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.

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