Department of Plant Sciences

Professors:
ROLLIN H. ABERNETHY, B.S. Kansas State University 1970; M.S. 1970; Ph.D. University of Arizona 1974; Professor of Plant Science 1989, 1978; Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs 1999.
GARY D. FRANC, B.S. University of Wisconsin 1978; M.S. University of Minnesota 1982; Ph.D. Colorado State University 1988; Professor of Plant Pathology 2002, 1991.
JAMES M. KRALL, B.S. Montana State University 1973; M.S. Kansas State University 1975; Ph.D. University of Wyoming 1979; Extension Agronomist and Professor of Agronomy 1997, 1984.
STEPHEN D. MILLER, B.S. Colorado State University 1968; M.S. North Dakota State University 1970; Ph.D. 1973; Professor of Weed Science 1984; Assoc. Dean of Research and Director of Agricultural Experiment Station 2005.

Associate Professors:
ROBIN W. GROOSE, B.S. University of Wisconsin 1978; M.S. 1983; Ph.D. 1985; Associate Professor of Plant Genetics 1993, 1987.
STEPHEN K. HERBERT, B.S. Seattle Pacific University 1980; Ph.D. University of Washington 1988; Associate Professor of Botany 1999.

Assistant Professors:
ANDREW R. KNISS, B.S. University of Wyoming 2001; M.S. University of Nebraska-Lincoln 2003; Ph.D. University of Wyoming 2006; Assistant Professor of Weed Ecology 2007.
RICHARD (RIK) D. SMITH, B.S. Western Washington University 1990; Ph.D. University of California-Davis 2003; Assistant Professor of Agroecology 2004.

Academic Professionals:
JACK CECIL, B.S. University of Wyoming 1974; M.S. 1978; Assistant Research Scientist 1993.
MARK FERRELL, B.S. University of Wyoming 1976; M.S. 1980; Ph.D. 1984; Extension Pesticide Coordinator 1983.
ABDEL MESBAH, B.S. National Institute of Agriculture, Morocco 1982; M.S. University of Wyoming 1990; Ph.D. 1993; Research Scientist 1997.

JUSTIN MOSS, B.S. Oklahoma State University 2000; M.S. 2002; Ph.D. 2005; Turfgrass Specialist and Director of Sheridan Research and Extension Center 2005.
KAREN PANTER, B.S. Colorado State University 1979; M.S. University of Nebraska 1981; Ph.D. Colorado State University 1985; Extension Horticulture Specialist 1998.

RAINE SPENCE, B.A. Central Washington University 1999; M.S. Washington State University 2002; University Extension Educator, Assistant 2007.
DAVID WILSON, B.S. Montana State University 1978; M.S. University of Wyoming 1993; Ph.D. 2000; Senior Lecturer 2007, 1993.

Academic Professionals

JACK CECIL, B.S. University of Wyoming 1974; M.S. 1978; Assistant Research Scientist 1993.

MARK FERRELL, B.S. University of Wyoming 1976; M.S. 1980; Ph.D. 1984; Extension Pesticide Coordinator 1983.

ABDEL MESBAH, B.S. National Institute of Agriculture, Morocco 1982; M.S. University of Wyoming 1990; Ph.D. 1993; Research Scientist 1997.

KAREN PANTER, B.S. Colorado State University 1979; M.S. University of Nebraska 1981; Ph.D. Colorado State University 1985; Extension Horticulture Specialist 1998.

RAINA SPENCE, B.A. Central Washington University 1999; M.S. Washington State University 2002; University Extension Educator, Assistant 2007.

DAVID WILSON, B.S. Montana State University 1978; M.S. University of Wyoming 1993; Ph.D. 2000; Senior Lecturer 2007, 1993.
 

Adjunct Professors:
Terry Booth, Stephen Enloe, Linda Hanson, Drew Lyon, Lee Panella, Dale Shaner, Robert Wilson, Dale Woods

Professors Emeriti:
Ron Delaney, David W. Koch, Thomas D. Whitson, Alan Gray, Fred Gray

The Department of Plant Sciences offers two programs leading to a Bachelor of Science degree and three minors programs. The Bachelor of Science programs include agroecology (an interdepartmental program offered through the Department of Plant Sciences and the Department of Renewable Resources) and agroecology/environment and natural resources (an interdisciplinary program offered through the Departments of Plant Sciences, Renewable Resources, and the School of Environment and Natural Resources). The minors program in plant protection includes the disciplines of agronomy, plant genetics, plant pathology and weed science. The minors program in horticulture encompasses landscape design, plant materials and their propagation, organic food production, turfgrass science, and greenhouse design and management. These minors allow students within many bachelors programs to obtain an added emphasis in an area(s) which enjoys strong employment opportunities.

Agroecology Program
Rooms 50/2013 Agriculture Building
Phone: (307) 766-3103/766-2263
Departments of Plant Sciences and Renewable Resources
The Bachelor of Science degree program in agroecology is an interdepartmental major involving the collaborative teaching, advising and research expertise in the Departments of Plant Sciences and Renewable Resources. An agroecology minor is also available.

