Mathematics Upgrading for Horticulture

Students will review the math skills required for horticulture. They will study arithmetic, introductory algebra, word problems, graphs, geometry, and metric conversion as they apply to horticulture.

Note : Successful completion of this course qualifies students for entry into the Kwantlen University College horticulture courses that have a mathematics prerequisite. This course has no standing as a mathematics course where mathematics credits are required for credentials. This course cannot be used towards a horticulture credential.

Students will study some basic chemistry in preparation for Kwantlen’s horticulture program, and will practise laboratory techniques while working with chemical problems and chemical principles as they apply to horticulture.  They will solve problems related to density, percentage composition, solution properties and stoichiometry, and will use exponential notation, significant figures, dimensional analysis, metric conversions, symbols, chemical formulae and equations, atomic mass, the mole concept, and the Periodic Table.

Prerequisites: Principles of Math 11 or Applications of Math 11 or HRTA 0096 or HORT 1094 or ABEM 0082 or ABEM 0011 or PSPM 1082 or MATP 1011 or MATH 1093 or Kwantlen’s Horticulture/Mathematics placement test.

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

Introductory Equipment Maintenance

Students will be introduced to basic machinery and mechanical systems used in horticulture. They will perform preventative maintenance and troubleshooting procedures on horticulture equipment. Safe work practices will be covered.

Introduction to Landscape Practices

Students will be introduced to the scope and breadth of the landscape industry. They will study basic landscape installation and maintenance including concrete structures, pathways, and plant material. Students will also practise basic landscaping equipment operations. They will be required to complete individual work practice sessions outside of formal class time.

Students will perform work on the School of Horticulture golf course and grounds to gain practical experience in turf maintenance. They will engage in tasks including reel, rotary, flail mowing, core cultivation, topdressing, seeding, sodding, sand trap maintenance, and other tasks as required to maintain a variety of turf operations. Students will be required to complete individual work practice sessions outside of formal class time.

Intro to Plant Identification

Students will practise skills that will enable them to identify a wide range of plants used in all segments of horticulture including examples of trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers, perennials, annuals, house plants, and cut flowers. They will study the important characteristics of leaves, flowers fruits, plant shapes, and branching patterns, and will learn about growing requirements and plant use and availability.

Production Practices - Fall

Students will study essential horticultural principles and will work in School of Horticulture and commercial greenhouse facilities to gain experience in basic horticultural labour and equipment operations. They will maintain and harvest fall season crops, such as poinsettias, chrysanthemums, cut flowers, potted plants, greenhouse vegetables, and forestry crops. Students will be required to complete individual work practice sessions outside of formal class time.
NOTE: Fieldtrips to commercial operations are an integral part of this course.

Introduction to Pest Management

Students will study the morphology, physiology, and habits of pests (including insects, mites, and vertebrates) to select a combination of cultural, chemical, physical, and biological control methods. They will work with diseases and disorders of plants, and will demonstrate concepts of the spread of disease. Students will handle weed specimens to identify and choose appropriate control measures. They will discuss the tenets of integrated pest management and relate them to commercial horticultural situations, and will learn the safe and effective use of 25 kg-backpack and/or canister sprayers.

Prerequisites: Principles of Math 11 or Applications of Math 11 or HRTA 0096 or HORT 1094 or ABEM 0082 or ABEM 0011 or PSPM 1082 or MATP 1011 or MATH 1093 or Kwantlen’s Horticulture/Mathematics placement test.

Corequisites: HORT 1101

Basic Landscape Operations

Students will practice the basic skills and techniques for surveying, installing and maintaining landscapes. They will study print reading and drafting and will learn about the basic principles of landscape design for residential properties.

Landscape Drafting

Students will study basic drafting techniques and standards. They will also practise drafting skills through a series of manual and computer assisted drafting exercises. Students will practise the proper use of drafting tools, techniques, and a computer assisted design program.

Turf Management I

Students will study and apply turf management principles and techniques, including turfgrass identification, fertilization, irrigation, mowing, turfgrass establishment, and renovation practices, and the development of cultural programs.

Corequisites: HORT 1122 or 1134 or employment in the turf or landscape industries

Arboriculture I

Students will study the relationships between plant function and plant form and structure. They will gain practical experience, as weather permits, in pruning trees and shrubs using hand pruning tools, power hedge trimmers, and a chipper.

Prerequisites: HORT 1155 or 1145 or HRTA 1125

Plant ID for Production

Students will practise the identification of plant species produced in commercial greenhouses and nurseries in varying stages of growth. They will also learn about the use of plants, their growing seasons, and their market value.

Prerequisites: HORT 1155 or 1145 or 1125 or HRTA 1125

Plant ID II

Students will enhance their plant identification skills learned in HORT 1155 through field identification of trees, ground covers, vines and other plants. They will discuss each plant with respect to shape, branching patterns, flower, leaf and fruit characteristics, growing requirements and use in the landscape.

