2008-09 Undergraduate Catalog
Majors
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.
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.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
All Specializations except Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology
Specialization: Horticultural Production
Specialization: Horticultural Science
Specialization: Organic Crop Production
Specialization: Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology
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.
* Electives must be approved.
** Choose any 3000+ FRC, VEC or HOS course.
*** Practical Work Experience courses (select one):
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.
* Electives must be approved.
** Pest Management courses (select two):
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.
* Commodity Electives
FRC 3212 and 3213L Citrus Culture and Production (3) and Laboratory (1) FRC 3252 Tropical and Subtropical Fruits (2) FRC 3274 Trees and Small Fruit Production (3) HOS 3222C Greenhouse and Protected Agriculture (3) VEC 3221C Commercial Vegetable Production (4)
For other approved electives, see adviser.
** Practical Work Experience courses (select one):
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.
* Electives must be approved. See adviser.
| Horticultural Science |
| 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 |
| Combined-Degree Program: No |
| Website: www.hos.ufl.edu/undergraduate |
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.
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.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
All Specializations except Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology
Specialization: Horticultural Production
Specialization: Horticultural Science
Specialization: Organic Crop Production
Specialization: Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
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 courses, excluding labs: CHM 2045/2045L, AEB 3103 or ECO 2023, MAC 1147, BOT 2010C or BSC 2010/2010L, BOT 2011C or BSC 2011/2011L, PHY 2004 or PHY 2020
Semester 2:
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, 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 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) * | 3 |
| Elective | 2 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (3) or AEB 3103 Principles of Food and Resource Economics (4) (GE-S) | 3-4 |
| CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P) | 4 |
| Humanities (GE-H) or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Elective | 4 |
| Total | 14-15 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| BOT 2010C Introductory Botany (3) (GE-B) or BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) | 3-4 |
| MAC Mathematics or STA Statistics course (GE-M) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) * | 3 |
| AEE 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences | 3 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Total | 15-16 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| BOT 2011C Plant Diversity (GE-B) or BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 and Laboratory | 4 |
| PHY 2004 Applied Physics 1 (3) (GE-P) or PHY 2020 Introduction to Principles of Physics (GE-P) | 3-4 |
| AEE 3030C Effective Oral Communication | 3 |
| Electives | 5 |
| Total | 15 |
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 |
| PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science | 3 |
| PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology | 4 |
| Approved electives * | 6 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| AGR 3303 Genetics | 3 |
| ENY 3005 and 3005L Principles of Entomology (2) and Laboratory (1) | 3 |
| HOS 4933 Professional Development in Horticulture | 1 |
| HOS 3430C Nutrition of Horticultural Crops | 3 |
| Commodity elective ** | 3 |
| Approved elective * | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology | 3 |
| PLS 3221 and 3221L Plant Propagation (2) and Laboratory (1) | 3 |
| Practical Work Experience *** | 1-3 |
| Commodity electives ** | 3-4 |
| Approved electives * | 4 |
| Total | 14-17 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| HOS 4341 Advanced Horticultural Physiology | 3 |
| SOS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| Commodity electives ** | 3-4 |
| Approved electives * | 6 |
| Total | 16-17 |
* Electives must be approved.
