Department Information
The Horticultural Sciences Department is a team of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to improving fruit and vegetable production for the benefit of farmers and consumers. Florida’s climatic diversity and the facilities at UF provide opportunities for cutting-edge research in plant breeding & genetics, plant and environmental physiology, fruit & vegetable production, postharvest physiology, biochemistry, and other disciplines.
Website
CONTACT
Email | 352.392.1928
P.O. Box 110690
2550 Hull Road
FIFIELD HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-0690
Map
Curriculum
Courses
FRC 1010 Growing Fruit for Fun and Profit 1 Credit
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Especially for non-majors who desire a concise mini-course in fruit growing and marketing. Fruit crops include citrus, pecan, blueberry, strawberry, peach, grape, apple, mango and avocado.
FRC 3212 Introduction to Citrus Culture and Production 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Citrus botany, scion and rootstock selection, site selection, fruit quality grove design and production practices.
FRC 3252 Tropical and Subtropical Fruits 2 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Culture and management of important tropical and subtropical fruit, including avocado, banana, mango, papaya, loquat, persimmon, pineapple, coffee and others.
FRC 3274 Tree and Small Fruit Production 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Current principles and cultural practices in deciduous tree, bush and vine crops. Emphasizes practical aspects of production.
FRC 3802 Viticulture for Table Grapes and Wine 2 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Teaches current practices for establishing a vineyard and maintaining its health and productivity into the final quality of the grape. Topics covered include grape varietal selection, site selection and preparation, vine growth, training and trellis systems, and equipment used in vineyard and wine production.
FRC 4905 Special Problems 1-3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Special Problems
HOS 1014 Vegetable Gardening 1 Credit
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Primarily for non-majors who desire to learn the basic principles of vegetable gardening. A garden is required of each student.
HOS 2333 Fighting Food Waste and Loss 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
For those interested in learning and reflecting upon the major future challenges of food and agriculture. Learn about postharvest biology, environmental and food sciences, and communication technology in reducing food waste.
Prerequisite: any Quest 1 course.
Attributes: Quest 2, General Education - Biological Science, General Education - International
HOS 3020C Principles of Horticultural Crop Production 4 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Introduces concepts and practices used to produce fruit and vegetable crops in Florida, the U.S., and globally. Topics covered include production regions, crop biology, crop nutrition, types of fruits and vegetables, disease and pest management, and marketing. Includes a hands-on practicum.
Prerequisite: BOT 2010C or equivalent.
HOS 3222C Greenhouse and Protected Agriculture 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Principles and practices of crop production in protected structures. Emphasizes structure type, media, fertilization and pest control practices.
HOS 3281C Organic and Sustainable Crop Production 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Concepts/techniques of organic and sustainable production of horticultural crops, including soil/water management, pest control, harvest, handling and marketing.
HOS 3285 The Organic Debate: Organic Agriculture Development & Regulations 1 Credit
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Organic farming is a rapidly developing production system. This introductory course provides a critical analysis of organic agriculture growth, consumer perceptions, and regulations at the national and international level. This course also focuses on organic agriculture transdisciplinary innovations and challenges in advancing environmental, economic, and social sustainability of food production.
Prerequisite: BSC 2005 or equivalent.
HOS 3305 Introduction to Plant Molecular Biology 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Introduces plant molecular biology and genetic engineering, emphasizing plant genes and genomes, transformation of plants and basic molecular biology.
HOS 3430C Nutrition of Horticultural Crops 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Study and discussion of physiological, biochemical and environmental factors influencing nutritional status and productivity of horticultural crops.
HOS 3513C Breeding and Production of Medicinal Plants and Herbs 2 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Focuses on current and emerging breeding and cultivation practices used to produce high–value medicinal plants and herbs. Additionally, provides a critical analysis of health effects and therapeutic claims of plant-derived physiologically-active products.
Prerequisite: BSC 2010 or BSC 2011 or BOT 2010C or BOT 2011C.
HOS 4241C Genetics and Breeding of Vegetable Crops 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Traditional and molecular breeding methods for vegetable crops and the influence of scientific research, government policies, industry needs, and consumer preferences on vegetable crop improvement.
Prerequisite: AGR 3303.
