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Horticulture

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To meet the educational needs of a student population with interests ranging from plant physiology to landscape design/installation to fruit and vegetable production to golf course/athletic field construction and management, considerable flexibility is built into the horticulture curriculum. The diversity of interests and need for flexibility are reflected in the impressive array of horticulture courses offered.

The Department of Horticulture offers six options within the horticulture major:

  1. Greenhouse Plant Production
  2. Horticultural Food Crop Production and Management
  3. Landscape Design, Installation, and Management
  4. Public Horticulture
  5. Horticulture Research
  6. Turfgrass Management

Graduates possess the technical knowledge and skills to become professional horticulturists. They understand principles of life science, plant growth and development, and are familiar with cultural and management practices for a wide assortment of horticultural crops. They are able to work and communicate effectively with fellow horticultural professionals and other citizens who share an interest in horticulture. Graduates also understand the ethical and environmental dimensions of problems and issues facing horticultural professionals.

A degree in horticulture opens the door to employment opportunities with production nurseries, seed companies, interior landscaping firms, greenhouses, garden centers, conservatories, landscape design/installation firms, public gardens and arboreta, orchards and vineyards, food processing companies, vegetable farms, fertilizer cooperatives, agricultural chemical companies, golf courses, sports fields, sod production companies, and lawn care businesses. Several allied plant-science industries also provide employment opportunities in the areas of sales, management, and communication. Opportunities exist for careers in research, teaching, extension, and business after obtaining advanced training in graduate school.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, students should be able to:

  1. Acquire, integrate, and apply knowledge of plant science to manage systems.
  2. Demonstrate interdisciplinary knowledge and competency in managing horticulture systems.
  3. Synthesize knowledge and use insight and creativity to better understand and improve plant systems.
  4. Appreciate and communicate the diverse impacts of horticulture on people.
  5. Demonstrate professionalism and proficiency in skills that relate to horticulture.

Degree Requirements

Students majoring in horticulture will select an option in which to specialize before reaching junior standing and will fulfill the requirements described below under Options.

Total Degree Requirement: 129 credits

Only 65 credits from a two-year institution may apply which may include up to 16 technical credits; 9 P-NP credits of free electives; 2.00 minimum GPA.

Biological Sciences:  18 cr.

BIOL 2110Principles of Biology I3
BIOL 2110LPrinciples of Biology Laboratory I1
And complete fourteen credit hours from the following:14
Weed Identification
Soil Conservation and Land Use
Crop Structure-Function Relationships
Principles of Weed Science
Soils and Plant Growth
and Soils and Plant Growth Laboratory
Principles of Biology II
and Principles of Biology Laboratory II
Ecology
Principles of Genetics
and Genetics Laboratory
Genetics, Agriculture and Biotechnology
Principles of Molecular Cell Biology
Plants and People
Plant Systematics
Principles of Plant Physiology
Plant Anatomy
Plant Ecology
Introduction to Insects
Insects and Society
Insect Biology
Plant Protection Using Natural Enemies
Fundamentals of Entomology and Pest Management
Forest Insects and Diseases
Principles of Plant Path
Total Credits18

 Communications Proficiency (with a grade of C or better)

6 credits of English composition (see approved courses below)
3 credits of speech fundamentals (see approved courses below)

Communication/Library:  13 cr.

ENGL 1500Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 2500Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
LIB 1600Introduction to College Level Research1
ENGL 3020Business Communication3
or ENGL 3090 Proposal and Report Writing
or ENGL 3140 Technical Communication
One of the following:3
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences
Professional Communication
Total Credits13

Ethics: 3 cr.

3 cr. from approved list3

Humanities and Social Sciences: 6 cr.

Approved Humanities course3
Approved Social Science course3
Total Credits6

International Perspective: 3 cr.

3 cr. from approved list3
Total Credits3

U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity): 3 cr.

3 cr. from approved list3
Total Credits3

Life Sciences: 6 cr.

BIOL 2110Principles of Biology I3
Approved Life Sciences course3
Total Credits6

Mathematical Sciences: 6 cr.

Select one course from the following:3
College Algebra
Discrete Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences
Calculus I
AND select one of the following:3
Principles of Statistics
Introduction to Statistics
Introduction to Business Statistics I
Intermediate Statistical Concepts and Methods
Total Credits6

Physical Sciences: 11 cr.

