PLAS Major Degree Requirements

undergrad options graphic

CASNR Core
Major Core
Agronomy option
Horticulture option
Landscape Design and Management option
Turfgrass Science and Management option

4-Year Plans

4-year plan for PLAS Agronomy Option – select Online Version, Excel File or PDF File.

4-year plan for PLAS Horticulture Option – select Online Version, Excel File or PDF File.

4-year plan for PLAS Landscape Design and Management Option – select Online Version, Excel File or PDF File.

4-year plan for PLAS Turfgrass Science and Management Option – select Online Version, Excel File or PDF File.

All students in the Plant and Landscape Systems major, must complete all the courses listed in the CASNR Core and the Major Core.

Options: All students in the Plant and Landscape Systems major must complete course requirements in one option – agronomy, horticulture, landscape design and management, or turfgrass science and management.

Course Descriptions: To see a course description, use the search box on the UNL Undergraduate Catalog page (https://catalog.unl.edu/undergraduate/). Click on ‘Course’, then type in the course prefix and number (i.e. AGRO 100), and click ‘search’.

Semester of Course Offering: Courses are typically offered during the same semester (spring, summer, or fall) each year. Rarely are changes made to the semester in which the course is offered. The day(s) and time of day when the course is taught is often the same from year to year. You can use this information to make sure you do not have any time conflicts with the courses you want to take by looking the previous and/or future days and times the courses are offered. See the course availability list for details.

CASNR Core 27 credits
Communications 6
  • Written Communication (ACE 1)
    Select one of the following:
    • ENGL 150 Writing and Inquiry – 3 cr.
    • ENGL 151 Writing and Argument – 3 cr.
    • ENGL 254 Writing and Communities – 3 cr.
    • JGEN 120 Basic Business Communication – 3 cr.
    • JGEN 200 Technical Communication I – 3 cr.
    • JGEN 300 Technical Communication II – 3 cr.
 3
  • Oral Communication (ACE 2)
    Select one of the following:
    • ALEC 102 Interpersonal Skills for Leadership – 3 cr.
    • COMM 101 Communication for the 21st Century – 3 cr.
    • COMM 209 Public Speaking – 3 cr.
    • COMM 210 Communicating in Small Groups – 3 cr.
    • COMM 215 Visual Communication – 3 cr.
    • COMM 283 Interpersonal Communication – 3 cr.
    • COMM 286 Business and Professional Communication – 3 cr.
    • JGEN 300 Technical Communication II – 3 cr.
    • MRKT 257 Sales Communication – 3 cr.
    • TMFD 121 Visual Communication and Presentation – 3 cr.
 3

Mathematics and Statistics (ACE 3)
Select 5 credits from the following:

  • MATH 102 Trigonometry – 3 cr.
  • MATH 104 Applied Calculus – 3 cr.
  • MATH 106 Calculus I – 5 cr.
  • STAT 218 Introduction to Statistics – 3 cr.
 6

Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences

  • AECN 141 or ECON 200, ECON 211, or ECON 212 (ACE 6) – 3 cr.
  • For students planning on pursuing AECN 200+ level courses, take AECN 141 or ECON 212.
  • Select one course each from ACE outcomes 5, 7, and 9. – 3 cr. each
 12

CASNR Integrative Course (ACE 8)

  • SCIL 101 Science and Decision-Making for a Complex World – 3 cr.
 3
Major Core 22 credits

Major Integrative Course

  • PLAS 100 Plants, Landscapes, & the Environment – 3 cr.
 3

Technical Data Communication

  • PLAS 230 Technical Reporting for Plant and Landscape Systems – 3 cr.
 3

Natural Sciences

  • PLAS 131 Plant Science (ACE 4) – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 153 Soil Resources – 4cr.
  • PLAS 278 Botany – 4 cr.
 11

Career Experience

  • PLAS 095 Plant and Landscape Systems Seminar – 0 cr.
  • PLAS 295 Internship – 1 cr.
  • A second internship (PLAS 395A, PLAS 395B, PLAS 395L or PLAS 395T) is required and is option specific.
 1

Pest Biology

  • ENTO 105 Natural History of Arthropods Associated with Plants – 2 cr.
  • PLPT 210 Plant Pathogens and Disease – 2 cr.
 4

Plant and Landscape Systems Options

Agronomy option 33

Option requirements:

