Department

The Department of Crop Science and Biotechnology cultivates the next-generation leaders who can drive sustainable agriculture in response to rapid climate change and the global food crisis. The program emphasizes education and technological innovation across a wide range of plant resources, from food crops to ornamental, medicinal, and forage crops, focusing on genetic diversity, breeding, cultivation techniques, and bioactive properties. Aligning with Jeonbuk National University’s vision of becoming a flagship university that leads Jeonbuk-do and regional universities to the world, the department aims to equip students with practical problem-solving skills in local agricultural industries and a global perspective on food security, fostering creative and innovative glocal agricultural professionals.
Curriculum Overview
Genetic Diversity and Breeding: Plant Molecular Biology and Laboratory, Plant Genetics and Laboratory, Crop Breeding and Laboratory, Plant Tissue Culture and Laboratory, Plant Genetic Engineering and Laboratory, Plant Genetic Resource Conservation, Ethnobotany, Plant Genomics. Physiology, Ecology, and Cultivation Innovation: Principles of Cultivation, Fieldwork and Practice, Crop Rotation and Practice, Crop Physiology and Laboratory, Crop Ecology, Biostatistics, Plant Nutrition, Environmentally Friendly Agriculture.
Quality Improvement and Bioactive Enhancement: Special Crop Science and Laboratory, Medicinal Crop Science, Agricultural Product Quality Science, Natural Product Chemistry, Future Agriculture Studies.
Career Paths After Graduation
Agricultural research or extension positions at Rural Development Administration (RDA) and affiliated institutes (e.g., National Institute of Crop Science, National Institute of Agricultural Science), provincial agricultural research centers, or municipal agricultural technology centers.
Governmental positions in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and affiliated agencies (e.g., Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, National Seed Management Office), or local governments.
Research roles in public enterprises or government-funded institutes in agriculture, such as Korea Agricultural Technology Promotion Agency, Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, Rural Development Administration, Food Research Institute, Korean Medicine Research Institute, or Atomic Energy Research Institute.
Private sector opportunities in seed companies, fertilizer companies, agrochemical companies, or agricultural product distribution companies.

Department of Agricultural Science (Graduate Program)
Overall Educational Goals
The Graduate Program in Agricultural Science fosters master’s and doctoral students capable of leading the future of sustainable agriculture. It provides advanced education and research opportunities covering food, ornamental, medicinal, and forage crops, focusing on genetic resources, breeding, cultivation, and bioactive traits. The program combines in-depth theoretical education with field-oriented research, preparing students to offer innovative solutions within their specialties. Leveraging Jeonbuk-do’s agricultural R&D hubs, including RDA Innovation City, the Gimje Seed Industry Cluster, and Smart Farm Innovation Valley, the program aims to develop high-level researchers with global perspectives to address worldwide food security challenges.
Curriculum Overview
Advanced Breeding and Genetic Resources: Principles of Plant Genetic Resources, Crop Evolution, Advanced Crop Breeding, Advanced Genetic Engineering, Resistance Breeding, Component-Based Breeding.
Advanced Physiology, Ecology, and Cultivation Innovation: Advanced Field Cultivation, Cropping Systems, Environmentally Sustainable Crop Production, Advanced Crop Physiology, Advanced Crop Ecology.
Advanced Quality and Bioactive Enhancement: Advanced Medicinal Plant Resources, Advanced Ornamental Crops, Advanced Medicinal Crops, Crop Chemical Regulation, Advanced Natural Product Chemistry.