Prerequisites: HORT 1155

Plant Propagation

Students will discuss the main topics of plant propagation. They will perform all aspects of seed propagation including seed storage, seed quality, seed dormancy, and the maintenance of environmental factors affecting seed germination. Students will perform micropropagation in a tissue culture laboratory. They will also perform traditional vegetative propagation (cuttings, grafting, division, layering, and specialized stems and roots) and discuss the proper environment used for each technique. Students will discuss plant breeding and the importance of Plant Breeders’ Rights in Canada.

Prerequisites: HORT 1102 or (HRTA 1100 and 1101 and 1102) or (HRTA 1110 and 1111)

Production Practices - Spring

Students will perform in the School of Horticulture and commercial greenhouse facilities to gain experience in basic horticultural labour and equipment operations. They will maintain and harvest winter and spring season crops, such as Easter lilies, cut flowers, bedding plants, potted plants, greenhouse vegetables, and forestry crops. Students will be required to complete individual work practice sessions outside of formal class time. NOTE: Fieldtrips to commercial operations are an integral part of this course.

Horticultural Work Experience

Students will participate in an approved work experience in the horticulture industry. They will apply their landscape, turf or production horticultural skills in a commercial setting. Upon completion of the work experience students will prepare a written report and give an oral presentation on their experiences.

Prerequisites: HORT 1122 or 1134 or 1171 or 1271

Grounds Machinery

Students will study, operate, and maintain the turfgrass equipment used in a modern golf course or parks facility. They will perform maintenance and repairs on the machinery used for turf cultivation, renovation, mowing, spraying, and other types of grounds maintenance. Students will discuss the selection and purchasing of machinery. They will propose and design a modern turf care facility

Prerequisites: [HORT 1116 or (HORT 1107 and 1108)] and [ HORT 1230 or HRTA 1230 and 1231 and 1232)]

Landscape IPM

Students will undertake a detailed study of specific pest problems common to ornamental and native trees, shrubs, ground covers and turfgrasses, with an emphasis on diagnosis. They will explore pest life cycles, plant symptoms, pest prevention and pest control. Students will also gain an understanding of integrated pest and disease management using a variety of methods including Internet resources, pest management computer programs and diagnostic CD-ROMs.

Prerequisites: ( HORT 1155 or 1145,) and [ HORT 1201 or (HORT 1101 and 1207) or (HORT 1217 and 1101) or (HRTA 1200 and 1201)].

Landscape Design I

Students will practise the basic principles of landscape design for single-family residential properties, including plant composition, creative problem solving, functional and design uses of landscape materials, client and maintenance criteria. They w ill prepare working drawings such as concept and planting plans for actual clients. Students will investigate the history of landscape design.

Prerequisites: (HORT 1224 or 1220) and (HORT 1155 or 1145) and (HORT 1255 or 1225)

Advanced Turf Management

Students will examine the effects of environmental stresses (including atmospheric, climatic, soil, and biotic stresses) on turfgrass growth, development and function. They will discuss and apply management techniques, and will study the development of new techniques.

Prerequisites:HORT 1104 and HORT 1230 or (HRTA 1230 and 1231 and 1232)

Turfgrass Pest Management

Students will undertake a detailed study of the pests and weeds common to turfgrasses, and plants associated with turfgrass areas. They will examine and discuss pest life cycles, plant symptoms, pest prevention and control, and pesticide storage and use. Students will also learn about the importance of integrated weed, pest, and disease management using a variety of methods including Internet resources, diagnostic CD-ROMs, and interaction with pest management colleagues. Students will practice using pest control equipment on outdoor turfgrass.

Prerequisites: HORT 1230 and [(HORT 1201 or (HORT 1101 and 1207) or (HORT 1101 and 1217) or HRTA 1200 and 1201]

Irrigation, Drainage and Lighting

Students will study the soil-water-plant relationship as it applies to landscape irrigation and drainage. They will maintain, install, and design irrigation and drainage systems with a focus on residential or small-scale systems. They will also study the installation and maintenance of landscape lighting.

Prerequisites: Principles of Math 11 or Applications of Math 11or ABEM 0082 or 0011 or PSPM 1082 or MATP 1011 or HORT 1094 or MATH 1093 or a Horticulture Math placement exam with a C.

Sports Turf Management Practices

Students will study and apply management techniques for specialized turf areas such as football, rugby and soccer fields, baseball diamonds, bowling greens, grass tennis and croquet courts. They also examine the management of alternate sports surfaces including synthetic turf athletic fields, skinned baseball infields, clay and asphalt tennis courts, and hybrid turf/synthetic sports fields. Students will practice sports turf maintenance.

Prerequisites: HORT 1230 or HRTA 1230and 1231 and 1232 )

Plant Identification III

Students will identify annuals, biennials, perennials, bulbs, ornamental grasses, shrubs, and trees, including native materials. They will discuss each plant with respect to form, texture, habit, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics, cultural requirements, and use in gardens and specialty landscapes.

