The Concentration in Horticultural Studies is designed to permit its environmentally aware graduates to confidently enter the rapidly expanding 'green industry'. Earning a degree with a good cumulative average (higher than a 3.0), you will not only be well-prepared but in a competitive position to gain upper level entry into the industry or, at some later date, go on to pursue further studies at the graduate level in, for example, horticulture or landscape architecture.

Opportunities for creative satisfaction lie waiting for those whose scientific knowledge of plants, soils, and ecology is combined with the theoretical and practical aspects of landscape design, technology and business management. These leaders, furthermore, recognize the links between plants and humankind and the role they play in supporting our lives.

Entry into this field with confidence needs a theoretical and practical knowledge in these areas:

1. Soils: a)their properties and their organic inhabitants, b) requirements for sound plant growth, c) organic and artificial methods of soil modification to adjust soil deficiencies so as to maximize healthy, non-toxic, plant growth, d) what types of plant communities develop on different types of soils.

2. The life of plants and the environmental factors that encourage or inhibit plant growth: a) familiarity with the ecological principles that give organisms - both plants and animals - mutual support, b) knowledge of current research and the concepts of sustainability.

3. Relationships of plants and their environments and the world of human beings: a) plants for food and utility, b) plants cultivated for aesthetic pleasure, c) learning the principles of designing the layouts of small properties, d) plants within their native habitats and communities.

4. Principles of landscape construction, a) hand and mechanical techniques in cultivation and the maintenance of plants, b) control of run-off and erosion, c) economics between various construction and management systems, d)reading and creating construction drawings.

5. Business and personnel management, a) of specific areas of the 'green industry', b) knowledge of the principles of estimating and accounting for small businesses, c) awareness of legal responsibilities, insurances and other business responsibilities.

Suggested Curriculum - Junior Year

Suggested Curriculum - Senior Year

General Notes:

1. All courses noted * are required and cannot be waived or substituted. All courses must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of a C or better.
2. Electives may be used for Internships (through the Independent Study Option) in the spring semester of your Junior year and in both semesters of your Senior year provided, a) you have an overall cumulative average of 3.0; b) your internship has the approval of your Advisor and ED Director; c) you sign the necessary Independant Study Contract.
3. Students must take 7 Environmental Design Core courses (see Handbook page 3) and 9 courses in their area of concentration (see Handbook page 7). Available concentration courses vary from semester to semester. Check with your Advisor for the current list.
4. If students have not taken EnvirDes 205 and EnvirDes 291A in their freshman and sophomore years, they must take them in their junior and senior years.