2025-2026 Academic Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
The School of Plant and Environmental Sciences increases the University’s capacity to tackle challenges in agriculture and food security, the green industry, plant biology, and the environment. Currently, the School offers two undergraduate degrees and seven majors: 1) Crop and Soil Sciences, 2) Ecological Restoration, 3) Environmental Horticulture, 4) Environmental Science, 5) Integrated Agriculture Technologies, 6) Landscape Design and Turfgrass Science, and 7) Plant Science.
The Environmental Science degree program brings the basic sciences to bear on many crucial concerns about the environment. The environments of particular interest are terrestrial and wetland ecosystems and associated land and water resources. Specific concerns include environmental protection, pollution prevention and remediation, land-use planning, waste management, ground- and surface-water quality, reclamation and remediation of disturbed or contaminated sites, and minimizing human impacts on the environment.
The Plant Science degree program trains students to improve the productivity, utilization, and sustainability of plants grown for human use. Students obtain a thorough education in the applied plant sciences related to the major disciplinary areas in our School - Crop and Soil Sciences, Environmental Horticulture, Landscape Design and Turfgrass Science, and Plant Science.
Crop and Soil Sciences major prepares students for graduate school and crop-related management careers in the private and public sectors. Students in this major learn the principles of crop production, soil science, nutrient management, and pest management to improve the productivity of large-scale field crops while protecting the environment.
Ecological Restoration is the process of guiding the recovery of degraded or destroyed ecosystems in agricultural, urban, and mined landscapes and associated waters. Students in the Ecological Restoration major engage in a structured program of learning that moves from introductory courses in the biological and physical sciences to courses in soil science, ecology, geology, plant science, and ecological restoration. The curriculum accommodates both in-class and field-based learning and was designed in conjunction with the Society for Ecological Restoration’s Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner In-Training program (CERPIT).
Horticulture is an applied plant science that covers the study of ornamental plants, floriculture, and intensively managed crops like fruits and vegetables. In addition to plant science, students also learn about principles of greenhouse management and other controlled environmental agriculture systems (e.g., vertical farming). The program covers a range of applied and basic environmental plant science topics, from plant-soil interactions, biotechnology, landscape design, sustainable urban landscaping, urban forestry, crop production, and plant breeding.
The Environmental Science curriculum is multidisciplinary and strongly science and technology oriented. Students learn about preserving, protecting, and remediating resources and the ecosystems that provide them. Our rigorous program has established an excellent reputation among employers and our graduates are in great demand primarily working in environmental engineering fields, environmental consulting, and various governmental agencies.
The Integrated Agriculture Technologies major seeks to prepare a new generation of students that will work in the applied plant sciences using advanced technologies to improve plant productivity and protecting the environment. Students learn to work with drones, robots, environmental sensors, satellite imaging, and data analytics to improve the sustainability field crops and horticultural systems. Students in the major gain a unique combination of technological know-how and extensive practical knowledge in the plant and soil sciences.
Landscape Design and Turfgrass Science major learn to design, build, and manage beautiful and functional landscapes using science-based practices that improve the living environment and contribute to environmental sustainability. Students choose a concentration area that best meets their chosen career path- Landscape Design or Turfgrass Management. Students in the Landscape Design concentration learn principles related to the design, installation, and maintenance of different types of landscapes in the public and private sectors. Students working in Turfgrass Management concentration learn principles related to the care and management of lawns, landscapes, golf courses, and athletic fields.
The Plant Science major prepares students for graduate school and careers in the private and public sectors working in the fields of plant breeding, biotechnology, plant pathology, and weed science. Students learn principles of plant biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, plant genetics, and crop breeding and apply these to better understand how to improve plant productivity and sustainability.
The School offers minors in Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Environmental Science, Horticulture, Plant Health Sciences, Turfgrass Management, Viticulture, and Wetland Science. The course requirements for each vary and include a required course (s) plus 15 or 16 more credit hours selected from courses from within and outside the department. Consult the department office (330 Smyth) or website at http://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html for more information on a minor.
University policy requires that students who are making satisfactory progress toward a degree meet minimum criteria toward the General Education (Curriculum for Liberal Education) (see "Academics") and toward the degree.
Satisfactory progress requirements toward the specific degree can be found on the major checksheet by visiting the University Registrar website at http://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html.
Students with outstanding records can qualify for the Honors Program and graduate "in honors" in crop and soil environmental sciences. Other opportunities for personal and professional growth and for recognition include Agronomy Club, Environmental Student Organization, Horticulture Club, and Turf Club. Membership in Alpha Zeta, Gamma Sigma Delta, Pi Alpha Xi or other honoraries, and several scholarships are also available. Many students participate in internships that are commonly available in the respective disciplines.
Graduate courses and research opportunities lead to M.S. and Ph.D. specializations in the Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Horticulture, and Plant Pathology and Weed Science. (See the Graduate Catalog for more information.)
Head: Michael Evans
Associate Director for Undergraduate Programs: Benjamin Tracy (231.8259, bftracy@vt.edu)
Professors: A. O. Abaye, E. Beers, J. F. Derr, M. J. Eick, J. D. Eisenback, G. K. Evanylo, J. H. Fike, J. M. Goatley Jr., C. Hong, C. S. Johnson, D.B. Langston Jr, R. O. Maguire, J. M. McDowell, A. Niemiera, M. A. Saghai Maroof, D. G. Schmale III, T. Thompson, B. F. Tracy, B. A. Vinatzer, G. Welbaum, J. H. Westwood, M. Williams, K. Xia
Associate Professors: S. D. Askew, B. D. Badgley, M. Balota, J. N. Barney, A. B. Baudoin, E. Colláková, M. L. Flessner, W. H. Frame, J. M. Galbraith, D. Holshouser, J. G. Jelesko, S. Li, G. Pilot, M.S. Reiter, S. L. Rideout, R. Stewart, X. Wang, C. A. Wilkinson, and B. Zhao
Assistant Professors: B. Bargmann, P. Brown, D. C. Haak, D. S. McCall, M. Nita, B.B. Posadas, A. Possinger, J. L. Reid, J. Samtani, D. Sandor, N. Santantonio, H. Seyyedhasani, S. Shafian, S. Sherif, V. Singh, K. South, M. Steele, and B. Zhang
Affiliate Professor: A. Pereira
Adjunct Professors: J. Atland, M. Chaungsheng, K. Da, Y. Dan, B. Flinn, R. F. Follett, Z. Liu, S. Lowman J. E. Perry III, P. J. Thomas, R. W. Tiner, M. J. Vepraskas, and S. Zhang
AP Faculty Professional: S. Douglas, J. Freeborn, S. Gugercin, L. Fox, A. Straw, and A. Vallotton
Instructors: J. Kardos, B. Leshyn, and L.R. Salamanca
Special Research Faculty: E. A. Bush, S. Y. Park, and E. Unglesbee
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