What Can You Do With a Plant Science Degree

Horticulture is a broad field that encompasses art, science, and technology. People with plant science degrees are needed in horticulture to study different species of plants. They use their knowledge to conserve species, solve problems in farming, and maximize profits in the food industry, among other tasks. Many do both field and lab work.

Forestry pertains to the care and study of forests. A person who works in this field might develop best practices for protecting our natural resources. Fire prevention is another arena in which foresters play a big role. The timber, paper, and electrical industries hire foresters to help them plan and execute harvests. This field can demand a lot of physical strength and stamina. It can also require lab work.

Agriculture, the industry that deals with plant cultivation for food, is another field in which people with plant science degrees work. Depending on their degree, they might provide business management services for farms, or they might use science and technology to grow crops in the most profitable way. Bioprocessing and irrigation engineers, soil scientists and plant geneticists all find work in agriculture, along with many other specialists.

This individual oversees many aspects of monetizing the farm. He or she maintains relations with vendors, manages human resources, organizes production operations, and ensures that all operations comply with the law.

In this field, scientists work to make sure that the products companies sell comply with federal regulations pertaining to health and safety.

An agronomist understand the health of plants. He or she might work on a farm to create the healthiest possible environment for crops, considering elements like the composition of the soil, the control of pests, irrigation, and the best means of fertilization.

These scientists study the chemical and genetic factors that affect plants. They work on projects such as maximizing biofuel, developing new drugs, and engineering the DNA of crops. They find work with private companies, non-profits, government organizations, and universities.

A conservation scientist is an environmental expert who studies the best way to maintain natural resources and balance ecosystems. They might be hired to private landowners or government agencies to assist in projects. They might also consult with farmers and ranchers to promote good environmental practices.

This career is not for someone who has a phobia of bugs! Entomologists study insects, especially for the purposes of pest control. They also learn about endangered species in order to maintain the balance of certain ecosystems. They can be employed in the fields of medicine, law, pharmacology, teaching, research, and agriculture.

Environmental Engineers use technology to address the challenges of maintaining environmental health. They work with other scientists, companies, and organizations to plan conservation projects and develop responsible protocols.

An environmental scientist uses scientific methods and equipment to study changes within the environment, specifically due to human impact.

Outdoor, manual work, grounds maintenance refers to the landscaping and upkeep of trees, grass, and shrubbery within a defined area. The work is often seasonal.

This is a broad term that applies to many people who work with plants in an artistic or scientific way. A horticulturist could be someone who cultivates crops on a farm, or someone who plans the aesthetic arrangement of flowers in the outdoor areas of a business complex. Their work involves plants that we eat, enjoy visually, or make into products.

A complex and highly scientific pursuit, plant genetics has many different subsets, including functional genomics, structural genomics, population genetic, and quantitative genetics. Plainly speaking, people in this field investigate how genes behave, where they are located, how they contribute to the evolution of organisms, and how they can be used to breed desired traits.

Plant pathology refers to the study of disease within plants and the work being done to control it. Whether a virus, harmful bacteria, or another organism, plant pathologists will identify the cause of an infection and implement measures to restore or maintain the health of the affected plants. They need to understand how disease originates, how it affects plants (and people!), its life-cycle, and how to control it.

While it might not be immediately obvious, dirt expertise is actually an extremely sophisticated career! Soil scientists study the composition of soil, its classification, and how to map it. They perform experiments to determine qualities such as the fertility of the soil and its biological makeup. Their knowledge can be used in forestry, agriculture, and many other fields.

Toxicologists study chemicals and other substances that can be harmful to plants and other organisms. On a larger scale, they determine how toxins interact with biological systems. Their work can help determine if a substance is dangerous. They also research how to control the dangerous substances once they have been identified.

A Weed scientist is someone who studies species of plants that are harmful to crops. They work with people in the agriculture industry to identify weeds and implement measures of control. They also carefully research how our efforts to reduce weeds will impact the environment.

In this profession, experts use their knowledge of agronomy and agricultural methods to help farmers in developing areas. They provide consultation for pest control, planting, irrigation, and harvesting, among other areas.