Horticulture Production & Landscape (AAS.HRT)

The Horticulture degree is for students seeking advanced training within the green industry including greenhouse management, golf course management, landscape design, nursery management, and landscape construction. The 20 weeks of internship allow the student to specialize within the production or landscape areas.

Note: Those students that are considering transferring to a university should contact their advisor as soon as possible.



Program requirements may change over time. Specific degree/graduation requirements are determined by a degree audit.
FIRST YEAR
First Semester
Hours
HRT-201
Introduction to Horticulture

HRT-201
Introduction to Horticulture

A study and introduction to the principles and practices involved in the development, production, and use of horticultural crops (fruits, vegetables, greenhouse, turf, nursery, floral, and landscape). Course will include a broad overview of the green industry including propagation, production and design.

Course Outline
3.0
AGR-205
Intro/Soil Science

AGR-205
Intro/Soil Science

Application of the basics in the physical, chemical, and biological aspects in soils. Soils of Illinois and Indiana are emphasized along with concepts of fertility, conservation, and field descriptions.

Course Outline
OR
AGR-050
Soils

AGR-050
Soils

Planned learning activities and experiences designed to cover soil development, functions of soil minerals, soil types, and their class. A major study of soil types in Illinois and Indiana and their conservation practices are included.

Course Outline
3.5
HRT-076
Greenhouse Mgt and Production

HRT-076
Greenhouse Mgt and Production

A study of the commercial production of floricultural crops, including greenhouse construction, management and operation. Attention will be given to the production of better plants through the study of temperature, light, soil, nutrition, scheduling, propagation methods, and plant breeding.

Course Outline
3.0
HRT-082
Landscape Construction & Maint

HRT-082
Landscape Construction & Maint

Students will learn construction methods for residential and small commercial landscapes; selection and installation of plants; techniques and uses of materials related to various landscape features; prepare cost estimates; control of landscape diseases and pests; and maintenance of landscape areas.

Course Outline
3.0
AGR-040
Agricultural Mathematics

AGR-040
Agricultural Mathematics

Applications of mathematics as it applies to the operation of grain and livestock farms, agriculture business and agriculture mechanization.

Course Outline
OR
MAT-115
General Education Pathway

MAT-115
General Education Pathway

Survey of mathematical topics including set theory, consumer/financial math, measurement and statistics. Problem solving projects involving detailed written solutions required. Calculators and computers will be used. Intended for students that don't assess directly into MAT-116. Includes supplemental instruction lab.

Course Outline
OR
MAT-116
General Education Math

MAT-116
General Education Math

Survey of mathematical topics with emphasis on solutions to real life problems. Topics will include set theory, consumer/financial math, measurement, and statistics. Problem solving projects involving detailed written solutions will be required. Calculators and computers will be used.

Course Outline
3.0

Semester Totals

15.5
Second Semester
HRT-063
Evergreen/Vines & Ground Cover

HRT-063
Evergreen/Vines & Ground Cover

A study in the identification, selection, use, propagation, and cultural requirements of woody and herbaceous ground covers, vines, needled evergreens, and broad-leaved evergreen plants.

Course Outline
3.0
HRT-072
Herbaceous Annual Plants

HRT-072
Herbaceous Annual Plants

Covers the identification and use of flowering (bedding) annuals, specialty annuals, and tropical plants used for outdoor displays. Improvement in selection, changes in marketing and branding, and new trends are discussed. Emphasis is placed on use in the Illinois landscape.

Course Outline
3.0
--- ---
Career Elective

--- ---
Career Elective



2.0
AGR-112
Computer Applic/Agriculture

AGR-112
Computer Applic/Agriculture

Covers the effective use of keyboard, manipulating agriculture files, using word processors, spreadsheets, database and presentation software, and discovering available agriculture software for accounting, budgeting, record keeping, and market analysis.

Course Outline
OR
AGR-111
Intro to Agriculture Software

AGR-111
Intro to Agriculture Software

Use of computers in farm and agri-business management with emphasis on commercially available software for accounting, budgeting, record keeping and market analysis.

