Horticulture Technology: Diploma
Description
Kwantlen's diploma students acquire the skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary for success in horticulture. The support of employers and alumni ensures courses and programs meet the requirements of industry and the aspirations of graduates. Specialize in Greenhouse and Nursery Production, Turf Management, or Landscape Design and Installation.
The diploma programs combine theory and practices. Students use our excellent special purpose facilities to gain competence in a range of horticultural skills. These include glass greenhouses, poly houses, container nursery, turf field lab, landscape field lab, and horticulture science-focused teaching labs.
Many students enter the School of Horticulture to upgrade their skills or to facilitate a career change. Faculty and staff are supportive and sensitive to the issues faced by students who embark on a post-secondary program after a significant period away from school, college, or university.
Specializations:
The Diploma in Horticulture requires students to choose one of three specializations:
- Greenhouse and Nursery Production
- Landscape Design and Installation
- Turf Management
Greenhouse and Nursery Production
The greenhouse and nursery sector of the horticulture industry in BC has consistently provided rewarding employment opportunities. There is always a demand for knowledgeable and skilled individuals who enjoy working with people and plants. The demand for qualified greenhouse/nursery technologists is high and job opportunities exist in BC and abroad. This program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to work successfully in the greenhouse production of vegetable, or flower crops, or field and container production of ornamental plants. Graduates may be employed as assistant growers or growers in wholesale and retail nurseries, commercial greenhouse operations, garden centres and as technical representatives in supply companies.
Landscape Design and Installation
The Landscape specialization offers exciting opportunities for individuals seeking a career in the landscape industry. Public and private landscapes and gardens provide social, economic, and environmental benefits to our communities and have created a demand for individuals trained in landscape design, installation, and maintenance. Employment opportunities exist for supervisors and managers in residential and commercial landscaping companies, garden design firms, arboriculture companies, municipal park maintenance and management , and in horticulture materials supply companies. The opportunity for self-employment is high.
Turf Management
Turf management is a key component of the landscape trades, recreation, and tourism industries and a significant component of the provincial economy. Approximately 126,000 hectares of managed turfgrass exist in the province. There is steady demand for qualified turf managers. Graduates from the program have the skills necessary to achieve management level careers in turfgrass operations. Students will be involved in the ongoing development and maintenance of the golf turf and landscape turf on campus. While many graduates find employment in the golf course industry, opportunities also exist in lawn care, landscape maintenance, athletic field management, commercial sod growing, and management of cemeteries, parks, and recreational facilities. Related careers include golf course construction, equipment supply, and fertilizer and seed sales. A number of turf management graduates have established successful careers in arboriculture.
Transfer to a Degree
Kwantlen Bachelor of Horticulture Science
Graduates of a diploma program can pursue a Bachelor of Horticulture Science degree at Kwantlen. Students have the choice of a major in Urban Ecosystems or a major in Plant Health. Refer to the Horticulture Science degree section of the calendar for details. Students can combine their diploma education with enhanced Horticulture Science skills and earn two credentials. Students who wish to pursue this option should meet with their program coordinator to discuss some course substitutions that would facilitate transfer to the School of Horticulture degree program.
Kwantlen Bachelor of Business Administration
A successful career progression often leads to a management role in industry. While the diploma programs include a solid foundation in business skills, Horticulture Diploma graduates are eligible to transfer into the third year of Kwantlen's Bachelor of Business Administration (in Entrepreneurial Leadership, Human Resources Management, or Marketing Management). Some additional course work in Accounting, English, Microeconomics, Statistics and Marketing is required to complete the transfer. Students can combine diploma-level education with enhanced business skill and earn two credentials (Diploma and Degree) in a 4.5 year course of study. Students who wish to pursue this option should meet with their program coordinator to discuss some course substitutions that would facilitate transfer to the School of Business degree program.
Student Profile
Students who wish to contribute to environmental and community well-being, engage in creative activities, own and operate their own businesses, or engage in hands-on work will enjoy horticulture. Individuals with allergies to dust, pollen or plant products, or specific chemicals should be aware of the potential impact on their health. Physical fitness and a healthy back are generally required for a successful career in these horticulture disciplines.
Career Opportunities
In response to increased consumer demand for horticulture products and services, and in response to increasing consumer interest in their environment and sustainability, the horticulture industry is both growing and changing. The combination of growth and change has resulted in a shortage of qualified people for staff and management positions. School of Horticulture technology graduates are in demand for technical, supervisory and management roles in greenhouses, golf courses, landscape design, installation, and maintenance companies, garden centres, nurseries, and municipal park departments. This combination of growth and change is generating the demand for qualified people to staff and manage the numerous employment opportunities available in a vibrant and diverse horticulture industry.
Program Admission Requirements
General university admission requirements apply to this program including the undergraduate-level English Proficiency Requirement.
Students wishing to complete the program without having to undertake any preparatory courses must enter with English 12 with a grade of C+ and Mathematics 11 (Applications or Principles) with a grade of C (or equivalent). Students are encouraged to make an appointment with an Academic Advisor to plan course selections accordingly.