  • PLAS 132 Agronomic Plant Science Lab – 1 cr.
  • CHEM 105A&L Chemistry in Context I or CHEM 109A&L General Chemistry I – 4 cr.
  • PLAS 204 Resource Efficient Crop Management – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 215 Genetics – 4 cr.
  • PLAS 366 Soil Nutrient Relationships – 4 cr.
  • PLAS 325 Plant Physiology – 4 cr.
  • PLAS 395A Internship in Agronomy – 1 cr.
 21

Select 9 hours from the following crop and soil management courses:

  • PLAS 240 Forage Crop and Pasture Management
  • PLAS 269 Principles of Soil Management
  • PLAS 426 Invasive Plants
  • PLAS 431 Site-Specific Crop Management
 9

Option Capstone Course (ACE 10)
Select one course:

  • PLAS 403 Scientific Writing and Communication
  • PLAS 405 Crop Management Strategies
  • PLAS 488 Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development
  • PLAS 475 Water Quality Strategy
 3

Emphases and minors

Students must complete two emphases, one emphasis and one minor, or two minors (minimally one must be in CASNR) of their choice for a minimum of 24 credit hours. Completion of a second major will account for 12 credits of this requirement.

Courses used in agronomy option cannot be used in an emphasis area.

Students majoring in Plant and Landscape Systems cannot complete minors in agronomy, horticulture, landscape design and management, or turfgrass science and management. Students interested in these areas of study (outside of their option) should pursue relevant emphases.

 24
Agronomy option 33
Emphases and minors 24
Free electives 14
CASNR and Major Cores 49
Total credit hours 120
Horticulture option 33

Option requirements:

  • CHEM 105A&L or CHEM 109A&L – 4 cr.
  • PLAS 133 Horticultural Plant Sciences Lab – 1 cr.
  • PLAS 215 Genetics – 4 cr.
  • PLAS 221 Plant Propagation – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 395B Internship in Horticulture – 1 cr.
 15

Select at least 11 hours from identification and production courses.Choose at least 6 hours from identification courses:

  • PLAS 201 Dendrology: Study and Identification of Trees and Shrubs
  • PLAS 212 Woody Plants for Landscapes: Identification, Management, and Use
  • PLAS 213 Cultivars and Varieties of Woody Plants for Landscapes
  • PLAS 214 Herbaceous Landscape Plants
 6-9

Choose at least 4 hours from production courses:

  • PLAS 306 Greenhouse Practices and Management
  • PLAS 307 Hydroponics for Growing Populations
  • PLAS 353 Vegetable Crop Production Laboratory
  • PLAS 354 Fruit Production Laboratory
  • PLAS 355 Perennial, Pot and Bedding Plant Production Laboratory
 2-5

Select 4 hours from the following courses:

  • PLAS 325 Plant Physiology
  • PLAS 478 Plant Anatomy
  • CHEM 106A&L Chemistry in Context II or CHEM 110A&L General Chemistry II
  • NRES 220 Principles of Ecology and NRES 222 Principles of Ecology Lab
 4

Option Capstone Course (ACE 10)
Select one course:

  • PLAS 403 Scientific Writing and Communication
  • PLAS 470 Critical Thinking in Plant and Landscape Systems
  • PLAS 488 Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development
 3

Emphases and minors

Students must complete two emphases, one emphasis and one minor, or two minors (minimally one must be in CASNR) of their choice for a minimum of 24 credit hours. Completion of a second major will account for 12 credits of this requirement.

Courses used in the horticulture option cannot be used in an emphasis area.

Students majoring in Plant and Landscape Systems cannot complete minors in agronomy, horticulture, landscape design and management, or turfgrass science and management. Students interested in these areas of study (outside of their option) should pursue relevant emphases.

 24
Horticulture option 33
Emphases and minors 24
Free electives 14
CASNR and Major Cores 49
Total Credit Hours 120
Landscape Design and Management option 30-32

Option requirements:

  • CHEM 105 or CHEM 109 OR MSYM 109 – 4 cr.
  • PLAS 133 Horticultural Plant Sciences Lab – 1 cr.
  • PLAS 212 Woody Plants for Landscapes: Identification, Management, and Use – 3 cr. or NRES 201 Dendrology: Study and Identification of Trees and Shrubs
  • PLAS 213 Cultivars and Varieties of Woody Plants for Landscapes – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 214 Herbaceous Landscape Plants – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 228 Introduction to Landscape Management – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 265 Visual Communication for Landscape Design – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 267 Introduction to Landscape Design Studio  – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 395L Internship in Landscape Design and Management – 1 cr.
 24

Select one course:

  • PLAS 300 Landscape Construction
  • PLAS 326 Landscape Solutions
  • PLAS 467 Planting Design
 3-4

Option Capstone (ACE 10)
Select one course:

  • PLAS 469 Ecological Landscape Design
  • PLAS 470 Critical Thinking in Landscape Management
 3-4

Emphases and minors

Students must complete two emphases, one emphasis and one minor, or two minors (minimally one must be in CASNR) of their choice for a minimum of 24 credit hours. Completion of a second major will account for 12 credits of this requirement.

