Department of Crop Sciences
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Bioinformatics/Molecular Biology

Bioinformatics/Molecular Biology

Incorporate biology, computer and information technology sciences to interpret life systems (genomic data).

Sustainable Food & Fuel Production Systems

Sustainable Food & Fuel Production Systems

Study interactions between agriculture and our environment to enhance food and fuel production. 

Landscape stewardship

Landscape Stewardship

Conserve, maintain and enhance ecosystems for the next generation.

Plant protection

Plant Protection

Learn how to manage diseases, insects and weeds to keep plants and the environment healthy.

Plant breeding and genetics

Plant Breeding and Genetics

Find new ways to improve plants to meet the growing demand for the world’s food supply.

Plant Your Future: Opportunities in Crop Sciences

Learn how Crop Sciences faculty and students are advancing science to meet the needs of a growing world population.

Feed Your World: The Need for Plant Breeders

The need for plant breeders is increasing. By 2020, estimates show that more than 1,430 new graduates holding a master's and Ph.D. in plant breeding will be needed. read more...

Sustain Your World: Sustainable Student Farm

University of Illinois students are benefiting from the Sustainable Student Farm, an academic laboratory providing practical experience for students who may pursue farming. Students learn new growing methods and take their education from the head and translate it to the hands. read more...

Waterhemp
Help Your World: Waterhemp Resistance

University of Illinois researchers study ways to control waterhemp, the first weed to evolve resistance to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides. read more...

Miscanthus
Fuel Your World: Biofuel Production

New technologies are opening up a wider range of plants to create a larger renewable fuel supply. Crop sciences researchers in the Energy Biosciences Institute at the University of Illinois are investigating options that will produce ethanol sustainably. read more...

Kristina Duran plays with some of the children from the village where we volunteThe 2012 HORT 464 Study Abroad group poses in Santiago, Guatemala, overlooking LVolcanos on the shore of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.Tahir Ibrahim working with Guatemalan crops.
Explore Your World: Crop Sciences Special Topics Abroad

U of I students often enhance their academics with special topics abroad. Classes include crop studies in Guatemala and Costa Rica. read more...

Change Your World: Illinois Soybean Association Scholars

Crop science students are learning how they can change their world through research and education. The Illinois Soybean Association is helping them reach their goals by awarding students up to $50,000 in scholarships.

FEED
SUSTAIN
HELP
FUEL
EXPLORE
CHANGE
3
Months it takes after graduation for all graduate students to be placed in jobs
1948
The year that two USDA plant pathologists, WB Allington and DW Chamberalin, first described the fungus that causes brown stem rot of soybean.
$65,000 - $80,000
Starting salary range for graduates with a Master’s Degree from the Department of Crop Sciences
83%
Crop sciences undergraduate student job placement rate
74%
Undergraduate students in crop sciences who complete at least one summer internship.
86%
Horticulture undergraduate student job placement rate
2+
Job offers for each undergraduate and graduate student in crop sciences
104
Applicants to graduate program in the Department of Crop Sciences in 2010
1,430
New graduates needed by 2020 with a master's degree or Ph.D. in plant breeding
25+
The number of Rp genes conveying resistance to the corn rust pathogen, Puccinia sorghi, discovered by UI plant pathologist AL Hooker.