2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]


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Horticulture (B.S.)



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Program Coordinator/Contact

David Wright, Department Head
Brent Turnipseed, Assistant Department Head
Hani Ghosheh, Undergraduate Teaching Coordinator
Department of Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Science
Berg Agricultural Hall 244
605-688-5123 (Department Head, SAG 244)
605-688-4450 (Teaching Office, SNP 247)

Program Information

The Horticulture major is designed to prepare students for careers in nursery production, local food production, landscape, tree management, garden center operation, greenhouse production, or for entry into research and graduate study in horticultural science. Greenhouse facilities and extensive field plots in woody and herbaceous ornamentals, fruit, and vegetables provide students with the opportunity to experience all aspects of plant production and management.

Program Emphases

The Horticulture Major offers four areas of emphasis. Students with an interest in:

  • Crop management and production technologies of greenhouse, nursery, fruit, or vegetable crops can tailor their program of studies using the Production Emphasis.
  • Careers in managing nurseries, landscape maintenance, arboriculture, garden centers or greenhouse businesses should follow the Business Emphasis.
  • Careers in food crop or local food production and marketing should follow the Food Crop Emphasis.
  • Pursuing a graduate degree or laboratory science career should follow the Science Emphasis.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Horticulture major, students will:

  • Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of basic Horticultural principles and practices.
  • Demonstrate the ability to think creatively and to apply critical thinking skills when evaluating and analyzing information. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
  • Demonstrate the ability to learn, develop, and apply skills for the application of existing and emerging knowledge and technologies in Horticulture. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply scientific principles, quantitative skills, and other problem solving skills in Horticulture. (Cross-curricular Skill: Problem Solving)
  • Demonstrate knowledge and application of ethical and sustainable practices in the Horticultural fields. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning)
  • Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of local food production principles and practices.
  • Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of plant identification, selection, use, and maintenance of plant material best suited for conventional and sustainable landscapes.
  • Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate (written, listening and oral) with both scientific and non-scientific audiences.

Course Delivery Format

Students learn through hands-on and face-to-face learning in lecture, laboratory, and field-based experiences.

Requirements for Horticulture Major: 120 Credits


Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Requirements


Bachelor of Science Requirements: 11

Students who wish to complete a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences must complete a minimum of 11 credits from the approved list of Group 1  courses. Some departments require specific courses from the list, whereas others leave the selection entirely to the student and the advisor.

System General Education Requirements and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.  Please review major requirements and the Group 1 list to determine if additional courses are required.

Technical Electives


It is recommended that students select from one set of technical electives.  Select 15 credits from the following lists:

Food Crop Emphasis


Students with an interest in food crop production and marketing should follow the Food Crop Emphasis. Credits: 15

Production Emphasis


Students interested in crop management and production technologies of greenhouse, nursery, turf, fruit, or vegetable crops can tailor their program of studies using the Production curriculum. Credits: 15

Science Emphasis


Students with an interest in pursuing a graduate degree or laboratory science career should follow the Science Emphasis. Credits: 15

Electives


Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120


Notes


Modules must be different than those used to satisfy core curriculum.
†† It is recommended that students take no more than 6 credits of HO/AST courses in developing a plan of study for the Business Emphasis.

Summary of Program Requirements


Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

System General Education Requirements 30-31 Credit Hours
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Requirements* 11 Credit Hours
Major Requirements 72 Credit Hours
Electives** 5-6 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.  
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet


The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.

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