Agriculture sustains human life on Earth. The challenge is to meet the world's food needs into the 21st century and beyond, while preserving Earth's natural resources. By becoming a specialist in Sustainable Crop Production and Marketing/ Plant Health Management, your knowledge, techniques and applied experience will be specifically focused to prepare you for a rewarding career. Positions can be pursued in sustainable agriculture, agricultural extension, agribusiness, sales, conservation, organic crop production, produce buying/brokerage, plant pest monitoring and management, government, teaching and research.
A degree in Plant Science and Biotechnology takes you to the area of scientific research dealing with vital issues impacting today's world. Challenges to future scientists include the growth, development and genetic makeup of plants, the enhancement of the environment and the safe cultivation of more food using less space, less fertilizer and fewer pesticides. These issues must be explored in order to preserve and improve the quality of life on our planet. As a result, extensive career opportunities exist in genetic engineering, tissue culture, plant breeding, research technology and teaching. A background in Plant Science and Biotechnology is an excellent foundation for entrance into graduate school as well.
By becoming a specialist in Hydroponic Crop Science, your knowledge, techniques and applied experience will be specifically focused to prepare you for a rewarding career. Positions can be pursued in hydroponic crop production, teaching and research.
HT 1101
Exploring Horticulture, Science and the Environment
The objectives of this course are to define the field of
horticulture, to indicate what horticulturists produce,
to explore the various disciplines and areas of spe-
cialization and the challenging career opportunities in
business, science, education and industry. 2 hours
Lecture—2 credits
HT 2003
Fruits and Vegetables for Food, Fun and Profit
This course tells how horticulture is a delicious,
healthful diet source, gardening pastime, physical fit-
ness routine, science, business, profession, art, indus-
try, and a life sustaining career learning experience.
1 hour Lecture—1 credit
HT 2005
Plant Physiology
A study of the life processes of plants with laborato-
ry experiments designed to illustrate the physiochem-
ical principles controlling plant growth. Prerequisite:
Botany of Vascular Plants. 2 hours Lecture and
3 hours Laboratory—3 credits
HT 2101
Botany of Vascular Plants
A survey of the Plant Kingdom with emphasis on vas-
cular plants. Principles of seed plant structure and func-
tion are presented with stress on the plant’s relationship
to its environment. Prerequisites: Biological Science I.
2 hours Lecture and 3 hours Laboratory—3 credits
HT 2112
Commercial Fruit Production
A study of the commercial production and handling
of the deciduous tree fruit crops. Production and
marketing of fruits are studied in reference to the
selection of sites, soils, choice of varieties, plants,
pruning, cultivation, fertilization, pests, spraying and
dusting, harvesting, grading, packing, storing, and
marketing. Non-majors must have permission of the
Department Chairperson. 2 hours Lecture and 3 hours
Laboratory—3 credits
HT 2211
Commercial Vegetable Production
A study of the culture of the principal vegetable
crops, emphasizing production of vegetable plants in
hotbeds, coldframes, greenhouses and fields, variety
choice, soil adaptation, planting, fertilization, cultiva-
tion, pest control, harvesting, storage and marketing.
Non-majors must have permission of the Department
Chairperson. 2 hours Lecture and 3 hours
Laboratory—3 credits
HT 2235
Principles of Sustainable Agriculture
The course in sustainable agriculture embraces sever-
al variants of non-conventional agriculture (alterna-
tive, regenerative, ecological, low-input) and pulls
together these practices into systems that are prof-
itable and environmentally sound. It addresses the
serious problems of high energy costs, groundwater
contamination, soil erosion and risks to human health
and wildlife from pesticides. Offered Spring Semester.
2 hours Lecture and Discussion—2 credits
HT 2240
Organic Crop Science
This course provides the student with practical experi-
ence in the organic production of fruits, vegetables,
herbs, ornamentals, field crops and turf. Environmental,
social, and political issues concerning organic crop pro-
duction will be addressed. Comparisons to convention-
al production will be made. 2 hours lecture and 3 hours
Laboratory— 3 credits
HT 3000, 4000
Selected Topics I and II
Special projects designed to meet individual needs of
students in the specialized fields of agriculture.
Projects will be arranged on a one-to-one basis with
a department faculty member and with the approval
of the Department Chairperson. Total Selected Topics
credit accepted toward graduation is limited to
2 credits.3 hours student/faculty instruction per
week—1 credit each