Horticultural Science
This major prepares students for careers in plant science, including management, production, applied research, molecular biology research, marketing, sales and a number of other areas. Students can receive training ranging from commodity production/cropping systems to basic plant science/molecular biology.
About This Major
- College: Agricultural and Life Sciences
- Degree: Bachelor in Science
- Credits for Degree: 120
- Specializations: Horticultural Production, Horticultural Science,
Organic Crop Production, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Minor: Yes
- Certificate Program: No
- Academic Learning Compact: Horticultural Science
- Website: www.hos.ufl.edu/undergraduate
Overview
The department offers four specializations: horticultural sciences, horticultural production, organic crop production, and plant molecular and cellular biology. These options provide a strong science background and flexibility when choosing elective courses. Details of the specializations are outlined below. An academic adviser will help develop the curriculum that best suits your career and educational goals.
All specializations except Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology
Horticultural Production
Horticultural Science
Organic Crop Production
Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology
All Specializations except Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology
Critical Tracking
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- Complete 1 of 5 critical-tracking courses, excluding labs: BOT 2010C or BSC 2010/2010L, BOT 2011C or BSC 2011/2011L, CHM 2045/2045L, MAC 1147, PHY 2004 or PHY 2020
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 2
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 3
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
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Recommended Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
| HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
| MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry (GE-M) |
4 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Elective |
2 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) * |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
AEB 2014 Economic Issues, Food and You (3) or
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (4) or
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (4) (GE-S) |
3-4 |
| CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) |
4 |
| Electives |
5 |
| Humanities (GE-H) or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
15-16 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
| AEC 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences (WR) |
3 |
BOT 2010C Introductory Botany (3) (GE-B) or
BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 1 Laboratory (1) |
3-4 |
| Electives |
4 |
| Humanities (GE-H) * |
3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) |
2 |
| Total |
15-16 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication |
3 |
BOT 2011C Plant Diversity (GE-B) or
BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 2 Laboratory (1) |
4 |
PHY 2004 Applied Physics 1 or
PHY 2020 Introduction to Principles of Physics (both GE-P) |
3 |
| Electives |
5 |
| Total |
15 |
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Horticultural Production
This is a comprehensive program for students planning careers in any phase of the fruit and/or vegetable industry. This specialization emphasizes crop production and management. Career options include production management, agricultural sales, marketing, technical representation and many other opportunities.
Recommended Semesters 5-8 Plan
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| HOS 3020 Principles of Horticulture Crop Production |
3 |
| PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology |
4 |
| PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science |
3 |
| Approved electives * |
4 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
ENY 3005 and 3005L Principles of Entomology (2) and Principles of Entomology
Laboratory (1) |
3 |
| HOS 3430C Nutrition of Horticultural Crops |
3 |
| HOS 4933 Professional Development in Horticulture |
1 |
| Approved elective * |
6 |
| Commodity elective ** |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| AGR 3303 Genetics |
3 |
| HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology |
3 |
| PLS 3223 and 3223L Plant Propagation (2) and Plant Propagation Laboratory (1) |
3 |
| Commodity electives ** |
4 |
| Practical Work Experience *** |
1-3 |
| Total |
14-16 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| HOS 4341 Advanced Horticultural Physiology |
3 |
| SWS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory (1) |
4 |
| Approved electives * |
6 |
| Commodity electives ** |
3-4 |
| Total |
16-17 |
* Electives must be approved.
** Choose any FRC, VEC or HOS course, 3000-level or higher.
*** Practical Work Experience (select one):
HOS 4905 Independent Study
HOS 4941 Practical Work Experience
Other practical work experience course options, such as relevant study abroad experiences, may be approved by the adviser.
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Horticultural Science
This specialization offers students a generalized program, covering growth and development of horticultural crops. This is a flexible option that can be tailored to individual students' interests and career objectives, ranging from applied production to basic biology. Career options include commodity production/management, research biologist, marketing, agricultural chemical sales, fertilizer sales, produce buyer for grocery stores or restaurants, retail flower sales and a number of other opportunities.
Recommended Semesters 5-8 Plan
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| HOS 3020 Principles of Horticulture Crop Production |
3 |
| ORH 3513C Environmental Plant Identification and Use |
3 |
| Approved electives * |
6 |
| Pest management course** |
3-4 |
| Total |
15-16 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| HOS 3430C Nutrition of Horticultural Crops |
3 |
| HOS 4933 Professional Development in Horticulture |
1 |
| Approved electives * |
8 |
| Pest management course** |
3-4 |
| Total |
15-16 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| AGR 3303 Genetics |
3 |
| HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology |
3 |
| PLS 3223 and 3223L Plant Propagation (2) and Plant Propagation Laboratory (1) |
3 |
| Approved electives * |
6 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| HOS 4341 Advanced Horticultural Physiology |
3 |
| SWS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory (1) |
4 |
| Approved electives * |
8 |
| Total |
15 |
* Electives must be approved.
