2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/aces/plant-biotechnology-bs/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Plant Biotechnology

Biotechnology is now a part of our daily lives in applications such as developing nutritionally enhanced foods, enabling sustainable agricultural production, and engineering plants for industrial and medical purposes. The plant biotechnology major provides an interdisciplinary curriculum integrating the science and practice of crop production through courses in molecular biology, genetics and genomics, biochemistry, plant protection, and data analysis. The program also offers many opportunities to participate in research and internships. This curriculum prepares students for careers in biotechnology or for entrance into graduate and professional schools. Our students pursue employment in scientific research or fields related to the biotechnology enterprise including science policy, patent law, and business development.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Plant Biotechnology

Graduation Requirements\ Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours.

University Requirements\ Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300 and 400 level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements\ Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Composition I | | 4-6 | | Advanced Composition | | 3 | | Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | | 6 | | Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by CHEM 102, CHEM 104, IB 103, IB 150, CPSC 112, and CPSC 261 | | | | Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by ECON 102 or ACE 100 and any other course approved as Social & Behavioral Sciences | | | | Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | | 6-8 | | fulfilled by MATH 220, MATH 221, or MATH 234, and CPSC 241 | | | | Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | | 0-15 |

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Department Foundation | | | | Communication Option: | | 3 or 6 | | CMN 101 | Public Speaking | | | ALEC 115 | Let’s Talk about Food, Agriculture, and the Environment | | | CMN 111 & CMN 112 | Oral & Written Comm I and Oral & Written Comm II | | | ACES 101 | | 2 | | or ACES 200 | ACES Transfer Orientation | | | Calculus Option - Select one of the following: | | 4-5 | | MATH 220 | Calculus | | | MATH 221 | Calculus I | | | MATH 234 | Calculus for Business I | | | CHEM 102 & CHEM 103 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I | 4 | | CHEM 104 & CHEM 105 | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II | 4 | | ECON 102 | Microeconomic Principles | 3 or 4 | | or ACE 100 | Introduction to Applied Microeconomics | | | CPSC 241 | Intro to Applied Statistics | 3 | | Major Core | | | | CPSC 102 | Foundational Skills in Crop Sciences | 2 | | CPSC 112 | Introduction to Crop Sciences | 4 | | CPSC 382 | Organic Chem of Biol Processes | 4 | | CPSC 498 | Crop Sci Professional Develpmt | 1 | | IB 103 | Introduction to Plant Biology | 4 | | IB 150 | Organismal & Evolutionary Biol | 4 | | MCB 450 | Introductory Biochemistry | 3 | | Internship or Research/Thesis Option - Select one of the following: | | 3 | | CPSC 393 | Crop Sciences Internship | | | HORT 393 | Horticulture Internship | | | CPSC 395 | Undergrad Research or Thesis | | | HORT 395 | Undergrad Research or Thesis | | | PLPA 395 | Undergrad Research or Thesis | |

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Biotechnology Requirements | | | | CPSC 261 | Biotechnology in Agriculture | 3 | | CPSC 265 | Genetic Engineering Lab | 3 | | CPSC 352 | Plant Genetics | 4 | | CPSC 452 | Advanced Plant Genetics | 3 or 4 | | or CPSC 453 | Principles of Plant Breeding | | | Plant Protection and Data Analysis Option - Select two of the following: | | 6-7 | | CPSC 266 | Data in Biology and Agriculture | | | CPSC 304 | Plant Pathology | | | CPSC 370 | Applied Entomology | | | Major Electives | | | | Choose 8 hours from any 300- or 400- level CPSC, HORT, or PLPA courses, excluding: CPSC 393, HORT 393, CPSC 395, HORT 395 & PLPA 395. | | |

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Total Hours | | 126 |

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Plant Biotechnology

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Plant Biotechnology

1. Students will demonstrate proficiency in the areas of crop sciences, molecular biology, genetics and genomics, biochemistry, plant protection, and data analysis.
2. Students will gain leadership skills through team-based science in an experiential learning context to become leaders in scientific fields.
3. Students will communicate biotechnology-related content to the public using traditional and 21st century media platforms.
4. Students will discover how to apply biotechnologies to solve global problems and how these technologies can serve as class equalizers between developed and developing countries.
5. Students will develop professional networks that will enhance future career choices.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Plant Biotechnology

Crop Sciences

Crop Sciences website\ AW-101 Turner Hall\ MC-046\ 1102 S. Goodwin Ave.\ Urbana, IL 61801\ (217) 333-3420\ cropsciences@illinois.edu

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences website

ACES Office of Academic Programs

128 Mumford Hall\ 1301 West Gregory Drive\ Urbana, IL 61801\ 217-333-3380\ aces-academics@illinois.edu

Advising

Advising Website\ (217) 333-3570\ Undergraduate Advising Email: ugrad@cropsciences.illinois.edu\ Graduate Advising Email: grad@cropsciences.illinois.edu

Admissions

ACES Undergraduate Admissions\ University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions\ University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Graduate Admissions\ (217) 333-3380\ visitACES@illinois.edu