Complete one of the following:5
College Chemistry
and Laboratory in College Chemistry
General Chemistry I
and Laboratory in General Chemistry I
AND complete one course from the following:3-4
Organic Compounds in Plants and Soils
General Chemistry II
and Laboratory in College Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry I
and Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I
Physics for the Nonscientist
Physics for the Life Sciences
General Physics I
and General Physics I Laboratory
AND complete one course from the following:3-5
Structure and Reactions in Biochemical Processes
Elementary Organic Chemistry
and Laboratory in Elementary Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry I
and Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I
Total Credits11-14

Horticultural Sciences:  Minimum of 30 cr.

HORT 1100Professional and Educational Development in Horticulture1
HORT 2210Principles of Horticulture Science3
HORT 3210Horticulture Physiology3
Select 23 cr. hours from courses within selected option.23
Total CreditsMinimum of 30

Soil Sciences: 3 cr.

AGRON 1820Introduction to Soil Science3
Total Credits3

Electives

No more than 4 cr. of Hort 4900 may count toward graduation.

Options

Greenhouse Plant Production

The following courses are required to meet the Horticulture requirement:
HORT 2400Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines for Landscaping3
HORT 3220Plant Propagation3
HORT 3300Herbaceous Ornamental Plants3
HORT 3310Hydroponic Crop Production2
HORT 3320Greenhouse and Nursery Operations and Management4
HORT 4340Floriculture Crop Production3
HORT 4350Landscape Plant Production3
Other recommended courses are:
Horticultural Management Experience
Sustainable and Environmental Horticulture Systems
Horticultural Postharvest Technology
House Plants and Interiorscaping
Required for option:
ACCT 2840Financial Accounting3
And select 9 cr. hours from the following:9
Legal Environment of Business
Managerial Accounting
Business Law
Introduction to Weather and Climate
Computer Literacy and Applications
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Macroeconomics
Farm Business Management
Small Business Management
Entrepreneurship in Agriculture
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Feasibility Analysis for New Ventures
Managing Organizations
Organizational Behavior
Principles of Marketing
Sales Management
Consumer Behavior
Principles of Injury Prevention and Safety

Horticultural Food Crop Production and Management

The following courses are required to meet the Horticulture requirement:
HORT 2760Understanding Grape and Wine Science3
HORT 3760Fundamentals of Field Production of Horticultural Food Crops3
HORT 4610Fruit Crop Production and Management3
HORT 4710Vegetable Production and Management2
HORT 4710LVegetable Production and Management Lab1
HORT 4760Horticultural Postharvest Technology3
Other recommended courses:
Plant Propagation
Hydroponic Crop Production
Greenhouse and Nursery Operations and Management
Seed Science and Technology
Horticultural Management Experience
Organic Agricultural Theory and Practice
Required for option:
ACCT 2840Financial Accounting3
And select 9 cr. hours from the following:9
Legal Environment of Business
Managerial Accounting
Business Law
Computer Literacy and Applications
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Macroeconomics
Farm Business Management
Small Business Management
Entrepreneurship in Agriculture
Environmental Planning
Energy and the Environment
Environmental Sociology
Environmental Law and Planning
Food Laws and Regulations
Food Processing
Food Processing Laboratory
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Feasibility Analysis for New Ventures
Managing Organizations
Organizational Behavior
Principles of Marketing
Sales Management
Consumer Behavior
Principles of Injury Prevention and Safety
Soil and Water Conservation Management

Horticulture Research

The following courses are required for this option:
AGEDS 3120Science With Practice3
HORT 3220Plant Propagation3
Biological Sciences:
BIOL 4300Principles of Plant Physiology3
Other recommended courses:
Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines for Landscaping
Herbaceous Ornamental Plants
Hydroponic Crop Production
Greenhouse and Nursery Operations and Management
Landscape Plant Installation, Establishment, and Management
Fundamentals of Field Production of Horticultural Food Crops
Horticultural Management Experience
Mathematical Sciences Requirement:8
Calculus I
Calculus II
Physical Sciences Requirement:
Survey of Biochemistry
Biochemistry I
Principles of Biochemistry
General Chemistry I
Laboratory in General Chemistry I
General Chemistry II
Laboratory in College Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry I
Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II
Laboratory in Organic Chemistry II
General Physics I
and General Physics I Laboratory
General Physics II
and General Physics II Laboratory
And select 5 cr. hours from the following:
Biochemistry II
Biochemistry I
Principles of Biochemistry
Techniques in Biochemical Research
Principles of Genetics
Genetics Laboratory
Principles of Molecular Cell Biology
Biological Evolution
Quantitative and Environmental Analysis
Quantitative and Environmental Analysis Laboratory
Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis
Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
Laboratory in Physical Chemistry
Laboratory in Physical Chemistry
Introductory Quantum Mechanics
Windows Application Programming
Fundamentals of Computer Programming
Molecular Genetics
Analytical Genetics

