Urban Ecosystems: Bachelor of Horticulture Science Major
Description
The new Bachelor of Horticulture Science program is an interdisciplinary program that combines horticulture, business, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and student selected general education. Students will combine the science and practice of horticulture to resolve community, industry, or research related problems. Innovation and creative thinking are important essential skills that students gain through research and enterprise projects. . A major program theme is the relationship between horticulture, our communities and our environment.
The Bachelor of Horticulture Science program has the following strengths:
- Customized education through the selection of electives that support learner educational goals
- Laddering within the School of Horticulture programs and articulation with other horticulture programs in BC to support lifelong learning
- Emphasis on the economic, environmental, and social components of sustainability
- Strong connections with the horticulture industry and community groups
- Development of essential skills such as teamwork, creative thinking, problem solving, and communication
- Capstone research courses which include a business plan and the application of new skills to a community based issue
- Required work experience in the first two years and in the community based project during the 4th year
Urban Ecosystems students study the impacts of horticultural activities in the urban environment. Students will learn how to assess the characteristics of urban ecosystems as they relate to landscape function and health. Outcomes include the ability to monitor and analyze the impact of horticultural activities on the local environment, remediate inefficient or ineffective gardens or landscapes, and install landscape features that make a positive contribution to the goal of a sustainable community. Of particular interest is the functioning of urban greenspaces at the edges of residential, industrial, agricultural, and natural habitats.
Students may have the opportunity to engage in international studies. Recently students participated in a three month exchange to Cuba where they worked on a range of plant health related research.
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 that enhance and protect our greenspace. Students with an interest in the effects of varied societal perspectives on public policy development and the implementation of sustainable practices in urban greenspaces will find this program of value.
Students interested in the specific horticulture industry sectors of greenhouse and nursery production, landscape design and installation, or turf management will be able to complete a Diploma in Horticulture Technology as a foundation to completing the Bachelor of Horticulture Science.
Career Opportunities
Upon completing the Bachelor of Horticulture Science graduates will be qualified to compete for:
- Technical positions in the Environmental Sector of the Economy
- Landscape and Grounds Maintenance Contractors
- Urban Horticulturists
- Growers in Production Horticulture Operations
- Crop Consultants
- Golf Course Superintendents
- 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 (subject to specific graduate school admission requirements)
Program Admission Requirements
In addition to KPU's General university admission requirements, including the undergraduate-level English Proficiency Requirement, the following program admission requirements apply:
Year One Admission:
- English 12 with a B grade (or equivalent)
- Principles of Math 11 with a C grade (or equivalent)
- Chemistry 11 with a C+ grade (or equivalent)
Year Three Admission:
- Horticulture Technology diploma or equivalent with a Program Grade Point Average of 2.5
- English 12 with a B or equivalent (writing the Kwantlen Polytechnic University English Placement Test is recommended if a candidate cannot meet the required minimum letter grade)
- Principles of Math 11 with a C or equivalent
- Chemistry 11 with a C+ or equivalent
- General Education 6 credits
- HORT 1110 Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture (3 credits)
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Horticulture Science, Major in Urban Ecosystems consists of 121 credits of course work.
Horticulture Science Degree Requirements
Year 1 and Year 2
All of: |
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| BUSI 1205 | Supervisory Skills | 3 credits | |
| BUSI 1209 | Business Management in Horticulture | 3 credits | |
| CBSY 1105 | Introductory Computer Applications | 3 credits | |
| CMNS 1140 | Introduction to Professional Communication | 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 | |
| HORT 2300 | Horticultural Work Experience | 2 credits | |
Plus one of: |
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| HORT 2308 | Landscape Pest Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2333 | Turfgrass Pest Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2378 | Production Horticulture Pests | 3 credits | |
Plus six credits: |
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| General Education Elective courses (see below) | 6 credits | ||
Plus 24 credits (9 credits at the 2000 level) selected from the following list: |
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| HORT 1116 | Introductory Equipment Maintenance | 2 credits | |
| HORT 1122 | Introduction to Landscape Practices | 2 credits | |
| HORT 1134 | Turf Maintenance Operations | 2 credits | |
| HORT 1171 | Production Practices - Fall | 2 credits | |
| HORT 1224 | Landscape Drafting | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1230 | Sustainable Turf Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1240 | Arboriculture I | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1246 | Plant ID for Production | 1.5 credits | |
| HORT 1255 | Plant Identification 2 | 1.5 credits | |
| HORT 1261 | Plant Propagation | 3 credits | |
| HORT 1271 | Production Practices - Spring | 2 credits | |
| HORT 2304 | Grounds Machinery | 2 credits | |
| HORT 2320 | Landscape Design 1 | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2330 | Turfgrass and Environmental Stress | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2334 | Irrigation, Drainage and Lighting | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2335 | Sports Turf Management Practices | 2.5 credits | |
| HORT 2355 | Plant Identification 3 | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2371 | Fall Floriculture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2372 | Greenhouse Vegetable Production | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2375 | Production Facilities and Equipment | 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 2436 | Golf Course Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2437 | Golf Course Irrigation Systems, Designs, and Operations | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2442 | Arboriculture II | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2463 | Nursery Production | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2472 | Forest Crop Production | 2 credits | |
| HORT 2473 | Greenhouse Environment and its Control | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2477 | Production Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2479 | Spring Floriculture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 2490 | Organic Greenhouse Crop Production | 3 credits | |
Year 3 and Year 4
All of: |
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| BIOL 1110 | Introductory Biology I | 4 credits | |
| ENGL 1100 | Introduction to University Writing | 3 credits | |
| ENVI 1106 | Environmental Chemistry I | 4 credits | |
| MATH 1117 | Environmental Mathematics | 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 | |
| PHIL 3033 | Business Ethics | 3 credits | |
And three credits: |
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| General Education Elective courses (see below) | 3 credits | ||
And three credits: |
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| Upper level writing intensive electives courses (see below) | 3 credits | ||
Urban Ecosystems Major
In addition to the Horticulture Science Degree Requirements (above), students must complete:
All of: |
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| 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 3270 | Urban Agriculture | 3 credits | |
| HORT 3251 | Landscape and Environment 1 | 3 credits | |
| HORT 4231 | Riparian Management | 3 credits | |
| HORT 4252 | Landscape and the Environment: Applications | 3 credits | |
| HORT 4253 | Urban Ecology | 3 credits | |
Electives
General Education Elective courses are courses outside the core academic discipline, in at least three different academic disciplines; and at the 1100 or higher level.
Upper level writing intensive electives courses are courses are ones in which writing instruction and recursive practice and assessment are the main focus of the course and are numbered at the 3000 or 4000 level.
Credential Awarded
Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Horticulture Science, Major in Urban Ecosystems.
