Plant Health: Bachelor of Horticulture Science Major
Description
The Plant Health Major is an interdisciplinary program that combines plant pathology, entomology, and horticultural practices as part of a holistic approach to plant health protection. The program emphasizes sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) practices including cultural control, biological control, and surveys/scouting, as tools supporting overall management of pests such as insects, weeds and organisms that cause plant disease.
Students address the impacts of plant health issues on the local, regional, and international practice of horticulture. The recognition of plant health, the diagnosis of poor plant performance, and the analysis of plant health programs form the core educational goals. Students explore the impacts of weeds, pests, and diseases as well as the implementation of pest management tactics on the environment. A key feature of the program is the recognition of horticulture as part of international trade and the impact of moving plants, plant products and their pests or diseases globally.
The Bachelor of Horticulture Science program has the following strengths:
- Customized education through the selection of electives that support learner educational goals
- Emphasis on the economic, environmental, and social components of sustainability
- Strong connections with horticulture industry and community groups
- Development of essential skills such as teamwork, creative thinking, problem solving, and communication
- Capstone research courses which include the application of new skills to a community based issue
- Required work experience
Students may have the opportunity to engage in international studies.
Student Profile
Students interested in the impacts of plant health, its management, and the influence of plant protection regulations on the horticulture industry or our broader community, are encouraged to apply. The program will appeal to students who want to enroll in an applied science degree, where they can both analyze problems and implement solutions that enhance and protect our food, amenity, and recreational needs. Students interested in the effects of varied societal perspectives on public policy and the implementation of sustainable practices to food and crop production will find this program of value.
Career Opportunities
Our graduates develop skill necessary for employment in the following area:
- Technical positions in the Environmental Sector
- Urban Horticulturists
- Growers in Production Horticulture Operations
- Importers and exporters of plants or plant-based commodities
- Plant Protection Inspectors
- Pest Management Specialists or Managers in public or private organizations
- Crop Consultants
- Technical Representatives for Horticulture or Agriculture Supply Companies
- Parks Managers
- Graduate studies in Horticulture or related fields (subject to specific graduate school admission requirements)
Admission Requirements
Students pursuing a major in Plant Health must be admitted to the Faculty of Science & Horticulture.
Declaration Requirements
Students intending to graduate with this Faculty of Science and Horticulture degree must declare the credential by the time they complete 60 credits of undergraduate coursework. At the time of declaration, the student must satisfy all of the following requirements:
- In good academic standing with the University
- Completion of a minimum of 24 credits of undergraduate coursework, including the following:
- 3 credits of ENGL at the 1100 level or higher
Curricular Requirements
A minimum of 122 credits from courses as the 1100 level or higher, including:
- A minimum of 36 credits from courses at the 3000 level or higher, including 6 credits from research courses at the 4000 level
- A minimum of 15 credits of Breadth electives chosen from fields or courses that are neither HORT nor prescribed within the Plant Health Major, including at least 3 credits from courses at the 3000 or 4000 level
Plant Health Major
Year 1
All of: |
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ENGL 1100 | Introduction to University Writing | 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 | |
Plus one of: |
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CBSY 1105 | Introductory Computer Applications | 3 credits | |
CBSY 1110 | Business Problem Solving with Spreadsheets | 3 credits | |
Plus: |
|||
9 credits of HORT electives at the 1100 or 2000 level | 9 credits |
Year 2
All of: |
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BIOL 1110 | Introductory Biology I | 4 credits | |
ENVI 1106 | Environmental Chemistry I | 4 credits | |
HORT 2302 | Horticulture Work Experience | 1 credit | |
HORT 2306 | Work Experience Report | 1 credit | |
Plus one of: |
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BUSI 1205 | Supervisory Skills | 3 credits | |
BUSI 1215 | Organizational Behaviour | 3 credits | |
BUSI 1250 | Human Resources Management I | 3 credits | |
Plus one of: |
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ACCT 1110 | Introductory Financial Accounting I | 3 credits | |
BUSI 1209 | Business Management in Horticulture | 3 credits | |
BUSI 1210 | Essentials of Management | 3 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: |
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12 credits of HORT electives at the 1100 or 2000 level | 12 credits |
Year 3
All of: |
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BIOL 1210 | Introductory Biology II | 4 credits | |
MATH 1115 | Statistics I | 3 credits | |
HORT 3310 | Entomology | 3 credits | |
HORT 3320 | Plant Pathology | 3 credits | |
HORT 3330 | Biological Control in Pest Management | 3 credits | |
HORT 3360 | Scouting, Monitoring, and Assessment of Pests | 3 credits | |
Plus: |
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6 credits of HORT electives at the 2000 level or higher | 6 credits | ||
Plus: |
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6 credits of Breadth electives * | 6 credits |
Year 4
All of: |
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HORT 4340 | Pest Management | 3 credits | |
HORT 4350 | Environmental Effects of Plant Health Management | 3 credits | |
HORT 4370 | National and Global Regulatory Issues | 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 | |
Plus: |
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9 credits of Breadth electives, including at least 3 credits at the 3000 level or higher * | 9 credits |
Note: * CMNS 1140 may be used as a Breadth elective.
Credential Awarded
Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Horticulture Science, Major in Plant Health.
At a Glance
Faculty of Science and Horticulture
Horticulture
Program Type:
- Undergraduate
Credential Granted:
- Baccalaureate Degree
Offered At:
- Langley
Start Date(s):
- September
- January
- May
Intake Type:
- Open intake
Format:
- Full-time
- Part-time
Minimum Credits Required:
- 122
Instructional Cycle:
- Semester-based
Curriculum Effective Date:
- 01-Sep-2016