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Plant Protection focuses on keeping plants healthy—from diagnosing diseases to implementing environmentally friendly pest-management practices. With an ever-expanding population and increasing pressure on food and fiber supplies, Plant Protection plays a vital role in improving our quality of life. AREA OF EMPHASIS AT DELAWARE Plant Protection studies both the basic and applied aspects of insect pests, plant diseases, and weeds. It includes courses emphasizing recognition of pests and strategies for pest management compatible with agriculture and the environment. The major builds from a foundation of basic laboratory and lecture courses, such as biology and chemistry. From there, students move into more specific courses in entomology and plant science, including plant pathology, genetics, botany, and soil science. To ensure breadth in the education, a variety of courses in mathematics, computers, English, social sciences, literature and the arts are included in the program. A degree in Plant Protection, combined with good experience and strong academics, can lead to a variety of careers—from the lab to the field to the office. Companies like DuPont, Monsanto, Syngenta and many more hire Plant Protection graduates for positions in pest management, field consulting, sales, and research.