Courses used in the landscape design and management option cannot be used in an emphasis area.

Students majoring in Plant and Landscape Systems cannot complete minors in agronomy, horticulture, landscape design and management, or turfgrass science and management. Students interested in these areas of study (outside of their option) should pursue relevant emphases.

 24
Landscape Design and Management option 30-32
Emphases and minors 24
Free electives 15-17
CASNR and Major Cores 49
Total credit hours 120
Turfgrass Science and Management option 30-31

Option requirements

  • PLAS 132 or PLAS 133 – 1 cr.
  • PLAS 325 Plant Physiology – 4 cr.
  • CHEM 105 or CHEM 109 – 4 cr.
  • PLAS 227 Introductory Turfgrass Management – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 229 Introductory Turfgrass Management Laboratory – 1 cr.
  • PLAS 327 Turfgrass Science and Management – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 395T Internship in Turfgrass Science and Management – 1 cr.
 17

Select one course in soil management:

  • SOIL 269 Principles of Soil Management
  • SOIL 366 Soil Nutrient Relationships
  • SOIL 453 Urban Soil Properties and Management
  • SOIL 455 Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy*
  • SOIL 472 Applied Soil Physics
 3-4

Select at least 7 hours from the following courses:

  • AGRI 311 Domestic Study Tour in Turfgrass
  • PLAS 412 Crop and Weed Genetics*
  • HRTM 475 Club Management*
  • NRES 218 Introduction to Geospatial Technologies
  • PLAS 391T Special Topics in Turfgrass Science and Management
  • PLAS 395T Internship in Turfgrass Science and Management (3rd experience)
 7

Option Capstone (ACE 10) 

  • PLAS 427 Turfgrass Systems Management
 3

Emphases and minors

Students must complete two emphases, one emphasis and one minor, or two minors (minimally one must be in CASNR) of their choice for a minimum of 24 credit hours. Completion of a second major will account for 12 credits of this requirement.

Courses used in the turfgrass science and management option cannot be used in an emphasis area.

Students majoring in Plant and Landscape Systems cannot complete minors in agronomy, horticulture, landscape design and management, or turfgrass science and management. Students interested in these areas of study (outside of their option) should pursue relevant emphases.

 24
Turfgrass Science and Management option 30-31
Emphases and minors 24
Free electives 16-17
CASNR and Major Cores 49
Total credit hours 120

*course has a prerequisite that is not included in the core or option. Free electives may be used to complete the prerequisite.

Plant and Landscape Systems Emphases and Minors

You must choose two emphasis areas, one emphasis and one minor, or two minors. If you choose two minors, one must be in CASNR.

Emphases

There are 14 emphasis areas in the Plant and Landscape Systems major. Details of those emphases are below. * indicates that at least one additional course is required as a prerequisite. Any course taken as a prerequisite can be used to fill free electives. There are 14-17 free electives available in each of the options, which count toward the 120 credits needed to graduate. Courses used in one emphasis area cannot be applied to a second emphasis area.

  • Courses used in an option cannot apply to any emphasis area. For example, HORT 214 cannot be used in the Flowers emphasis for students who take it in the horticulture or landscape design and management options.
  • Courses used in one emphasis cannot be used in a second emphasis. For example, SOIL 269 cannot be used in both the Natural Resources Conservation and Soil Science emphases. 
  • Courses cannot be double counted in a minor and an emphasis. For example, HORT 213 cannot be used in both the Ecological Landscape Design emphasis and the Urban Forestry minor.
  • All emphases must have a minimum of 12 unique hours.
  • Completion of a second major will count for one emphasis.

* indicates that at least one additional course is required as a prerequisite

**taught only in the summer

Agronomic Crop Production emphasis

For students completing the Agronomy option, the Agronomic Plant Production emphasis provides advanced coursework in crop and soil management and prepares students for careers as agronomists, seed and input sales representatives, crop advisors, and farm managers. Students completing this emphasis from outside of the Agronomy option will benefit from foundational knowledge in agronomic crop and soil fertility management.

