Offered at: San Luis Obispo Campus
This program emphasizes both plant protection and plant production. Within the plant protection field of study, the student is exposed to a broad range of pest management subjects including entomology, plant pathology, and weed control. Within the production area the student may emphasize fruit production, crop production, ornamental horticulture, or natural resource management. Not open to Plant Sciences majors.
Program Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate technical competence in Plant Protection Science by identifying the majority of globally important food crops and demonstrating applications of theoretical sciences to their production, maintenance and post-harvest handling.
- Evaluate and adapt basic cultural practices, economic uses, and environmental interactions in the production of food, and fiber plants.
- Assess and implement appropriate sustainable growing based on region and microclimate, especially as they relate to water, soil and other natural resources.
- Practice a range of complex problem-solving exercises and excel in diagnosing and resolving plant health issues in outdoor and enclosed plant production systems.
Minor Requirements and Curriculum
The minor must be completed prior to, or at the same time as, the requirements for the bachelor's degree. A major and a minor may not be taken in the same degree program, and a minor is not required for a degree. Requirements for the minor include:
- At least half of the units must be from upper-division courses (3000-4000 level).
- At least half of the units must be taken at Cal Poly (in residence).
- No more than one-third of the units will be taken with credit-no credit grading (CR/NC), not counting courses with mandatory CR/NC. Departments may further limit CR/NC grading if desired.
- A minimum 2.0 GPA is required in all units counted for completion of the minor.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| REQUIRED COURSES | ||
| PLSC 1120 & 1120L | Principles of Plant Sciences and Principles of Plant Sciences Lab | 3 |
| PLSC 3313 | Agricultural Entomology | 3 |
| PLSC 3321 | Weed Biology and Management | 4 |
| PLSC 3323 | Plant Pathology | 3 |
| Approved Electives | ||
| Agricultural Production | ||
| Select from the following: 1 | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Sustainable Site Horticulture | ||
| Plant Propagation | ||
| Introduction to Fruit Crop Production | ||
| California Row Crop Production | ||
| Horticultural Production Techniques | ||
| Principles of Greenhouse Environments | ||
| Advanced Fruit Crop Production | ||
| Climate Smart Agriculture | ||
| Organic Crop Production Systems | ||
| Introduction to Forest Ecosystem Management | ||
| Basic Viticulture | ||
| Enterprise-Related Course | ||
| Select from the following: 1 | 2 | |
| Orchard and Vegetable Enterprise Project | ||
| Environmental Horticulture Enterprise Project | ||
| Greenhouse Vegetable Production | ||
| Pest Management | ||
| Select from the following: 1 | 3-4 | |
| Advanced Weed Management | ||
| Disease and Pest Control Systems for Ornamental Plants | ||
| Advanced Plant Pathology | ||
| Integrated Pest Management for Insects | ||
| Biological Control for Pest Management | ||
| Grape Pest Management | ||
| Total Units | 21 | |
- 1
Consultation with advisor is recommended prior to selecting Approved Electives; bear in mind your selections may impact pursuit of post-baccalaureate studies and/or goals.