New Major is the Future of Agriculture

NEW Major is the Future of Agriculture

By Amber Ruedi

Choosing to pursue an untested, first-of-its-kind major has its risks. So what made the incoming class of Computer Science + Crop Sciences students decide to take the chance? They want to make a difference in the world by advancing agriculture.

CS+CPSC, a new major housed in the Department of Crop Sciences, will combine coursework from both the computer science and crop sciences departments, encompassing bioinformatics, quantitative genetics, data science, precision agriculture, and computer science. In the works for nearly two years, the major has generated anticipation from students, faculty, the university, and the agriculture industry. (Being the only major of its kind in the United States will do that.)

“This major addresses a unique need that has arisen in three key areas: agriculture, computer science, and statistical programming,” says Carrie Butts-Wilmsmeyer, research assistant professor in the Department of Crop Sciences. “Historically, it’s been difficult for employers to find graduates with knowledge in all three areas. We have a lot of data coming at us very quickly, and these graduates will allow us to make informed decisions more efficiently than researchers may have been able to do on their own.”

But students won’t simply walk away with better job opportunities. They’ll change the course of agriculture at a critical moment.

Lindsay Clark, crop sciences research specialist, points out that “CS+CPSC graduates will help secure the world’s food supply at a time when it’s insecure due to rising population and climate change. They’ll have a direct impact helping prevent worldwide food shortages and making agriculture more sustainable.”

Incoming freshman Omkar Haridas of Bengaluru, Karnataka, in India chose the CS+CPSC degree because he wants to make a global impact. “I was excited about the innovative applications these subjects could have in tandem through this newly introduced program. Across the world, there are numerous opportunities to make an impact by inventing new tools and technologies, developing better-performing seed varieties, and utilizing natural resources to enhance productivity and to feed billions sustainably.”

Upon graduation, Haridas and his classmates will be sought by seed, machinery, and technology companies in addition to large farming organizations, startups, and academia.

Matt Hudson, associate chief scientist at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications and crop sciences professor, knows the program will be tough but very rewarding. “Students in CS+CPSC will have a tremendous advantage in the marketplace with such a unique degree. It joins together computer science and crop sciences programs that are ranked among the best in the world. Graduates from this program are going to get a lot of interest from a lot of big employers,” he says.

Ample job opportunities, flexible lifestyles, friendly work environments, and high starting salaries are just a few of the perks CS+CPSC students can expect after graduation. But the greatest perk? The direct impact on agriculture and the world. These graduates will do more than advance agriculture; they’ll revolutionize it.