Agronomy Undergraduate Education
Agronomy is the science of agricultural ecosystems. Explore the science behind sustainably feeding the world - researching crops, soil, weather and water to improve how we grow food, protect our environment and fuel the future. Study the principles of plant physiology, learn cuttingedge plant breeding techniques, master biotechnological tools to improve crops or transform your passion for agriculture into a rewarding career that shapes the next generation.
Purdue Agronomy provides global leadership in plant genetics and breeding, crop and soil management, plant physiology, agroecology and agricultural education to enhance the quality of life through discovery, learning and engagement.
Contact Us
Jane Wiercioch
Lead Academic Advisor
jwiercioch@purdue.edu
Our Majors
Crop, Soil, & Agroecosystem Sciences
Plant Genetics, Breeding, & Biotechnology
Agricultural Education
Major: Crops, Soils, & Agroecosystem Sciences (CSAS)
About the Applied Agronomy Concentration:
This concentration is suitable for students interested in direct involvement with production agriculture, either as a farmer or directly advising growers on pest management, crop advising or field agronomists working for major suppliers. Improving crop production, sustainability, and food security across different regions of the world. Application of digital tools, precision agriculture, AI and its application. Leading to careers working with major agricultural suppliers to develop decision support systems.
Major: Crops, Soils, & Agroecosystem Sciences (CSAS)
About the Agroecology & Ecosystem Restoration Concentration:
This concentration is suitable for students interested in big picture & systems-level thinking driven by the grand challenges of today, like climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable water resources and global food security. A strong science focus in biogeochemistry, soil chemistry and soil biology. Leading to careers in research and laboratory science. And emerging contaminants, environmental chemistry, brown fields, urban gardens and water quality.
Major: Crops, Soils, & Agroecosystem Sciences (CSAS)
About the Soil & Water Management Concentration:
This concentration is suitable for students interested in the intersection of agriculture, watershed management, soil health and conservation. Also interested in soil genesis, spatial data analysis, digital soil mapping, remote sensing of landscapes, informatics and data mining.
Major: Plant Genetics, Breeding, & Biotechnology (PGBB)
About the Breeding & Genetics Concentration:
This concentration is suitable for students interested in careers with seed companies to develop and test new plant varieties.
Major: Plant Genetics, Breeding, & Biotechnology (PGBB)
About the Physiology & Biotechnology Concentration:
This concentration is suitable for students interested in how plants function with eye towards application. Leading to careers as crop consultants and restoration specialists. Application of emerging technologies for plant improvement and plant health, leading to careers in biotechnology and product development.
Major: Agricultural Education
About Agricultural Education:
The Agricultural Education (AgEd) major is a standalone major without additional concentrations. This major is suitable for students interested in sharing general agricultural knowledge with the next generation through school-based agricultural curriculum.
Learn More
Major: Crops, Soils, & Agroecosystem Sciences (CSAS)
About the Applied Agronomy Concentration:
This concentration is suitable for students interested in direct involvement with production agriculture, either as a farmer or directly advising growers on pest management, crop advising or field agronomists working for major suppliers. Improving crop production, sustainability, and food security across different regions of the world. Application of digital tools, precision agriculture, AI and its application. Leading to careers working with major agricultural suppliers to develop decision support systems.
Major: Crops, Soils, & Agroecosystem Sciences (CSAS)
About the Agroecology & Ecosystem Restoration Concentration:
This concentration is suitable for students interested in big picture & systems-level thinking driven by the grand challenges of today, like climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable water resources and global food security. A strong science focus in biogeochemistry, soil chemistry and soil biology. Leading to careers in research and laboratory science. And emerging contaminants, environmental chemistry, brown fields, urban gardens and water quality.
Major: Crops, Soils, & Agroecosystem Sciences (CSAS)
About the Soil & Water Management Concentration:
This concentration is suitable for students interested in the intersection of agriculture, watershed management, soil health and conservation. Also interested in soil genesis, spatial data analysis, digital soil mapping, remote sensing of landscapes, informatics and data mining.
Major: Plant Genetics, Breeding, & Biotechnology (PGBB)
About the Breeding & Genetics Concentration:
This concentration is suitable for students interested in careers with seed companies to develop and test new plant varieties.
Major: Plant Genetics, Breeding, & Biotechnology (PGBB)
About the Physiology & Biotechnology Concentration:
This concentration is suitable for students interested in how plants function with eye towards application. Leading to careers as crop consultants and restoration specialists. Application of emerging technologies for plant improvement and plant health, leading to careers in biotechnology and product development.
Major: Agricultural Education
About Agricultural Education:
The Agricultural Education (AgEd) major is a standalone major without additional concentrations. This major is suitable for students interested in sharing general agricultural knowledge with the next generation through school-based agricultural curriculum.
Learn MoreAgricultural research can take on many forms — in the field to improve crop production practices, in the lab and greenhouse to enhance crop resilience, in the classroom to improve teaching methods, and using technology to support data-driven agricultural decisions. Students take an active role in these transformative activities, ecoming the next generation of agricultural stewards.
All Agronomy students complete a professional internship, research, or student teaching experience that connects their education to real-world situations and potential career opportunities.
Find your fit among some of the professional roles our graduates accept:
- Agronomist (Sales/Product Manager)
- Agricultural Education Teacher
- Biotechnologist
- Conservation Resource Specialist
- Extension Educator
- Farm Manager
- FFA Advisor
- Plant Breeder
- Precision Ag Analyst
- Seed Product Developer
- Soil Scientist
Agricultural research can take on many forms — in the field to improve crop production practices, in the lab and greenhouse to enhance crop resilience, in the classroom to improve teaching methods, and using technology to support data-driven agricultural decisions. Students take an active role in these transformative activities, ecoming the next generation of agricultural stewards.
All Agronomy students complete a professional internship, research, or student teaching experience that connects their education to real-world situations and potential career opportunities.
Find your fit among some of the professional roles our graduates accept:
- Agronomist (Sales/Product Manager)
- Agricultural Education Teacher
- Biotechnologist
- Conservation Resource Specialist
- Extension Educator
- Farm Manager
- FFA Advisor
- Plant Breeder
- Precision Ag Analyst
- Seed Product Developer
- Soil Scientist
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