PLAS 452 requires physics (MYSM 109, PHYS 141 or 151). *indicates that at least one additional course is required as a prerequisite. **taught only in the summer

RequirementCredit Hours

Required, but do not count toward 12 credits if completed in an option:

  • PLAS 204 Resource Efficient Crop Management – 3 cr.
  • SOIL 269 Principles of Soil Management or PLAS 366 Soil Nutrient Relationships – 3-4 cr.
  • PLAS 405 Crop Management Strategies – 3 cr.
 9-10

Choose 3-12 credits from:

  • PLAS 240 Forage Crop and Pasture Management – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 269 Principles of Soil Management – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 366 Soil Nutrient Relationships – 4 cr.
  • PLAS 405 Crop Management Strategies – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 425 Cover Crops in Agroecosystems – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 426 Invasive Plants – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 431 Site-specific Crop Management – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 435 Agroecology – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 436 Agroecosystems analysis** – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 439 Organic Farming and Food Systems – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 452 Irrigation Systems Management* – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 496 Crops Judging Competition – 1 cr.
 3-12
Total 12-13
Ecological Landscape Design emphasis

Students completing the Ecological Landscape Design emphasis will benefit from foundational knowledge in plant and landscape design. For students in the Landscape Design and Management option who selected the landscape management capstone (PLAS 470), the Ecological Landscape Design emphasis provides advanced knowledge in landscape design. You will need to take PLAS 319, PLAS 469, and two courses from PLAS 300, PLAS 467, and PLAS 326 that are not taken in the option.

RequirementCredit Hours

Three credits required, but do not count toward the 12 credits if completed in an option. Choose 0-3 credits from:

  • PLAS 201 Dendrology: Study and Identification of Trees and Shrubs – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 212 Woody Plants for Landscapes: Identification, Management, and Use – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 213 Cultivars and Varieties of Woody Plants for Landscapes – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 214 Herbaceous Landscape Plants – 3 cr.
 0-3

Choose 9-12 credits from:

  • PLAS 265 Visual Communication for Landscape Design – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 267 Introduction to Landscape Design Studio – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 300 Landscape Construction – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 319 Edible Landscapes – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 467 Planting Design – 4 cr.
  • PLAS 469 Ecological Landscape Design – 4 cr.
 9-12
Total 9 – 12
Entrepreneurship emphasis

The Entrepreneurship emphasis focuses on opportunities to create a unique path that fulfills your career purpose. This emphasis will allow you to explore the mindset and process of becoming an entrepreneur. These skills are critical to compete in the 21st century workplace as well as preparing for business ownership.

RequirementCredit Hours

Choose 5-6 entrepreneurship credits from:

  • EAEP 101 Introductory Seminar: Opportunities in Entrepreneurship – 2 cr.
  • EAEP 275 Agribusiness Entrepreneurial Finance – 3 cr.
  • ENTR 322 Family Business – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 388 Business Systems in Entrepreneurship – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 488 Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development – 3 cr.
 5-6

Choose 3 accounting credits from:

  • ACCT 200 Accounting for Business Decisions – 3 cr.
  • ACCT 201 Introduction to Accounting I – 3 cr.
 3

Choose 3-6 marketing, finance or management credits from:

  • FINA 260 Personal Finance – 3 cr.
  • MRKT 225 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship in Food Marketing – 3 cr.
  • MRKT 257 Sales Communication (ACE 2) – 3 cr.
  • MNGT 361 Human Resource Management – 3 cr.
 3-6
Total 12-14
Flowers emphasis

The Flowers emphasis will prepare students for careers in the floral industry including growing and managing floral crops and designing and marketing floral arrangements and ornamental plants.

RequirementCredit Hours
PLAS 261 Floral Design I (ACE 7) – 3 cr. 3

Choose 9 credits in Identification, production, and design from:

  • PLAS 214 Herbaceous Landscape Plants – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 262 Floral Design II – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 306 Greenhouse Management and Practices – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 355 Perennial, Pot and Bedding Plant Production Laboratory – 2 cr.
  • PLAS 388 Business Systems in Entrepreneurship – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 488 Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development – 3 cr.
 9
Total 12
Natural Resources Conservation emphasis

The Natural Resources Conservation emphasis prepares students for careers in soil, water, and landscape conservation. These professionals could be experts in providing technical and conservation planning assistance related to agricultural operations and environmental conservation. Emphasis completion meets the minimum requirements for the current federal occupational requirements in positions in soil and/or natural resources conservation or management. To meet the occupational requirements, the SOIL subject codes on cross-listed courses is required.

