Agronomy Plant Science

As a land-grant institution, Delaware State University has been at the forefront of plant science education and research for more than 100 years. Our Plant Sciences – Agronomy degree addresses cutting-edge applications of agronomy in industries such as biofuels and pharmaceuticals, while providing a solid background in the scientific traditions of the discipline.

Delaware State’s Plant Sciences - Agronomy program combines classroom instruction with hands-on, practical experience. Students gain an academic foundation in genetics, chemistry, biology, and other scientific fundamentals. They also have the opportunity to work on Delaware State’s demonstration farms, while participating in extension programs and research projects. In these real-world learning environments, students get a practical first-hand education in all aspects of the plant sciences, including

• genetics and breeding
• soil and water management
• crop production
• weed, insect and disease management
• economic patterns of production, consumption, and trade

Professional Preparation

Graduates of Delaware State’s Plant Sciences program have an outstanding success rate in the job market, in part because the program emphasizes experiential learning. Many of our students take advantage of internships with some of the top companies in the agricultural industry. Plant Sciences – Agronomy graduates go into careers such as

• Agrochemical sales and service
• Crop advising
• Agricultural resource conservation
• Consulting
• Plant breeding

About 15 percent of our Agronomy students continue to graduate school.

Faculty

Faculty members in the College of Agriculture and Related Sciences combine a strong academic background with extensive industry ties and professional experience. As a result, they can offer career guidance and mentorship as well as classroom instruction. Many of our instructors have active research programs, and they regularly provide undergraduates with opportunities to get involved in scientific investigations. Our small class sizes guarantee a high degree of direct faculty-student interaction.

Research and Experience

Plant Science – Agronomy majors at Delaware State have access to the Phillips Herbarium, one of the country’s most extensive collections of preserved plant specimens (and the largest herbarium at any HBCU). Some students get involved in Cooperative Extension research, demonstration plots, and educational programs. Plant Science majors also enjoy opportunities to get involved in faculty-sponsored research and to collaborate with industry professionals.

All students in the Plant Sciences – Agronomy program perform a senior capstone project in sustainable agriculture. In this project, students perform a real-world agricultural analysis that integrates factors such as

• profit potential
• environmental impacts
• food yield
• technological inputs
• labor requirements