College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Horticulture

Overview

• Horticulture is a broad and diverse field involved with producing and utilizing a multitude of specialized plants. Benefits of this industry to all people are both physical and emotional. Horticulturists provide the fruits and vegetables so important to good nutrition. Horticulturists also improve the human environment, through both beautification and conservation, by providing the ornamental plants and designs utilized to enhance aesthetics within and around the home, workplace, and other areas. Thus, while the field is based on a biological and agricultural science foundation, there is ample opportunity for individuals also oriented toward business, social science, art, education, and international development.
• The horticulture curriculum is fully individualized in consultation with a course advisor. Following the freshman year of core courses, students begin their personal programs of study in one of five options.

Landscape Contracting Option

• This program encompasses all components of the landscape services industry, including both exterior and interior landscapes. Additional study in ornamental plants, turf, and business supplement development of a single or combined concentration in landscape design, installation, and/or maintenance. Students in this option enter careers as entrepreneurs or employees of turf and landscape businesses in these specialties, as well as garden center operations, arboreta and private gardens management, and as town or city horticulturists.

Horticulture Crops Option

• This program focuses on managing the production and quality maintenance during marketing of the high value, intensively grown horticultural crops. Study of the specializations in growing fruit, vegetable, nursery, and floral crops is supplemented with business and other supporting courses for the student's emphasis area. Careers include commodity production and marketing, consulting and sales in horticultural supply firms, quality assurance, integrated pest management, and international development.

Horticulture Science Option

• This program supplements the departmental core with additional science study, individualized horticultural and supporting course development, and a directed research experience. Students in this option are prepared for graduate study in horticulture and the related plant sciences or to enter the rapidly expanding technical fields in plant and crop improvement, including biotechnology.

Horticulture Education Option

• This program develops a broad horticultural foundation with supplemental requirements for a wide array of careers in teaching horticulture. These may include teaching in the secondary schools (with agriculture or biology endorsement), extension (agricultural or youth programs), community colleges, and arboreta and botanical gardens. Continuation for a graduate degree may be desirable or required for some of these education careers.

Degree Requirements

Core Curriculum (All Options)	credits
Area 1 - English	6
Area 2 - elected	6
Area 3 - Agricultural Economics/Economics	6
Area 4 - Biology/Chemistry	8
Additional Biology/Chemistry	6
Area 5 - Mathematics	6
Area 6 - elected	1
Area 7 - elected	3
Crop and Soil Environmental Science	4
Horticulture Core	9
Plant Pathology, Physiology & Weed Science	3
Oral Communications	3
Option-Specific Additions to Core
Agricultural Economics, other business	0-12
Biology	0-11
Chemistry	10
Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences	0-4
Entomology	0-3
Horticulture	12-16
Plant Pathology, Physiology & Weed Science	3-7
Supporting Electives	11-31
Free Electives	6-12
Total Credits	120

• Selection of the option may be delayed to the start of the junior year. Undecided (general horticulture) students may benefit in their course scheduling by a preliminary option selection supplemented with their alternative interest areas, e.g. landscape courses as electives to the Crops Option.
• Students are encouraged to gain work experience during their academic careers. This may be developed independently or coordinated through the department in the Cooperative Education Program or various internship programs with which the department maintains direct contact (current listings available under Internships at http://www.hort.vt.edu/). Other experience and enrichment programs available include the Honors Program for students with outstanding academic records, the Horticulture Club for all interested students and the honorary society Pi Alpha Xi, special industry field trips, and the opportunity to develop dual major and minor programs. A horticulture minor program is also available for students in other curricula.
• The department offers programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. Available majors are olericulture, pomology, and ornamental horticulture (including floriculture, woody ornamentals, landscape horticulture, and horticulture therapy). Areas of specialization include molecular biology, growth and development, postharvest physiology, anatomy and morphology, breeding and genetics, tissue culture, growth regulation, nutrition, factors affecting photosynthesis, and the intensification of production through modern cultural practices and innovative approaches.

