Program Information
The Horticultural Sciences (HOS) graduate program is administered jointly by the Environmental Horticulture (HSE) and Horticultural Sciences (HS) departments and offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science (thesis or nonthesis options) and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The Department offers a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree program. Contact the graduate coordinator for information. Members of the program’s Graduate Faculty include department resident faculty and faculty at University of Florida Research and Education Centers located throughout Florida.
For admission to the HOS graduate program, apply to either the HS or HSE departments, depending on your career/research interest.
Requirements
A strong undergraduate or graduate background in horticultural, biological, agronomic, or other disciplines in the life sciences and undergraduate coursework in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. A prospective graduate student need not have majored in horticulture as an undergraduate or master’s student; however, students with curriculum deficiencies are required to take prerequisite subjects during the first year of graduate study. Undergraduate courses taken to correct curriculum deficiencies do not count for graduate program credit.
Specializations in the HS department focus on vegetable and fruit crops and include
- Plant Breeding and Genetics
- Crop Production and Nutrient Management
- Postharvest Biology
- Organic Sustainable Agriculture
- Weed Science
- Physiology and Biochemistry
- Plant Molecular Biology
- Protected Agriculture
Numerous HS and HSE faculty participate in the interdisciplinary Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Program. Students interested in molecular biology/biotechnology may pursue molecular-oriented studies in any listed specialization. Students interested in full specialization in molecular and related disciplines should contact the Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology interdisciplinary program for specific requirements.
Specializations in the HSE department:
- Breeding and Genetics
- Restoration Ecology
- Floriculture
- Foliage Production
- Plant anatomy and development
- Plant Biotechnology
- Plant Restoration Conservation Biotechnology
- Stress Physiology
- Taxonomy
- Tissue Culture
- Turfgrass Science
- Woody Plants
Graduate School Degree Program Requirements Master of Science (Thesis Option)
Students must earn at least 30 credits as a graduate student at UF. No more than 9 of the 30 credits (earned with a grade of A, B+, or B) may be transferred from institutions approved for this purpose by the Dean of the Graduate School. A minimum of 12 credits is required in the Horticultural Sciences major; additionally, a maximum of 6 credits in HOS 6971 Research for Master's Thesis (1-15 cr.)- Master’s Research - may be counted toward the total credits. See here for information on M.S. graduate degrees.
A minor may be chosen in an academic unit other than the major. If a minor is chosen, at least 6 credits of course work are required in the minor field. Two 6-credit minors may be taken with the major academic unit’s permission. A 3.00 (truncated) GPA is required for minor credit. In addition, a representative from the department in which the minor is being received must be on the supervisory committee.
Master of Science Non-Thesis Option
This option offers additional training beyond the bachelor’s degree in a horticultural specialization. Essential elements of this program include a program of courses and a comprehensive written and/or final oral qualifying examination. There is no thesis requirement. A minimum of 30 credit hours of course work is required. Courses taken for program credit must be numbered 5000 or higher with at least 15 of these credits in the Horticultural Science major. With supervisory committee and college dean approval, 6 hours of 3000- or 4000-level undergraduate courses, taught outside the major department, may count toward the minimum requirements for the degree. Click for information on all graduate degrees.
A minor may be chosen in an academic unit other than the major. If a minor is chosen, at least 6 credits of work are required in the minor field. Two 6-credit minors may be taken with the major academic unit’s permission. A 3.00 (truncated) GPA is required for minor credit. In addition, a representative from the department in which the minor is being received must be on the supervisory committee.
Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree and is granted on evidence of general proficiency, distinctive attainment in a special field, and ability to conduct independent investigation as demonstrated in a dissertation presenting original research with a high degree of literary skill. Consequently, doctoral programs are more flexible and varied than those leading to M.S. degree programs. The Ph.D. degree requires at least 90 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree, although specific course requirements vary from field to field and from student to student. Up to 30 credits of master’s degree may be transferred to a doctoral program. Any credits counted from an M.S. degree program must have been earned within the previous seven years (or by petition). The Graduate Council does not specify the courses required for the Ph.D. degree.
General requirements for the program include
- a clear objective for research
- approval of the student’s entire supervisory committee
- an appropriate number of credits of doctoral research
Click for information on all graduate degrees.
Minor
With the supervisory committee’s approval, the student may choose one or more minor fields. Minor work may be completed in any academic unit outside the major, if approved for M.S. or doctoral programs listed in this catalog. The collective grade for courses included in a minor must be “B” (3.00) or higher. If one minor is chosen, the supervisory committee member representing the minor suggests 12 to 24 credits of courses numbered 5000 or higher as preparation for a qualifying examination. Part of this credit may have been earned in the M.S. degree program. If two minors are chosen, each must include at least 8 credits. Competence in the minor area is demonstrated by written examination by the minor academic unit, or by the oral qualifying examination. Minor course work at the doctoral level may include courses in more than one academic unit; if the objective of the minor is clearly stated and the combination of courses is approved by the Graduate School (this approval is not required for a minor in one academic unit). Further requirements for the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees are listed under those headings in the General Information section of this catalog.
