Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Navigate Up
Sign In

Office of the University Registrar

  • ​​

    Horticultural Science

    This major prepares students for careers in plant science, including management, production, applied research, molecular biology research, marketing, sales and a number of other areas. Students can receive training ranging from commodity production/cropping systems to basic plant science/molecular biology.

    To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

    The department offers four specializations: horticultural sciences, horticultural production, organic crop production, and plant molecular and cellular biology. These options provide a strong science background and flexibility when choosing elective courses. Details of the specializations are outlined below. An academic advisor will help develop the curriculum that best suits your career and educational goals.

    Back to Top

    Horticultural Production

    Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan

    This is a comprehensive program for students planning careers in any phase of the fruit and/or vegetable industry. This specialization emphasizes crop production and management. Career options include production management, agricultural sales, marketing, technical representation and many other opportunities.

    Critical Tracking

    Note that critical tracking is the same for all specializations of this major except Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology.

    Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to 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 5 critical-tracking courses, excluding labs: BOT 2010C or BSC 2010/2010L, BOT 2011C or BSC 2011/2011L, CHM 2045/2045L, MAC 1147, PHY 2004 or PHY 2020
    • 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 1 additional critical-tracking course, 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
    • 2.0 UF GPA required
    Back to Top

    Model Semester Plan

    To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

    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.

    Semester 1 Credits
    IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
    GE-H
    3​
    MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry
    State Core GE-M
    4
    Composition
    State Core GE-C; WR
    3
    Elective 2
    Social and Behavioral Sciences
    State Core GE-S
    3
    Total 15
    Semester 2 Credits
    AEB 2014 Economic Issues, Food and You (3) or
    ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (4) or
    ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (4)
    GE-S
    3-4
    CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1)
    State Core GE-B/P
    4
    Electives 5
    Humanities
    State Core GE-H
    3
    Total 15-16
    Semester 3 Credits
    AEC 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences
    WR
    3
    BOT 2010C Introductory Botany (3) or
    BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 1 Laboratory (1)
    GE-B/P
    3-4
    Electives 4
    Composition
    GE-C; WR
    3
    Mathematics
    GE-M
    2
    Total 15-16
    Semester 4 Credits
    AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication 3
    BOT 2011C Plant Diversity or
    BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 2 Laboratory (1)
    GE-B
    4
    PHY 2004 Applied Physics 1 or
    PHY 2020 Introduction to Principles of Physics
    GE-P
    3
    Electives 5
    Total 15
    Semester 5 Credits
    HOS 3020 Principles of Horticulture Crop Production 3
    PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology 4
    PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science 3
    Approved electives 4
    Total 14
    Semester 6 Credits
    ENY 3005 Principles of Entomology, 2 credits, and
    ENY 3005L Principles of Entomology Laboratory, 1 credit
    3
    HOS 3430C Nutrition of Horticultural Crops 3
    HOS 4933 Professional Development in Horticulture 1
    Approved electives 6
    Commodity elective
    Any FRC, VEC, or HOS course, 3000-level or above
    3
    Total 16
    Semester 7 Credits
    AGR 3303 Genetics​ 3​
    HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology 3
    PLS 3223 Plant Propagation, 2 credits, and
    PLS 3223L Plant Propagation Laboratory, 1 credit
    3
    Commodity electives
    Any FRC, VEC, or HOS course, 3000-level or above
    4
    Practical Work Experience
    HOS 4905 Independent Study or HOS 4941 Practical Work Experience
    1-3
    Total 14-16
    Semester 8 Credits
    HOS 4341 Advanced Horticultural Physiology 3
    SWS 3022 Introduction to Soils in the Environment, 3 credits, and
    SWS 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory, 1 credit
    4
    Approved electives 6
    Commodity electives
    Any FRC, VEC, or HOS course, 3000-level or above
    3-4
    Total 16-17

    Other practical work experience course options, such as relevant study abroad experiences, may be approved by the advisor.

    Back to Top

    Horticultural Science

    Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan

    This specialization offers students a generalized program, covering growth and development of horticultural crops. This is a flexible option that can be tailored to individual students' interests and career objectives, ranging from applied production to basic biology. Career options include commodity production/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

    Note that critical tracking is the same for all specializations of this major except Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology.

    Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to 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 5 critical-tracking courses, excluding labs: BOT 2010C or BSC 2010/2010L, BOT 2011C or BSC 2011/2011L, CHM 2045/2045L, MAC 1147, PHY 2004 or PHY 2020
    • 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 1 additional critical-tracking course, 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
    • 2.0 UF GPA required
    Back to Top

    Model Semester Plan

    To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

    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.

