Crop and Soil Sciences (BS): Turfgrass Science
The Bachelor of Science in Crop and Soil Sciences with a concentration in Turfgrass Science has been voted #1 in the US by TurfNet Magazine. Why? Because we have the best turfgrass scientists and extension specialists teaching our classes, because we have a state of the art teaching field lab for hands-on learning, and because our program has classes that cover the basics of environmentally sound turfgrass management. Our graduates find great careers in golf course and athletic field management, home and industrial lawn businesses, sod production, recreational park turf management, agri-business management and agri-business sales. Learn more about Turfgrass Science.
Contact Person
Undergraduate Programs Office
Crop & Soil Sciences Department
2234 Williams Hall
Campus Box 7620
919-515-5820
cropsoil-undergraduate-office@ncsu.edu
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orientation | |||
| ALS 103 | Freshman Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences | 1 | |
| or ALS 303 | Transfer Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences | ||
| Communication/Advanced Writing | |||
| COM 110 | Public Speaking | 3 | |
| or COM 112 | Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | ||
| Communication Methods and Media | |||
| Communication for Engineering and Technology | |||
| Communication for Business and Management | |||
| Communication for Science and Research | |||
| Mathematics & Natural Sciences | |||
| MA 121 | Elements of Calculus | 3 | |
| ST 311 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 | |
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 | |
| BIO 183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 | |
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science | 3 | |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | |
| CH 220 | Introductory Organic Chemistry | 3 | |
| CH 222 | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 | |
| PB 200 | Plant Life | 4 | |
| PB 321 | Introduction to Whole Plant Physiology | 3 | |
| PB 360 | Ecology | 4 | |
| PY 131 | Conceptual Physics | 4 | |
| Required Courses within Major | |||
| ARE 201 | Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | 3 | |
| CS 200 | Introduction to Turfgrass Management 1 | 4 | |
| CS 211 | Plant Genetics | 3 | |
| CS 400 | Turf Cultural Systems | 3 | |
| CS 414 | Weed Science | 4 | |
| CS 465 | Turf Management Systems and Environmental Quality | 3 | |
| CS 470 | Advanced Turfgrass Pest Management | 2 | |
| CSSC 290 | Professional Development in Crop & Soil Sciences | 1 | |
| HS 471 | Landscape Ecosystem Management | 4 | |
| PP 315 | Principles of Plant Pathology | 4 | |
| SSC 200 | Soil Science | 3 | |
| SSC 201 | Soil Science Laboratory | 1 | |
| SSC 341 | Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management | 3 | |
| SSC 342 | Soil and Plant Nutrient Analysis | 1 | |
| SSC 461 | Soil Physical Properties and Plant Growth | 3 | |
| Concentration Electives | |||
| Economics, Management & Policy Electives | 3 | ||
| Experiential Learning (select one): | 3 | ||
| Professional Internship Experience in Crop and Soil Sciences | |||
| Research Experience in Crop and Soil Sciences | |||
| GEP Courses | |||
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 | |
| GEP Humanities | 6 | ||
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | ||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | ||
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | ||
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 5 | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| World Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Free Electives | |||
| Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) | 5 | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | ||
Economics, Management & Policy Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARE 215 | Small Business Accounting | 3 | |
| ARE 301 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 | |
| ARE 304 | Agribusiness Management | 3 | |
| ARE 306 | Agricultural Law | 3 | |
| ARE 309 | Environmental Law & Economic Policy | 3 | |
| ARE 312 | Agribusiness Marketing | 3 | |
| ARE 332 | Human Resource Management for Agribusiness | 3 | |
| BUS 225 | Personal Finance | 3 | |
| BUS 320 | Financial Management | 3 | |
| BUS 340 | Information Systems Management | 3 | |
| BUS 420 | Financial Management of Corporations | 3 | |
| CS 418/518 | Introduction to Regulatory Science in Agriculture | 3 | |
| CS 428/528 | Advanced Regulatory Science in Agriculture | 3 | |
| PS 320 | U.S. Environmental Law and Politics | 3 |
Semester Sequence
To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the Learning Outcomes website!
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| ALS 103 or ALS 303 | Freshman Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences or Transfer Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences | 1 |
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 |
| MA 121 | Elements of Calculus | 3 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| CSSC 290 | Professional Development in Crop & Soil Sciences | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science | 3 |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| PB 200 | Plant Life | 4 |
| ST 311 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIO 183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| CS 200 | Introduction to Turfgrass Management 1 | 4 |
| PB 360 | Ecology | 4 |
| ARE 201 | Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | 3 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CH 220 | Introductory Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CH 222 | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| COM 110 or COM 112 | Public Speaking or Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| SSC 200 | Soil Science 1 | 3 |
| SSC 201 | Soil Science Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| Economics, Management and Policy Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| PP 315 | Principles of Plant Pathology | 4 |
| SSC 341 | Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management | 3 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Communication Methods and Media | ||
| Communication for Engineering and Technology | ||
| Communication for Business and Management | ||
| Communication for Science and Research | ||
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 2 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PB 321 | Introduction to Whole Plant Physiology | 3 |
| CS 211 | Plant Genetics | 3 |
| CS 400 | Turf Cultural Systems 1 | 3 |
| PY 131 | Conceptual Physics | 4 |
| SSC 342 | Soil and Plant Nutrient Analysis | 1 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| HS 471 | Landscape Ecosystem Management | 4 |
| SSC 461 | Soil Physical Properties and Plant Growth | 3 |
| CS 414 | Weed Science | 4 |
| CS 465 | Turf Management Systems and Environmental Quality | 3 |
| Experimental Learning Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CS 470 | Advanced Turfgrass Pest Management | 2 |
| Free Elective | 5 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Career Opportunities
The breadth and depth of education and experiences you will gain from our department will set you on a path toward a rewarding career in one of the following specialties:
- Agronomist
- Agronomy Sales and Management
- Athletic Turf Manager
- Extension Agent
- Golf Course Superintendent
- Restoration Specialist
- Seed Production Agronomist
Learn more about future job prospects, representative salaries, and major employers for each of the above listed careers at go.ncsu.edu/careers
Career Titles
- Food & Drug Inspector
- Landscape Architect
- Soil Conservation Technician
- Soil Conservationist
- Soil Engineer
- Soil Scientist
- Winemaker / Vinter
Learn More About Careers
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