Degrees Offered with a Major in Horticultural Sciences
- Doctor of Philosophy
- without a concentration
- concentration in Environmental Horticulture
- concentration in Horticultural Sciences
- concentration in Toxicology
- Master of Science
- without a concentration
- concentration in Environmental Horticulture
- concentration in Horticultural Sciences
Requirements for these degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.
Horticultural Sciences Program Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ALS 6935 | Topics in Biological Invasions | 3 |
| BCH 5045 | Graduate Survey of Biochemistry | 4 |
| BOT 6935 | Special Topics | 1-4 |
| HOS 6934 | Professional Seminar Preparation | 1 |
| PLS 5222C | Propagation of Horticultural Crops | 3 |
| PLS 5241C | Advanced Plant Micropropagation | 4 |
| PLS 5405 | Advanced Composting Technology | 3 |
Additional Course Offerings
The following courses may be taken to contribute to the overall degree award requirements.
Botany Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BOT 5225C | Plant Anatomy | 4 |
| BOT 5305 | Paleobotany | 3 |
| BOT 5505C | Intermediate Plant Physiology | 3 |
| BOT 5625 | Plant Geography | 2 |
| BOT 5655C | Physiological Plant Ecology | 3 |
| BOT 5685C | Tropical Botany | 5 |
| BOT 5695C | Ecosystems of Florida | 3 |
| BOT 5725C | Taxonomy of Vascular Plants | 4 |
| BOT 6508C | Proteomics Theory and Practice | 3 |
| BOT 6516 | Plant Metabolism | 3 |
| BOT 6566 | Plant Growth and Development | 3 |
| BOT 6716C | Advanced Taxonomy | 2 |
| BOT 6726C | Principles of Systematic Biology | 4 |
| BOT 6905 | Individual Studies in Botany | 1-3 |
| BOT 6910 | Supervised Research | 1-5 |
| BOT 6927 | Advances in Botany | 1-3 |
| BOT 6935 | Special Topics | 1-4 |
| BOT 6936 | Graduate Student Seminar | 1-2 |
| BOT 6971 | Research for Master's Thesis | 1-15 |
| BOT 7979 | Advanced Research | 1-12 |
| BOT 7980 | Research for Doctoral Dissertation | 1-15 |
| PCB 5046C | Advanced Ecology | 3 |
| PCB 5338 | Principles of Ecosystem Ecology | 3 |
| PCB 5356 | Tropical Ecology | 3 |
| PLP 6656C | Fungal Biology | 4 |
Environmental Horticulture Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ALS 5934 | Graduate Professional Development Seminar | 2 |
| BCH 5045 | Graduate Survey of Biochemistry | 4 |
| HOS 5117C | Horticultural Plant Morphology and Identification | 3 |
| HOS 5432 | Advanced Nutritional Management of Ornamental Crops | 3 |
| HOS 5515C | Greenhouse and Nursery Operations | 3 |
| HOS 6070 | Plant Materials for Conservation and Restoration | 3 |
| HOS 6523 | Research and Development in Turfgrass Science | 3 |
| HOS 6905 | Problems in Horticultural Science | 1-4 |
| HOS 6910 | Supervised Research | 1-5 |
| HOS 6931 | Horticultural Science Seminar | 1 |
| HOS 6932 | Special Topics | 1-4 |
| HOS 6940 | Supervised Teaching | 1-5 |
| HOS 6941 | Practicum in Horticultural Science | 2-4 |
| HOS 6971 | Research for Master's Thesis | 1-15 |
| HOS 6991 | Evolution, Eco-physiology and Global Importance of Seeds | 4 |
| HOS 7979 | Advanced Research | 1-12 |
| HOS 7980 | Research for Doctoral Dissertation | 1-15 |
| ORH 5026C | Advanced Annual and Perennial Gardening | 3 |
| ORH 5086 | Advanced Golf and Sports Turf Management | 2 |
| ORH 5282 | Orchid Biology and Culture | 3 |
| ORH 5817C | Advanced Florida Native Landscaping | 3 |
| PLS 5222C | Propagation of Horticultural Crops | 3 |
| PLS 5241C | Advanced Plant Micropropagation | 4 |
| PLS 5405 | Advanced Composting Technology | 3 |
Horticultural Sciences Departmental Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ALS 5932 | Special Topics | 1-4 |
| HOS 5085C | Principles of Postharvest Horticulture | 3 |
| HOS 5242 | Genetics & Breeding of Vegetable Crops | 3 |
| HOS 5306 | Molecular Biology of Plant Hormones | 3 |
| HOS 5330 | Postharvest Technologies for Horticultural Crops | 2 |
| HOS 5555 | Tropical Fruit Production and Research in Florida | 3 |
| HOS 5711 | Phytochemicals in Food & Health | 3 |
| HOS 6201 | Breeding Perennial Cultivars | 3 |
| HOS 6236 | Molecular Marker Assisted Plant Breeding | 3 |
| HOS 6331 | Postharvest Biology | 3 |
| HOS 6345 | Environmental Physiology | 4 |
| HOS 6355 | Root and Rhizosphere Ecology | 3 |
| HOS 6373C | Plant Cell Culture | 3 |
| HOS 6412 | Nutrition of Horticultural Crops | 3 |
| HOS 6545 | Advanced Citriculture I | 3 |
| HOS 6546 | Advanced Citriculture II | 3 |
| HOS 6905 | Problems in Horticultural Science | 1-4 |
| HOS 6910 | Supervised Research | 1-5 |
| HOS 6931 | Horticultural Science Seminar | 1 |
| HOS 6932 | Special Topics | 1-4 |
| HOS 6934 | Professional Seminar Preparation | 1 |
| HOS 6940 | Supervised Teaching | 1-5 |
| HOS 6941 | Practicum in Horticultural Science | 2-4 |
| HOS 6971 | Research for Master's Thesis | 1-15 |
| HOS 7979 | Advanced Research | 1-12 |
| HOS 7980 | Research for Doctoral Dissertation | 1-15 |
