Urban Ecosystems: Bachelor of Horticulture Science Major
Description
This Bachelor of Horticulture Science major is an interdisciplinary program that combines horticulture, business, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and student selected general education. Students combine the science and practice of horticulture to resolve community, industry, and research related problems. Innovation and creative thinking are important essential skills that students gain through research and enterprise projects. A major program theme is the relationship between horticulture, our communities, and our environment.
The Bachelor of Horticulture Science program has the following strengths:
- Customized education through the selection of electives that support learner educational goals
- Emphasis on the economic, environmental, and social components of sustainability
- Strong connections with horticulture industry and community groups
- Development of essential skills such as teamwork, creative thinking, problem solving, and communication
- Capstone research courses which include business planning and the application of new skills to a community based issue
- Required work experience in the first two years
Urban Ecosystems students study the impacts of horticultural activities in the urban environment. Students will learn how to assess the characteristics of urban ecosystems as they relate to landscape function and health. Outcomes include the ability to monitor and analyze the impact of horticultural activities on the local environment, correct inefficient or ineffective landscapes, and install landscape features that contribute positively to a sustainable community. Of particular interest is the study of the functional urban greenspaces at the edges of residential, industrial, agricultural, and natural habitats.
Students may have the opportunity to engage in international studies.
Student Profile
Individuals interested in improving the quality of our urban environment are encouraged to apply. This program will appeal to students who are interested in an applied science program where they will analyze problems and implement solutions to enhance and protect our greenspace. Students interested in the effects of varied societal perspectives on public policy development and the implementation of sustainable practices in urban greenspaces will find this program of value.
Career Opportunities
Upon completing this Bachelor of Horticulture Science Major, graduates will be qualified to compete for:
- Technical positions in the Environmental Sector of the Economy
- Landscape and Grounds Maintenance Contractors
- Urban Horticulturists
- Technical Representatives for Horticulture or Agriculture Supply Companies
- Parks Managers
- Specialized Horticulture Enterprises (i.e. Green Roof Installation and Maintenance)
- Landscape Architecture (B. Sc. Hort. as a potential qualifying program)
- Graduate studies in Horticulture or related fields (subject to specific graduate school admission requirements)
Program Admission Requirements
In addition to KPU's General university admission requirements, including the undergraduate-level English Proficiency Requirement, the following program admission requirements apply:
- English 12 with a B grade (or equivalent)
- Principles of Math 11 with a C grade (or equivalent)
- Chemistry 11 with a C+ grade (or equivalent)
Students who have not completed Principles of Math 12 or Precalculus 12 (or equivalent) with C+ or better will need to take MATH 1117 as part of the Bachelor of Horticulture Science Major in Urban Ecosystems program.
Note: KPU Horticulture Technology Diploma students may apply completed equivalent coursework towards the program requirements that are outlined below.
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Horticulture Science, Major in Urban Ecosystems consists of 122 credits of course work including a minimum of 33 HORT 3000 or 4000 credits.
Urban Ecosystems Major
Year 1
All of: |
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| CBSY 1105 | Introductory Computer Applications | 3 credits | |
| ENGL 1100 | Introduction to University Writing | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1102 | Botany for Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1104 | Soils and Growing Media | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1110 | Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1155 | Introduction to Plant Identification | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1217 | Foundations of Plant Health | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2302 | Horticulture Work Experience | 1 credit | |
Plus: |
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| 9 credits of HORT electives at 1000 or 2000 level, see list below | 9 credits | ||
Year 2
All of: |
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| BIOL 1110 | Introductory Biology I | 4 credits | |
| BUSI 1205 | Supervisory Skills | 3 credits | |
| BUSI 1209 | Business Management in Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| ENVI 1106 | Environmental Chemistry I | 4 credits | |
| HORT 2306 | Work Experience Report | 1 credit | |
Plus one of: |
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| HORT 2308 | Landscape Pest Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2333 | Turfgrass Pest Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2378 | Production Horticulture Pests | 3 credits | |
Plus: |
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| 12 credits of HORT electives at 1000 or 2000 level, see list below | 12 credits | ||
Year 3
All of: |
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| HORT 3210 | Applied Urban Ecosystems | 3 credits | |
| HORT 3230 | Urban Watershed Planning | 3 credits | |
| HORT 3250 | Monitoring, Inventory, and Assessment of Plant Communities | 3 credits | |
| HORT 3251 | Landscape and Environment 1 | 3 credits | |
| HORT 3270 | Urban Agriculture | 3 credits | |
Plus: |
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| 9 credits of HORT electives at 2000 level or higher, see list below | 9 credits | ||
Plus: |
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| 6 credits of Breadth electives | 6 credits | ||
Year 4
All of: |
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| HORT 4231 | Riparian Management | 4 credits | |
| HORT 4252 | Landscape and the Environment: Applications | 3 credits | |
| HORT 4253 | Urban Ecology | 3 credits | |
| HORT 4440 | Vegetation Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 4480 | Society and Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 4810 | Applied Research Project 1 | 3 credits | |
| HORT 4820 | Applied Research Project 2 | 3 credits | |
| PHIL 3033 | Business Ethics | 3 credits | |
Plus: |
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| 6 credits of Breadth electives | 6 credits | ||
HORT Electives
HORT electives 1100 or higher must equal a total of 30 credits, 9 credits of which are at the 2000 level or higher. These courses can be selected from the HORT list of courses below.
| HORT 1118 | Basic Machinery Operation and Maintenance | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1124 | Landscape Gardening Methods | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1132 | Turf Maintenance Operations | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1172 | Forest Seedling Production | 2 credits | |
| HORT 1193 | Crop Production Practices | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1224 | Landscape Drafting | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1230 | Sustainable Turf Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1232 | Sports Turf Management Practices | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1240 | Arboriculture I | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1246 | Plant ID for Production | 1.5 credits | |
| HORT 1255 | Plant Identification 2 | 1.5 credits | |
| HORT 1261 | Plant Propagation | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1293 | Crop Production Operations | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2327 | Sustainable Landscape Design I | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2330 | Turfgrass and Environmental Stress | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2334 | Irrigation, Drainage and Lighting | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2355 | Plant Identification 3 | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2375 | Production Facilities and Equipment | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2393 | Crop Production Performance | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2412 | Landscape Estimating and Contract Administration | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2426 | Landscape Construction | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2427 | Sustainable Landscape Design II | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2432 | Grounds Machinery Maintenance | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2436 | Golf Course Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2437 | Golf Course Irrigation Systems, Designs, and Operations | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2442 | Arboriculture II | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2463 | Nursery Production | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2473 | Greenhouse Environment and its Control | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2477 | Production Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2479 | Spring Floriculture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2490 | Organic Greenhouse Crop Production | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2493 | Crop Production Development | 3 credits |
Breadth Electives
Breadth electives (12 credits) may come from fields or courses not regarded as horticulture courses. CMNS 1140 can be used as a breadth course.
Credential Awarded
Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Horticulture Science, Major in Urban Ecosystems.