*NRES 451 requires SOIL 361. SOIL 361 requires a second semester of chemistry, either CHEM 106 or 110. SOIL 354 requires physics, MYSM 109, PHYS 141 or 151. SOIL 455 requires CHEM 110A&L and CHEM 221 or 251.

RequirementCredit Hours
  • SOIL 279 Soil Evaluation – 2 cr.
  • PLAS 245 Introduction to Grassland Ecology and Management or PLAS 425 Cover Crops in Agroecosystems – 3 cr.
  • WATS 281 Introduction to Water Science – 3 cr.
 8

Choose 4 credits from:

  • PLAS 242 North American Wildland Plants – 1 cr.
  • PLAS 440 Great Plains Ecosystems – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 442 Wildland Plants – 3 cr.
  • NRES 451 Soil, Air, and Environmental Chemistry* – 3 cr.
  • SOIL 269 Principles of Soil Management – 3 cr.
  • SOIL 354 Soil Conservation and Watershed Management* – 3 cr.
  • SOIL 361 Soils, Environment and Water Quality* – 3 cr.
  • SOIL 366 Soil Nutrient Relationships – 4 cr.
  • SOIL 379 Advanced Soil Evaluation – Soil Judging Team can take multiple semesters – 1 cr.
  • SOIL 455 Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy* – 3 cr.
  • SOIL 460 Soil Microbiology – 3 cr.
  • SOIL 472 Applied Soil Physics – 3 cr.
  • SOIL 477 Great Plains Field Pedology – 4 cr.
 4
Total 12

Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology emphasis

The Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology emphasis prepares students for careers in the seed industry. These professionals could be experts in generating and evaluating new varieties in the field or conducting DNA-based analysis in the lab.

*BIOS 425 requires BIOS 206. BIOS 206 can be subbed for PLAS 215. BIOS 206 requires LIFE 120+L and LIFE 121+L. BIOS 471 requires LIFE 121+L. Contact your advisor as soon as you know you have an interest in this emphasis.

RequirementCredit Hours

Required, but does not count toward 12 credits if completed in an option:

  • PLAS 215 Genetics or BIOS 206
 4

Choose 8-12 credits from:

  • PLAS 409A Case Studies in Plant Breeding; Breeding for Disease Resistance – 1 cr.
  • PLAS 409B Case Studies in Plant Breeding: Transgenic Strategies for Disease Resistance – 1 cr.
  • PLAS 411 Crop Genetic Engineering – 2 cr.
  • PLAS 412 Crop and Weed Genetics – 2 cr.
  • PLAS 420 Bioinformatics Applications in Agriculture – 3 cr.
  • BIOS 425 Plant Biotechnology* – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 429 Plant Biotechnology Applications – 3 cr.
  • BIOS 471 Plant Systematics* – 4 cr.
  • PLAS 395A, PLAS 395B, PLAS 395L, PLAS 395T Internship (must be 3rd internship and related to plant breeding and genetics) – 1-3 cr.
 8-12
Total 12
Plant Protection emphasis

The Plant Protection emphasis prepares students for careers in the plant protection industry with advanced coursework in weed science, entomology, plant pathology, and wildlife management. These professionals may enjoy careers as crop scouts and advisors, agronomists and horticulturists, chemical sales representatives, custom applicators, and farm and greenhouse managers.

RequirementCredit Hours
  • PLAS 426 Invasive Plants (cannot be used in both the agronomy option and this emphasis; select another course in the agronomy ‘select from’ option list or a second course from the lists below)
  • PLPT 369 Introduction to Plant Pathology – 3 cr.
 0-6

Choose 3 insect credits from:

  • ENTO 115 Insect Biology – 3 cr.
  • ENTO 308 Field Crop Insects – 3 cr.
  • ENTO 403 Horticultural Insects – 3 cr.
 3-6

Choose three credits from:

  • ENTO 116 Insect identification – 1 cr.
  • PLPT 369L Introduction to Plant Pathology Lab – 1 cr.
  • PLAS 270 Biological invaders – 3 cr.
  • NRES 348 Wildlife management – 3 cr.
  • PLPT 415 Corn Diseases – 1 cr.
 3-6
Total 12
Plant Science Research emphasis

The Plant Science Research emphasis is designed for students interested in pursuing M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in agronomy, horticulture, or turfgrass science. Coursework in physics, math, and chemistry provides broad expertise in the life sciences, and fulfills graduate admission requirements at most research universities – including UNL.

