Plant Sciences Major
Join us!
With a degree in Plant Sciences, you can make the world a better place
Learn more about the Plant Sciences Major
Plant Science Major and recent alumni profiles
Hannah Fuller '19
Fuller’s love of plants blossomed into an engagement with sustainable food systems.
Plant Science Major and recent alumni profiles
Allison Coomber ‘18
Coomber found a pre-built, collaborative community of plant enthusiasts at Cornell.
Plant Science Major and recent alumni profiles
Emily Follett ’18
Follett gained competence and confidence in sustainable apple production.
Plant Science Major and recent alumni profiles
Jeffrey Yen ’18
Yen developed research skills to create new plants.
Karen Luong '19: Why I study plant sciences at Cornell University
Martha Williams '20: Why I study plant sciences at Cornell University
Meet more of our Plant Sciences Majors
Agricultural Sciences
Develop leadership skills and get practical, hands-on experience while exploring of agricultural systems and related environmental and socio-economic issues. Concentrations include: Animal Science, Business, Crop Production and Management, Education and Communication, and Sustainable Agriculture. Learn more about the Agricultural Sciences Major.
Viticulture and Enology
Learn to grow grapes and make wine in the heart of New York’s wine region. Majors don't just hear about science. They practice it every day. Graduates leave Cornell with the ability to enter the wine industry, apply their scientific knowledge to another industry or career path, or enter graduate school in a number of science fields. Learn more about the Viticulture and Enology Major
Biology with a Plant Biology Concentration
Majors gain a greater understanding of the structure, classification, ecology, function, development, and molecular biology of plants. Whether you're interested in plant diversity, medicinal plants or plant biotechnology, we have courses that address your interests and world-class labs for doing research. Learn more about the Biology with a Plant Biology Concentration major.
International Agriculture and Rural Development (IARD)
Designed for students interested in tackling the unique and interdisciplinary issues associated with food systems and rural development in emerging nations. IARD majors have the opportunity to gain meaningful, in-situ experience by participating in projects and research all over the world. They acquire valuable insight and skills while working within rural communities to: address poverty and hunger through innovations in agriculture, increase food security, advance science and policy related to sustainable development, and contribute to the economic development of emerging economies by strengthening private strategies and informing public policies. Learn more about the International Agriculture and Rural Development (IARD) Major.
Get off on the right foot
Peer mentoring
Plant Science Peer Mentors foster a sense of community and belonging and help incoming students get off on the right foot, especially during that critical first semester at Cornell. Our mentors are fellow Plant Sciences majors who are prepared to respond to academic questions and concerns, as well as to provide a shoulder to lean on with other issues that may arise.
Read how peer mentors helped first-year majors navigate the Fall 2020 semester: Students find silver linings to semester clouded by pandemic.
Questions about the program? Contact Lauren Boggs leb69 [at] cornell.edu (leb69[at]cornell[dot]edu)
Questions? Contact us
Lauren Boggs
Plant Sciences Major Coordinator
Phone: (607) 255-8826
Email: leb69 [at] cornell.edu
Marvin Pritts
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Phone: (607) 255-1778
Email: mpp3 [at] cornell.edu (mpp3[at]cornell[dot]edu)
Current majors:
Find more information on Canvas. (Cornell netid required.)