Satisfactory Progress

• By the end of the academic year in which the student has attempted 72 hours (including transfer, advanced placement, advanced standing and credit by exam), "satisfactory progress" toward the degree will include the following minimum criteria:
  • having a grade point average of 2.0
  • passing at least 24 semester credits that apply to the University Core
  • passing the following:

    BIOL 1105 and 1106
    CHEM 1035 and 1036
    HORT 2224, 2234 or 2244
    6 credits additional HORT courses
    6 credits from CSES 3114, ENT 4254 or 4524, PPWS 3104, 3505 or 3506

Undergraduate Course Descriptions (HORT)

2144: INDOOR PLANTS
Basic horticultural principles, identification and cultural criteria applicable to foliage and flowering plants grown indoors. Specific plant groups discussed include ferns, cacti and succulents, and carnivorous plants, among many others. Non-majors only. (3H,3C) I,II,III.

2164: FLORAL DESIGN
Principles and methods in floral art through designs for home and public environments. (2H,3L,3C) I,II.

2224: INTRODUCTION TO HORTICULTURE
An overview course which characterizes Horticulture in terms of the industries of which it is comprised, the production and use of horticultural crops, historical perspectives, current trends, major issues facing horticulture today, and projections for the future. (3H,3C) I.

2234: ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN HORTICULTURE
Principles and practices in managing environmental factors - temperature, water, light, atmospheric gases and pollutants, and soil and minerals - that influence growth and production of horticultural plants. (3H,3C) II.

2244: PLANT PROPAGATION
Principles and practices of plant propagation by sexual and asexual methods. (2H,2L,3C) I.

2964: FIELD STUDY
Variable credit course.

2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

3114 (FST 3114): WINES AND VINES
Principles and standard practices of wine grape production, processing, and sensory evaluation for students with a professional interest in premium table wines. Junior standing and instructor consent required. (2H,2L,3C) II.

3264: HORTICULTURAL THERAPY
In depth study of the application of horticultural activities to therapy and rehabilitation of handicapped individuals. Attention given to understanding problems of the handicapped and specific horticultural activities used in therapeutic programs. (2H,3L,3C) II.

3325-3326: WOODY LANDSCAPE PLANTS
Functions, growing requirements, hardiness, problems, and methods of identification of landscape plant materials. 3325:Commonly available woody landscape plants. 3326:Native and rare woody landscape plants. Junior standing required. (2H,3L,3C) 3325: I;3326: II.

3345,3346: HERBACEOUS LANDSCAPE PLANTS
Identification, growing requirements, culture, landscape use, flowering and dormancy physiology, and unique propagation of native and exotic herbaceous plants for temperate environments. 3345: Summer and fall-flowering ornamental annuals and perennials; cultivated wildflower, wetland, and acquatic systems. 3346: Winter and spring-flowering species and related herbaceous foliage plants. Junior standing required. (1H,3L,2C) 3345: I:3345. II:3346.; 3346: 3345:I. 3346:II..

3354 (FOR 3354): URBAN FORESTRY
A study of the function, culture, and management of trees in an urban environment, with emphasis on tree value and the implementation of biological and ecological concepts to minimize maintenance and maximize utility in urban areas. Pre: or(3326). (2H,3L,3C) I.

3524 (LAR 3524): HISTORY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
A study of the design-form and structure of landscape architectural works from the Bronze Age to the present, including the influence of physical, climatological, and social context, and of the individual designers. Junior standing required. (3H,3C) I.

3544: LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION
Survey of landscape construction materials and methods. Concentration on small scale and residential applications, innovative uses, and cost estimates. (1H,3L,2C) I,II.

3564: COMPUTER AIDED LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Computer aided landscape design utilizing AutoCAD and LANDCADD computer programs and their applications in landscape design for horticulturists. Design presentation techniques, irrigation layout design, perspectives, growth simulation, and plant selection. Junior standing required. (1H,3L,2C) I.

3584: LANDSCAPE CONTRACTING PRACTICUM
The development of practical skills in landscape contracting. The course will rotate between design and installation of water gardens, landscape irrigation systems, landscape lighting or other pertinent topics on consecutive years. The course can be repeated for exposure to specific subjects to maximum of 3 credits. Junior standing required. Pass/Fail only. Pre: 2224, 2234. (3L,1C)

3644: LANDSCAPE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE
The principles and practices involved in the establishment and care of private, public, industrial, and institutional landscapes. Pre: 2224, 2244. (2H,3L,3C) II.

