Strand Description

Do you like food? Would you like to play a part in securing the world’s food supply for generations to come? Then the Plant Biotechnology is the major for you! The world population continues to grow, and as it does, the amount of land and other resources available to produce the plants and animals used for our food, clothing, and shelter – the basic needs of humans – is reduced. If we are going to keep meeting our needs, we have to continue exploring new ways of improving and enhancing the agricultural products we use everyday. In Agriscience Foundations, students learn about how the agriculture industry works, and how it affects all of us everyday. Students plant gardens, conduct research experiments, handle animals, extract DNA, and explore how agriculture interacts with the environment. Next, in Agricultural Biotechnology, students learn some of the important skills in the biotechnology laboratory. They genetically enhance bacteria to glow in the dark. They use some of the same specialized equipment found in real labs. They learn how to purify proteins, and how to make DNA fingerprints. In Plant Biotechnology, student focus in on techniques and practices important to the plant industry. They practice tissue culture, set up hydroponic systems, test real food to see if it has been genetically enhanced, and make biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel. In their capstone course, Advanced Concepts of Agriscience, students follow a series of individual projects they create using the skills they learned throughout the program. In every course, students spend time practicing key leadership skills such public speaking, parliamentary procedure, and objective, critical thinking. If you want to be a leader in the future, and you enjoy doing scientific activities, you need to be in the Plant Biotechnology Program!