Professors:
Rollin H. Abernethy, plant sciences
Gary D. Franc, plant sciences
Angela L. Hild, renewable resources

James M. Krall, plant sciences

David E. Legg, renewable resources
Stephen D. Miller, plant sciences
Larry C. Munn, renewable resources

K.J. Reddy, renewable resources

Scott R. Shaw, renewable resources
Michael A. Smith, renewable resources
Thomas L. Thurow, renewable resources
George F. Vance, renewable resources
James K. Wangberg, renewable resources
Stephen E. Williams, renewable resources
 

Associate Professors:
Timothy Collier, renewable resources

Robin W. Groose, plant sciences

Stephen K. Herbert, plant sciences
Scott Miller, renewable resources

Daniel J. Rodgers, renewable resources

Peter D. Stahl, renewable resources
James W. Waggoner, renewable resources
Dave Williams, renewable resources

Assistant Professors:
Anowarul Islam, plant sciences

Andrew R. Kniss, plant sciences
Richard D. Smith, plant sciences

Academic Professionals:
Jack Cecil, plant sciences

Mark Ferrell, plant sciences
Abdel Mesbah, plant sciences

Karen Panter, plant sciences

Raina Spence, plant sciences
David Wilson, plant sciences
 

Agroecology Major
A B.S. degree in agroecology, the study of sustainable agricultural ecosystems, prepares students for various careers in agriculture, natural resources, environmental and life sciences and for advanced graduate studies in specific subdisciplines within these areas. It is a broad, interdisciplinary, undergraduate curriculum that combines and integrates courses in the crop, horticulture, disease, soil and insect sciences and is supported by a sound science based curriculum and general education. Flexibility is built into the agroecology curriculum to readily accommodate students seeking to pursue an emphasis or obtain a minor in a specific discipline and thereby balance the breadth of the curriculum with greater depth in such areas as biology, chemistry, crop science, entomology, environmental studies, natural resource management, soil science, plant pathology, weed science, horticulture, turf management, preveterinary medicine, rangeland ecology and watershed management, animal science, microbiology and molecular biology. A liberal number of electives permits design of a program that best meets individual career and educational objectives. The agroecology program is well suited for students of urban or rural backgrounds who possess an aptitude for science and interest in agriculture, the environment, life sciences or natural resources.

The agroecology core curriculum is comprised of freshman through senior level courses which, like an ecological web, illustrate dynamic and complex interactions of plants, soils, and plant pests (diseases, insects, weeds) with the environment. Academic training is enhanced with experiential learning through research apprenticeships, internships, field studies, and special agroecology capstone courses. Special emphasis is given to development of critical thinking and communication skills, problem solving and application of science. It is a richly interdisciplinary program to prepare productive citizens for “real world” situations and life-long learning.

Agroecology B.S. degree recipients are prepared for careers with private and public institutions and agencies in such areas as: agricultural consulting, production or sales, research, product development, education, extension education, international programs, and scientific and technological support; and with professional titles such as: soil scientist, conservationist, entomologist, consultant, plant scientist, integrated pest management specialist, ecologist, research associate or technician, agronomist, biotechnician, and agroecologist. Degree recipients are also prepared for graduate education in biological and environmental sciences.

Agroecology/Environment and Natural Resources Program (ENR, Plant Sciences, and Renewable Resources)

Students with an especially strong interest in the environment and natural resources may choose to pursue the B.S. in agroecology/ENR. This degree is offered in conjunction with the School of Environment and Natural Resources. See the ENR Information and Advising Guide for details.

Agroecology Minor

Minimum Requirements (20-21 hours)
AECL 1000; Two of the following: AECL 2010, 2020, 3030, and 9 additional upper division hours from the following: ENTO, PLNT, and/or SOIL

Agricultural Entomology Minor (Renewable Resources)

Minimum requirements (11 hours)

From the following: ENTO 1000 or 1001; 4682, 4685, or AECL 3030; ENTO 4360 or 4500 or 4665.

Plant Protection Minor (Plant Sciences)

Minimum requirements (17 hours)
AECL 1000, LIFE 2022 and 10 additional hours from the following: AECL 3030, PLNT 3220, 4000, 4070, and 4120.

Horticulture Minor

Minimum requirements (16 hours)
PLNT 2025 and 2026, and 12 additional hours from the following: PLNT 3300, 3400, 4120, 4140, 4150, 4160, 4180, 4200, 4975.

Insect Biology Minor (Renewable Resources)

Minimum requirements (13 hours)

From the following: ENTO 1000 or 1001; ENTO 4360, 4500, 4665, 4678, 4682, 4684, 4685, 4686, 4687, 4360, 4884, 5601, or 5602 and RNEW 3000.

Soil Science Minor (Renewable Resources)

Minimum requirements (18 hours)

From the following: SOIL/AECL 2010; plus 11 credits of upper-division soil sciences courses.

Agroecology (AECL) Courses

Plant Sciences (PLNT) Courses

top of page

Please send comments or questions to registrar@uwyo.edu

Last Change: 02/26/09