Prerequisites: HORT 1155 or 1145

Floriculture I

Students will study the commercial production practices of selected potted and cut flower crops grown in the Canadian greenhouse industry. They will practice production techniques and methods on the potted and cut flower crops grown in the Horticulture field laboratory greenhouses.

Prerequisites: (HORT 1171 or 1271) and [(HORT 1201 or (HORT 1101 and 1207) or (HORT 1101 and 1217) or (HRTA 1200 and 1201)]

Greenhouse Vegetable Production

Students will gain a thorough understanding of the culture and management practices of greenhouse vegetable crops, including propagation methods, production of the crop and end of year clean-up, and marketing and economics. They will also study temperature, nutrition, crop scheduling, integrated pest management and variety selection. Students will gain hands-on experience through growing tomatoes, long English cucumbers, and sweet pepper crops by making growing decisions during the semester.

Prerequisites: (HORT 1101 or a current 5 year Pesticide Applicator Certificate) and (HORT 1207 or 1217) and (HORT 1171 or 1271 or [ HRTA 1170 and 1171] or [HRTA 1270 and 1271]).

Production Facilities and Equipment

Students will study the factors associated with greenhouse site selection and site layout. They will distinguish the features and benefits of various types of greenhouse structures and coverings. Students will investigate benching types and layouts, irrigation systems and greenhouse components. Other specialized systems, such as heating systems, will also be covered. During labs, students will monitor and maintain greenhouse and nursery equipment. Field trips are an essential part of this course.

Prerequisites: HORT 1116 or (HORT 1107 and 1109)

Greenhouse and Nursery Pests

Students will study major greenhouse and nursery pests, including insects, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. They will learn pest identification in the laboratory and on site by working with live and preserved specimens, as well as by interacting with pest management professionals. Students will practice monitoring and control methods in the greenhouse and field. They will develop and evaluate integrated pest management programs using a variety of resources including Internet and diagnostic CD-ROM programs.

Prerequisites: HORT 1217 or 1201 or (HORT 1101 and 1207) or HRTA 1200 and 1201). Valid BC Pesticide Applicator Certificate, Agriculture Producer.

Landscape Estimating and Contract Administration

Students will learn the preparation of business plans, cost accounting and the administration of contracts and will work with a variety of contracts, business forms and specifications. They will estimate a landscape project and be involved in tender opening including the comparison of results.

Prerequisites: HORT 2300.

Landscape Design II

Students will explore the design challenges associated with residential sites and small scale public spaces. They will practise design skills such as cut and fill calculations, site and client analysis, and plant composition. Students will prepare working drawings such as grading plans, elevations and construction details.

Prerequisites: HORT 2320

Landscape Construction

Students will explore both the theory and practice of landscape construction. They will have an opportunity to practice the construction and installation of landscape features such as patios, decks, retaining walls, ponds, fences, and arbors.

Prerequisites: HORT 1122 or HRTA 1321

Golf Course Management

Students will study the operation and management of the golf course in the context of golf as a recreational activity, a competitive activity, and a business. Students will assess the impacts of the rules of golf, the play of the game, environmental stewardship, the organization of the turf care operations, and the organization of the golf business on golf maintenance operations. They will also analyze best management practices.

Prerequisites: HORT 2330

Golf Course Irrigation Systems, Designs, and Operations

Students will design, analyze, and maintain golf course and athletic field irrigation systems.  They will analyze sprinkler head selection and performance, pumping systems, valves types, controllers, software, and pipe characteristics.  Students will discuss issues of water use and water quality.  Through laboratory exercises students will perform irrigation audits, calculate water delivery, and schedule irrigation.

Prerequisites: [HORT 1230 or (HRTA 1230 and 1231 and 1232)] and HORT 2331 or 2334

Arboriculture II

Students will practice hazard tree assessment, plant diagnosis and tree appraisal. They will analyze and practice tree preservation techniques and preventative tree maintenance and repair.

Prerequisites: HORT 1240

Nursery Production

Students will review and analyze all aspects of container and field nursery production (trees, shrubs, vines, and herbaceous perennials) in British Columbia. They will practise activities such as potting, weeding, pruning, fertilizing, and irrigation maintenance in the university college nursery. Students will discuss current topics of production trends and environmental concerns.

Prerequisites: [HORT 1104 or (HRTA 1104 and 1105) ] and HORT 1261

Forest Crop Production

Students will study the culture and management of the forestry crops that are grown in Western Canada.  They will develop management techniques for propagation, temperature and light control, fertilization, and integrated pest management for forest seedling crops.

Spring Floriculture

Students will study and practice the commercial production practices necessary to produce the potted plants, cut flower crops, and bedding plants grown in the Canadian greenhouse industry. They will practice production techniques and assume production responsibilities for crops grown in the college greenhouses.

Prerequisites: HORT 1171 or 1271