About the Plant Science Program
The Plant Science Program prepares students for careers and further study in diverse areas such as agriculture, horticulture, turfgrass management, plant breeding, plant pathology, pest management, as well as plant natural products, and cannabis cultivation. The curriculum provides students with a strong foundation in the life sciences from which they can further explore this interdisciplinary field.
The Plant Science Program offers:
- One Major with three options (Plant Agriculture & Horticulture, General Research, Natural Products)
- Five Minors (Agroecology, Horticultural Therapy, Medicinal & Economic Botany, Plant Science, Public Garden Management)
- Four Certificates (Plant Biosecurity, Horticultural Therapy, Medicinal and Economic Botany, Turfgrass Science)
- Study Abroad (Faculty-led 2 weeks or semester-based programs)
This allows students to tailor their education based on their interests and career goals. Students can choose from over 30 courses to explore their interests, while gaining the relevant skills and experiences to build a strong resume, ensuring they are well-prepared and competitive for future careers.
Our immersive learning spaces include the on-campus greenhouses, labs, and off-campus research farms. These sites also serve as a space for hands-on training in fulfillment of the SEBS requirement for experiential learning. This requirement allows students to explore their passions while building their network and gaining invaluable technical and interpersonal skills that are directly transferable to the plant-related careers they wish to pursue.
Our program offers a course titled Careers in Plant Science (231k PDF) designed specifically for Plant Science students to help them prepare for and succeed in obtaining internship and job opportunities, as well as prepare for graduate or medical school throughout their time at Rutgers and post-graduation.
Our alumni find themselves in fulfilling careers in government, academia, and industry, as well as continuing their education in graduate schools around the country.
Program Director
Nrupali Patel, Plant Science Major Advisor
Also:
Martin Hall, Suite 109
848-932-3516
For Prospective Students Contact
Dr. Harna Patel
Program Learning Goals
Students completing degree requirements will be able to:
- Technical Proficiency: Describe basic knowledge about plant structure and function, fundamentals of plant growth and physiology, and principles of horticulture.
- Context: Summarize broadly the impact of plants in agriculture, society, and the environment, and their role in plant related careers.
- Communication: Communicate, in written and oral form, plant science knowledge to peers and others in society.
- Critical Thinking: Critically formulate hypotheses, interpret data, and apply basic principles and practices of plant science to solve fundamental and practical problems.