The Department of Soil and Crop Sciences (SCSC) Honors Program is designed for highly motivated students majoring in either of our two undergraduate programs, Plant and Environmental Soil Science (PSSC), or Turfgrass Science (TGSC), to enhance learning through challenging classroom, laboratory, and field experiences. Honors students will participate in a curriculum that provides a deeper understanding of the concepts and practices in their chosen program and are expected to develop higher order critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Admission to the Honors Program
To enroll in the Soil and Crop Sciences Honors Program, students must meet Texas A&M University Honors eligibility requirements. Incoming freshmen who are not in an Honors program will be considered Honors-eligible if they graduated in the top 10% of their high school class; OR have been identified as National Merit Semifinalists, National Merit Scholars, or National Recognition Scholars; OR have a minimum SAT composite score of 1300 (minimum score of 620 for Math and 660 for Reading/Writing) or a minimum composite 28 on the ACT (minimum score of 27 each on verbal and math, see Student Rule 16). Current and potential majors with an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible for admission. Students may apply by contacting the SCSC department’s Academic Advising Honors Advisor. Students are encouraged to consult with Academic Advising as early as possible in their academic career to plan their course of study.
Departmental Requirements
Students must complete 18 hours or more of Honors coursework, of which 3-6 hours must come from any combination of SCSC 491 (Undergraduate Research), SCSC 485 (Directed Studies), or SCSC 484 (Internship). At least 9 hours of Honors coursework must come from SCSC courses at the 300 level or above. To graduate with Honors a student must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher in Honors courses, and no grade lower than a “C” in any Honors course.
Each SCSC Honors student is required to have a designated SCSC faculty mentor and meet at least once per semester with their mentor.
Honors Recognition and Graduation with Honors
All completed Honors coursework taken at Texas A&M University is designated as such on a student’s official transcript, showing that the student has taken part in this enhanced curriculum. After graduation, the transcript will designate that the student has achieved the distinction of “Honors in Soil and Crop Sciences”, as well as any other University academic distinctions. Honors Candidates must file for departmental Honors distinction through the SCSC Undergraduate Advising Office during the semester they will complete their undergraduate degree.
Honors Courses
Available courses include regular classroom/lab instruction based courses with Honors sections (most courses have Honors sections- see current course catalog), Directed Studies, Undergraduate Research and Internships.
Additional Honors Requirements
The Honors distinction additionally requires membership and activity (attend meetings, officer position, involvement in judging teams) in one of our teams/ clubs to improve peer and professional networking and enhance professional development skills. The teams/ clubs include:
- Texas A&M Agronomy Society
- Soil Judging Team
- Turf Judging Team
- Crops Judging Team
- Weed Science Team
- Aggie Turf Club
- Cannabis Hemp Innovation League (CHIL)
Honors Options (recommended but not required)
- Thesis Option: This is highly recommended if expectations are to complete graduate studies such as a MS or PhD degree. Although extra work, it will position the honors student as highly competitive when applying for graduate programs and will prepare the student for graduate school.
- Non-Thesis options: While no thesis is expected, production and presentation of your undergraduate research at a national professional meeting such as ASA, CSA, SSSA or AGU on research conducted in SCSC 491 or 485 courses.
- Internship: Presentation of internship experience.
To apply for the Department’s Honors program, please submit your application to Scott Finlayson and Jenny Folsom.