Ratcliffe Hicks: Horticulture

The Horticulture program at the University of Connecticut reflects the diversity of the industry in the state. Despite its urban nature, Connecticut has more trees and green space per square mile than any other state. The state ranks tenth in the nation in nursery production and has a strong greenhouse industry as well as viable orchard, vegetable, Christmas tree, and pick-your-own operations. Florists, garden centers, landscapers, groundskeepers and arborists are also doing well.

With this diversity in mind, the Ratcliffe Hicks School offers balanced curricula covering many aspects of plant science. Students often choose to emphasize courses relating to Ornamental Horticulture and Turfgrass Sciences.

The Horticulture program in the Ratcliffe Hicks School is offered by the Department of Plant Science. The department undertakes comprehensive teaching, research and outreach activities.

Facilities

Excellent laboratory and field facilities, high-tech classrooms, and computer facilities support the Horticulture program. They include:

• Floriculture Greenhouses: Six greenhouses with about 17,000 square feet available for teaching, research and production.

• Plant Science Teaching and Research Facility: This ninety-acre farm includes greenhouses, shaded areas, and field plantings used for research and teaching in crops, floriculture, nursery, soils, turf, and vegetables.

• Ratcliffe Hicks/C.R Burr Teaching Nursery: Five-acre nursery operation with greenhouses, hoop houses, capillary beds and field plots for both container and field production of nursery crops.

• University Campus/Arboretum: Extensive grounds with an impressive collection of woody plant materials used in teaching.

• Landscape Computer Aided Design Laboratory: Microcomputer laboratory set up with AutoCAD and LANDCADD for classroom and individual use.

Program Objectives

The goal of the program is to prepare students for employment, management, or entrepreneurial positions in florist, garden center, landscaping, golf course, greenhouse and nursery operations or related businesses.

A graduate of the program should be able to:

• relate basic knowledge of botany, horticulture and soils to plant growth and culture

• identify common trees, shrubs, ground covers, ornamentals, and interior plants by scientific and common names

• describe the characteristics, appropriate use, and requirements of plants in landscaping and interior plantscaping

• prepare floral designs from fresh or dried flowers using design and cost guidelines of the retail floral industry

• describe installation, operation, advantages and disadvantages of greenhouse and nursery environmental systems

• identify and describe insect, disease and physiological problems of plants and develop control strategies

• apply the basic principles of landscape design

• demonstrate the use of soil amendments, fertilizers, plant growth regulators and pesticides

• summarize and assess plant growth requirements for the production of greenhouse and nursery crops

• select appropriate propagation methods and produce crops from seed, cuttings, or grafts or by using tissue culture techniques

• organize thoughts and ideas and have the ability to communicate verbally and in writing

• manage a retail operation using effective skills in record keeping, planning, promotion, employee relations and sales

• demonstrate a professional attitude in relationships with employers, employees, customers, and others

The Department of Plant Science offers a wide range of courses in Horticulture providing both academic and applied educational opportunities. A complete description of courses is available in the Directory of Courses in the undergraduate catalog. A highly qualified, experienced and dedicated faculty provide an excellent educational environment.

Graduation Requirements

Students who complete the Horticulture program earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. In order to earn the AAS degree, students must:

1. Earn a total of at least 64 credits applicable toward the degree - including at least 32 credits in RHSA courses taken at UConn

2. Earn at least a 2.0 total grade point average

3. Adhere to registration requirements and restrictions of the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture

4. Pass all required courses as outlined on the current AAS Plan of Study and also in the Academic Regulations section of the undergraduate catalog. The following categories are included in AAS requirements for Ornamental Horticulture and Turfgrass Science majors:

Mathematics

Writing

Arts and Humanities

Social Science

Horticulture Major - Core Courses

Horticulture Major — Area of Specialization

In order to complete 64 credits in four semesters, students need to average 16 credits per semester. Students meet with advisors regularly to discuss appropriate registration, academic concerns, and their individual interests and goals.

Horticulture: Ornamental Horticulture Option The following is a suggested four-semester sequence for students in the Nursery and Landscaping option:

First Semester

SAAG 050	Seminar	1
SAAS 090	Applied Mathematics	3
SAAS 003	Introduction to Plant Science	4
SAPL 017	Vegetable Production	4
SAAS 022	Introduction to Soil Science	3
	Other SAPL course

Second Semester

ENGL 104	Basic Writing	3
	Social Science Course	3
SAPL 062	Plant Propagation	3
SAPL 066	Plant Materials-Evergreen	3
SAPL 068	Landscape Plant Maintenance	3
	Other SAAS/SAPL Courses

Third Semester

SAPL 025	Greenhouse Operations	3
SAPL 041	Plant Pest Control	3
SAPL 060	Nursery Maintenance	3
SAPL 067	Plant Materials - Non-Evergreen	3
SAPL 024	Turf Grass Management	3
	Other SAAS/SAPL course	3

Fourth Semester

POLS 173	Intro to American Political Proc.	3
	Other SAAS/SAPL/SAAG course	3
SAPL 069	Landscape & Planting Design	4
SAPL 042	Integrated Pest Management	3
	Arts and Humanities Course	3

Turfgrass Option

First Semester

SAAG 90 Applied Mathematics 3

SAPL 3 Introduction to Plant Science 4

SAPL 22 Introduction to Soil Science 3

SAPL 24 Turfgrass Management 3

SAAG 50 Freshmen Seminar 1

Other SAPL class 1-2

Third Semester

SAPL 23 Turf Pests and Control 3

SAPL 67 Plant Materials Non Evergreen 3

Arts and Humanities Course 3

SAPL 19 Turf Irrigation Systems 3

SAPL 87 Internship 3

SAPL 86 Pesticide Safety Management 2

Second Semester

ENGL 104 Basic Writing 4

SAPL 45 Landscape Plant Maintenance 3

SAPL 66 Plant Materials Evergreen Plants 3

SAPL 83 Golf Course Management 3

Social Science (ARE 150 recommended) 3

Fourth Semester

SAPL 20 Prof. Development Turfgrass Industries 2

POLS 173 Intro to American Political Proc. 3

SAPL 98 Urban and Sports Turf Soils 3

SAPL 42 Integrated Pest Management1 3

SAAG 16 Intro to Ag. Mechanics 2

SARE 60 Agribusiness Management 3

Extracurricular Activities

The Department of Plant Science has an active Horticulture Club, which presents a two-day Horticulture Show during the fall semester. The club also has a landscape exhibit at the Hartford Flower Show in February, invites noted horticulturists to speak at its meetings, and takes trips to horticultural showplaces such as Longwood Gardens and trade shows. A number of other student organizations may also be of interest to horticulture majors.

Career Opportunities

Career options are wide open for graduates of our program. Through the years graduates have gone into business for themselves, or worked in floricultural or nursery production, sales, landscaping, groundskeeping, retail garden centers, florist shops. Others have moved into management positions. Many graduates have continued their education in baccalaureate and graduate programs.