Course Outline
2.0
HRT-091
Supervised Occupational Experience I

HRT-091
Supervised Occupational Experience I

This course provides introductory on the job experience as a full-time employee in selected horticulture production or landscaping.

Course Outline
3.5

Semester Totals

13.5
Summer Term
AGR-207
Intro/Ag Economics

AGR-207
Intro/Ag Economics

Principles of economics applied to problems in agriculture, marketing of agricultural products, agricultural policy, and the role of agriculture in the U.S. and world economies.

Course Outline
OR
AGR-120
Agriculture Economics

AGR-120
Agriculture Economics

An introduction to basic economic concepts of the agricultural sector with emphasis on costs, revenue, price determination, supply and demand, and farm policy.

Course Outline
3.0
HRT-092
Supervised Occupational Experience II

HRT-092
Supervised Occupational Experience II

This course provides intermediate level on the job experience as a full-time employee in selected horticulture production or landscaping occupation.

Course Outline
2.5

Semester Totals

5.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester
Hours
HRT-071
Herbaceous Perennial Plants

HRT-071
Herbaceous Perennial Plants

A study in the identification, selection, and use of herbaceous plants primarily used in the landscape, including perennials, biennials, ornamental grasses, wildflowers and specialty annuals. Emphasis is placed on cultural requirements of the plants, propagation, and plant usage.

Course Outline
3.0
HRT-061
Woody Plants Identification

HRT-061
Woody Plants Identification

A study in the identification of deciduous trees and shrubs used primarily in landscaping. Emphasis is placed on cultural requirements of the plants, their natural habitat, and plant usage.

Course Outline
3.0
ENG-098
Communications I

ENG-098
Communications I

Students will learn the principles of communications by listening, speaking, and writing. Emphasis is placed on communication skills related to the demands of the student's career area.

Course Outline
OR
ENG-119
Composition I Pathway

ENG-119
Composition I Pathway

Students will study the writing process by reading essays illustrating a variety of rhetorical strategies, analyzing texts, and writing, revising, and editing short essays. Course is for students who have assessed into developmental English, receiving supplemental instruction for course completion.

Course Outline
OR
ENG-120
Composition I

ENG-120
Composition I

Students will study the writing process by reading essays that illustrate a variety of rhetorical strategies, analyzing writing tasks and texts, and writing, revising, and editing short essays.

Course Outline
3.0
BIO-130
Environmental Science

BIO-130
Environmental Science

This course examines the principles that govern natural environments and human interconnections to them. Some topics include resource use, pollution, sustainability, energy, water, food, ecology, evolution, climate change, and population. Laboratory exercises include outdoor field studies and indoor hands-on exercises.

Course Outline
OR
BIO-100
Bio Science I

BIO-100
Bio Science I

This course provides an introduction to the fundamental processes and structures common to all living things along with their applications to society.

Course Outline
OR
CHM-120
General, Organic and Biochemistry I

CHM-120
General, Organic and Biochemistry I

Fundamentals of inorganic chemistry including history, atomic theory, bonding, stoichiometry, gases, solids, solutions, chemical equilibria, acids, bases, salts, pH, and electrochemistry.

Course Outline
4.0
HRT-066
Turf Management

HRT-066
Turf Management

Methods of establishment and maintenance of turfgrass for lawns, public grounds, and recreational areas. Also includes the identification and management of plant and soil materials in different environments.

Course Outline
3.0

Semester Totals

16.0
Second Semester
HRT-081
Landscape Design

HRT-081
Landscape Design

This class will cover the basic principles of landscape design, methods and techniques of the landscape design process for residential and commercial settings, including an appreciation of various landscape theories and objectives, art in landscape design, and special landscape problems.

Course Outline
3.0
HRT-062
Vegetable Crop Production

HRT-062
Vegetable Crop Production

Prepares students for successfully growing vegetable crops. Course will include each crop's botany, origin, history, and economic importance, optimum production practices, diseases, insect pests and nutritional requirements, plant breeding objectives. Soil health, cover crops, rotation, handling and marketing covered. (Repeatable 3 times).