RequirementCredit Hours
  • Research experience for at least one internship – 0 cr.
  • MATH 104 Applied Calculus or MATH 106 Calculus (if not taken in the core) – 0 cr.
  • MSYM 109 Physical Principles in Agriculture and Life Sciences – 4 cr. or PHYS 141 Elementary Physics – 5 cr. or PHYS 151 Elements of Physics – 4 cr.
  • CHEM 110 A&L General Chemistry II – 4 cr.
 8-9

Choose 4 credits from:

  • CHEM 251 and 253 Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory – 4 cr.
  • MATH 107 Calculus II – 3 cr.
  • PHYS 142 Elementary General Physics II – 5 cr.
  • PLAS 325 Plant Physiology – 4 cr.
  • PLAS 478 Plant Anatomy – 4 cr.
 4
Total 12-18
Soil Science emphasis

The Soil Science emphasis prepares students for careers as a soil scientist, agronomist, or crop advisor. These professionals may enjoy careers as a soil conservationist, in a soil testing laboratory, or consulting with farmers about soil management.

*PLAS 455 requires CHEM 110A&L and CHEM 221 or 251. NRES 451 requires SOIL 361. SOIL 361 requires a second semester of chemistry, either CHEM 106 or 110 and NRES 281.

RequirementCredit Hours

Choose any 12 credit from:

  • SOIL 269 Principles of Soil Management – 3 cr.
  • SOIL 279 Soil Evaluation – 2 cr.
  • SOIL 366 Soil Nutrient Relationships – 4 cr.
  • SOIL 379 Advanced Soil Evaluation – Soil Judging Team; can be taken multiple semesters – 1 cr.
  • SOIL 453 Urban Soil Properties and Management – 3 cr.
  • SOIL 455 Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy* – 3 cr.
  • SOIL 460 Soil Microbiology – 3 cr.
  • SOIL 472 Applied Soil Physics – 3 cr.
  • SOIL 477 Great Plains Field Pedology – 4 cr.
  • PLAS 496 Soil Microbiology Lab – 1 cr.
  • PLAS 496 Independent Study - Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics – 1 cr.
  • NRES 451 Soil, Air, and Environmental Chemistry* – 3 cr.
 12
Total 12

 

Specialty Crop Production emphasis

For students completing the Horticulture option, the Specialty Crop Production emphasis provides advanced coursework with a focus on pest and fertility management in field and controlled environment specialty crop systems. This emphasis leads to careers in farm management, greenhouse and hydroponic production, seed and input sales, and crop consulting. Students completing this emphasis from outside of the Horticulture option will benefit from foundational knowledge in specialty crop propagation and production.

RequirementCredit Hours

Required, but do not count toward 12 credits if completed in option:

  • PLAS 221 Plant Propagation – 3 cr.
 0-3

Choose 9-12 credits from:

  • PLAS 306 Greenhouse Practices and Management – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 307 Hydroponics for Growing Populations – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 319 Edible Landscapes – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 353 Vegetable Crop Production Lab – 2 cr.
  • PLAS 354 Fruit Crop Production Lab – 2 cr.
  • PLAS 355 Perennial, Pot and Bedding Plant Production Laboratory – 2 cr.
  • PLAS 366 Soil Nutrient Relationships – 4 cr.
  • PLAS 425 Cover Crops in Agroecosystems – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 426 Invasive Plants – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 462 Cannabis Production and Breeding – 2 cr.
  • PLAS 471 Vines, Wines, and You – 3 cr.
  • ENTO 403 Management of Horticultural Crop Insects – 3 cr.
  • PLPT 369 Introduction to Plant Pathology – 3 cr.
 9-12
Total 12
Sustainable Landscape Management emphasis

Students completing the Sustainable Landscape Management emphasis will benefit from foundational knowledge in landscape management. For students in the Landscape Design and Management option who select the design capstone (PLAS 469), you will need to select four of five classes from PLAS 227, PLAS 300, PLAS 319, PLAS 326 and PLAS 470. This emphasis may lead to careers in management of public parks, arboreta and gardens, zoos, city and state properties, corporate landscapes, and private residences.

RequirementCredit Hours

Three credits required, but do not count toward the 12 credits if completed in an option:

  • PLAS 212 Woody Plants for Landscapes: Identification, Management, and Use – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 213 Cultivars and Varieties of Woody Plants for Landscapes – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 214 Herbaceous Landscape Plants – 3 cr.
  • NRES 201 Dendrology: Study and Identification of Trees and Shrubs – 3 cr.
 0-3

Choose 9-12 credits from:

  • PLAS 227 Introductory Turfgrass Management – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 228 Introduction to Landscape Management – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 300 Landscape Construction – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 319 Edible Landscapes – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 326 Landscape Solutions – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 470 Critical Thinking in Landscape Management – 3 cr.
 9-12
Total 12
Turfgrass Science and Management emphasis

The Turfgrass Science and Management emphasis is targeted toward students who desire additional turfgrass science knowledge to support their professional goals. These goals could be to expand seed, chemical and fertilizer sales and management services to turfgrass systems. Students in the Turfgrass Science and Management option cannot pursue this emphasis.

RequirementCredit Hours
  • PLAS 227 Introductory Turfgrass Management – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 327 Turfgrass Science and Management – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 427 Turfgrass Systems Management – 3 cr.
 9

Choose any 3 credits from:

  • AGRI 311 Study Tours in US Agriculture (turf tour) – 1-2 cr.
  • PLAS 229 Introductory Turfgrass Management Lab P – 1 cr.
  • PLAS 391T Special Topics in Turfgrass Science and Management – 1-3 cr.
  • PLAS 395T Internship in Turfgrass Science and Management – 1-3 cr.
 3
Total 12
Urban Food Systems emphasis

The Urban Food Systems emphasis offers a multidisciplinary exploration of urban agriculture and local food systems. Courses in specialty crop production, urban soils, food science and nutrition, and entrepreneurship will prepare students to manage or consult with urban farms and food system stakeholders.

*PLAS 455 requires CHEM 110A&L and CHEM 221 or 251.

RequirementCredit Hours

Choose at least 3 production credits from:

  • PLAS 306 Greenhouse Management – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 307 Hydroponics for Growing Populations – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 353 Vegetable Crop Production Lab – 2 cr.
  • PLAS 354 Fruit Crop Production Lab – 2 cr.
 3-6

Choose 3 soils credits from:

  • SOIL 453 Urban Soil Properties and Management – 3 cr.
  • SOIL 455 Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy* – 3 cr.
 3-6

Choose 2-3 food credits from:

  • NUTR 250 Human Nutrition and Metabolism – 3 cr.
  • FDST 101 Introductory Food Science – 2 cr.
  • FDST 131 The Science of Food – 3 cr.
  • NUTR 372 Food Safety and Sanitation – 3 cr.
 2-3

Choose 3 marketing, business, or entrepreneurship credits from:

  • AECN 225 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship in Food Products Marketing – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 388 Business Systems in Entrepreneurship – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 488 Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development – 3 cr.
 3-6
Total 12
Water for Food emphasis

The Water for Food emphasis provides an opportunity for specialization in water quality and management leading to careers working in landscapes with high ground water vulnerability and in irrigated plant production systems.

*SOIL 361 requires a second semester of chemistry, either CHEM 106 or 110. PLAS 452 and SOIL 354 require physics, MYSM 109, PHYS 141 or 151.

RequirementCredit Hours

Choose 12 credits from:

  • SCIL 109 Water in Society (ACE 8) – 3 cr.
  • WATS 281 Introduction to Water Science – 3 cr.
  • SOIL 361 Soils, Environment and Water Quality* – 3 cr.
  • PLAS 452 Irrigation Systems Management* – 3 cr.
  • SOIL 354 Soil Conservation and Watershed Management* – 3 cr.
  • WATS 475 Water Quality Strategy – 3 cr.
 12
Total 12

Plant and Landscape Systems Minors

Students in the Plant and Landscape Systems major cannot select minors in agronomy, horticulture, landscape design and management, or turfgrass science and management. Instead select the Agronomic Plant Production, Specialty Crop Production, Ecological Landscape Design, Sustainable Landscape Management, or Turfgrass Science and Management emphasis.

The PLAS major has 24 total credits allocated to two emphases and/or minors. In addition, each option has 14-17 free electives that can be used toward minors to stay within the 120 credits needed for graduation.

