Offered at Langley

Description

Kwantlen's Horticulture Technology Diploma program provides students with employment opportunities in the areas of (but not limited to) greenhouse and nursery production, golf course management and landscape design and installation, depending on the specialization chosen. Through a high level of interaction between employers and faculty, the program offers courses that are relevant to the needs of industry. The program is designed to produce technologists and managers who have the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to gain employment and to work successfully in a variety of disciplines within the horticulture industry.

The Diploma program has theoretical and practical components and students are encouraged to make maximum use of the training facilities and gain competence in a realistic range of labour operations. Educational facilities include a modern glass greenhouse, a range of poly-houses, a nursery, a three-hole demonstration golf course, science labs, and a developing landscape. For the most part, students will be in small groups during practical instruction.

Specializations:

Greenhouse and Nursery Production, Landscape Design and Installation, Turf Management

Career Opportunities

The horticulture industry in British Columbia continues to expand in order to meet the growing need for horticultural products and services. The expansion of the industry is making increasing demands on staff at all levels. The supply has always been limited because of the low availability of qualified people. Technologists will find numerous employment opportunities in the horticulture industry. They will have the ability, after work experience, to progress to supervisory or managerial roles in greenhouses, golf courses, landscape operations, garden centres, and nursery operations in both the private and public sectors.

Transfer Opportunities to the Bachelor of Business Administration Program

Successful Horticulture Technology Diploma graduates are eligible to transfer into the third year of Kwantlen University College's Bachelor of Business Administration (in Entrepreneurial Leadership) upon successful completion of additional course work in Accounting, English, Microeconomics, Statistics, and Marketing. Students can now combine technology level training with enhanced business training and receive two credentials (Diploma and Degree) in a 4-year course of study.

Student Profile

Students should have a strong desire for hands-on work, enjoy nature and living things, be concerned about the environment, and have entrepreneurial talents. 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. Students will be required to work with plant protection products.

Admission Requirements

Both full and part-time students must meet general Kwantlen admission requirements (see section on General Information- Admission).

Specific course prerequisites apply. Students who wish to complete the program in two years must meet the following requirements at the beginning of their studies:

• English 12 with a C+ or equivalent (recommend writing the Kwantlen University College English Placement Test if a candidate cannot meet the minimum letter grade required)
• Mathematics 11 with a C or equivalent
• Chemistry 11 with a C or equivalent or Physics 11 with a C or equivalent

All applicants are invited to arrange an interview with a faculty member to help clarify program demands and career opportunities.

Graduation

A Diploma in Horticulture Technology will be granted to students who have completed the required course work. The shortest time to complete the program is 19 months. Students have a maximum of 10 years to complete the required course work for a Diploma.

Content

The program includes a minimum of 1,300 hours of training over a period of two academic years. The technology program is currently under review. Course numbers, titles, and credits are subject to change. Courses listed as HORT tba are currently under development.

Core Courses

(Note: Core courses are common to all specializations)

CBSY 1105 Intro. Microcomputer Applications or

CBSY 2205 Computers and Information Processing

CMNS 1140 Business and Technical Communication - Theory and Application

HORT 1102 Botany for Horticulture

HORT 1104 Intro. to Soils, Soil Amendments and Soilless Media

HORT 1116 Intro. to Horticulture Equipment and Maintenance

HORT 1155 Intro. to Plant Identification

HORT 1217 Intro. to Pest Management

HORT 2300 Horticulture Work Experience

BUSI 1209 Business Management for Horticulture

BUSI 1205 Supervisory Skills

Total number of credits from core courses: 28

Optional Courses

Note: the following courses may be required to meet prerequisites for advanced courses but do not contribute to the credits required for a diploma.

HORT 1101 Pesticide Applicator's Certification

HORT 0095 Chemistry Upgrading for Horticulture

Greenhouse and Nursery Production

Career Opportunities

The greenhouse and nursery segments of the horticulture industry in BC consistently increase in size and employment opportunities each year. 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 specialization can provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to work successfully in greenhouse production of vegetable, flower or forestry crops, or the field and container production of ornamental plants in nursery environments. Graduates may be employed as assistant growers or growers in wholesale and retail nurseries, commercial greenhouse operations, garden centre and supply companies. Self-employment is also a possibility.

Required Courses

HORT 1171 Introduction to Greenhouse Work I

HORT 1261 Plant Propagation I

HORT 1271 Introduction to Greenhouse Work II

HORT 2371 Floriculture I

tba Plant Identification

HORT 2372 Greenhouse Vegetable Production

tbaGreenhouse Integrated Pest Management

HORT 2375 Production Facilities and Equipment

tbaNursery Production

HORT 2472 Forestry Crop Production

HORT 2473 Greenhouse Environment

HORT 2477 Production Horticulture Management

tbaFloriculture: spring Production.

Total number of credits from specialization courses: 35

Note: MRKT 1236 can be substituted for HORT 2372 to facilitate bridging to the Bachelor of Business Administration.

Elective Courses

HRTT 1302 Greenhouse Boiler Operation

HRTT 1310 Food Safety in Horticulture

HRTT 1311 Indo-Canadian Culture: An introduction

Landscape Design and Installation

Career Opportunities

The increased development of public and private grounds has created a demand for individuals trained in landscape design and installation. The Landscape specialization addresses this need and offers exciting opportunities for individuals seeking employment in the landscape industry. Employment opportunities exist for supervisors and managers in residential and commercial landscaping companies, garden design firms, municipal park management and maintenance, and in horticulture materials supply companies. The opportunity for self-employment is high.

Required Courses

HORT 1122 Introduction to Landscape Practices

HORT 1224 Landscape Drafting

HORT 1230 Turf Management I

HORT 1240 Arboriculture I

HORT 1255 Plant Identification II

HORT 2320 Landscape Design I

HORT 2412 Landscape Estimating and Contract Administration

HORT 2420 Landscape Design II

tba Landscape Integrated Pest Management

tba Plant Identification III

tba Irrigation and Drainage

tba Landscape Construction

tba Arboriculture II

Total number of credits from specialization courses: 36.5

Note: MRKT 1236 can be substituted for HORT 2420 to facilitate bridging to the Bachelor of Business Administration.

Turf Management

Career Opportunities

The turfgrass industry is a large sector in the provincial economy. In 1998 the operating expenditures of turfgrass operations in the province was estimated to be 1.65 billion dollars. Approximately 126,000 hectares of managed turfgrass exist in the province. Turfgrass management is a key component of the landscape trades, recreation, and tourism industries. There is steady growth in the 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 a three-hole demonstration golf course on campus. While most graduates find employment in the golf course industry, opportunities also exist in lawn care, 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.

Required Courses

HORT 1134 Introduction to Turf Maintenance

HORT 1223 Landscape Operations

HORT 1230 Turf Management I

HORT 1240 Arboriculture I

HORT 1255 Plant Identification II

HORT 2304 Grounds Machinery

HORT 2330 Turf Management II

tba Irrigation and Drainage

HORT 2333 Turfgrass Integrated Pest Management

tba Sports Turf

tba Arboriculture II

tba Turf Irrigation

HORT 2436 Golf Course Management

Total number of credits from specialization courses: 34

Note: MRKT 1236 can be substituted for either HORT 1223 or HORT tba to facilitate bridging to the Bachelor of Business Administration.