Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in crop science will allow you to join one of the most important sectors of our national economy. Currently, a skilled-labor shortage in the crop science industry is leading larger agricultural companies to aggressively recruit students for internships and full-time jobs.


A Delaware Valley University, we offer a crop science program that will prepare you with the knowledge and experience you will need for career success in crop science and agronomy. You will learn how to manage soils, crops and resources. You will also take courses in management and science. You will gain real-world experience by: 

  • Working on our three farms with more than 500 acres of field crops;
  • Doing research and hands-on classroom activities in our 12,000 feet of modern greenhouse space;
  • Completing our award-winning Experience360 Program in crop science. This nationally-recognized experiential learning program was designed based on employer feedback.

Our graduates pursue careers as crop consultants, researchers, growers, extension agents, farm managers and even as sales representatives for fertilizer, equipment, pesticide and seed companies.

100%
real-world experience
A female rider and horse in silhouette walking in a barn.
Four college-aged students walking together under some trees.
$28,000
average scholarship and grant amount awarded to freshmen in 2023-24
14:1
student to faculty ratio
College-aged students in a classroom.

DelVal Influencers: Our Faculty

Not all influencers have thousands of media followers. But, some influencers work diligently every day to help young people pursue their passions and find their career path. At DelVal, they're our faculty!

Here are a few of our DelVal influencers who teach in the crop science program:

Dr. Jaclyn Fiola, Assistant Professor, Soil and Environmental Science

Dr. Melissa Langston, Professor of Chemistry

Crop Science At-A-Glance

Our crop science major prepares students for careers in crop science and agronomy. Our program offers a combination of basic and applied science courses along with courses in management.

Sample Courses

  • Sustainability: Saving the Earth and Feeding the People
  • Seminar (Agronomy)
  • Soils
  • Field Crops I
  • Soil Fertility and Fertilizers
  • Genetics
  • Botany of Vascular Plants
  • Plant Breeding
  • Plant Physiology
  • Food and Agricultural Policy
  • Irrigation Technology
  • Climatology

 

Recommended Minors

Brian Lutz with students
NEW! One Health Communication Minor

The One Health Communication minor provides students with the opportunity to bridge the study of writing and rhetoric with the sciences. Students who complete this minor will enhance their analytical and communication skills related to sciences including the University’s pre-veterinary, pre-health, STEM and science programs. They will gain skills for effectively communicating science topics to non-scientists and the general public.

Learn about Wyatt’s college journey as a passionate crop science major.

Wyatt Hoffman key frame

Tour Our Crop Science and Horticulture Facilities

hort tour
A student does a close up examination of a flowering plant.
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The Experience360 Program gives you the opportunity to apply classroom lessons to real-world activities like internships, career exploration experiences, student research, study abroad, leadership development and more.

Career Paths

  • Crop consultants
  • Researchers
  • Growers
  • Extension agents
  • Farm managers
  • Sales representatives for fertilizer, equipment, pesticide and seed companies
Collegiate Farm Bureau
Get Involved
Student Clubs & Organizations
  • Augering Aggies - Participate in our competitive soil judging team!
  • Collegiate Farm Bureau - Dive into the issues that are most important to you in agriculture while learning from industry professionals!
  • Future Farmers of America (FFA) - Explore the wide variety of career options within agriculture in this student organization!
  • Sigma Alpha - Connect with new friends who are interested in agriculture through Greek life!
  • Alpha Gamma Rho - Connect with new friends who are interested in agriculture through Greek life!
Contact
Dr. Jacqueline A. Ricotta, Chair, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, Professor

Office: Feldman 115

Students learning in the field.
A close-up photos of notepaper with notes, a pen and some grains of dirt
A female student standing in front of her presentation board.
Students learning in the materials shed.
Students learning in the field standing at silos.