Program Requirements
Greenhouse and Nursery Production Specialization
Student pursuing a Diploma in Horticulture with a Greenhouse and Nursery Production specialization must complete at least 63 credits including:
Year 1
All of: |
|||
| Fall – Semester 1 | |||
| CBSY 1105 | Introductory Computer Applications | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1102 | Botany for Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1116 | Introductory Equipment Maintenance | 2 credits | |
| HORT 1155 | Introduction to Plant Identification | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1171 | Production Practices – Fall | 2 credits | |
| HORT 2472 | Forest Crop Production | 2 credits | |
| Spring – Semester 2 | |||
| CMNS 1140 | Introduction to Professional Communication | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1101 | Pesticide Applicator/Dispenser Certification | 0.5 credits | |
| HORT 1104 | Soils and Growing Media | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1217 | Foundations of Plant Health | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1246 | Plant ID for Production | 1.5 credits | |
| HORT 1261 | Plant Propagation | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1271 | Production Practices – Spring | 2 credits | |
| Summer Semester | |||
| HORT 2300 | Horticultural Work Experience | 2 credits | |
Year 2
All of: |
|||
| Fall – Semester 3 | |||
| BUSI 1209 | Business Management in Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2371 | Fall Floriculture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2375 | Production Facilities and Equipment | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2378 | Production Horticulture Pests | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2473 | Greenhouse Environments | 3 credits | |
| Spring – Semester 4 | |||
| BUSI 1205 | Supervisory Skills | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2372 | Greenhouse Vegetable Production | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2463 | Nursery Production | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2477 | Production Horticulture Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2479 | Spring Floriculture | 3 credits | |
Electives
Optional: |
|||
| HORT 1110 | Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2490 | Organic Greenhouse Crop Production | 3 credits | |
Landscape Design and Installation Specialization
Student pursuing a Diploma in Horticulture with a Landscape Design and Installation specialization must complete at least 65 credits including:
Year 1
All of: |
|||
| Fall – Semester 1 | |||
| CBSY 1105 | Introductory Computer Applications | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1102 | Botany for Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1116 | Introductory Equipment Maintenance | 2 credits | |
| HORT 1122 | Introduction to Landscape Practices | 2 credits | |
| HORT 1155 | Intro to Plant Identification | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1230 | Sustainable Turf Management | 3 credits | |
| Spring – Semester 2 | |||
| CMNS 1140 | Introduction to Professional Communication | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1101 | Pesticide Applicator/Dispenser Certification | 0.5 credits | |
| HORT 1104 | Soils and Growing Media | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1217 | Foundations of Plant Health | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1224 | Landscape Drafting | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1240 | Arboriculture I | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1255 | Plant Identification II | 1.5 credits | |
| Summer Semester | |||
| HORT 2300 | Horticultural Work Experience | 2 credits | |
Year 2
All of: |
|||
| Fall – Semester 3 | |||
| BUSI 1209 | Business Management in Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2308 | Landscape Pest Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2320 | Landscape Design I | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2334 | Irrigation, Drainage and Lighting | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2355 | Plant Identification 3 | 3 credits | |
| Spring – Semester 4 | |||
| BUSI 1205 | Supervisory Skills | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2412 | Landscape Estimating and Contract Administration | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2420 | Landscape Design II | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2426 | Landscape Construction | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2442 | Arboriculture II | 3 credits | |
Electives
Optional: |
|||
| HORT 1110 | Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1119 | Landscape and the Environment I | 3 credits | |
Turf Management Specialization
Student pursuing a Diploma in Horticulture with a Turf Management specialization must complete 63.5 credits including:
Year 1
All of: |
|||
| Fall – Semester 1 | |||
| CBSY 1105 | Introductory Computer Applications | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1102 | Botany for Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1116 | Introductory Equipment Maintenance | 2 credits | |
| HORT 1134 | Turf Maintenance Operations | 2 credits | |
| HORT 1155 | Intro to Plant Identification | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1230 | Sustainable Turf Management | 3 credits | |
| Spring – Semester 2 | |||
| CMNS 1140 | Business and Technical Communication | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1101 | Pesticide Applicator/Dispenser Certification | 0.5 credits | |
| HORT 1104 | Soils and Growing Media | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1217 | Foundations of Plant Health | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1240 | Arboriculture I | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1255 | Plant Identification II | 1.5 credits | |
| HORT 2304 | Grounds Machinery | 2 credits | |
| Summer Semester | |||
| HORT 2300 | Horticultural Work Experience | 2 credits | |
Year 2
All of: |
|||
| Fall – Semester 3 | |||
| BUSI 1209 | Business Management in Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2330 | Turfgrass and Environmental Stress | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2333 | Turfgrass Pest Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2334 | Irrigation, Drainage and Lighting | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2335 | Sports Turf Management Practices | 2.5 credits | |
| Spring – Semester 4 | |||
| BUSI 1205 | Supervisory Skills | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2426 | Landscape Construction | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2436 | Golf Course Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2437 | Golf Course Irrigation Systems: Design and Operations | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2442 | Arboriculture II | 3 credits | |
Credential Awarded
Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive a Diploma in Horticulture Technology.