Course Outline
3.0
HRT-093
Supervised Occupational Experience III

HRT-093
Supervised Occupational Experience III

This course provides advanced on the job experience as a full-time employee in selected horticulture production or landscaping occupation.

Course Outline
3.0
SOS-052
Workplace Communication/Safety

SOS-052
Workplace Communication/Safety

Provides an understanding of the human mechanism when associated with interpersonal relationship on the job. Emphasis placed on vocational motivation, communication and perception, along with Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid training to enhance safety and response skills in a workplace emergency.

Course Outline
OR
PSY-271
Intr/Psychology

PSY-271
Intr/Psychology

Focuses on psychology as a science, introducing Concepts, research methods and research in a variety of subfields, including neuroscience, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning and memory, cognition, motivation and emotion, development, personality, disorders and therapy, and social psychology.

Course Outline
OR
POS-160
American National Government

POS-160
American National Government

The fundamental principles of the American Government are summarized. Such topics as federalism, civil liberties, citizenship, parties and elections, the Presidency, Congress, Judiciary, and national policies and politics are discussed within the framework of the American Constitutional system.

Course Outline
3.0
COM-111
Intro to Speech Communication

COM-111
Intro to Speech Communication

Focuses on the fundamental principles and methods of selection, analyzing, organizing, developing and communicating information, evidence, and points of view to audiences.

Course Outline
3.0

Semester Totals

15.0

Total Program Hours

65.5
Suggested Electives
AGR-133
Agriculture Salesmanship

AGR-133
Agriculture Salesmanship

Covers the basic principles underlying the sales process in agricultural farm supply and practical application and development of sales techniques. Basic to the course is an understanding of the salesperson's obligation to self, his or her company, and his or her customer.

Course Outline
2.5
AGR-132
Retailing/Agri Supplies

AGR-132
Retailing/Agri Supplies

Covers the practical application of retailing as it affects farm business supplies by divisions merchandising, sales, promotion, personnel control and operation.

Course Outline
2.0
AGR-051
Soil Fertility

AGR-051
Soil Fertility

Enables those involved with soils and crops to make intelligent and efficient use of fertilizer materials available.

Course Outline
2.5
AGR-053
Integrated Pest Management

AGR-053
Integrated Pest Management

Designed to develop a working knowledge of agricultural chemicals as they are related to herbicides and insecticides. Students should have a working knowledge of calibration and maintenance of agricultural chemical equipment. Identification of major weed species in this area and their control is emphasized.

Course Outline
3.0
AGR-141
Introduction to Agroecology

AGR-141
Introduction to Agroecology

This course introduces ecological principles as they relate to agriculture, and includes sustainable food production systems and concepts of agroecology. Also emphasized is discussion of population ecology and plant demographics, as well as the conversion from conventional to alternative production.

Course Outline
3.0
AGR-143
Organic Crop Production

AGR-143
Organic Crop Production

Organic crop production will explore the history, production, harvesting, storage, and marketing of products. State and federal laws as they relate to organic crop production will also be discussed.

Course Outline
3.0
AGR-145
Biological Pest Management

AGR-145
Biological Pest Management

Biology of pest management will discuss the pest concerns of an organic production system. The discussion will include identification, prevention, and approved control measures within an organic system.

Course Outline
3.0
AGR-083
Small Engines

AGR-083
Small Engines

Designed to develop a working knowledge of types of gas engines, systems in a gas engine, components of systems, principles of operations, care, maintenance, repair, and adjustment of gas engines.

Course Outline
3.0
HRT-083
Landscape Design II-Layout/Graphics

HRT-083
Landscape Design II-Layout/Graphics

This course reviews the design processes and techniques as they apply to residential landscape designs and integrates them into landscape projects. Course will include pen and ink graphic design techniques, freehand sketching, preparing quick designs, perspective sketching, and color drawing.

Course Outline
3.0