Seed Physiology, Production and Technology

Division Activites

Advances in seed science and technology are occurring at a rapid rate. Keeping up with these changes requires continuing education programs for existing industry employees and up-to-date training programs for new employees. The training of seed industry professionals is challenging because of logistical as well as time and financial constraints. Seed courses offered by Land Grant universities are scattered around the country, further complicating the problem of employee training. To satisfy the growing demand for seed educational programs, both nationally and internationally, distance learning seed biology and technology courses, degree programs, and certificate programs are offered by several US universities. Many of these efforts have come from members of the C-4 Division of CSSA.

We summarize some of the innovative distance learning courses and programs that have been developed to satisfy the demand for seed industry training. Additional training programs are available from private groups but this summary focuses on programs offered by Land Grant Universities through distance education. Programs compiled by Gregory E. Welbaum.

Iowa State University

Iowa State University offers MS and certificate programs in Seed Business and Technology to uniquely prepare students for professional management positions in the seed industry and related industries and organizations. The curriculum satisfies the formal requirements for a Master of Science degree in Seed Business and Technology from Iowa State University, or students can choose to pursue one of two graduate certificates.  Seed technology in the program is used in a broad sense. It is science and technology that is applied in the seed industry and includes biotech, crop improvement, as well as courses in seed production and conditioning. The Seed Business Management Graduate Certificate program provides students with core graduate level management and leadership skills enabling them to better serve seed and agricultural biotechnology businesses and regulatory agencies, their customers and their stakeholders, in an increasingly complex industry. The Seed Science and Technology Graduate Certificate is oriented toward students who want to understand the technical side of this industry so that they can better apply their current knowledge, skills, and experience.  This program emphasizes seed production, handling, and use; seed physiology and technology; plant breeding, and plant biotechnology. The MS curriculum includes 15 courses, with material delivered through a combination of CDs and internet-based instruction. Students interact with instructors and each other in a variety of on-line formats. Instructors are highly qualified faculty and staff from Iowa State University and other institutions. The program is administered by the Iowa State University Seed Science Center, an internationally recognized leader in seed-related research, training, and outreach.

Colorado State University

The National Seed Science and Technology Distance Education Program (NSSTDEP) is lead by Colorado State University and was created to train certified seed technologists through distance learning courses taught jointly among the University of Kentucky (UK), Iowa State University (ISU), Colorado State University (CSU) and Virginia Tech (VT).

The NSSTDEP has been developed and supported by the four identified universities along with the Crop Science Society of America, Regional Research Project W-2168 and the USDA Educational Challenge Grant Program. Certified seed technologists work in private and government seed laboratories to test seeds to ensure compliance with federal- and state-laws and to ensure the quality of commercial seed used for crop propagation.

The courses are designed to be taught as modules and delivered by distance to meet both the needs of degree-seeking students for academic credit as well as industry related students for CEU (Continuing Education Unit) credits. Courses can also be taken individually independent of the NSSTDEP for students interested in course-specific training without certification. Students completing this national program are certified as seed analysts and qualified to work in state, federal, and private seed labs across the country.