Horticulture (HORT)

Mary C. Savin
Head of the Department
316 Plant Sciences Building
479-575-5740

Department of Horticulture Website

The Department of Horticulture offers a broad, science-based degree with comprehensive and technical training: Horticulture, Landscape and Turf Sciences (HLTS).

Horticulture, landscape, and turf management involves selection, production, management, marketing, use, and research of ornamental crops (shrubs, trees, flowers, and turf), edible crops (herbs, vegetables, and fruits) and turf grasses for the economic, nutritional, aesthetic and recreational well-being of society. The major provides education and training in basic and applied sciences, arts and humanities, communication, and business and economics to provide an understanding of the underlying principles in plant growth and development and use of new technologies, and the operation of a horticultural enterprise. In consultation with an academic adviser and mentor, students may individually focus their academic programs through required and elective courses to focus training in specialized areas such as production, greenhouse and floriculture sciences, turfgrass management, golf course management, nursery production and management, edible crop production, pest management, sales and support services, education and training, and horticultural consulting. An internship in the industry is required to gain practical, hands-on experience.

Job opportunities for horticulturists include horticulture crop production and management, horticulture merchandising and business, consulting, inspection, research, teaching, Extension, communications, allied industries serving horticultural producers, journalism, and developing private business. Students who specialize in landscape and aspects of ornamental horticulture will be prepared for careers in the landscape service industry, landscape nurseries, landscape design firms, private and public gardens, and public agencies such as parks and recreation. Job opportunities for students studying turfgrass management include golf course superintendent, sports field manager, turfgrass science companies, seed or sod production, commercial landscape turfgrass management, research, sales, teaching, or private consulting. Advanced study may be required for some careers.

Courses

HORT 11003. Plants, People and You. 3 Hours.

Plants, People and You is a course designed to introduce students to the world of horticulture, with an emphasis on how plants can be used for food, fun, health, economic value or environmental contribution. (Typically offered: Fall)

HORT 20003. Principles of Horticulture. 3 Hours.

A course introducing students to the biological and technologies underlying the propagation, production, handling and use of horticultural crops, turf and landscape plants. Students will be introduced to the various disciplines and commodities of horticulture. The use of plants for the benefit of humankind because of their aesthetic and nutritional value will be explored. Previous instruction in Plant Science, Plant Biology, or general Botany is strongly encouraged. Corequisite: Lab component. (Typically offered: Spring)

HORT 21001. Horticultural Career Development. 1 Hour.

A course which presents concepts necessary for developing a career and becoming a professional in horticulture industries or businesses. Concepts of goal setting, effective communication and interpersonal skills, behaviors and performance, portfolio and resume, development and job hunting skills will be presented. (Typically offered: Spring)

HORT 23003. Introduction to Turfgrass Management. 3 Hours.

An introductory course in turfgrass management emphasizing turfgrass growth, adaptation, and management. Methods for establishment, fertilization, mowing, cultivation, irrigation, and pest management are presented, and their impact on culture of lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, and other managed turf areas discussed. (Typically offered: Fall)

HORT 31003. Woody Landscape Plants. 3 Hours.

Identification, climatic adaptation and landscape design values of woody ornamental trees, shrubs and vines. Lecture 2 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. (Typically offered: Fall)

HORT 31103. Herbaceous and Indoor Plant Materials. 3 Hours.

Identification, culture, and use of annuals, perennials in landscapes and foliage plants in interiors. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 2 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. (Typically offered: Spring Odd Years)

HORT 33003. Vegetable Crops. 3 Hours.

General course in vegetable crops with attention to the principles underlying methods of production and handling related to yields and quality of the products. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 2 hours per week. Prerequisite: HORT 20003 and CSES 22003. (Typically offered: Fall Odd Years)

HORT 34003. Turfgrass Management. 3 Hours.

Cultural and management practices of commercial and residential lawns. Principles and practices of mowing, fertilizing, irrigating, and control of weed, disease, and insects. Identification of turfgrass; equipment selection. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: HORT 23003. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

HORT 35003. Sustainable and Organic Horticulture. 3 Hours.

This course will provide a base of knowledge of the principles and practices of sustainable, organic, and alternative horticulture management systems. The class will review and evaluate topics including soil biological processes (compost, humus and fertility), pest management, alternative farming systems, and organic agriculture. After this foundation information is studied, the class will study applications of sustainable agriculture principles to production systems such as greenhouse vegetable production, ornamental production, fruit production, and landscape and turf management. (Typically offered: Fall Even Years)

HORT 4000V. Special Problems. 1-6 Hour.

Original investigations on assigned problems in horticulture. Prerequisite: Junior standing. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

HORT 4010V. Special Topics in Horticulture, Turf or Landscape. 1-6 Hour.

Topics related to horticulture, turfgrass or landscape science or management not covered in other courses or a more intensive study of a specific topic. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for degree credit.

HORT 4020V. Horticulture Judging and Competition Activity. 1-6 Hour.

Training for and participation on horticultural identification, judging and competitive teams. Prerequisite: HORT 20003. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

HORT 40303. Professional Landscape Installation and Construction. 3 Hours.

Principles and practices involved in landscape installation and construction. Topics covered include sequencing construction activities, protecting existing trees, landscape soils, selecting plants, planting and transplanting plant materials, wood construction, cement and masonry construction, and low-voltage lighting. Lecture 3 hours per week. Preparatory training in agribusiness or business is suggested. Prerequisite: HORT 20003. (Typically offered: Fall Even Years)

HORT 40403. Professional Landscape Management. 3 Hours.

