participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning, and artful design of our built and natural environments. The undergraduate Landscape Architecture curriculum is a four-year professional program (BLA). We also have a graduate program for those interested in pursuing their MLA.
Keywords: design, urban agriculture, planning, community, sustainable planning, management, Landscape architecture, Ecological Design Ecological restoration, Natural resources conservation, Green infrastructure, Bioretention, Phytoremediation, Mine reclamation, Green roofs, Living walls, Constructed wetlands, Floodplain restoration, Living shorelines, Streambank stabilization, Greenways, Urban Design, Waterfronts, Plazas, Streetscapes, Community parks, Corporate campuses, Sports complexes, Light rail stations, Green roofs, Urban greenways, Complete streets, Arts districts, Arboreta, Redevelopment zones, Boulevards, Tactical urbanism, Green streets, Creative Design Earthworks, Metal fabrication, Concept and meaning, Lighting design, Materials and methods, Public art, Soundscapes, Digital modeling and visualization, Civic monuments, Form generation, Pop-up parks, Placemaking, Theatrical urban spaces, Community Design, Community response to sea level rise, Cultural resource preservation, Action research, Neighborhood design, Workshops, Urban agriculture, Face-to-face interviews, Participatory design, Crime prevention through environmental design, Healthy cities, Therapeutic landscapes
Plant Sciences
Concentrations:
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Plant Biology
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Turf & Golf Course Management
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Urban Forestry
The Plant Sciences Program combines basic science courses with applied technical classes to prepare students for the many and varied careers in this growing field. Students seeking a Plant Science degree must complete requirements in one of the following areas of concentration: plant biology, turf and golf course management, or urban forestry.
Keywords: biochemistry, cell biology, ecology, molecular genetics, pathology, physiology, business, management, entrepreneurship, design, turfgrass, plant biology, trees and forest ecology, business management, food safety, growth and development, genetics, genomics, breeding, molecular genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, metabolism, pathology
Other Programs
We are also partners with other departments for the following majors:
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Environmental Science & Policy: Environment and Agriculture
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Fermentation Science
Environmental Science & Policy: Environment and Agriculture
Prepares students to work in:
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agroecology
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biodiversity
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sustainable agriculture
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integrated pest management
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production science.
Both locally and internationally, there is increasing concern about how humans manage soils, use water, raise animals, and modify the genetic base of crops. Students will be able to take an ecosystems approach in analyzing the relationship between agricultural science and social science through a local and global lens. Environment and Agriculture is also a fitting concentration for those interested in food security or food systems, and for those wishing to work with national and international governments, non-profits, and non-governmental organizations.
Fermentation Science
his program is collaboration between our department and the Department of Nutrition and Food Science. Learn more below!
"Fermentation Science will prepare students for workforce demand of the broadly defined fermentation industries that include beverages (beer, wine, distilled spirits and kombucha), vegetable foods (kimchi, tempeh and miso), dairy foods (cheese and yogurt) and biotechnology industries (biofuels and pharmaceuticals). In addition to general education courses, students will take core required courses on fermentation science and participate in industrial internships for practical experiences and experiential learning with fermentation industries and possible placement in those companies." - Department of Nutrition and Food Science
Minors
Minors available:
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Agricultural Science & Technology
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Landscape Management
Agricultural Science & Technology
This minor will provide students with an appreciation and understanding of sustainable agricultural crop production. The core courses provide students with a basic foundation in plant science while supporting courses allow students to broaden their focus in different areas of agriculture. Students can select their courses in either agronomy or environmental horticulture.
Landscape Management
Landscape Management trains students for management positions in the landscape industry. The curriculum combines plant science, design and business management courses enabling graduates to meet the challenges of careers in the green industry.
How to Apply
High School | Transfers & Special Audiences | Current UMD Students
High School Students
Admissions to the University of Maryland go through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Admission application forms and deadlines may be obtained at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website.
Transfer Students & Special Audiences
Transfer to one of our programs! Admission of transfer students is encouraged. Many community colleges provide courses that can be transferred to one of our programs. We highly encourage you apply by the Fall Admission Priority Application Deadline. Contact as us early as you know you will be applying. The earlier you contact us the sooner we are able to provide you with information tailored to your specific educational background.
Useful Tools
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Transfer Credit Services. A very useful tool for Transfer Students is the Transfer Credit Services website. There you will find the Database of Transfer Credit Evaluations which allows you to see what courses the University of Maryland accepts from community colleges across the country. We only evaluate transcripts of students who have been accepted to the University of Maryland so this database will help you get an idea of where you currently stand.
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General Education. Another useful practice for Transfer Students is to become familiar with the General Program Requirements for Undergraduate Students. First, determine if you fall into CORE or GenEd. General Education | GenEd Transfer Policy
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Pre-Transfer Advising. Check out the Pre-Transfer Advising website that has some useful information for prospective students, admitted students, community college advisors, parents, and a FAQs section.
Current UMD Students Interested in Adding/Changing Majors
Changing to or adding one of our majors or minors? If you are interested in declaring your major to AGST, PLSC, or LARC please sign up for a Change Your Major Workshop offered by the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources.
Change of Major Workshop: Sign up today!
Also, set-up a time to meet with the faculty advisor for that major. If you have additional questions, please email Diana Cortez at dcortez@umd.edu.
Student Life
Curious to learn more about the student experience?
Browse through our Current Students pages to experience what it is like to be one of our students.
Contact us today!
Interested in learning more about our programs? Visit us!
Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture. For a tour of the Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture, please fill out a webform below. We look forward to your visit!
College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. Contact AGNR staff for an appointment at futureagnr@umd.edu!
University of Maryland Tours. Don’t forget to schedule a campus tour! Also, check out the AGNR Prospective Students page for useful resources including information on financial aid and scholarships.
Webform Schedule a campus tour Visit with the College of AGNR
