AgBio faculty teaching students in the field

Agricultural Biology

Join our dedicated team of global innovators to build the critical knowledge and essential skills needed to expand the future of our global food supply. Whether your interests are in plants, insects or microbes, there is a place for you in agricultural biology.

No matter who you are, or where you come from, we invite you to take a seat at our table. Let’s grow a better future together.

Agricultural Biology Degrees and Programs

Undergraduate Degrees

Agricultural Biology Major

Learn how ecosystems function and how to protect them. The major includes three concentrations, encouraging you to specialize in a field of study that aligns with your interests and goals

Degree Details for Agricultural Biology Major

Minors

Entomology Minor

Explore the science of insects and other arthropods, such as ticks and mites. Learn about the many critical roles that arthropods play in ecosystems and how you can help maintain ecosystem health by helping arthropods.

Degree Details for Entomology Minor

Plant Health – Minor

Apply the knowledge gained in biology courses to real world problems. Learn how microbes, insects, and weeds impact food production, urban landscapes, forests, rangelands, and other ecosystems.

Degree Details for Plant Health – Minor

Graduate Degrees

Ph.D. in Bioagricultural Sciences – Entomology Specialization

Conduct research in the study of insects and other arthropods such as ticks and mites. Help build a healthier food system for a growing world while protecting the environment.

Degree Details for Ph.D. in Bioagricultural Sciences – Entomology Specialization

Ph.D. in Bioagricultural Sciences – Plant Pathology Specialization

Conduct research in the study of microbes that affect plant health, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Help build a healthier food system for a growing world while protecting the environment.

Degree Details for Ph.D. in Bioagricultural Sciences – Plant Pathology Specialization

Ph.D. in Bioagricultural Sciences – Weed Science Specialization

Conduct research in the study of weed management and pesticide function and resistance. Help build a healthier food system for a growing world while protecting the environment.

Degree Details for Ph.D. in Bioagricultural Sciences – Weed Science Specialization

M.S. in Bioagricultural Sciences

Conduct research focused on plant stresses, microbes, insects, and weeds that threaten the safety and sustainability of our food supply.

Degree Details for M.S. in Bioagricultural Sciences

M.S. in Bioagricultural Sciences – Plan A, Plant Pathology Specialization

Conduct research in the study of microbes that affect plant health, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Help build a healthier food system for a growing world while protecting the environment.

Degree Details for M.S. in Bioagricultural Sciences – Plan A, Plant Pathology Specialization

M.S. in Bioagricultural Sciences – Plan B, Pest Management Specialization

Gain hands-on experience in managing sustaining our food and fiber supply, providing bioagricultural security, and protecting our ecosystems from pests, plant diseases, and weeds.

Degree Details for M.S. in Bioagricultural Sciences – Plan B, Pest Management Specialization

Ph.D. in Bioagricultural Sciences

Conduct research in plant abiotic stress or the microbes, insects, and weeds that threaten the safety and sustainability of our food supply. Learn how ecosystems function and how to protect them.

Degree Details for Ph.D. in Bioagricultural Sciences

Agricultural Biology Sequential M.S. Degree Program

Gain hands-on experience in protecting natural and agricultural ecosystems from arthropod pests, plant diseases, and weeds. This M.S. degree is also available online. This M.S. degree is also available online.

Degree Details for Agricultural Biology Sequential M.S. Degree Program

M.S. in Bioagricultural Sciences – Plan A, Entomology Specialization

Conduct research in the study of insects and other arthropods such as ticks and mites. Help build a healthier food system for a growing world while protecting the environment.

Degree Details for M.S. in Bioagricultural Sciences – Plan A, Entomology Specialization

M.S. in Bioagricultural Sciences – Plan A, Weed Science Specialization

Conduct research in the study of weed management and pesticide function and resistance. Help build a healthier food system for a growing world while protecting the environment.

Degree Details for M.S. in Bioagricultural Sciences – Plan A, Weed Science Specialization

Certificate

Food Manufacturing Safety and Sanitation – Online

This course trains individuals in the food manufacturing industry to follow sound food safety practices and sanitation methods. Certify your organization and employees are up to date with Current Good Manufacturing Practices.

Degree Details for Food Manufacturing Safety and Sanitation – Online

What is Agricultural Biology?

Research and Engagement

Our research covers many aspects of plant and ecosystem health, including entomology, plant pathology, and weed science. We solve biological problems in natural and managed agricultural systems through our collaborative engaged research partnerships, our student research experiences and our K-12 education programs. Our aim is to continue strengthening food security and safety while keeping plants and ecosystems healthy.

Todd Gaines

Story of Impact

Todd Gaines

Growing up on his family’s dryland wheat farm near Flagler, Todd Gaines was made aware at a very young age of the challenges weeds present to modern farmers. 

“We had puncturevine, or goat heads as they’re sometimes known, around our farm,” he said. “Whenever my siblings and I would get into arguments we had to chop a bucket full of them. It proved the value of a long-term weed management plan – after about 20 years of arguments, the farm was mostly rid of puncturevine!”  

Department News and Upcoming Events

Researchers to study how plants recruit disease-fighting microbes

The USDA has awarded Colorado State University researchers $850,000 to study how plants control their microbiome while fighting disease The post Researchers to study how plants recruit disease-fighting microbes appeared first on College of Agricultural Sciences.

CAS/AES annual awards ceremony honors employee, student excellence

On Thursday, May 2, the College of Agricultural Sciences and Agricultural Experiment Station celebrated the annual CAS/AES Awards to celebrate employees and students for their outstanding accomplishments over the last year. The post CAS/AES annual awards ceremony honors employee, student excellence appeared first on College of Agricultural Sciences.

Contact the Department of Agricultural Biology

Plant Sciences C 129
Campus Delivery 1177
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1177
(970) 491-5261
cas_agbiomain@mail.colostate.edu