    Semester 1 Credits
    IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
    GE-H
    3​
    MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry
    State Core GE-M
    4
    Composition
    State Core GE-C; WR
    3
    Elective 2
    Social and Behavioral Sciences
    State Core GE-S
    3
    Total 15
    Semester 2 Credits
    AEB 2014 Economic Issues, Food and You (3) or
    ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (4) or
    ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (4)
    GE-S
    3-4
    CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1)
    State Core GE-B/P
    4
    Electives 5
    Humanities
    State Core GE-H
    3
    Total 15-16
    Semester 3 Credits
    AEC 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences
    WR
    3
    BOT 2010C Introductory Botany (3) or
    BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 1 Laboratory (1)
    GE-B/P
    3-4
    Electives 4
    Composition
    GE-C; WR
    3
    Mathematics
    GE-M
    2
    Total 15-16
    Semester 4 Credits
    AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication 3
    BOT 2011C Plant Diversity or
    BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 2 Laboratory (1)
    GE-B
    4
    PHY 2004 Applied Physics 1 or
    PHY 2020 Introduction to Principles of Physics
    GE-P
    3
    Electives 5
    Total 15
    Semester 5 Credits
    HOS 3020 Principles of Horticulture Crop Production 3
    ORH 3513C Environmental Plant Identification and Use 3
    Approved electives 6
    Pest management course 3-4
    Total 15-16
    Semester 6 Credits
    HOS 3430C Nutrition of Horticultural Crops 3
    HOS 4933 Professional Development in Horticulture 1
    Approved electives 8
    Pest management course 3-4
    Total 15-16
    Semester 7 Credits
    AGR 3303 Genetics​ 3​
    HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology 3
    PLS 3223 Plant Propagation, 2 credits, and
    PLS 3223L Plant Propagation Laboratory, 1 credit
    3
    Approved electives 6
    Total 15
    Semester 8 Credits
    HOS 4341 Advanced Horticultural Physiology 3
    SWS 3022 Introduction to Soils in the Environment, 3 credits, and
    SWS 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory, 1 credit
    4
    Approved electives 8
    Total 15

    Pest Management courses: choose two

    ENY 3005 and 3005L Principles of Entomology and Laboratory (fall, spring and summer semesters, 3 credits)
    IPM 3022 Fundamentals of Pest Management (spring semester, 3 credits)
    NEM 3002 Principles of Nematology (spring semester, even years, 3 credits)
    PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology (fall semester, 4 credits)
    PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science (fall semester, 3 credits)

    Back to Top

    Organic Crop Production

    Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan

    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.

    Critical Tracking

    Note that critical tracking is the same for all specializations of this major except Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology.

    Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to 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 5 critical-tracking courses, excluding labs: BOT 2010C or BSC 2010/2010L, BOT 2011C or BSC 2011/2011L, CHM 2045/2045L, MAC 1147, PHY 2004 or PHY 2020
    • 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 1 additional critical-tracking course, 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
    • 2.0 UF GPA required
    Back to Top

    Model Semester Plan

    To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

    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.

    Semester 1 Credits
    IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
    GE-H
    3​
    MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry
    State Core GE-M
    4
    Composition
    State Core GE-C; WR
    3
    Elective 2
    Social and Behavioral Sciences
    State Core GE-S
    3
    Total 15
    Semester 2 Credits
    AEB 2014 Economic Issues, Food and You (3) or
    ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (4) or
    ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (4)
    GE-S
    3-4
    CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1)
    State Core GE-B/P
    4
    Electives 5
    Humanities
    State Core GE-H
    3
    Total 15-16
    Semester 3 Credits
    AEC 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences
    WR
    3
    BOT 2010C Introductory Botany (3) or
    BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 1 Laboratory (1)
    GE-B/P
    3-4
    Electives 4
    Composition
    GE-C; WR
    3
    Mathematics
    GE-M
    2
    Total 15-16
    Semester 4 Credits
    AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication 3
    BOT 2011C Plant Diversity or
    BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 2 Laboratory (1)
    GE-B
    4
    PHY 2004 Applied Physics 1 or
    PHY 2020 Introduction to Principles of Physics
    GE-P
    3
    Electives 5
    Total 15
    Semester 5 Credits
    ENY 3005 Principles of Entomology, 2 credits, and
    ENY 3005L Principles of Entomology Laboratory, 1 credit
    3
    HOS 3020 Principles of Horticulture Crop Production 3
    PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology 4
    Commodity electives or
    Approved electives
    6
    Total 16
    Semester 6 Credits
    AGR 3303 Genetics 3
    AGR 4212 Alternative Cropping Systems 3
    HOS 3430C Nutrition of Horticultural Crops 3
    Commodity electives or
    Approved electives
    6
    Total 15
    Semester 7 Credits
    HOS 3281C Principles of Organic and Sustainable Production 3
    HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology 3
    SWS 3022 Introduction to Soils in the Environment, 3 credits, and
    SWS 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory, 1 credit
    4
    Commodity elective or
    Approved elective
    3
    Practical Work Experience 1-3
    Total 14-16
    Semester 8 Credits
    HOS 4283C Advanced Organic and Sustainable Production 3
    HOS 4341 Advanced Horticultural Physiology 3
    HOS 4933 Professional Development in Horticulture 1
    Commodity electives or
    Approved electives
    5-6
    Pest management course
    HOS 4932 Organic Weed Management (spring semester even years) or
    PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science (fall semester)
    3
    Total 15-16

