Undergraduate Horticulture Courses

HORT 1301. Horticulture. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Introduction to the horticulture industry and the career opportunities that are available. The course includes an introduction to plant classification and structure, greenhouse construction and management, orchard and vegetable crops, and plant propagation.

HORT 2320. Fundamentals of Market Gardening. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Introduction to gardening with a focus on using sustainable methods. A broad range of topics will be presented that include crop selection by season and geography, soil health, nutrient management, weed management, insect and disease identification, and pest management (insect, weed, and pathogen). Different crop management disciplines will be taught that include both conventional and organic production systems. Basic landscape design and garden establishment will be conveyed. This course will also include the principles and practices of garden-based learning and the application of horticulture in agriculture education programs. Biodiversity and the effects of organic and non-organic practices on the garden ecosystem will be emphasized. Conservation agriculture and other sustainable cultural practices (e.g. no-till, strip till and intercropping) will be examined. Students practice growing a garden using the techniques discussed in lecture. Home landscaping, container gardens, diversified garden systems, transplant production, herbs, and entry level greenhouse management are woven into class and laboratory lessons.

HORT 2470. Introduction to Turfgrass Science. 4 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

An introduction to turfgrass history, benefits, and use. Growth and development of various turfgrass species and their culture.

HORT 3300. Plant Propagation. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Principles of propagating plants, including vegetables, ornamentals, and fruits. Methods of handling seed; starting plants by the use of cuttings, layers, buds, grafts, and bulbs; ways of propagating specific plants; factors influencing growth of plants after transplanting. Prerequisites: BIOL 1406 and HORT 1301. Lab fee $2.

HORT 3301. Landscape Design. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Planting design and use of plants in the landscape. Use of drafting instruments, preparation of plans, perspective drawings, and cost estimates. Prerequisite: Prior completion of or concurrent enrollment in HORT 3390.

HORT 3309. Aquaponics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Students will examine the pros and cons of various aquaponics methods like raft, nutrient film, vertical towers, and media filled beds and their applications for growing fish and plants sustainably for a family/community or for profit. Students will construct a backyard aquaponics system, establish/harvest plants, and prepare a meal in laboratory. Topics covered are plant and fish choices and recommendations; planting/growing techniques; fish biology, stocking rates, and feeds; plant/fish care and health; water quality; system design, filtration and plumbing components; daily operation; greenhouse management/seasonal adjustments; system start up; food preparation; economics and business considerations.

HORT 3310. Regenerative Agriculture Systems. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

This course will serve as a bridge between foundational horticulture concepts, agroecological processes, and regenerative agriculture systems that can be applied to horticultural crop, agronomic crop, and integrated crop-livestock grazing systems. Course curriculum will emphasize regenerative agriculture principles and practices that includes soil conservation, agroecology, sustainable farming methods, biodiversity, and organic agriculture. This course will examine how a healthy soil microbiome are a critical component of healthy soils and how healthy soils influence and contribute to biotic facilitation, nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, ecosystem provisioning, regulating, and supporting services. Students will learn the importance of soil structure and composition to rain water and irrigation infiltration. Cover crop dynamics will be explored and the important role cool and warm season cover crops play in regenerative agriculture. The importance of conservation agriculture through no-till and reduced tillage practices will be emphasized. The varied ecosystem services resulting from these and other natural resource conservation measures as they apply to horticultural cropping systems from a regenerative agriculture perspective are fundamental concepts that this course will convey. Topics of study will include the importance of crop selection, soil health, nutrient management, weed management, integrated pest management, phytoremediation, integrated crop-livestock grazing, and perennial/annual horticultural cropping systems.

HORT 3333. Mushroom Cultivation and Utilization. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Culture techniques, environmental requirements, species selection, and production systems. Current state of mushroom production, innovations, and new opportunities in the field. Intended for majors and non-majors.

HORT 3370. Floriculture Operations and Management. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Principles and basic techniques in floral design and merchandising, introduction to the floral branch of the horticulture industry and floral production. The course will feature history of floral design, principles of design, design specific lab activities, work with the Floriculture contests in the spring, and hands-on design experience.

