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
- Hours for the Degree: 120
- Specializations: Horticultural Production, Horticultural Science,
Organic Crop Production, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology - Minor: Yes
- 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
Specialization: Horticultural Production
Specialization: Horticultural Science
Specialization: Organic Crop Production
Specialization: Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology
All Specializations except Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
Semester 1:
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking coursework for semesters 1-5
- Complete 1 of 5 critical 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
Semester 2:
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
Semester 3:
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
Semester 4:
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
Semester 5:
- Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
Recommended semester plan
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry (GE-M) | 4 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Elective | 2 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| 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 |
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.
| 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 |
| AGR 3303 Genetics | 3 |
| 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 * | 3 |
| Commodity elective ** | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology | 3 |
| PLS 3223 and 3223L Plant Propagation (2) and Plant Propagation Laboratory (1) | 3 |
| Approved electives * | 4 |
| Commodity electives ** | 3-4 |
| Practical Work Experience *** | 1-3 |
| Total | 14-17 |
| 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):
AGR 4922 Integrated Travel course (3 credits)
HOS 4905 Independent Study (variable)
HOS 4941 Practical Work Experience (variable)
HOS 5330 Postharvest Technologies (2 credits)
Other practical work experience course options, such as relevant study abroad experiences, may be approved by the adviser.
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.
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| HOS 3020 Principles of Horticulture Crop Production | 3 |
| ORH 3513C Environmental Plant Identification and Use | 3 |
| Approved electives * | 6 |
| Pest management ** | 3-4 |
| Total | 15-16 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| AGR 3303 Genetics | 3 |
| HOS 3430C Nutrition of Horticultural Crops | 3 |
| HOS 4933 Professional Development in Horticulture | 1 |
| Approved electives * | 5 |
| Pest management ** | 3-4 |
| Total | 15-16 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology | 3 |
| PLS 3223 and 3223L Plant Propagation (2) and Plant Propagation Laboratory (1) | 3 |
| Approved electives * | 9 |
| 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 (select two):
ENY 3005 and 3005L Principles of Entomology and Laboratory (3 credits)
IPM 3022 Fundamentals of Pest Management (3 credits)
NEM 3002 Principles of Nematology (3 credits)
PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology (4 credits)
PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science (3 credits)
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.
| 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 |
| Commodity or approved electives * | 4 |
| Pest management ** (3) or SWS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory (1) | 3-4 |
| Practical Work Experience *** | 1-3 |
| Total | 14-17 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| HOS 4283C Advanced Organic and Sustainable Production | 3 |
| HOS 4341 Advanced Horticultural Physiology | 3 |
| HOS 4933 Professional Development in Horticulture | 1 |
| SWS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory (1) or Pest management ** (3) | 3-4 |
| Commodity or approved electives * | 5 |
| Total | 15-16 |
* Commodity electives:
FRC 3212 Citrus Culture and Production (3 credits) and 3213L Laboratory (1 credit)
FRC 3252 Tropical and Subtropical Fruits (2 credits)
FRC 3274 Trees and Small Fruit Production (3 credits)
HOS 3222C Greenhouse and Protected Agriculture (3 credits)
VEC 3221C Commercial Vegetable Production (4 credits)
For other approved electives, see adviser.
** Pest Management (select one):
HOS 4905 Weed Management for Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems
(spring only, 3 credits)
PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science (fall only, 3 credits)
*** Practical Work Experience (select one):
AGR 4922 Integrated Travel Course (3 credits)
HOS 4905 Independent Study (variable)
HOS 4941 Practical Work Experience (variable)
HOS 5330 Postharvest Technologies (2 credits)
Other practical work experience course options, such as relevant study abroad experiences, may be approved by the adviser.
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.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
Semester 1:
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking coursework for semesters 1-5
- 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
Semester 2:
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
Semester 3:
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
Semester 4:
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
Semester 5:
- Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs
Recommended semester plan
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) | 4 |
| MAC 1147 Precalculus: Algebra and Trigonometry (GE-M) | 4 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences * (GE-S) | 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 |
| Humanities (GE-H) or 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) * | 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 |
| AGR 4321 Plant Breeding | 3 |
| CHM 2211 and 2211L Organic Chemistry 2 (3) and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory (2) | 5 |
| HOS 4933 Professional Development in Horticulture | 1 |
| Approved electives * | 7 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| 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 |
| Approved electives * | 4 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| MCB 3020 and 3020L Basic Biology of Microorganisms (3) and Basic Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| Approved electives * | 11 |
| Total | 15 |
* Electives must be approved. See adviser.