2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/aces/crop-sciences-bs/horticultural-food-systems/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Crop Science, Horticultural Food Systems Concentration

This concentration provides students with a strong foundation in plant sciences along with specialized knowledge in horticultural fruit and vegetable crop systems at urban, local, and commercial scales. Graduates from this program are prepared for careers as crop consultants, crop protection and production specialists; entrepreneurs in urban and local food systems; greenhouse or farm managers; and as community gardening and horticultural educators. This concentration will also prepare students for graduate studies leading to careers in research, extension, and education. A minimum of 126 total hours is required.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Crop Science, Horticultural Food Systems Concentration

Graduation Requirements\ Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours.\ ACES prescribed and elective courses: 35 hours, of which 20 hours must be completed in residence.

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, and CPSC 112 | | | | 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 | | ECON 102 | Microeconomic Principles | 3 or 4 | | or ACE 100 | Introduction to Applied Microeconomics | | | Calculus Option - Select one of the following: | | 4-5 | | MATH 220 | Calculus | | | MATH 221 | Calculus I | | | MATH 234 | Calculus for Business I | | | CPSC 241 | Intro to Applied Statistics | 3 | | CHEM 102 & CHEM 103 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I | 4 | | Major Core | | | | CPSC 102 | Foundational Skills in Crop Sciences | 2 | | CPSC 112 | Introduction to Crop Sciences | 4 | | CPSC 212 | Introduction to Plant Protection | 4 | | Internship or Research Option - Select one of the following: | | 3 | | CPSC 393 | Crop Sciences Internship | | | CPSC 395 | Undergrad Research or Thesis | | | HORT 393 | Horticulture Internship | | | HORT 395 | Undergrad Research or Thesis | | | CPSC 498 | Crop Sci Professional Develpmt | 1 |

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Horticultural Food Systems Core | | | | CHEM 104 & CHEM 105 | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II | 4 | | CPSC 382 | Organic Chem of Biol Processes | 4 | | HORT 100 | Introduction to Horticulture | 3 | | HORT 205 | Local Food Systems | 3 | | HORT 341 | Greenhouse Mgmt and Production | 4 | | NRES 201 | Introductory Soils | 4 | | Concentration Electives | | | | Choose from any 300- or 400-level CPSC, HORT, or PLPA courses, excluding CPSC 393, CPSC 395, HORT 393 and HORT 395. | | 15 |

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

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

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Crop Science, Horticultural Food Systems Concentration

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 Crop Science, Horticultural Food Systems Concentration

Students graduating with the B.S. in Crop Sciences should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge in the key subject matter areas of applied plant biology; crop growth and development; crop management and protection; and soil science.
2. Demonstrate an ability to identify a problem and develop solutions using quantitative reasoning skills for analysis of biological data.
3. Demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary to listen and make effective arguments, to share applied scientific concepts with the public, and to make use of a broad variety of media.
4. Demonstrate an ability to lead and function in multidisciplinary teams.
5. Demonstrate the ability to perform self-guided discovery in agricultural sciences, practicing skills of engagement to enhance intellectual curiosity.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Crop Science, Horticultural Food Systems Concentration

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