Academic Programs Catalog

Horticultural foods and food products, flowers and landscapes sustain and enrich our lives. Horticulture is the science and art concerned with the breeding, culture, production, marketing, and utilization of high–value intensively cultivated plants. Horticultural crops are diverse, including annual and perennial species, food, medicinal and ornamental crops, and plants grown outdoors and in controlled environments. The primary horticulture discipline areas include pomology (fruits), olericulture (vegetables), floriculture (ornamentals) and landscape horticulture.

Graduates with a major in horticulture enter a broad range of challenging and rewarding professional careers in production, management, marketing, education, consulting and service industries, including research in basic and applied plant science. In addition, graduates frequently become entrepreneurs or obtain employment in horticultural business enterprises (e.g., commercial production operations, landscape design/build and maintenance companies, nurseries, retail flower shops, or fruit and vegetable markets). Graduates may also pursue careers in nontraditional areas that require a knowledge of horticulture such as secondary education, the publication industry, or international development.

The study of horticulture at MSU is highly integrative, combining scientific and technical knowledge, and problem–solving skills for application in various professions related to horticulture. Students in horticulture combine diverse fundamental disciplines in physical science (chemistry), biological sciences (botany, genetics, physiology, entomology, and plant pathology), environmental science (soil science), with horticultural crop production, and business acumen (economics, management, and marketing). Communication and computer skills are also cultivated within the horticulture curriculum. Students complete one of three concentrations: Horticultural Science, Sustainable and Organic Horticulture, or Landscape Design, Construction, and Management. In all concentrations, students obtain hands–on experiences through exercises in the greenhouses, research laboratories, the horticulture gardens, or at the farms. Field trips expose students to successful horticultural businesses, industries, and support services within Michigan. Students gain professional work experience through internships, independent study, and part–time employment in research and extension programs within the Department of Horticulture.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Horticulture major is met by completing Horticulture 404. That course is referenced in item 3. a. below.
   
   Students who are enrolled in the Horticulture major leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in the Department of Horticulture may complete an alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that consists of the following courses:  Plant Biology 105 and 106 and Chemistry 141, 143, and 161.  The completion of Plant Biology 106 and Chemistry 161 satisfies the laboratory requirement.  Plant Biology 105 and 106 and Chemistry 141, 143, and 161 may be counted toward both the alternative track and the requirements for the major referenced in item 3. below.
   
   The completion of Mathematics 116 or its equivalent in fulfillment of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources mathematics requirement which also may satisfy the University mathematics requirement.
2. The requirements of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Bachelor of Science degree.
   
   Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
   1. The following requirements for the major:

      a.	All of the following courses: (39 credits)
      	CEM	141	General Chemistry				4
      	CEM	143	Survey of Organic Chemistry				4
      	CEM	161	Chemistry Laboratory I				1
      	CSS	210	Fundamentals of Soil Science				3
      	CSS	350	Introduction to Plant Genetics				3
      	HRT	203	Introduction to Horticulture				3
      	HRT	204	Plant Propagation and Use				3
      	HRT	207	Horticulture Career Development				1
      	HRT	361	Applied Plant Physiology				3
      	HRT	404	Horticulture Management (W)				3
      	HRT	493	Professional Internship in Horticulture				3
      	HRT	494	Horticulture Career Development II				1
      	PLB	105	Plant Biology				3
      	PLB	106	Plant Biology Laboratory				1
      	STT	200	Statistical Methods				3
      b.	One of the following concentrations (29 to 34 credits):
      	Horticultural Science (29 credits):
      	(1)	Both of the following courses (8 credits):
      		ENT	404	Fundamentals of Entomology			4
      		PLP	405	Plant Pathology			4
      	(2)	Complete 12 credits from the following:
      		CSS	226L	Weed Science Laboratory			1
      		CSS	326	Weed Science			2
      		HRT	211	Landscape Plants I			3
      		HRT	212	Landscape Plants II			3
      		HRT	218	Irrigation Systems for Horticulture			2
      		HRT	218L	Irrigation Systems for Horticulture Laboratory			1
      		HRT	242	Passive Solar Greenhouses for Protected Cultivation			1
      		HRT	243	Organic Transplant Production			1
      		HRT	253	Compost Production and Use			1
      		HRT	310	Nursery Management			3
      		HRT	323	Floriculture Production: Herbaceous Perennials and Annuals			3
      		HRT	332	Tree Fruit Production and Management			3
      		HRT	336	Viticulture and Berry Production			2
      		HRT	341	Vegetable Production and Management			3
      		HRT	351	Hydroponic Food Production			2
      		HRT	351L	Hydroponic Food Production Lab			2
      		HRT	475	International Studies in Horticulture			3
      	(3)	Three of the following courses (9 credits):
      		CSS	441	Biotechnology and Plant Breeding			3
      		CSS	451	Biotechnology Applications for Plant Breeding and Genetics			3
      		HRT	401	Advanced Horticultural Crop Physiology			3
      		HRT	403	Handling and Storage of Horticultural Crops			3
      		HRT	407	Horticulture Marketing			3
      		HRT	486	Biotechnology in Agriculture: Applications and Ethical Issues			3
      	Sustainable and Organic Horticulture (32 credits):
      	(1)	All of the following courses (14 credits):
      		CSS	360	Soil Biology			3
      		ENT	479	Organic Pest Management (W)			3
      		HRT	251	Organic Farming Principles and Practices			3
      		HRT	253	Compost Production and Use			1
      		PLP	405	Plant Pathology			4
      	(2)	Complete 9 credits from the following:
      		CSS	226L	Weed Science Laboratory			1
      		CSS	326	Weed Science			2
      		HRT	218	Irrigation Systems for Horticulture			2
      		HRT	218L	Irrigation Systems for Horticulture Laboratory			1
      		HRT	242	Passive Solar Greenhouses for Protected Cultivation			1
      		HRT	243	Organic Transplant Production			1
      		HRT	332	Tree Fruit Production and Management			3
      		HRT	336	Viticulture and Berry Production			2
      		HRT	341	Vegetable Production and Management			3
      		HRT	351	Hydroponic Food Production			2
      		HRT	351L	Hydroponic Food Production Lab			2
      		HRT	475	International Studies in Horticulture			3
      		HRT	490	Independent Study			1 or 2
      	(3)	Three of the following courses (9 credits):
      		CSUS	343	Community Food and Agricultural Systems			3
      		HRT	401	Advanced Horticultural Crop Physiology			3
      		HRT	403	Handling and Storage of Horticultural Crops			3
      		HRT	407	Horticulture Marketing			3
      		HRT	486	Biotechnology in Agriculture: Applications and Ethical Issues			3
      	Horticulture Landscape Design, Construction, and Management  (34 credits):
      	(1)	All of the following courses (25 credits):
      		CSS	202	World of Turf			2
      		HRT	211	Landscape Plants I			3
      		HRT	212	Landscape Plants II			3
      		HRT	213	Landscape Maintenance			2
      		HRT	213L	Landscape Maintenance Field Laboratory			1
      		HRT	218	Irrigation Systems for Horticulture			2
      		HRT	218L	Irrigation Systems for Horticulture Laboratory			1
      		HRT	311	Landscape Design and Management Specifications			4
      		HRT	411	Landscape Contract Management			3
      		PLP	407	Diseases and Insects of Forest and Shade Trees			4
      	(2)	Complete 9 credits from the following:
      		CSS	226L	Weed Science Laboratory			1
      		CSS	326	Weed Science			2
      		LA	140	Graphics and Two-Dimensional Design Studio			4
      		HRT	214	Landscape and Turfgrass Business Operations			2
      		HRT	310	Nursery Management			3
      		HRT	323	Floriculture Production: Herbaceous Perennials and Annuals			3
      		HRT	401	Advanced Horticultural Crop Physiology			3
      		HRT	407	Horticulture Marketing			3
      		HRT	460	Green Roofs and Walls			2
      		HRT	475	International Studies in Horticulture			3

The Minor in Horticulture, which is administered by the Department of Horticulture, is designed to provide an opportunity for students to gain a fundamental understanding of the science of horticulture and tailor their studies to food production, greenhouse and nursery crops, landscape design and management, or plant breeding and genetics.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture.  With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in Horticulture.

Requirements for the Minor in Horticulture

Complete 18 credits from the following:

The minor is designed to provide students with an understanding of the materials and processes used to design, construct and maintain landscapes. 

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University with the exception of majors in Horticulture. The minor is administered by The Department of Horticulture.

