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