1999 Brings New Plant Science Majors

12/28/98 Bozeman, Mont. - The New Year brings with it new options for Montana State University - Bozeman plant sciences majors.

Last year, the Plant Sciences Department evolved from elements of the old Plant, Soils and Environmental Sciences Department, Plant Pathology and the Biology Department.

At the time, Acting Department Head Luther Talbert said reorganization would strengthen undergraduate and graduate teaching programs. As of January, that strengthening becomes apparent in the options students can take in the department's plant sciences and horticulture tracks. These options include crop science, plant biology, plant protection, horticulture science, landscape design or turf grass management. In addition, students may start toward the College of Agriculture's new biotechnology bachelor's degree, which begins without the student declaring a department, and after two years can funnel into plant, animal or microbial options.

Each new Plant Sciences Department option gives a student a broad understanding of plant sciences while preparing that student a little more directly for a given vocation.

Crop science majors probably will expect to go into careers in farming and ranching, pest management, the seed, fertilizer or chemical industries, banking, the Extension Service, or a government agency such as the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Students choosing the plant biology option will study the fundamental processes underlying plant genetics and plant physiology. Students with interests in molecular biology and or ecology will find this option attractive.

Students in the plant protection option will take classes emphasizing the control and management of crop pests, whether they are weeds, insects or pathogens. Graduates of this option will tend to find jobs as pest management specialists with public agencies, as crop consultants with agribusiness firms, or go into graduate study in agronomy, entomology, plant pathology or weed sciences.

Students taking horticulture science will mainly be those preparing for careers in plant nurseries, grounds care, greenhouses and research.

The landscape design option will prepare students to solve aesthetic and functional landscape problems. Graduates will tend to be employed by nurseries, landscape contractors and planning agencies, or to become self-employed as landscape designers and contractors or continue into graduate school in landscape architecture.

Students taking the turf grass science option will find the emphasis on sound turf grass management, and will take courses in biology, chemistry, and math before enrolling in the specialized turf classes that will include classes as diverse as irrigation and engine maintenance, as well as pest control. These students will often be employed by golf courses, or work as grounds maintenance managers, sod producers, or sales representatives in the seed, fertilizer or chemical industries, as well as potentially doing advanced studies in these or related disciplines.

Visit the MSU Plant Sciences web sit.

Send questions or comments to Carol Flaherty, MSU Communications Services, Bozeman, MT 59717 or to Flaherty with this link: carolf@montana.edu.

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