Getting Started

College: CNS

 (Revised Spring 2019)

Stockbridge School of Agriculture

 Information below is meant to guide first year students in getting started with this major and choosing appropriate courses.  More advanced students interested in this major would also likely start with proposed foundation/pre-requisite courses.  Please refer to the Bachelor of Science page located in the left menu bar to learn about the full major requirements.

How to Explore the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

All Undergraduates are required to satisfy the General Education Requirements. Guidelines for students are available at https://www.umass.edu/gened. Students should choose a wide variety of Gen Ed courses, providing breadth of experience.

RES-ECON 102 (SB), RES-ECON 121 (SBDG), NRC 100 (SI) and ENVIRSCI 101 (BS).

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite Courses

Required prerequisites, including recommended sequence:

  • ENGLWRIT 112 (CW)
  • STOCKSCH 108 – Intro Botany (Fall Semester)
  • STOCKSCH 105 – Soil Science (Spring Semester)
  • An Ecosystems course: NRC 100 (SI), ENVIRSCI 101 (BS) or STOCKSCH 115 (SI)
  • MATH 104 (R1) – Note: An R1 waiver does not satisfy this requirement.
    Students must take MATH 101 & 102 if their MPE score indicates that they are not ready for 104.
    MATH 127 (R2) or STATIS 111 (R2) recommended for students who have competed MATH 104

For students interested in the business management track:

  • CHEM 110 or CHEM 111 (Note: CHEM 110 has no math prerequisites)

For students interested in going to graduate school:

  • CHEM 111 and CHEM 112 (Note: To enroll in these courses, students should have an MPE score of 20+ or have completed MATH 104 or MATH 101-102 or the equivalent).
Suggested Electives:     STOCKSCH 101 Insect & Related Forms
    STOCKSCH 107 Turf Insects
    STOCKSCH 111 Horticultural Plant Pathology
    STOCKSCH 112 Turf Pathology

How to Declare/Change into the Major

For current & admitted students:  This major is unrestricted, which means any student may declare the major. Unrestricted majors may still have an entry process such as meeting with an advisor or attending an informational meeting.

Students should see the Chief Undergradutae Advisor as soon as possible.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Refer to the Bachelor of Science page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

Minimum total # or range of credits required: 78-85

  • Core Requirements (24-27 cr.):
    The courses listed above under “required prerequisites.”
  • Turfgrass Science & Management Requirements (26-28 cr.)
    Select courses in turf culture, plant disease, insect and weed biology, plant physiology, plant nutrition and soil fertility, with approval of the Program Coordinator.
  • Turfgrass Science and Management Restricted Electives (28-30 cr.)
    Select additional courses from areas like business management and basic plant and soil sciences, with approval of the Program Coordinator.

Is there a minor? If so what are the requirements?
No!  A minor is not available.

For further information, contact:
Professor Scott Ebdon, Chief Undergraduate Advisor
415 Paige Lab; (413) 545-2506
sebdon@umass.edu
website: www.people.umass.edu/sebdon/