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Bachelor of Science in Horticulture

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills for successful careers in the horticulture industry or to continue graduate studies in the field of horticulture and agricultural sciences.  The coursework in the program will provide a solid foundation on production and management of horticultural crops through theoretical and hands-on experiences.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture students will be able to:

  1. Explain the concepts and principles of horticulture and demonstrate the practices of horticulture and its sub-disciplines.
  2. Identify and examine species, seed, and plant parts, and explain the botanical aspects (physiology, anatomy, growth, and developments) of horticultural crops.
  3. Perform the basic plant propagation techniques using various sexual and asexual propagation methods.
  4. Identify the effects of environmental factors (temperature, light, water, wind) on growth and development of horticultural crops.
  5. Demonstrate the application of horticultural media, nutrient, water, and weed management of crops.
  6. Diagnose common pest and disease problems of horticultural crops and recommend the control measures using integrated pest management in fields and greenhouses.
  7. Demonstrate production and management of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental crops both in indoor and outdoor conditions.
  8. Explain the horticultural practices in the tropics, especially that pertains to the US Virgin Islands and the Caribbean.   
  9. Describe and demonstrate specialty horticultural systems like soilless gardening, special structure gardening (pergola, gazebo) etc.

Graduation Requirements

Bachelor of  Science Degree: Horticulture (120 Credits)

Students in the BS program in Horticulture will fulfill General Education requirements outlined for the BS degree by: taking Freshman Studies courses (if required), taking a proscribed set of 3 humanities courses and 9 additional humanities credits to fulfill the 18 credit humanities requirement, taking 23 credits of proscribed science and math courses, and taking 9 credits of social sciences. Total credits earned must add to 120 credits. Other Requirements*.

 

A.    General Education Requirements                                                                                                         57 credits

B.    Horticulture Requirements                                                                                                                        55 credits

C.    Elective Courses                                                                                                                                                8-15 credits

Total                                                                                                                                                                                   120 credits

*Other Requirements (2 Credits): Students are required to take 0.5 credit hour in Physical Education for every semester they are full-time students up to the required two credits. PLS 200 may be used to meet this requirement.

English Proficiency Examination

Computer Literacy Examination

Paradigm (Degree Plan)

First Year (Semester 1)

Name Email Number
§ FDS Freshman Development Seminar 1
COM 119 Interpersonal Communication & Leadership Skills 3
ENG 120 English Composition 3
BIO 141 General Biology I 4
MAT 140/MAT 143 College Algebra/Pre-Calculus Algebra 4
  1 Course from Math or Science  1
    Total: 16

First Year (semester 2)

Name Email Number
AGR 101 Introduction to Agriculture 3
BIO 142 General Biology II 4
§ SSC 100 An Introduction to the Social Sciences  3
AGR 130 General Horticulture 3
CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry for the Life Sciences 4
    Total 17

Second Year (Semester 3)

Name Email Number
ENG 201 Research & Applied Writing 3
§ SCI 100 The Natural World: The Caribbean  3
  Humanities Course 1 3
MAT 235 Introduction to Statistics with Applications 4
AGR 125 Plant Science 3
    Total: 16

Second Year (Semester 4)

Name Email Number
AGR 220 Soil Science 4
AGR 135 Landscape Design and Management  3
AGR 240 Vegetable Production  3
  Social Science Course 1 3
  Integrated Pest Management 3
    Total: 16

Third Year (Semester 5)

Name Email Number
  Humanities Course 2 3
  Social Science Course 2 3
AGR 245 Fruit Production 3
AGR 201 Agricultural Economics 4
AGR 235 Plant Propagation  3
    Total: 16

Third Year (Semester 6)

Name Email Number
  Humanities Course 3 3
  Social Science Course 3 3
SCI 220 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 3
AGR 204 Tropical Horticulture 4
AGR 3** Weed Science and Management  3
    Total: 16

Fourth Year (Semester 7)

Name Email Number
AGR 3** Organic Farming  3
AGR 255 Agriculture Internship  3
AGR *** Elective Courses  3-6
AGR 3** Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture  3
    Total: 12-15

Fourth Year (Semester 8)

Name Email Number
AGR 4**  Greenhouse Production and Management  3
AGR 4** Entomology  3
AGR 4** Pathology  3
AGR *** Agricultural Seminar  1
AGR *** Elective Courses 

3-7
    Total: 13-17

 §: Required for all freshman students matriculating into the university with less than 24 credits.