Landscape Design, Installation and Management

The following courses are required to meet the Horticulture requirement:
HORT 2400Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines for Landscaping3
HORT 2810Landscape Graphics2
HORT 3300Herbaceous Ornamental Plants3
HORT 3410Woody Plant Cultivars: Shade Trees, Ornamental Trees and Woody Shrubs2
HORT 3420Landscape Plant Installation, Establishment, and Management3
HORT 3510Turfgrass Establishment and Management3
HORT 3800Principles of Garden Composition2
HORT 3810Beginning Garden Composition Studio2
HORT 4440Landscape Construction Management3
HORT 4810Advanced Garden Composition2
Other recommended courses are:
Plant Propagation
Greenhouse and Nursery Operations and Management
Horticultural Management Experience
Required for option:
ACCT 2840Financial Accounting3
And select 9 cr. hours from the following:9
Legal Environment of Business
Managerial Accounting
Business Law
Computer Literacy and Applications
Small Business Management
Entrepreneurship in Agriculture
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Feasibility Analysis for New Ventures
Managing Organizations
Organizational Behavior
Principles of Marketing
Sales Management
Consumer Behavior
Soil and Water Conservation Management

Public Horticulture

The following courses are required to meet the Horticulture requirement:
HORT 2400Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines for Landscaping3
HORT 3220Plant Propagation3
HORT 3300Herbaceous Ornamental Plants3
Other recommended courses:
House Plants and Interiorscaping
Landscape Graphics
Greenhouse and Nursery Operations and Management
Woody Plant Cultivars: Shade Trees, Ornamental Trees and Woody Shrubs
Landscape Plant Installation, Establishment, and Management
Turfgrass Establishment and Management
Turfgrass Establishment and Management Laboratory
Fundamentals of Field Production of Horticultural Food Crops
Principles of Garden Composition
Beginning Garden Composition Studio
Horticultural Management Experience
Required for option
ACCT 2840Financial Accounting3
And select 9 credit hours from the following:9
Legal Environment of Business
Managerial Accounting
Business Law
Foundations of Agricultural Education Programs
Planning Agriculture and Life Sciences Education Programs
Interpersonal Communication
Professional Communication
Small Group Communication
Principles of Microeconomics
Small Business Management
Entrepreneurship in Agriculture
ENGL 2220XArtificial Intelligence and Writing3
Free-Lance Writing for Popular Magazines
Creative Writing: Nonfiction
Proposal and Report Writing
Rhetorical Website Design
Business and Technical Editing
Visual Aspects of Business and Technical Communication
Integrating GPS and GIS for Natural Resource Management
Principles of Finance
Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media
Fundamentals of Photojournalism
Managing Organizations
Organizational Behavior
Introduction to Human Resource Management
Principles of Public Relations
Business and Professional Speaking

Turfgrass Management

The following courses are required to meet the Horticulture requirement:
HORT 2400Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines for Landscaping3
HORT 3510Turfgrass Establishment and Management3
HORT 3510LTurfgrass Establishment and Management Laboratory1
HORT 4510Professional Turfgrass Management2
HORT 4530Sports Turf Management3
HORT 4540Turf & Landscape Irrigation3
HORT 5510Growth and Development of Perennial Grasses2
Other recommended courses:
Herbaceous Ornamental Plants
Plant Propagation
Horticultural Management Experience
Sustainable and Environmental Horticulture Systems
Required for option:
ACCT 2840Financial Accounting3
And select 9 cr. hours from the following:9
Managerial Accounting
Business Law
Introduction to Weather and Climate
Environmental Soil Science
Environmental Soil and Water Chemistry
Computer Literacy and Applications
Small Business Management
Entrepreneurship in Agriculture
Introduction to Environmental Issues
Energy and the Environment
Introduction to the Hospitality Industry
Contemporary Club Management
Managing Organizations
Organizational Behavior
Principles of Injury Prevention and Safety
Soil and Water Conservation Management