Principles and practices of landscape management and maintenance. Topics include low maintenance and seasonal color design, pruning and hazard tree management, water and fertilizer management, pesticide use, and other maintenance activities. Basic elements of marketing, specifications and contracts, estimating, personnel management, and equipment selection and acquisition relevant for landscape services will be introduced. Preparatory training in agribusiness or business is suggested. Prerequisite: HORT 20003 and HORT 31003. (Typically offered: Fall Odd Years)

HORT 41003. Fruit Production Science and Technology. 3 Hours.

The management technologies and cultural practices of fruit crops including (but not limited to) blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, grapes, peaches, and apples will be presented. The underlying scientific principles of crop genetics, nutrition, and physiology will be presented as a basis for making management decisions in fruit crop productions. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: HORT 20003. (Typically offered: Spring Odd Years)

HORT 41503. Sustainable Techniques in Urban Horticulture. 3 Hours.

Sustainable Techniques in Urban Horticulture is a practicum based course where the student will learn basic techniques in sustainable production of horticultural crops in an urban or small-scale environment. Crops may include vegetables, cut flowers, or small fruits. This course is intended for students who do not have an agricultural production background or for those students wanting to learn more about the production of high-value horticultural crops under sustainable production systems. (Typically offered: Summer)

HORT 44003. Plant Propagation. 3 Hours.

Principles of plant propagation using seeds, cuttings, grafting, budding, layering, and tissue culture. The physiological basis of propagation is described. Knowledge of plant growth and physiology is needed. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 2 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: HORT 20003. (Typically offered: Spring)

HORT 440H3. Honors Plant Propagation. 3 Hours.

Principles of plant propagation using seeds, cuttings, grafting, budding, layering, and tissue culture. The physiological basis of propagation is described. Knowledge of plant growth and physiology is needed. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 2 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: HORT 20003 and honors standing. (Typically offered: Spring)
This course is equivalent to HORT 44003.

HORT 44103. Horticulture Physiology. 3 Hours.

This course provides students with a background into the physiological processes of plants with an emphasis on horticultural crops and how the processes relate to horticultural crop production practices. Among the topics covered are photosynthesis, respiration, water relations and morphogenesis. Prerequisite: HORT 20003 and CHEM 12103. (Typically offered: Spring)

HORT 45003. Sustainable Nursery Production. 3 Hours.

This course addresses issues and practices involved in production of quality woody nursery crops (e.g. trees and shrubs produced in open filed and containerized systems). (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

HORT 46003. Practical Landscape Planning. 3 Hours.

Ornamental planting design and landscape planning concepts. Preparing planting plans, materials sheets, and cost estimates for residential properties. Prerequisite: HORT 31003. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

HORT 4620V. Horticulture, Landscape, Turf Sciences Internship Experience. 1-6 Hour.

A supervised practical work experience in a horticulture, landscape design, or turf business or research program to gain professional competence and insight into employment opportunities. Prerequisite: SPCH 10003 and HORT 21001. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

HORT 47001. Greenhouse Management and Controlled Environment Horticulture Laboratory. 1 Hour.

Laboratory involving hands-on experiments designed to demonstrate principles discussed in the lecture section. Includes field trips. Corequisite: HORT 47003. (Typically offered: Fall Odd Years)

HORT 47003. Greenhouse Management and Controlled Environment Horticulture. 3 Hours.

Operation and management of greenhouses and other controlled environments used in horticultural production. Emphasis on system design and construction, control of light intensity and photoperiod, heating and cooling systems, substrates, mineral nutrition, water quality and irrigation systems. Prerequisite: HORT 20003 and CHEM 12103. (Typically offered: Fall)

HORT 4720V. Horticulture, Landscape, Turf Sciences Internship Assessment. 1-6 Hour.

The objective of the HORT 4720V Internship Assessment is for the student to gain mastery in written and oral communication skills and critical thinking skills by reflection and analysis of ideas, artifacts, and events gained from a prior internship experience. The student is expected to master specific skills in the context, content development, syntax and mechanics and purpose of writing in a visual presentation relating to the internship experience. The student will also master skills in the organization, central message, language, and delivery of an oral presentation related to the internship experience. The student will master critical thinking skills through the explanation of issues, personal perspective, evidence presentation, and conclusions and outcomes related to the internship experience. Prerequisite: HORT 4620V. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

HORT 48104. HYDROPONICS AND SOILLESS CROPS. 4 Hours.

Hydroponic and Soilless Crop Production is an online lecture course focusing on greenhouse hydroponic crop production. This course will provide a broad overview of hydroponic and soilless crop production as well as production information for s common crops such as leafy greens (i.e., lettuce, basil, arugula), vegetables and vine crops (i.e. tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers), and hydroponic berry crops (i.e. strawberry). Corequisite: Lab component. Pre- or corequisite: HORT 20003. (Typically offered: Spring)

HORT 49004. Golf and Sports Turf Management. 4 Hours.

This course focuses on turf management techniques for golf courses and athletic fields, including species selection, turfgrass physiology, soil physical and chemical properties as related to turfgrass management, and environmental management. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: CSES 22003 and CSES 22001. (Typically offered: Fall Odd Years)

HORT 49201. Golf Course Operations. 1 Hour.

This course is designed to cover specific aspects of golf course operations that would not be included in traditional turfgrass management courses. Topics will include budgeting, personnel management, tournament setup and operation, dealing with golf club committees, communication, and other relevant topics related to managing a golf course maintenance operation. Prerequisite: HORT 49004. (Typically offered: Fall Even Years)

HORT 49903. Global Horticulture and Human Nutrition to Enhance Community Resilience and Food Security. 3 Hours.

This course covers three broad areas (Global Horticulture, Sustainable International Development, Human Health and Nutrition) and experts on three campuses created the instruction. The course is intended to be multi-disciplinary, and students should use their contextual knowledge to add to weekly discussions. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)