Horticulture Technology: Diploma
Description
Horticulture is the branch of agriculture that focuses on the production and care of fruit, vegetables and ornamental plants. KPU’s two year (four semesters) horticulture diplomas focus on the high value crops like greenhouse vegetables, on landscape design and maintenance, and on turf management. These three areas are among the most technology intensive and knowledge based areas of horticulture practice. They are also the areas of horticulture that have the greatest impact on the quality of life for our urban and suburban society.
The program curriculum and the success of KPU’s diploma graduates have established the horticulture technology diploma as a highly valued credential in the workplace. The diploma program uniquely combines horticultural theory and technique with the business of horticulture. Students learn how to use the tools, equipment and technologies that are part of industry practice. The program also provides students with a foundation in the scientific knowledge that is the basis of horticulture practice. As a result students develop an understanding of the environmental requirements for optimum plant growth and of the limits of technology and technique. Best practice and sustainability are key outcomes in many courses.
All students engage in a 14 week work experience, usually completed between first and second year. The requirements of the work experience include an assessment of the application of horticulture practices in industry and the community.
Specializations:
The Diploma in Horticulture requires students to choose one of three specializations:
- Greenhouse and Nursery Production
- Landscape Design and Installation
- Turf Management
Greenhouse and Nursery Production
The greenhouse and nursery sector of the horticulture industry in BC has consistently provided rewarding employment opportunities. There is always a demand for knowledgeable and skilled individuals who enjoy working with people and plants. The demand for qualified greenhouse/nursery technologists is high and job opportunities exist in BC and abroad. This program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to work successfully in the greenhouse production of vegetable, or flower crops, or field and container production of ornamental plants. Graduates may be employed as assistant growers or growers in wholesale and retail nurseries, commercial greenhouse operations, garden centres and as technical representatives in supply companies.
Landscape Design and Installation
Each year students resolve a few local homeowners landscape garden problems through the landscape design classes. In landscape construction they learn by building features that become part of the campus landscape. A program strength of the landscape diploma is the tree care (arboriculture) component where students learn pruning, tree care, and how to solve tree management problems in our urban forest.
Graduates are working for landscape companies of all types and sizes. Many of our graduates are successfully running their own landscape firms. Graduates have also established successful careers working for the parks departments in our cities.
Turf Management
Turf management students participate in provincial and national industry conferences, establishing networks of industry and alumni contacts that support their career growth. On campus, students play a role in the management and maintenance of the turf field lab. The lab has golf greens, tees, fairways, home lawns and park style lawn areas.
Turf management graduates are managing golf courses in all parts of the province. Many have successful careers with municipal parks departments managing sports fields. In addition to turf management the program includes landscape construction and tree care (arboriculture). A number of turf management graduates are successful arborists.
Transfer to a Degree
KPU Bachelor of Horticulture Science
Graduates of a diploma program can pursue the KPU’s Bachelor of Horticulture Science degree. Students have the choice of a major in Urban Ecosystems or a major in Plant Health. Refer to the Horticulture Science degree section of the calendar for details. Students can combine their diploma education with enhanced horticulture science knowledge and earn two credentials. Those who wish to pursue this option should meet with their program coordinator to discuss course substitutions that would facilitate transfer to this novel School of Horticulture degree program.
KPU Bachelor of Business Administration
A successful career progression in horticulture often leads to a management role. While the diploma programs include a solid foundation in business skills, horticulture diploma graduates are eligible to transfer into the third year of KPU's Bachelor of Business Administration (in Entrepreneurial Leadership, Human Resources Management, or Marketing Management). Some additional course work in Accounting, English, Microeconomics, Statistics and Marketing is required to complete the transfer. Students can combine diploma-level education with enhanced business skill and earn two credentials (Diploma and Degree) in a 4.5 year course of study. Students who wish to pursue this option should meet with their program coordinator to discuss course substitutions that would facilitate transfer to the School of Business degree program.
Student Profile
Students who wish to contribute to environmental and community well-being, engage in creative activities, own and operate their own businesses, or engage in hands-on work will enjoy horticulture.
Many students enter the horticulture to upgrade their skills or to facilitate a career change. Faculty and staff are supportive and sensitive to the issues faced by students who embark on a post-secondary program after a significant period away from school, college, or university.
Individuals with allergies to dust, pollen or plant products, or specific chemicals should be aware of the potential impact of practicing horticulture on their health. Moderate physical fitness and a healthy back are generally required for a successful career in these horticulture disciplines.
Career Opportunities
Refer to the descriptions of the three specializations for information on career opportunities in the program description section above.
Program Admission Requirements
General university admission requirements apply to this program including the undergraduate-level English Proficiency Requirement.
Students wishing to complete the program without having to undertake any preparatory courses must enter with English 12 with a grade of C+ and Mathematics 11 (Applications or Principles) with a grade of C (or equivalent). Students are encouraged to make an appointment with an Academic Advisor to plan course selections accordingly.
