Urban Ecosystems: Bachelor of Horticulture Science Major

Description

The Bachelor of Horticulture Science Urban Ecosystems Major is the only undergraduate degree in North America dedicated to the study of urban ecosystems. At KPU, the Urban Ecosystems Major is an interdisciplinary program that combines horticulture, ecology, design, biology, chemistry, mathematics, business, and student-selected electives from the breadth of courses offered throughout KPU. Students synthesize the science and practice of horticulture to resolve community, industry, and research-related problems in urban environments. Innovation and creative critical thinking are important essential skills that students gain through applied research projects.

Our program recognizes the significant role of plants in promoting human health and well-being in the urban environment. The program is built around the concept of "learning from experience". Students will be undertaking projects that cover a range of interdisciplinary topics such as ecosystem inventory, assessment and monitoring, urban agriculture, urban forests and climate change adaptation, watershed, riparian and natural areas policy, planning and management, as well as small scale landscape interventions such as designing biodiverse roof ecosystems and walls, and creating, restoring, and managing wildlife and pollinator habitat.

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 horticulture

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 the urban environments in which over 80% of the Canadian population lives. Students interested in the implementation of sustainable practices in urban environments will find this program of value.

Career Opportunities

Our graduates develop skills necessary for employment in the following areas:

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 such as Landscape Architecture, Urban Forestry, and Community & Regional Planning (subject to specific graduate school admission requirements)

And will also be qualified to compete for future employment in fields such as:

Urban horticulture in the private and public sectors
Environmental consulting
Parks and natural area management (municipal and NGO lands)
Landscape and Grounds Maintenance Contractors
Specialized Horticulture Enterprises such as design, installation, and maintenance of rain gardens, living roof and wall ecosystems and other types of green infrastructure
Managing urban agriculture programs

Admission Requirements

Students pursuing a Major in Urban Ecosystems must be admitted to the Faculty of Science & Horticulture.

Declaration Requirements

Students intending to graduate with this Faculty of Science and Horticulture degree must declare the credential by the time they complete 60 credits of undergraduate coursework. At the time of declaration, the student must satisfy all of the following requirements:

In good academic standing with the University
Completion of a minimum of 24 credits of undergraduate coursework, including the following:
- 3 credits of ENGL at the 1100 level or higher

Curricular Requirements

A minimum of 122 credits at the 1100-level or higher, including:

A minimum of 39 credits at the 3000-level or higher, including 6 credits of research courses at the 4000-level
A minimum of 15 credits of Breadth electives chosen from subject areas other than HORT, including at least 3 credits at the 3000-level or above

Urban Ecosystems Major

Year 1

All of:
	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
Plus:
	9 credits of HORT electives at the 1000- or 2000-level		9 credits

Year 2

All of:
	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 2302	Horticulture Work Experience	1 credit
	HORT 2306	Work Experience Report	1 credit
Plus one of:
	HORT 2308	Landscape Pest Management	3 credits
	HORT 2333	Turfgrass Pest Management	3 credits
	HORT 2378	Production Horticulture Pests	3 credits
Plus:
	12 credits of HORT electives at the 1000- or 2000-level		12 credits

Year 3

All of:
	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:
	9 credits of HORT electives at the 2000-level or higher		9 credits
Plus:
	6 credits of Breadth electives		6 credits

Year 4

All of:
	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
Plus:
	9 credits of Breadth electives, with at least 3 credits at the 3000-level or above		9 credits