Plant Biotechnology

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

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What is Plant Biotechnology?

Biotechnology is part of our daily lives. It's used to develop nutritionally enhanced foods, enable sustainable agricultural production, and engineer plants for industrial and medical purposes.

The Plant Biotechnology major provides an interdisciplinary curriculum. It integrates the science and practice of crop production through courses in

molecular biology,
genetics and genomics,
biochemistry,
plant protection,
and data analysis.

The program also offers many opportunities to take part in research and internships.

This curriculum prepares students for careers in biotechnology or graduate and professional schools. Our students pursue employment in scientific research or biotechnology enterprise fields. These include science policy, patent law, and business development.

Career Options

Biotechnology
Consulting
Crop & food production
Medicine
Plant breeding & genetics
Urban agriculture & horticulture
Research
Weed sciences

Post-Graduation Success¹

90% employed or continuing education

57% employed after graduation

33% attending graduate school

$58,582 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Corteva Agriscience (4), Advanced Agrilytics (2), Bayer Crop Science (2) View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Tokyo View All

Program Resources

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Program Webpage Degree Requirements

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

Strong science and math coursework and performance
Calculus and Chemistry preferred (if available at high school)
Experiences related to the major

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Handbook

Graduation & Retention²

3.9 years to degree

100% first-year retention rate

65% four-year graduation rate

75% six-year graduation rate

Annual Program Costs³

Illinois Resident

Tuition: $14,548
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,558
Total: $39,288

Non-Resident

Tuition: $37,224
Fees: $5,182
Expenses:$19,898
Total: $62,304

International

Tuition: $38,266
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,898
Total: $63,346

Computer Science and Crop Sciences - ACES

Crop Sciences - ACES

Integrative Biology - LAS

Molecular and Cellular Biology - LAS

¹ Post-graduate data was collected through the Illini Success initiative, which primarily relies on self-reported survey data sources. Statistics are aggregated from the past three years. Please note that total compensation may be greater than annual salary as other forms of compensation (e.g., signing bonus, commission, benefits) are not included. For more information on Illini Success data and methods, please visit the Illini Success website. For average wage or salary information five years after entry into an occupation, visit the Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.

² Graduation and retention data comes from several majors within a similar interest area. Data may not yet be available for newly created programs. Years-to-degree data is only available for programs from which you can earn a degree. Retention and graduation rates are only available for programs that you can apply directly into. Retention rates reflect retention to the university, not necessarily retention within the major.

³ "Expenses" are estimated and include books, supplies, housing, and other living expenses. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on where you decide to live, the meal plan you choose, and your overall lifestyle. To learn more about costs, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website. To learn the average monthly student loan payment over a period of 20 years based on estimated cost, visit the Illinois College2Career website.