Horticulture Technology

Jason Bynum, Program Director
256.352.8035
horticulture@wallacestate.edu
www.wallacestate.edu/agriculture

Associate in Applied Science Degree (4 semesters)

Certificates (4 semesters)

Short-Term Certificates (1-2 semesters)

At a Glance

Graduates of the Horticulture Technology program obtain positions as technicians and sales consultants with garden centers and perform landscape installations and maintenance work on commercial, residential and recreational properties.

Program Description

WSCC offers an associate's degree and many certificates in the Horticulture Technology program. The program is designed with curriculum to prepare students for various jobs in the green industry. Students will learn skills in landscaping, nursery operations, greenhouse operations, plant propagation, floriculture, turf maintenance, hydroponics/aquaponics and equipment repair and maintenance.

Program Expectations

Instruction covers floriculture, plant identification, landscape design, landscape maintenance, greenhouse crop production, greenhouse management, turf maintenance, propagation methods, soils, fertilizers, and other specialty training for timed crops. In addition to this, training courses are taught toward obtaining state professional service licenses. This training includes the SLP (Setting of Landscape Plants), OTPS (Ornamental Turf and Pest Supervisor) and ALCLP (Alabama Certified Landscape Professional exam). Other certificates are available within the program such as forklift certification, NC3 secateurs and loppers certification and OSHA 10 for agriculture.

Career Path

This program is designed to equip students with skills to qualify for a variety of jobs in the green industry. These may include, but are not limited to, landscape crew leader, greenhouse manager, greenhouse grower, landscape technician, nursery grower, garden center manager, landscape designer, floriculture manager, green industry entrepreneur, turf manager, nursery manager, landscape consultant, and business owner.

Careers in agriculture/horticulture can appeal to a wide range of individuals. If you have a specific interest in machinery, landscape design, plants, the environment, technology or marketing, this may be the career choice for you.

Degrees and Certificates

Classes

AGP 130 : Poultry Production

This course focuses on the basic technical aspects of poultry production. Topics include housing, growing contacts, heating and cooling, nutrition, economics, and poultry health. Upon course completion, students will be able to develop a poultry production and marketing plan.

Credits

AGP 152 : Agricultural Equipment Repair and Maintenance

This course focuses on the repair and maintenance of agricultural equipment. Emphasis is placed on welding and other mechanical practices pertaining to small engines, tractors, implements and harvesters. Upon completion, students will be able to perform basic repair and maintenance procedures on agricultural equipment.

Credits

AGR 200 : Introduction To Animal Dairy Science

This course concerns the importance of livestock to agriculture and to the nutrition of people. Livestock terminology, selection, reproduction, nutrition, management, marketing, and species characteristics of beef cattle, swine, sheep, and horses are emphasized.

Credits

HOC 110 : Introduction to Horticulture

This course provides students with foundational knowledge relative to the horticulture profession. Specific topics include information regarding the horticulture industry, safety practices, basic botany, and general plant care and culture. CORE

Credits

HOC 111 : Horticultural Business Management

This course provides the essential information needed to establish and maintain a horticulture related business. Topics of discussion in this course will include the basic principles of business and personnel management, custom services, insurance, and record keeping. The student will develop an understanding of the requirements placed on the manager of a small business to comply with mandated state and federal regulations and meet consumer demands.

Credits

HOC 115 : Soils & Fertilizers

This course provides students with an overview of methodologies to improve soil through preventing erosion, pH balance, and the proper use of nutrients and fertilizers. Specifically, students will learn the characteristics of soils, methods to control soil erosion, methods to modify soil, how to test and modify soil pH, and how to provide nutrients through fertilizers and other means to improve plant growth. CORE

Credits

HOC 120 : Plant Propagation

This course is designed to provide students with basic knowledge related to sexual and asexual plant propagation. At the conclusion of this course students will be able to use various techniques to propagate plants through seeds and asexual means such as budding, cutting, and grafting.

Credits

HOC 125 : Turf Management

This course is the study of all major southern lawn and sport grasses, their establishment and maintenance. Topics include turf equipment, fertilizers, insect and disease problems, and mowing techniques. Upon course completion, students will be able to evaluate the quality of an existing turf area and prescribe a maintenance program for turf used for lawns, playing fields and parks.

Credits

HOC 130 : Nursery Production

This course focuses on producing plants in a nursery. Topics include an overview of the industry, facility design, container production, and field growth. Upon course completion, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in all phases of nursery plant productions. CORE

Credits

HOC 134 : Introduction to Floriculture

This course introduces students to principles of floral design and flower shop management. Topics include design techniques, marketing, and management practices. Upon completion, students should be able to create basic floral designs and demonstrate an understanding of effective flower shop management practices.

Credits

HOC 135 : Ornamental Plant Identification and Culture

This course focuses on the identification and growth requirements of ornamental plants. Topics include identification, habits of growth, cultural requirements, and landscape use of ornamental plants of the southeastern United States. Upon course completion, students will know common and botanical names of landscape plants and will know the appropriate use of each plant.

Credits

HOC 136 : Residential Landscape Design

This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of residential site design. Topics include site measuring and base map preparation, functional diagrams, landscape design principles, drafting and drawing procedures, design principles, appropriate use of plant materials, planting, site preparation, and spatial composition. Upon course completion, students will be able to develop a master plan for a residential property.

Credits

HOC 140 : Pest Management

This course provides a foundational knowledge of techniques to manage various types of pests commonly associated with landscape management and horticulture. Specifically students receive instruction on managing common weeds, insects, and diseases. CORE

Credits

HOC 141 : Aquaculture & Hydroponics

This course is an introduction to Aquaculture and Hydroponic production. Materials covered include origin, history, basic principles and current trends in the industry. Students will study topics ranging from construction of aquaculture and hydroponic structures to types of crops produced, including concepts of production, biological fundamentals of plants and animals, pH and nutrient requirements, pest management and business aspects including sales and marketing. Upon completion, students should be familiar with the aquaculture and hydroponic industry, the types of crops produced and marketed and pest management.

Credits

HOC 151 : Irrigation Systems

This course is designed to provide students with the information needed to design, layout, and install an irrigation system on residential and commercial properties. Topics of discussion will include system design, cost estimating, installation techniques, and electronic control devices. Upon course completion, students will be able to design and install residential and commercial irrigation systems.

Credits

HOC 210 : Greenhouse Management

This is an introductory course in greenhouse plant production. Topics include types of structures, construction techniques, covering materials, and temperature control. Upon course completion, students will be able to apply basic greenhouse production procedures.

Credits

HOC 211 : Greenhouse Crop Production

This is an introductory course to the use of greenhouse facilities for the production of foliage and flowering plant crops. Topics include propagation, scheduling, soils and media, crop selection, pest management, and methods of production. Upon course completion, students will be able to produce a wide range of commercial greenhouse crops.

Credits

HOC 212 : Landscape Maintenance

The purpose of this course is to provide students with competencies to maintain a variety of landscapes. Basic instruction covers plant installation, landscape maintenance, turf maintenance, and basic business management. At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to perform general landscape maintenance and to develop a bid for landscaping jobs.

Credits

HOC 218 : Landscape Construction

This course is an introduction to landscape construction. Emphasis is placed on grading and drainage, site development, irrigation systems, lighting, and other landscape construction. Upon course completion, students will be able to evaluate a blueprint and reconcile it to the job site.

Credits

HOC 230 : Vegetable and Orchard Crops

This course focuses on vegetable and fruit crops. Topics include cultural requirements, production procedures, and marketing. Upon course completion, students should be able to grow vegetables and establish orchard lay-outs.