HORT 3390. Horticultural Plants. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Identification, classification, and characteristics of horticultural plants. Includes the study of trees, shrubs, aroids, cacti, bromeliads, ferns, begonias, and orchids. Prerequisite: HORT 1301 or equivalent or approval of department head. Lab fee $2.

HORT 3415. Weed Management. 4 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

General principles in the development of weed management programs. Common weed ecology and life cycles, land management factors, herbicide selection and performance, and cultural control strategies are presented. Laboratory includes weed identification and herbicide application methods. Prerequisites: AGRI 1307 and AGRI 1107; or WSES 1305; or HORT 1301.

HORT 4086. Horticultural Problems. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 1-6 Hours).

Individualized study of current topics in student's major concentration of study or supporting discipline. Specific content and credit dependent upon student's interest, needs, and depth of study.

HORT 4088. Undergraduate Research in Horticulture. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 1-6 Hours).

Fundamental research methods will be addressed through a faculty-directed project. Participation in an abbreviated lecture series may be required. Project components may include a literature review, data collection and analysis, testing, planning, project design, and/or computer modeling. Student may be required to prepare a final report and produce a presentation. Course will be graded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Prerequisite: Approval of the instructor.

HORT 4090. Special Topics. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1-6 Hours, Lab: 1-6 Hours).

Selected topics in horticulture. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

HORT 4301. Greenhouse and Nursery Management. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

A study of the variables affecting greenhouse and nursery crop production. Both economic and physical variables will be explored. Particular emphasis will be placed on management techniques used by commercial establishments in producing and marketing ornamental nursery and greenhouse plants. Prerequisites: HORT 1301 and 3300. Lab fee $2.

HORT 4320. Landscaping with Native Plants. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Identification, characterization, and utilization of herbaceous and woody plants indigenous to Texas and other areas useful for landscaping purposes. Principles and procedures of xeriscaping will be emphasized. Field trips will be required. Prerequisite: HORT 1301.

HORT 4323. Principles of Horticultural Crop Production. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Students will dig into the intricate world of horticultural cropping systems learning principles, practices, and sustainable management techniques necessary to be successful at commercial fruit and vegetable production. Vegetable production techniques including plant health, nutrient management, integrated pest management, weed management, disease identification, environmental stress resilience, agricultural adaptation, irrigation, conservation agriculture, and ecosystem services are some of the primary topics of study. Additional topics of this course include crop selection, crop rotation, and sustainable farm design to maximize production. Seasonal variations (spring, summer, fall, and winter) that influence crop selection and crop rotation will be presented for the diverse regions of Texas. Each class member will gain practical horticultural crop production through active participation in vegetable production in our horticultural gardens that integrates different fruit and vegetable crops using applied management practices learned in class. Prerequisite: HORT 1301.

HORT 4324. Organic Agriculture. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Organic Agriculture will examine a brief history of organic farming, the organic food movement, and modern organic industry development. Students will learn USDA-NOP rules and regulations and the USDA organic certification process needed to certify farms/ranches organic. The course will emphasize the science of horticultural organic crop production (fruits and vegetables) for different agroecosystems and the required organic management principles and practices that meet organic production standards. The course will study different organic agricultural production systems that integrate agroecology, regenerative agriculture, and integrated pest management concepts into organic crop and animal production systems. Organic crop nutrient management, forage and grazing management, plant propagation and greenhouse management, soil health, and pest management (weed, arthropod, and pathogen) are fundamental components of this course.

HORT 4330. Horticultural Enterprises. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Horticultural business and educational enterprises will be visited or explored. Students are required to complete a business portfolio which will include photographs and written documents. Prerequisite: Jr or Sr classification. Lab fee: $2.

HORT 4342. Study Abroad. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Conducted at various domestic and international locations for extended periods (frequently outside the United States). Hands-on activities and experiences in agriculture and natural resources. Topics will vary. Enrollment requires a significant study abroad program fee.

HORT 4470. Turfgrass Management and Irrigation. 4 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

Characteristics and management of turfgrasses used for home lawns, recreational areas and sports fields. Turfgrass irrigation system design. Prerequisites: HORT 2470; or AGRI 1307 and AGRI 1107.