The Climate Science Degree (CSD) program integrates basic and applied principles of meteorology, climatology with environmental physics, which are concerned with how natural laws determine the climate. Physical oceanography and land surface physics are al...
Gain a solid understanding of biological sciences while you learn to leverage ecological principles to maintain healthy ecosystems and restore forests, rangelands, wildlands, and grasslands that have been damaged over time.
The Environmental Science and Sustainability major integrates coursework in biological, chemical, and physical principles with environmental social science and management.
This degree lets you gain the knowledge and skills needed to manage public or private forests — including a broad understanding of biology, economies, and policies — in the only nationally accredited forestry program in the state.
The Horticulture major is designed for students in USU’s regional campus system along the Wasatch Front. It is targeted to the field of ornamental horticulture and will prepare students for careers in arboriculture, nursery production, landscape manageme...
USU is home to the only agriculturally focused plant science degree in the state. In this program, students focus on the research, production, and management of economically important plants. Students have access to faculty mentors and the opportunity to ...
Learn how to manage public lands for recreational use while preserving the land's natural resources and restoring previously misused areas at the first university to offer expansive academic classes in outdoor recreation.
The Soils and Sustainable Land Systems major provides students with an understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in the soil-water-atmosphere zone at the earth’s surface.
Study with nationally renowned faculty and gain hands-on experience in fieldwork and research of the ecology, behavior, conservation, and management of wildlife populations as you focus on current issues and concerns in natural resources.
The program at USU focuses on climate variability, prediction/attribution, land surface processes, paleoclimate, and exchanges between land ecosystems and the atmosphere. These subjects impact agricultural crops, rangelands in the area, and mountain ecosy...
The Ecology Center at USU has had a string of directors known nationally and worldwide as premier scientists in the field of ecology, and students graduating with a degree in ecology are able to make contacts with influential faculty that can help them as...
Learn how human activities affect the natural environment and help make changes in policy, land management, and human behavior to reduce society's impact on the natural world.
Study the management of forest ecosystems and a variety of related issues in a customized plan of study as you earn a graduate degree.
The plant science graduate degrees are centered on the biology, genetics, and management of plants and other issues related to agricultural and horticultural production. In particular, USU’s plant science programs focus on regional issues pertaining to th...
Get a unique advanced degree in range science as you study the science and application of ecology principles in rangeland environments.
The graduate programs in soil science are concerned with the chemical, physical, and biological aspects of the soil. This program is particularly strong in water-related issues, especially regional issues involving water and irrigation in the West.
Integrate physics, chemistry, and biology to understand watershed systems with hands-on field work and a plan of study based on your individual research interests
Students investigate evolution, utilization, environmental adaptation, principles of agroecology, world production, and economic and social issues arising from crop production and management.
Students gain understanding of the scientific process and practice critical thinking about science’s role in societal issues. Students integrate socio-economic and sustainability concepts in the analysis of current climate and energy problem(s).
Crop Biotechnology minor catalog page in the Plants, Soils & Climate department as part of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Utah State University.
When you're interested in learning about natural resources and the environment but you're not majoring in those topics, this is the minor for you. Learn the basic ecological principles, plus best practices for tourism and sustainability.
Horticulture minor catalog page in the Plants, Soils & Climate department as part of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Utah State University.
Ornamental Horticulture minor and associates degree catalog page in the Plants, Soils & Climate department as part of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Utah State University.
Soil Science minor catalog page in the Plants, Soils & Climate department as part of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Utah State University.
Learn about the ecology, behavior, conservation, and management of wildlife populations as you focus on current issues and concerns in natural resources, specifically those adjacent to fisheries and aquatic sciences.
Study the solutions to climate change, learning about climate change communication, policy, mitigation, and adaptation.
Ornamental Horticulture Certificate of Completion catalog page in the Plants, Soils & Climate department as part of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Utah State University.
Do you love nature? If you love nature, then why not take your college education and future career to the outdoors. You could study how to create beautiful and functional landscapes, evaluate soils, or how to grow better crops from plant and animal genetics. Working with nature can also mean running a greenhouse, discovering ways to treat diseases, or managing land for plants, animals, and people.
There are countless possibilities in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. At Utah State we’ve been teaching and exploring this field since the university began in 1888. You will have valuable hands-on experiences in the field, on the farm, and in the laboratory. Pursue what you love, and we can help make it your profession.
Welcome to the Aggie family. We’re happy to have you!
Land, Plant, and Climate Systems
“I want to teach people how to farm. I would like to teach people how to do exactly what we're doing, basically take any crop and grow it better, in whatever way that they need.”Our faculty pride themselves on understanding your personal and scholarly ambitions and then helping you reach those goals. From research opportunities to one-on-one mentorship, your professors work to help you succeed.
View Faculty and Staff
Research is an essential part of most Plants, Soils & Climate programs. There are a lot of research opportunities regarding plants and climate, ranging from the control of weeds in crops to adaptations in our changing climate.
View More Research Opportunities
Students in Utah State University’s Residential Landscape Design and Construction program are preparing to represent their university at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC), a multi-day event that draws top landscaping students and indust...
As Utah faces continued drought conditions, how can residents reduce the water needs of their green spaces while preserving the benefits those landscapes provide?