    Commodity electives: choose 20-21 credits

    FRC 3212 Citrus Culture and Production (fall semester odd years, 3 credits)
    FRC 3252 Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Production (fall semester even years, 3 credits)
    FRC 3274 Trees and Small Fruit Production (fall semester, odd years, 3 credits)
    HOS 3222C Greenhouse and Protected Agriculture (spring semester, even years, 3 credits)
    VEC 3221C Commercial Vegetable Production (fall semester, 4 credits)
    For other approved electives, see advisor.

    Practical Work Experience: choose one

    HOS 4905 Independent Study
    HOS 4941 Practical Work Experience
    Other practical work experience course options, such as relevant study abroad experiences, may be approved by the advisor.

    Back to Top

    Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology

    Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan

    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 students for careers in laboratory research and is also an excellent preparation for students planning to pursue graduate studies.

    Critical Tracking

    Note that critical tracking is the same for all specializations of this major except Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology.

    Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to 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 2010/2010L, BSC 2011/2011L, CHM 2045/2045L, CHM 2046/2046L, MAC 2311, PHY 2048/2048L or PHY 2053/2053L
    • 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
    • 2.0 UF GPA required
    Back to Top

    Model Semester Plan

    To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

    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.

    Semester 1 Credits
    BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1, 3 credits, and
    BSC 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1, 1 credit
    State Core GE-B/P
    4
    IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
    GE-H
    3​
    MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry
    State Core GE-M
    4
    Composition
    State Core GE-C; WR
    3
    Total 14
    Semester 2 Credits
    BSC 2011 Integrated Principles of Biology 2, 3 credits, and
    BSC 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2, 1 credit
    GE-B/P
    4
    PHY 2053 Physics 1, four credits, and
    PHY 2053L Laboratory for Physics 1, 1 credit
    OR 

    PHY 2048 Physics 1 with Calculus, 3 credits, and
    PHY 2048L Laboratory for Physics 1 with Calculus, 1 credit
    GE-B/P
    4-5
    Elective 3
    Social and Behavioral Sciences
    State Core GE-S
    3
    Total 14-15
    Semester 3 Credits
    AEC 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences
    WR
    3
    CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1, 3 credits, and
    CHM 2045L General Chemistry 1 Laboratory, 1 credit
    GE-B/P
    4
    MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
    GE-M
    4
    Elective 2
    Humanities
    State Core GE-H
    3
    Total 16
    Semester 4 Credits
    AEB 2014 Economic Issues, Food and You (3) or
    ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (4) or
    ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (4)
    GE-S
    3-4
    AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication 3
    CHM 2046 General Chemistry 2, 3 credits, and
    CHM 2046L General Chemistry 2 Laboratory, 1 credit
    4
    Composition
    GE-C; WR
    3
    Elective 3
    Total 16-17
    Semester 5 Credits
    AGR 3303 Genetics 3
    CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry 1 3
    HOS 3020 Principles of Horticulture Crop Production 3
    HOS 3305 Introduction to Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology 3
    HOS 4313C Laboratory Methods in Plant Molecular Biology 2
    Total 14
    Semester 6 Credits
    CHM 2211 Organic Chemistry 2, 3 credits, and
    CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry Laboratory, 2 credits
    5
    HOS 4933 Professional Development in Horticulture 1
    Approved electives 10
    Total 16
    Semester 7 Credits
    BCH 3025 Fundamentals of Biochemistry or
    BCH 4024 Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    4
    HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology 3
    PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology 4
    ​Approved elective 3​
    Total 14
    Semester 8 Credits
    ​AGR 4320 Plant Breeding 3
    MCB 3020 Basic Biology of Microorganisms, 3 credits, and
    MCB 3020L Basic Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory, 1 credit
    ​4
    Approved electives 9
    Total 16
    Back to Top

    Related Horticultural Science Programs

    Back to Top
majors: horticultural-science