Agronomy Minor

The science of growing crops.

The Agronomy minor covers production, forage management, nutrient management, soil conservation and fertility, weed and pest management; and plant breeding. Agronomy takes you from the laboratory to the field to prepare for the harvests of tomorrow.

Career paths: feed the future.

The Agronomy minor opens a wealth of professional opportunities. Take agronomy know-how and pursue a career in agricultural product sales, field and laboratory work, crop and soil management consulting, extension work, or regulatory agency inspection.

An Agronomy minor is a great option if you:

  • believe in a holistic approach to ecology and agriculture
  • appreciate the science behind how plants grow and want to learn how to effectively prepare the soil and control weeds and pests 
  • care about a sustainable environment where crops thrive
  • are dedicated to increasing the global food supply

Courses

For details on program requirements, suggested academic plan, and more, see the University Bulletin.

Required courses

  • Introductory Soil Science
  • Principles of Crop Management

Sample additional courses

  • Advances and Applications of Plant Biotechnology
  • Field Crop Entomology
  • Field Crop Management
  • Forage Crop Management
  • Introduction to Applied Entomology
  • Introductory Agroecology
  • Microbe-Plant Interactions: Plant Disease and Biological Control
  • Nutrient Management in Agricultural Systems
  • Physiology of Agricultural Crops
  • Principles and Practices of Organic Agriculture
  • Principles of Weed Management
  • Soil Ecology
  • Soil Nutrient Behavior and Management

Get started.

Students may apply for admission into the Agronomy minor in LionPATH by selecting "Update Academics" in the Student Center. For additional information, contact the program coordinator, Dr. Heather Karsten.

Penn State Agronomy students and professor in the test field.
Penn State Agronomy students and professor in a field of sunflowers.
Corn harvester test drive