The University of Illinois has announced that it will offer new degrees in the future that combine computer science with crop sciences. It will be the first degree of its kind in the U.S., according to the university.
Experts from the school claim that the degree program will be a “natural fit” for the University of Illinois, as the state is home to industry leaders like Deere and Company. Illinois is also routinely one of the top producers of corn and soybeans in the country.
German Bollero, head of the Department of Crop Sciences at the school, says there is an “increasing need” in the agricultural industry for people with an expertise in data analytics. Graduates with a degree in this area may be able to cater to the demand.
The minimum hours required for a graduate of the Computer Science and Crop Sciences program is 126. There are several different agriculture-oriented courses that are a part of the degree program, such as the Farming Systems and Crop Growth and Management courses.
In the Farming Systems course, students learn about equipment and practices commonly used on Midwest farms. Students who enroll in the Crop Growth and Management courses will learn about crop physiology and management, as influenced by plant species, cropping system and the environment.
Other similar courses that are a part of the program include Native Plants and Agroecosystems, Midwest Agricultural Practices and Weed Management in Agronomic Crops. More information on the degree program and courses can be found by visiting the University of Illinois website.