HOS 4283C Advanced Organic and Sustainable Crop Production 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Intensive examination of the methods and techniques necessary for organic and sustainable production and marketing of horticultural products.
Prerequisite: HOS 3281C.
HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Basic concepts and processes of physiology as they relate to plant growth and development.
HOS 4313C Laboratory Methods in Plant Molecular Biology 2 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Hands-on laboratory experience in plant molecular biology. Utilizing current techniques for isolation, purification and cloning of plant DNA, students learn many basic techniques in plant biotechnology.
HOS 4332C Principles of Postharvest Horticulture 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Biological principles involved in harvesting, grading, packaging, transportation, and marketing horticultural crops, and their effects on quality maintenance. Commercial postharvest practices explained in relation to general procedures and technologies as well as the recommended postharvest best handling practices and optimum postharvest conditions for different types of horticultural crops.
Prerequisite: HOS 4304.
HOS 4341 Advanced Horticultural Physiology 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Environmental effects (light, temperature and water) on physiology, growth and development of plants.
Prerequisite: HOS 4304.
HOS 4900 Supervised Extension Experience in Horticultural Sciences 0-3 Credits
Grading Scheme: S/U
Firsthand, authentic extension experiences in agricultural and life sciences under the supervision of a faculty member. Projects may involve program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
HOS 4905 Independent Study in Horticultural Science 1-6 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Selected research topics in molecular biology, physiology and/or genetics of horticultural crops.
HOS 4911 Supervised Research in Horticultural Sciences 0-3 Credits
Grading Scheme: S/U
Firsthand, authentic research in horticultural sciences under the supervision of a faculty member. Projects may involve inquiry, design, investigation, scholarship, discovery or application.
HOS 4915 Honors Thesis Research in Horticultural Sciences 0-3 Credits
Grading Scheme: S/U
Independent research in horticultural sciences leading to an honors thesis. Student will be mentored by a faculty member. Projects may involve inquiry, design, investigation, scholarship, discovery or application.
Prerequisite: junior standing, upper division GPA of 3.75 or higher and completed honors thesis proposal on file.
HOS 4918 Capstone Planning in Horticultural Sciences 1 Credit
Grading Scheme: S/U
Focuses on planning service learning, scientific research, cooperative extension, or industry liaison projects for the Horticultural Sciences capstone. Also fosters reflection of academic and professional development in the major.
Prerequisite: HOS 4933.
HOS 4921 Horticultural Sciences Capstone 2-4 Credits
Grading Scheme: S/U
Focuses on executing service learning, scientific research, cooperative extension, or industry liaison projects designed during capstone planning. Perfect professional portfolios and present the outcomes of the capstone project.
Prerequisite: HOS 4918.
HOS 4932 Special Topics in Horticultural Sciences 1-3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Critical review of selected topics in specific areas not covered in other horticultural sciences courses.
Prerequisite: instructor permission.
HOS 4933 Professional Development in Horticulture 1 Credit
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Professional skills development, including job searching, resume writing, interview skills, professional etiquette, communications and salary negotiations.
HOS 4941 Practical Work Experience in Horticultural Sciences 1-4 Credits
Grading Scheme: S/U
Practical work that must be a new experience and related to the field of study.
Prerequisite: advisor arrangement and permission.
PLS 3421C Hydroponic Systems 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
This course offers students foundational information and hands-on experience on hydroponic and soilless cultivation of horticultural crops. Production practices, growing systems, new technologies and current challenges are discussed.
VEC 2100 World Herbs and Vegetables 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Introduces a variety of vegetables and culinary herbs. Emphasizes genetic, phytochemical and botanical diversity and importance of food phytochemicals and role of vegetables in nutrition. (B)
Attributes: General Education - Biological Science
VEC 3221C Vegetable Production 4 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Principles and practices of successful commercial vegetable production, including crop requirements, growth patterns and production techniques along with consumption/marketing patterns and U.S./Florida production areas.
WDS 4001 Organic Weed Management 3 Credits
Grading Scheme: Letter Grade
Apply ecological principles in agroecosystems to manage weeds sustainably. Emphasizes alternative weed management approaches that are less dependent on herbicides and utilize ecological processes detrimental to weeds and their propagules. Learn actively by critically analyzing pertinent literature and participating in discussions of supplemental reading.