With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Requirements for the Minor in Landscape Horticulture

Students must complete a minimum of 17 credits from the following:

The Minor in Plant, Animal and Microbial Biotechnology is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in Bachelor of Science degree programs with majors in animal science, biosystems engineering, fisheries and wildlife, food science, forestry, horticulture, and plant, soil and microbial sciences.  The minor is administered by the Department of Horticulture.

The minor provides the opportunity for students who are enrolled in biological science–related undergraduate programs to become familiar with the concepts, techniques, and issues related to modern biotechnology.  The minor is designed for students who may be planning to pursue graduate study in biotechnology–related disciplines or who may be interested in careers with corporations or agencies for which a basic familiarity with biotechnology is a prerequisite.

With the approval of the department and college that administer the student's degree program, courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor's degree.

Requirements for the Minor in Plant, Animal and Microbial Biotechnology

The student must complete:

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be considered for admission students must:

1. have completed a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture or biological sciences. Applicants not trained in these fields will be considered provided they have a robust academic and/or experiential background. Previous courses in college-level physics, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, and plant science are strongly recommended.
2. have maintained a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale during their last two academic years.
3. submit scores if they are not native English speakers, for the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For TOEFL, a minimum average score of 80 is required, with minimal subscore of 19 for reading, listening, and speaking, and 22 for writing. For IELTS, a score of 6.5 or higher is required. There is a process for waiving the requirement of test scores for applicants whose first language is not English but meet specific criteria regarding English literacy. Please see The Graduate School guidelines to request a waiver for English language competency.

1. At least 6 but not more than 10 credits of Master's Thesis Research (Horticulture 899)  are required.
2. Students must complete prescribed courses and conduct original research, under the supervision of the Faculty Advisor and the Advisory Committee, on a selected problem related to Horticulture. A review of the literature in the selected area of study and written research proposal should precede the experimental work. The data collected must be analyzed, interpreted, presented, submitted to, and accepted by The Graduate School according to their recommendations/format.

1. At least 3 but not more than 6 credits of Independent Study (Horticulture 890) and/or Master's Research (Horticulture 898) is required.
2. Students must complete prescribed courses and conduct an independent project, under the supervision of the Faculty Advisor and the Advisory Committee, incorporating teaching, extension, outreach, and/or research related to Horticulture. The student will write a project report or create a portfolio, in lieu of an experimental research-based thesis.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be considered for admission students must:

1. have completed a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture or biological sciences. Applicants not trained in these fields will be considered provided they have a robust academic and/or experiential background. Previous courses in college-level physics, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, and plant science are strongly recommended.
2. have maintained a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale during their last two academic years.
3. submit scores if they are not native English speakers, for the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For TOEFL, a minimum average score of 80 is required, with minimal subscore of 19 for reading, listening, and speaking, and 22 for writing. For IELTS, a score of 6.5 or higher is required. There is a process for waiving the requirement of test scores for applicants whose first language is not English but meet specific criteria regarding English literacy. Please see The Graduate School guidelines to request a waiver for English language competency.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Horticulture

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Horticulture requires at least 30 credit hours in courses not taken to earn a master’s degree at MSU. At least 16 of these credits must be in courses at the 800 or 900 level, including research (HRT 999). Courses should include at least 3 credit hours of Horticulture Seminar (HRT 894) or another seminar course approved by the student's advisory committee, as well as at least 3 credit hours of 800-level courses in Horticulture with a total of 9 credit hours of 800-level courses in Horticulture recommended, not including HRT 894.

1. A minimum of 24 and a maximum of 36 credits hours in Doctoral Dissertation Research (Horticulture 999) is required. All students using University services must be registered each semester for a minimum of 1 credit hour of HRT 999.
2. One year of attendance on campus after the first enrollment for doctoral degree credit is required. A year of residence/attendance consists of two semesters, involving completion of at least 3 credits of graduate work each term.
3. Graduate students in the Ph.D. program must complete prescribed courses and conduct original research, under the supervision of the Faculty Advisor and the Advisory Committee, on a selected problem related to Horticulture. A review of the literature in the selected area of study and written research proposal should precede the experimental work. The data collected must be analyzed, interpreted, presented, submitted to, and accepted by The Graduate School according to their recommendations/format.

The Department of Horticulture offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in plant breeding, genetics and biotechnology–horticulture. Students meet the requirements for admission and the requirements both for Horticulture, as specified above, and for Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology, as specified in the statement on Interdepartmental Graduate Programs in Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology.