Academic Programs Catalog

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Department of Horticulture

Undergraduate Program
Horticulture

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