Crop Science
The Department of Crop and Soil Science has a dynamic research community, bolstered by our graduate students, dedicated to using innovative methods to expand our basic and applied knowledge of field crops, cropping systems, soils, agricultural watersheds, and crop-related entomology. Many academic disciplines are represented; crop physiology and metabolism, crop production and management, agro ecology & sustainability, ecophysiology, plant breeding and genetics, small farms, weed science, seed science & technology, soil science, water science, entomology, integrated pest management, biological control, plant nutrition, organic agriculture, and waste management.
1. Agronomy, M.A., M.S., PhD
This major focuses on the principles and practices of crop physiology, production and field management. It includes many disciplines, sustainable cropping systems, seed science, weed science, pest management, nutrient management and water management. It prepares students to be future agronomist leaders.
2. Entomology, M.A., M.S., PhD
This interdisciplinary major involves many faculty from across campus, comprising areas relating to: Aquatic & Riparian Ecology, Pollinator Conservation, Integrated Pest Management & Applied Entomology, Temporal and Spatial Patterns In Large Species Assemblages, Ecology and Evolution of Plant-insect Interactions.
3. Plant Breeding and Genetics, M.A., M.S., PhD
This major embodies the Land Grant mission of integrated research, teaching and extension in the context of cultivar development and fundamental genetics. It spans a wide range of sciences from classical plant breeding approaches to gene manipulation at the molecular level. Breeders regularly cooperate with pathologists, entomologists, soil scientists, physiologists, food scientists, genomicists and molecular biologists.
Graduate Student Support
- Assistantships to support new students are typically associated with external grants or contracts to individual faculty.
- Tuition is provided by the department for certain grants from Oregon commodity groups. Tuition is waived for graduate students employed as teaching assistants.
- The department and University also award several graduate fellowships and scholarships to outstanding students. For more information see the Graduate School’s Financing Your Education website at gradschool.oregonstate.edu/finance
- Graduate students in Crop and Soil Science regularly organize social activities and community interactions. The Crop and Soil Science Graduate Student Committee provides support and information to students as needed.
How to Apply
The online application, a downloadable application form, and contact information are available from the Graduate School. You may also write to the Graduate School, Oregon State University, 2900 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, Oregon 97331; telephone them at 541-737-4881, or email at [email protected].
A student wishing to be admitted to any graduate program at Oregon State University must complete an application form, pay the application fee, and submit photocopies of all official transcripts. International students must also submit recent TOEFL scores and certify sufficient funding to complete the required degree. The Office of Admissions provides a more complete listing of required documents and application steps. Detailed information for both domestic applicants and international applicants is also available.
Program Requirements
- You can find requirements for the Crop Science MS & PhD programs in the CSS Graduate Handbook: https://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/cropandsoil/graduate/ graduate-student-handbook
Alumni Spotlight

Dr. Marco Keiluweit, Associate Professor at the Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. His research tries to understand how climate change impacts soils and what we do to manage soils sustainability.