** Pest Management courses (select two):
ENY 3005 and 3005L Principles of Entomology and Laboratory (fall, spring and summer semesters, 3 credits)
IPM 3022 Fundamentals of Pest Management (fall semester, 3 credits)
NEM 3002 Principles of Nematology (spring semester, even years, 3 credits)
PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology (fall semester, 4 credits)
PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science (fall semester, 3 credits)
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Organic Crop Production
This specialization emphasizes the cultural practices that maintain ecological and economical balance in horticultural crop production systems. This is a flexible option with many electives available to meet education and career objectives. Graduates will be prepared for a range of careers related to conventional, sustainable and organic crop production.
Recommended Semesters 5-8 Plan
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
ENY 3005 and 3005L Principles of Entomology (2) and Principles of Entomology
Laboratory (1) |
3 |
| HOS 3020 Principles of Horticulture Crop Production |
3 |
| PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology |
4 |
| Commodity or approved electives * |
6 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| AGR 3303 Genetics |
3 |
| AGR 4212 Alternative Cropping Systems |
3 |
| HOS 3430C Nutrition of Horticultural Crops |
3 |
| Commodity or approved electives * |
6 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| HOS 3281C Principles of Organic and Sustainable Production |
3 |
| HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology |
3 |
| SWS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory (1) |
4 |
| Commodity or approved electives * |
3 |
| Practical Work Experience *** |
1-3 |
| Total |
14-16 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| HOS 4283C Advanced Organic and Sustainable Production |
3 |
| HOS 4341 Advanced Horticultural Physiology |
3 |
| HOS 4933 Professional Development in Horticulture |
1 |
| Commodity or approved electives * |
5-6 |
| Pest management course ** (3) |
3 |
| Total |
15-16 |
* Commodity electives (select 20-21 credits):
FRC 3212 Citrus Culture and Production
FRC 3252 Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Production
FRC 3274 Trees and Small Fruit Production (fall semester, odd years, 3 credits)
HOS 3222C Greenhouse and Protected Agriculture (spring semester, even years, 3 credits)
VEC 3221C Commercial Vegetable Production (fall semester, 4 credits)
For other approved electives, see adviser.
** Pest Management courses (select one):
HOS 4905 Weed Management for Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems
(spring semester, 3 credits)
PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science (fall semester, 3 credits)
*** Practical Work Experience (select one):
HOS 4905 Independent Study
HOS 4941 Practical Work Experience
Other practical work experience course options, such as relevant study abroad experiences, may be approved by the adviser.
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Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology
This is a comprehensive program focusing on the molecular aspects of crops, including crop growth, development and cultivar improvement. This specialization is geared toward preparing students for careers in laboratory research and is also an excellent preparation for students planning to pursue graduate studies.
Critical Tracking
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- Complete 1 of 6 critical-tracking courses, excluding labs: BSC 2010/2010L,
BSC 2011/2011L, CHM 2045/2045L, CHM 2046/2046L, MAC 2311,
PHY 2048/2048L or PHY 2053/2053L
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 2
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 3
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Recommended Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
| CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) |
4 |
| HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
| MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry (GE-M) |
4 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
| CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis (3) and Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis Laboratory (1) (GE-P) |
4 |
PHY 2053 and 2053L Physics 1 (4) and Physics 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) or
PHY 2048 and 2048L Physics 1 with Calculus (3) and Physics 1 with Calculus Laboratory (1) (GE-P) |
4-5 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
14-15 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
| AEC 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences (WR) |
3 |
| BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 1 Laboratory (1) |
4 |
| MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M) |
4 |
| Elective |
2 |
| Humanities (GE-H) or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
AEB 2014 Economic Issues, Food and You (3) or
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (4) or
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (4) (GE-S) |
3-4 |
| AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication |
3 |
| BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 2 Laboratory (1) (GE-B) |
4 |
| Elective |
3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Total |
16-17 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| AGR 3303 Genetics |
3 |
| CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry 1 |
3 |
| HOS 3020 Principles of Horticulture Crop Production |
3 |
| HOS 3305 Introduction to Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology |
3 |
| HOS 4313C Laboratory Methods in Plant Molecular Biology |
2 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| CHM 2211 and 2211L Organic Chemistry 2 (3) and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory (2) |
5 |
| HOS 4933 Professional Development in Horticulture |
1 |
| Approved electives * |
10 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| Approved electives * |
3 |
BCH 3025 Fundamentals of Biochemistry or
BCH 4024 Introduction to Biochemistry/Molecular Biology |
4 |
| HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology |
3 |
| PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology |
4 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| MCB 3020 and 3020L Basic Biology of Microorganisms (3) and Basic Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory (1) |
4 |
| AGR 4320 Plant Breeding |
3 |
| Approved electives * |
9 |
| Total |
16 |
* Electives must be approved. See adviser.
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