Minor notes: 

  • If two minors are chosen, one must be in CASNR. For a list of CASNR minors see: https://catalog.unl.edu/undergraduate/majors/#filter=.filter_26.
  • If one minor and one emphasis is chosen, the minor may be any UNL minor. All UNL minors are listed here: https://catalog.unl.edu/undergraduate/majors/.
  • Double counting courses taken for a requirement in the CASNR core, major core, or option is allowed for minors. This is commonly done with careful section of ACE courses. For example, HORT 200 can be used as an ACE 9 course and as part of the International Agriculture and Natural Resources minor.
  • Courses cannot be double counted in a minor and an emphasis. For example, HORT 213 cannot be used in both the Ecological Landscape Design emphasis and the Urban Forestry minor.
  • Double counting is not allowed in two minors. For example, AECN 235 cannot be counted in both the agribusiness and agricultural economics minors.
CASNR Minors

CASNR minors that pair well with PLAS options (six or fewer free electives needed). The table is based on the Fall 2021 catalog. See the complete list of CASNR minors here.

MinorsCourses that can apply toward a minor and another degree requirement.Net credits need# of credits from free electives*
Agribusiness AECN 141 or ECON 212 (ACE 6) 15 3
Agricultural & Environmental Science None 18 6
Agricultural Economics AECN 141 or ECON 212 (ACE 6) 15 3
Animal Science None 18 6
Applied Climate Science NRES 104 (ACE 9) 15 3
Energy Science ENSC 110 (ACE 9) 15 3
Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship** AGRI 310 (ACE 9)*** 12-18 0-6
Environmental Education ENVR 201 (ACE 8, if needed) 15-18 3-6
Environmental Studies Several ACE 8 (if needed); several ACE 9 to choose from; COMM 101, 210 or 283 (ACE 2); ENGL 317 or GEOG 334 (ACE 5) 6-9 0
Fisheries and Wildlife NRES 220 (horticulture core select from) 15-18 3-6
Food, Energy and Water in Society SCIL 101 (CASNR core), ENSC 110 (ACE 9) 12 0
Grassland Ecology and Management AGRO 153 (core) 14 2
Grazing Livestock Systems AGRO 240 (agronomy core select from) 15-18 3-6
Insect Science ENTO 105 16 4
International Agriculture & Natural Resources** Several courses that complete ACE 9; HORT 200 (ACE 7) 9-12 0
Leadership and Communication ALEC 102 (ACE 2), ALEC 388 (ACE 8, if needed) 12-15 0-3
Leadership and Entrepreneurship ALEC 102 (ACE 2) 15 3
Precision Agriculture** AGRO 431 (agronomy core select from) 10-13 0-1
Sustainability Studies ACE 8 (if needed); HORT 200 in track 1 or 2 (ACE 7 or 9); HORT 326 in track 3 12-15 0-3
Urban Forestry** HORT 213 (horticulture or landscape design and management options), CRPL 300 (ACE 9) 10 0

*The number of credits needed from free electives is the net credits needed minus 12 credits that are allocated for each emphasis or minor.

**There are 12- and 18-hour minors for the Engler Agribusiness minor and the International Agriculture & Natural Resources minor. The Precision Agriculture minor is 13 credits. The Urban Forestry minor is 16 credits.

***International Study tour, usually requires international travel.

Minors Outside of CASNR

Minors outside of CASNR that pair well with the PLAS options. Many other 18-hour minors are available that may require 6 or fewer free elective credits to complete. See the complete list of  minors outside of CASNR here.

MinorsCourses that can count twiceNet credits need# of Credits from Free Electives*
Business BLAW 300 (ACE 8, if needed), ECON 200 (ACE 6) 12-15 0-3
Chemistry – Plan B CHEM 109A&L (core), CHEM 110A&L (in horticulture option select from) 8-12 0
Community and Regional Planning CRPL 300 (ACE 9) and one additional ACE 5 or ECON 200, 211 or 212 12 0
Communication studies COMM 101 (ACE 2) 15 3
Global Leadership BSAD 320 (ACE 9) 9 0
Global Studies GLST 160 (ACE 9) 15 3
Geography GEOG 289, 334, or 377 (ACE 5); GEOG 200 (ACE 7); GEOG 140, 181, 272, 377, 378, or 380 (ACE 9) 9 0
Hospitality, Restaurant & Tourism Management HRTM 475 (in turfgrass science and management option select from) 15-18 3-6
Landscape Architecture PLAS 200 (ACE 7), LARC 241 (ACE 5), CRPL 400 (ACE 8, if needed) 9-12 0
Law and Business None 12 0