An agronomy program typically provides students with a science-based course load. Programs focus on studying plants and soil, along with policies, issues and concerns for the agriculture industry. Possible courses include soil conservation, crop genetics and global farming issues.

The PhD is a doctoral degree, specifically called a "doctor of philosophy" degree. This is misleading because PhD holders are not necessarily philosophers (unless they earned their degree in philosophy!). That said, PhD recipients are able to engage in thought experiments, reason about problems, and solve problems in sophisticated ways.