Program Requirements
Greenhouse and Nursery Production Specialization
Student pursuing a Diploma in Horticulture with a Greenhouse and Nursery Production specialization must complete at least 63 credits including:
Year 1
All of: |
|||
| Fall – Semester 1 | |||
| CBSY 1105 | Introductory Computer Applications | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1102 | Botany for Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1116 | Introductory Equipment Maintenance | 2 credits | |
| HORT 1155 | Introduction to Plant Identification | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1171 | Production Practices – Fall | 2 credits | |
| HORT 2472 | Forest Crop Production | 2 credits | |
| Spring – Semester 2 | |||
| CMNS 1140 | Introduction to Professional Communication | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1101 | Pesticide Applicator/Dispenser Certification | 0.5 credits | |
| HORT 1104 | Soils and Growing Media | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1217 | Foundations of Plant Health | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1246 | Plant ID for Production | 1.5 credits | |
| HORT 1261 | Plant Propagation | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1271 | Production Practices – Spring | 2 credits | |
| Summer Semester | |||
| HORT 2300 | Horticultural Work Experience | 2 credits | |
Year 2
All of: |
|||
| Fall – Semester 3 | |||
| BUSI 1209 | Business Management in Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2371 | Fall Floriculture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2375 | Production Facilities and Equipment | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2378 | Production Horticulture Pests | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2473 | Greenhouse Environments | 3 credits | |
| Spring – Semester 4 | |||
| BUSI 1205 | Supervisory Skills | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2372 | Greenhouse Vegetable Production | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2463 | Nursery Production | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2477 | Production Horticulture Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2479 | Spring Floriculture | 3 credits | |
Electives
Optional: |
|||
| HORT 1110 | Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2490 | Organic Greenhouse Crop Production | 3 credits | |
Landscape Design and Installation Specialization
Student pursuing a Diploma in Horticulture with a Landscape Design and Installation specialization must complete at least 65 credits including:
Year 1
All of: |
|||
| Fall – Semester 1 | |||
| CBSY 1105 | Introductory Computer Applications | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1102 | Botany for Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1116 | Introductory Equipment Maintenance | 2 credits | |
| HORT 1122 | Introduction to Landscape Practices | 2 credits | |
| HORT 1155 | Intro to Plant Identification | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1230 | Sustainable Turf Management | 3 credits | |
| Spring – Semester 2 | |||
| CMNS 1140 | Introduction to Professional Communication | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1101 | Pesticide Applicator/Dispenser Certification | 0.5 credits | |
| HORT 1104 | Soils and Growing Media | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1217 | Foundations of Plant Health | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1224 | Landscape Drafting | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1240 | Arboriculture I | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1255 | Plant Identification II | 1.5 credits | |
| Summer Semester | |||
| HORT 2300 | Horticultural Work Experience | 2 credits | |
Year 2
All of: |
|||
| Fall – Semester 3 | |||
| BUSI 1209 | Business Management in Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2308 | Landscape Pest Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2320 | Landscape Design I | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2334 | Irrigation, Drainage and Lighting | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2355 | Plant Identification 3 | 3 credits | |
| Spring – Semester 4 | |||
| BUSI 1205 | Supervisory Skills | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2412 | Landscape Estimating and Contract Administration | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2420 | Landscape Design II | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2426 | Landscape Construction | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2442 | Arboriculture II | 3 credits | |
Electives
Optional: |
|||
| HORT 1110 | Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1119 | Landscape and the Environment I | 3 credits | |
Turf Management Specialization
Student pursuing a Diploma in Horticulture with a Turf Management specialization must complete 63.5 credits including:
Year 1
All of: |
|||
| Fall – Semester 1 | |||
| CBSY 1105 | Introductory Computer Applications | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1102 | Botany for Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1116 | Introductory Equipment Maintenance | 2 credits | |
| HORT 1134 | Turf Maintenance Operations | 2 credits | |
| HORT 1155 | Intro to Plant Identification | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1230 | Sustainable Turf Management | 3 credits | |
| Spring – Semester 2 | |||
| CMNS 1140 | Business and Technical Communication | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1101 | Pesticide Applicator/Dispenser Certification | 0.5 credits | |
| HORT 1104 | Soils and Growing Media | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1217 | Foundations of Plant Health | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1240 | Arboriculture I | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1255 | Plant Identification II | 1.5 credits | |
| HORT 2304 | Grounds Machinery | 2 credits | |
| Summer Semester | |||
| HORT 2300 | Horticultural Work Experience | 2 credits | |
Year 2
All of: |
|||
| Fall – Semester 3 | |||
| BUSI 1209 | Business Management in Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2330 | Turfgrass and Environmental Stress | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2333 | Turfgrass Pest Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2334 | Irrigation, Drainage and Lighting | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2335 | Sports Turf Management Practices | 2.5 credits | |
| Spring – Semester 4 | |||
| BUSI 1205 | Supervisory Skills | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2426 | Landscape Construction | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2436 | Golf Course Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2437 | Golf Course Irrigation Systems: Design and Operations | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2442 | Arboriculture II | 3 credits | |
Credential Awarded
Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive a Diploma in Horticulture Technology.