4004: HORTICULTURE SEMINAR
Assessment of fundamental horticultural skills developed through academics and employment. A formal written report and oral presentation of work experiences and the preparation of a formal resume will be required. Junior standing and instructor consent required. (1H,1C)

4205,4206: PUBLIC GARDENS MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT
4205: Principles and practices of winter annuals and spring blooming bulb production and installation; water garden cultivation and systems maintenance; fall fertilization programming; vegetative waste management; information dissemination and communication methods for public outreach including education, interpretive programs, and fund raising.
4206: Principles and practices of pruning, summer annual production; soil amendment and protection; plant collections/accessions curation and database management; personnel and financial management issues unique to public gardens. Pre: Junior standing required. (3L,1C)

4304: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN PLANT MATERIALS USE
The far-reaching impact of decisions concerning the selection, propagation, and placement of ornamental herbaceous and woody plant materials in cultivated landscapes will be addressed through a discussion and writing-intensive approach. Voluntary and legislative efforts initiated by horticulturists and other plant specialists at the local, state, federal and global levels will be discussed, encompassing such topics as invasive exotic plants, rare and endangered species, and the development/release of new plant varieties. Instructor consent required. Pre: 2144 or 3325 or 3326 or 3345 or 3346. (3H,3C) II.

4404: FLORICULTURE CROPS
An advanced study of the physiological principles and commercial practices involved in the production of potted, bedding, and cut floral crops, as well as a study of the physical systems involved in greenhouse crop production. Pre: 2234, 2244. (3H,3C) II.

4414: FLORICULTURE CROPS LABORATORY
A greenhouse study of the principles and practices involved in the commercial production and research of floriculture crops. Greenhouse systems and practices will be used to produce floriculture crops. Co: 4404. (3L,1C) II.

4545-4546: SMALL SCALE AND RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Development of graphic skills with concentration on a variety of media and techniques. Basic theory and principles on design of small scale and residential landscapes with emphasis on spatial composition, user needs, ecology, and uses of plant materials and light construction. 4545, I;4546, II. Pre: 3325, 3544. (2H,6L,4C)

4664: NURSERY CROPS
Production principles and practices used for growing woody plants in the field and in containers along with the strategies for wholesale and retail marketing of nursery crops. Pre: 2234, 2244. (3H,3C) I.

4674: NURSERY CROPS LABORATORY
Development of horticultural skills associated with production and marketing of nursery crops. Co: 4664. (3L,1C) I.

4724: TREE FRUIT CROPS
Tree fruits and nuts are important agricultural crops in the United States and the world and they constitute a vital part of our diet. This course will explore their classification, production areas and systems, marketing, quality evaluation, and utilization. Taught odd years. Pre: 2234, 2244. (3H,3C) II.

4734: TREE FRUIT CROPS LABORATORY
The tree fruit industry constitutes a major part of the agricultural enterprise in Virginia and the United States. The emphasis of this lab will be on various aspects of deciduous tree fruits including apple, pear, peach. Taught odd years. Co: 4724. (3L,1C) II.

4744: SMALL FRUIT CROPS
The science and art involved in the establishment, production and marketing of temperate zone small fruit crops. Specific features will be highlighted with major emphases devoted to grapes, strawberries, blueberries, brambles, cranberries, gooseberries, and currants. Pre: 2234, 2244. (3H,3C) I.

4754: SMALL FRUIT CROPS LABORATORY
A field and laboratory study of principles and practices important in the successful establishment, production, and enhancement of small fruit quality, with primary student involvement in site selection, propagation, planting, pest control, maturity testing, fruiting habit, pruning and sensory evaluation. Co: 4744. (3L,1C) I.

4764: VEGETABLE CROPS
A comprehensive study of major and minor vegetable crops of Virginia, the U.S., and world in relation to production practices, crop development, nutritional value, and quality characteristics. Pre: 2234. (3H,3C) I.

4774: VEGETABLE CROPS LABORATORY
Laboratory and field study of principles and practices related to the production of vegetables. Cultural practices, production equipment, seed and varietal characteristics, and quality evaluation will be emphasized. Co: 4764. (3L,1C) I.

4964: FIELD STUDY
Variable credit course.

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.

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