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.
The image of the industry as a bunch of individuals with pick-up
trucks, lawn mowers, and muscle persists. But the real opportunities
for creative satisfaction lie waiting for those whose scientific
knowledge of horticulture 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 and uplifting
our lives.
Entry into this field with confidence needs a theoretical and
practical knowledge in these areas:
- 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.
- The life of plants and the environmental
factors that encourage or inhibit plant growth.
a) familiarity with the ecological principles that
give organisms - both flora and fauna - mutual
support, b) knowledge of current research and the
concepts of sustainability.
- Ecological
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Specialization:
Familiarity
with
one
or
more
specialized
fields,
a)
design-build
residential
and
general
landscaping,
b)
top
fruit
production,
c)
arboriculture
including
the
care
of
urban
trees,
d)
cultivating,
production,
glasshouse
management
and
marketing
of
annual
and
herbaceous
perennial
plants,
e)
nursery
management
and
marketing,
f)
turf
grass,
golf
course
management,
g)
irrigation,
h)
sustainability,
i)
wildflower
and
native
plantings.
Suggested Curriculum - Junior
Year
Fall
Semester
|
Credits
|
|
|
4
|
Envdes 394A* Writing in Environmental Design
|
3
|
Plsoil 100 Basic Plant Science (BS)
|
3
|
Plsoil 105 Soils
|
4
|
Biol 221 Plants & Environment
|
3
|
Total
Credits
|
17
|
Spring
Semester
|
Credits
|
Biol 226* New England Flora
|
3
|
Ent 572 Forest and Shade Tree Insects
|
4
|
LandArch 294A*Construction Materials
|
3
|
LandArch 105 Landscape Drafting (7wks)
|
2
|
Elective
|
3
|
Total
Credits
|
15
|
Senior Year
Fall
Semester
|
Credits
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
LS&R 332* Principles of Arboriculture
|
3
|
Bio 421 Plant Ecology
|
2
|
Elective
|
3
|
Total
Credits
|
15
|
Spring
Semester
|
Credits
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
Biol 524 Coastal Plant Ecology
|
3
|
Envdes 356* Planting Design
|
3
|
Elective
|
3
|
Total
Credits
|
15
|
General Notes:
- All courses must be taken for credit and * starred courses
in the sequence noted.
- All courses noted* are required and cannot be waived or
substituted. The exceptions being, a) the identical course
has been taken, in the last 4 years, with the same instructor,
with a minimum passing grade of C; b) the course is no longer
offered. Each course in this category must be passed with a
minimum grade of C.
- Substitution of other courses is permitted, provided they are
taken from list of Supplementary Courses.
- 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.
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 |