** Choose any 3000+ FRC, VEC or HOS course.
*** Practical Work Experience courses (select one):
| HOS 4905 Independent study | variable |
| HOS 4941 Practical Work Experience | variable |
| HOS 5330 Postharvest Technologies | 2 |
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 |
| Pest Management course ** | 3-4 |
| Approved electives * | 6 |
| Total | 15-16 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| AGR 3303 Genetics | 3 |
| HOS 3430C Nutrition of Horticultural Crops | 3 |
| HOS 4933 Professional Development in Horticulture | 1 |
| Pest Management course ** | 3-4 |
| Approved electives * | 6 |
| Total | 16-17 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology | 3 |
| PLS 3221 and 3221L Plant Propagation (2) and Laboratory (1) | 3 |
| Approved electives * | 9 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| HOS 4341 Advanced Horticultural Physiology | 3 |
| SOS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and 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 | 3 |
| PLS 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology | 4 |
| PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science | 3 |
| IPM 3022 Fundamentals of Pest Management | 3 |
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 |
| HOS 3020 Principles of Horticulture Crop Production | 3 |
| ORH 3513C Environmental Plant Identification and Use | 3 |
| PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology | 4 |
| Commodity or approved electives * | 4 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| AGR 3303 Genetics | 3 |
| ENY 3005 and 3005L Principles of Entomology (2) and Laboratory (1) | 3 |
| AGR 4212 Alternative Cropping Systems | 3 |
| Commodity or approved electives * | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology | 3 |
| HOS 3281C Principles of Organic and Sustainable Production | 3 |
| PLS 4601C Principles of Weed Science | 3 |
| Practical Work Experience *** | 1-3 |
| Commodity or approved electives * | 4 |
| Total | 14-16 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| HOS 4341 Advanced Horticultural Physiology | 3 |
| HOS 4283C Advanced Organic and Sustainable Production | 3 |
| SOS 3022 and 3022L Introduction to Soils in the Environment (3) and Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| HOS 4933 Professional Development in Horticulture | 1 |
| Commodity or approved electives * | 5 |
| Total | 16 |
* Commodity Electives
FRC 3212 and 3213L Citrus Culture and Production (3) and Laboratory (1) FRC 3252 Tropical and Subtropical Fruits (2) FRC 3274 Trees and Small Fruit Production (3) HOS 3222C Greenhouse and Protected Agriculture (3) VEC 3221C Commercial Vegetable Production (4)
For other approved electives, see adviser.
** Practical Work Experience courses (select one):
| HOS 4905 Independent study | variable |
| HOS 4941 Practical Work Experience | variable |
| HOS 5330 Postharvest Technologies | 2 |
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 and Recommended Semester Plan
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 7 critical courses, excluding labs: CHM 2045/2045L,
CHM 2046/2046L,AEB 3103 or ECO 2023, MAC 2311, BSC 2010/2010L,
BSC 2011/2011L, PHY 2053/2053L or PHY 2048/2048L
Semester 2:
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, 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
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
Recommended semester plan
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and 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 |
| PHY 2053 and PHY 2053L Physics 1 (4) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P) or PHY 2048 and PHY 2048L Physics 1 with Calculus (3) and Lab (1) (GE-P) | 4-5 |
| CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P) | 4 |
| Humanities (GE-H) or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 14-15 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M) | 4 |
| Humanities (GE-H) * | 3 |
| AEE 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences | 3 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Total | 17 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-B) | 4 |
| ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (3) or AEB 3103 Principles of Food and Resource Economics (4) (GE-S) | 3-4 |
| AEE 3030C Effective Oral Communication | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Total | 16-17 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| HOS 3020 Principles of Horticulture Crop Production | 3 |
| CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry 1 | 3 |
| HOS 3305 Introduction to Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology | 3 |
| AGR 3303 Genetics | 3 |
| Approved electives * | 2 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| HOS 4313C Laboratory Methods in Plant Molecular Biology | 2 |
| AGR 4321 Plant Breeding | 3 |
| CHM 2211 and CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry 2 (3) and Laboratory (2) | 5 |
| HOS 4933 Professional Development in Horticulture | 1 |
| Approved electives * | 4 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| HOS 4304 Horticultural Physiology | 3 |
| PLP 3002C Fundamentals of Plant Pathology | 4 |
| BCH 3025 Fundamentals of Biochemistry or BCH 4024 Introduction to Biochemistry/Molecular Biology | 4 |
| Approved electives * | 4 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| MCB 3020 Basic Biology of Microorganisms (3) and MCB 3020L Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| Approved electives * | 11 |
| Total | 15 |
* Electives must be approved. See adviser.