Horticulture, B.S. Greenhouse Plant Production Option

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15003ENGL 25003
CHEM 16304BIOL 21103
CHEM 1630L1BIOL 2110L1
ECON 10103STAT 10403
HORT 12103AGRON 18203
LIB 16001HORT 22103
HORT 11001 
 16 16
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENT 20101HORT 33204
ENT 21102AGRON 28203
HORT 24003PHYS 1010, 1150, BBMB 2210, or AGRON 25903-4
MATH 14003ENT 37603
ACCT 28403Elective3
HORT 33102 
Elective1 
 15 16-17
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HORT 43403ENT 37503
HORT 32103ENTSP 31003
HORT 39101HORT 32203
PLP 40803CHEM 2310 & 2310L or BBMB 22103-4
Elective3International Perspective3
U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity)3Elective1
 16 16-17
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HORT 32103HORT 43503
HORT 39101ECON 33403
ECON 23403Humanities3
Ethics3HORT 34102
SPCM 2120 or AGEDS 31103ENGL 3020 or 31403
Elective3Elective2
 16 16

Horticulture, B.S. - Horticulture Food Crop Production and Management Option

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15003ENGL 25003
CHEM 16304BIOL 21103
CHEM 1630L1BIOL 2110L1
ECON 10103STAT 10403
HORT 12103AGRON 18203
LIB 16001HORT 22103
HORT 11001 
 16 16
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENT 20101AGRON 28203
ENT 21102HORT 27603
HORT 37603PHYS 1010, 1310, 1150, BBMB 2210, or AGRON 25903-4
MATH 14003ENT 37603
ACCT 28403HORT 47102
International Perspective3HORT 4710L1
Elective1Elective1
 16 16-17
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HORT 33102Biological Science3
HORT 32103HORT 33204
HORT 39101HORT 32203
Humanities3HORT 46103
CHEM 2310 & 2310L or BBMB 22103-4Elective3
Elective3 
 15-16 16
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENTSP 31003ENGL 3020 or 31403
HORT 39101ECON 33403
ECON 23403PLP 40803
HORT 47603Ethics3
HORT 33102U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity)3
SPCM 2120 or AGEDS 31103Elective1
Elective1 
 16 16

Horticulture, B.S. - Landscape Design, Installation, and Management

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15003ENGL 25003
CHEM 16304BIOL 21103
CHEM 1630L1BIOL 2110L1
ECON 10103STAT 10403
HORT 12103AGRON 18203
LIB 16001HORT 22103
HORT 11001 
 16 16
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENT 20101AGRON 28203
ENT 21102HORT 38002
HORT 33003PHYS 1010, 1310, 1150, BBMB 2210, or AGRON 25903-4
MATH 14003ENT 37603
ACCT 28403HORT 38102
HORT 28102Elective3
HORT 44403 
 17 16-17
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HORT 24003BIOL 35503
HORT 32103CHEM 2310 & 2310L or BBMB 22103-4
HORT 39101International Perspective3
HORT 48102U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity)3
SPCM 2120 or AGEDS 31103HORT 34102
ECON 23403HORT 34203
 15 17-18
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENTSP 31003ENGL 3020 or 31403
HORT 39101Humanities3
ECON 33403Ethics3
Elective3PLP 40803
MGMT 37103HORT 32203
HORT 35103Elective 1
 16 16

Horticulture, B.S. - Public Horticulture Option

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15003ENGL 25003
CHEM 16304BIOL 21103
CHEM 1630L1BIOL 2110L1
ECON 10103STAT 10403
HORT 12103AGRON 18203
LIB 16001HORT 22103
HORT 11001 
 16 16
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENT 20101AGRON 28203
ENT 21102HORT 32203
HORT 24003PHYS 1010, 1310, 1150, BBMB 2210, or AGRON 25903-4
MATH 14003ENT 37603
ACCT 28403Elective3
International Perspective3 
Elective1 
 16 15-16
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HORT 33003BIOL 35503
HORT 32103CHEM 2310 & 2310L or BBMB 22103-4
HORT 39101HORT 42403
SPCM 2120 or AGEDS 31103Elective3
PR 22003U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity)3
Elective3Elective1
 16 16-17
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 30903ENGL 3020 or 31403
PLP 40803Elective3
HORT 39101Humanities3
JLMC 20103HORT 33204
Ethics3HORT 34203
MGMT 37103 
 16 16