| PCB 5065 | Advanced Genetics | 4 |
| PCB 5530 | Plant Molecular Biology and Genomics | 3 |
| PCB 6528 | Plant Cell and Developmental Biology | 3 |
| PCB 6910 | Supervised Research | 1-5 |
| PCB 6937 | Special Topics in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology | 1-4 |
| PCB 6971 | Research for Master's Thesis | 1-15 |
| PCB 7922 | Journal Colloquy in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology | 1 |
| PCB 7979 | Advanced Research | 1-12 |
| PCB 7980 | Research for Doctoral Dissertation | 1-15 |
| WDS 6005 | Weed Management for Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems | 3 |
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ALS 5156 | Agricultural Ecology Principles and Applications | 3 |
| ALS 5905 | Individual Study | 1-4 |
| ALS 5932 | Special Topics | 1-4 |
| ALS 6046 | Grant Writing | 2 |
| ALS 6166 | Exotic Species and Biosecurity Issues | 3 |
| ALS 6921 | Colloquium on Plant Pests of Regulatory Significance | 1 |
| ALS 6925 | Integrated Plant Medicine | 4 |
| ALS 6931 | Plant Medicine Program Seminar | 1 |
| ALS 6935 | Topics in Biological Invasions | 3 |
| ALS 6942 | Principles of Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management | 3 |
| ALS 6943 | Internship in Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management | 1-10 |
| ANS 6936 | Graduate Seminar in Animal Molecular and Cell Biology | 1-2 |
| BCH 5045 | Graduate Survey of Biochemistry | 4 |
| FYC 6422 | Policy Issues and Case Studies in Nonprofit Organizations | 3 |
| STA 6093 | Introduction to Applied Statistics for Agricultural and Life Sciences | 3 |
| STA 6329 | Matrix Algebra and Statistical Computing | 3 |
horticultural sciences (PHD)
SLO 1 Knowledge
Describe and explain theories and concepts of the various disciplines of Horticultural Sciences including plant physiology and plant genetics as related to horticultural plant growth and development, and the integration of structure and function of the whole plant
SLO 2 Knowledge
Describe new techniques and technologies from associated disciplines
SLO 3 Knowledge
Evaluate horticultural systems, components and/or processes to meet industry and societal needs within realistic economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability constraints
SLO 4 Skills
Design and conduct experiments required for successful production of fruit and vegetable crops and analyze results
SLO 5 Skills
Communicate horticultural ideas, technical data and design information clearly and professionally to other students, scientists and the public
SLO 6 Professional Behavior
Display ethical behaviors, cultural sensitivity, teamwork skills and professional conduct
Horticultural sciences (MS)-Environmental Horticulture
SLO 1 Knowledge
Describe and explain theories and concepts the various disciplines of Horticultural Sciences including plant physiology and plant genetics as related to horticultural plant growth and development, and the integration of structure and function of the whole plant.
SLO 2 Knowledge
Evaluate and advance horticultural systems, components and/or processes to meet industry and societal needs within realistic economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability
SLO 3 Knowledge
Describe techniques and technologies from associated disciplines as applied to Environmental Horticulture
SLO 4 Skills
Design, conduct, and evaluate experiments or study required to advance or improve production and/or management of horticultural crops and analyze results
SLO 5 Skills
Communicate in written and oral form horticultural ideas, technical data and design information clearly and professionally to other students, scientists and the public
SLO 6 Professional Behavior
Display ethical behaviors, cultural sensitivity, teamwork skills and professional conduct
Horticultural sciences (MS)-Horticultural Sciences
SLO 1 Knowledge
Describe and explain theories and concepts the various disciplines of Horticultural Sciences including plant physiology and plant genetics as related to horticultural plant growth and development, and the integration of structure and function of the whole plant
SLO 2 Knowledge
Describe new techniques and technologies from associated disciplines
SLO 3 Knowledge
Evaluate horticultural systems, components and/or processes to meet industry and societal needs within realistic economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability constraints
SLO 4 HS Skills
Design and conduct experiments required for successful production of fruits and vegetables and analyze results
SLO 5 HS Skills
Communicate horticultural ideas, technical data and design information clearly and professionally to other students, scientists and the public
SLO 6 HS Professional Behavior
Display ethical behaviors, cultural sensitivity, teamwork skills and professional conduct