The department offers three specializations: science and technology of horticultural crops, organic horticultural systems, and plant biotechnology and improvement. These options provide a strong science background and flexibility when choosing elective courses. An academic advisor will help develop the curriculum that best suits your career and educational goals.

This specialization emphasizes the cultural practices that maintain ecological and economical balance in horticultural crop production systems. This is a flexible option with many electives available to meet education and career objectives. Graduates will be prepared for a range of careers related to conventional, sustainable and organic crop production.

This is a comprehensive program focusing on the molecular aspects of crops, including crop growth, development and cultivar improvement. This specialization is geared toward preparing for careers in laboratory research and is also an excellent preparation for pursuing graduate studies.

This specialization offers a generalized program, covering growth and development of horticultural crops. This is a flexible option that can be tailored to individual interests and career objectives, ranging from applied production to basic biology. Career options include commodity production and management, research biologist, marketing, agricultural chemical sales, fertilizer sales, produce buyer for grocery stores or restaurants, retail flower sales, and a number of other opportunities.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• Complete 1 of 6 critical-tracking courses, excluding labs: BSC 2010/BSC 2010L, BSC 2011/BSC 2011L, CHM 2045/CHM 2045L, CHM 2046/CHM 2046L, MAC 2311, PHY 2048/PHY 2048L or PHY 2053/PHY 2053L
• 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

• Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
• 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

• Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
• 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

• Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
• 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

• Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs
• 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• Complete 1 of 4 upper division critical-tracking courses: HOS 3020C, HOS 4933, HOS 4304, HOS 4921
• 2.0 upper division GPA required
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

• Complete 1 additional upper division critical-tracking course
• 2.0 upper division GPA required
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 7

• Complete 1 additional upper division critical-tracking course
• 2.0 upper division GPA required
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 8

• Complete all upper division critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 upper division GPA required
• 2.0 UF GPA required

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

The Horticultural Science major prepares students for a career in plant science, including management, production, research, marketing, and sales. Students will gain knowledge ranging from commodity production and cropping systems to basic plant science, and molecular biology. They will develop skills to describe how plant physiology and genetics relate to plant growth and development as well as developing knowledge of plant diseases and other factors that affect horticultural crops.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Pass the horticultural sciences competency test, given in three parts. One part will be given in each of these required courses:

  Course List

  Code	Title	Credits
  HOS 3020C	Principles of Horticultural Crop Production	4
  HOS 4304	Horticultural Physiology	3
  HOS 4341	Advanced Horticultural Physiology	3

• Achieve minimum grades of C in AEC 3030C and AEC 3033C. These courses are graded using rubrics developed by a faculty team.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

1. Describe fundamental concepts, skills, and processes in horticultural science.
2. Apply fundamental concepts, skills, and processes in horticultural science.

Critical Thinking

3. Critically analyze and interpret data in horticultural science.
4. Solve problems in horticultural science.

Communication

5. Communicate effectively in written form in a manner appropriate in the field of horticultural science.
6. Communicate effectively orally in a manner appropriate in the field of horticultural science.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types

• Class project
• Writing assignments
• Exams
• Final grades