Horticulture, B.S. - Horticulture Research Option

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15003ENGL 25003
CHEM 17704BIOL 21103
CHEM 1770L1BIOL 2110L1
ECON 10103STAT 10403
HORT 12103AGRON 18203
LIB 16001HORT 22103
HORT 11001 
 16 16
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOL 21203U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity)3
BIOL 2120L1HORT 33204
HORT 24003MATH 16604
MATH 16504PHYS 13104
CHEM 17803PHYS 1310L1
CHEM 1780L1 
 15 16
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PHYS 13204ENT 37603
PHYS 1320L1BIOL 31303
HORT 32103BIOL 3130L1
HORT 39101HORT 32203
PLP 40803CHEM 33103
AGEDS 31203CHEM 3310L1
HORT 34203International Perspective3
 18 17
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 33203BIOL 31403
CHEM 3320L1BIOL 43003
HORT 39101Humanities3
BBMB 3010, 4040, or 31603Ethics3
ENGL 3020 or 31403HORT 33003
SPCM 2120 or AGEDS 31103Elective1
Elective2 
 16 16

Horticulture, B.S. - Turfgrass Management Option

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15003ENGL 25003
CHEM 16304BIOL 21103
CHEM 1630L1BIOL 2110L1
ECON 10103STAT 10403
HORT 12103AGRON 18203
LIB 16001HORT 22103
HORT 11001 
 16 16
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENT 20101AGRON 28203
ENT 21102Humanities3
HORT 24003PHYS 1010, 1310, 1150, BBMB 2210, or AGRON 25903-4
MATH 14003HORT 55102
ACCT 28403SPCM 2120 or AGEDS 31103
HORT 35103Elective3
HORT 3510L1 
 16 17-18
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HORT 45303AGRON 35403
HORT 32103ENT 37603
HORT 39101HORT 45102
PLP 40803HORT 32203
International Perspective3Elective2
U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity)3CHEM 2310 & 2310L or BBMB 22103-4
 16 16-17
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
AGRON 20603ENGL 3020 or 31403
HORT 39101HORT 34203
HORT 45403HORT 42403
Option Class3Ethics3
MGMT 37103Option Class3
Option Class3Elective1
 16 16

Minors

The Department of Horticulture offers two minors: 1) Horticulture and 2) Landscape Management.  Both minors are earned by taking HORT 2210 Principles of Horticulture Science plus 12 additional credits with a maximum of 3 credits at the 2000-level and a minimum of 9 credits at the 3000-level or above. The minor must include at least 9 credits that are not used to meet any other department, college, or university requirement.

Horticulture minor

The Horticulture minor is a broad-based minor that does not focus within a specific area of horticulture. The 12 additional credits for this minor can be selected from the full list of Horticulture courses.

Landscape Management minor

The Landscape Management minor focuses on landscape management including plant selection, landscape installation and management, and turfgrass management. The 12 additional credits for this minor can be selected from the following courses:  HORT 2400 Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines for Landscaping, HORT 2810 Landscape GraphicsHORT 3300 Herbaceous Ornamental Plants, HORT 3410 Woody Plant Cultivars: Shade Trees, Ornamental Trees and Woody Shrubs, HORT 3420 Landscape Plant Installation, Establishment, and Management, HORT 3510 Turfgrass Establishment and Management or HORT 4440 Landscape Construction Management.

Graduate Study

The graduate major in horticulture leads to the M.S. (thesis and non-thesis option) and Ph.D.  Some faculty members of the department serve as major professors for students in interdepartmental graduate majors in plant biology; genetics and genomics; molecular, cellular, and developmental biology; ecology and evolutionary biology; sustainable agriculture; and environmental science.

Graduates possess a broad understanding of horticulture and the allied plant sciences. They are able to communicate effectively with members of the scientific community, industry groups, and other interested citizens. They are experienced in conducting research and communicating the results from that research. They are capable of addressing and solving complex problems that confront the many horticultural, agricultural, and plant science professions. They also understand the ethical, legal, social, and environmental issues associated with modern agricultural/horticultural practices.