Courses
Hort 120 Survey of Horticulture, 3 cr, offered Fall. For the beginning student. Scientific basis for horticultural practices; scope of the field of horticulture; introduction to propagation, culture, management, improvement, storage, and marketing of flowers, fruits, ornamentals and vegetables.
Hort 121 Horticulture Colloquium, 1 cr, offered Fall. Overview of world, national, and regional horticulture plants and industries presented by various faculty. History and profiles of research advancing horticulture presented by department faculty.
Hort 227 Propagation of Horticultural Plants, 3 cr, offered Spring. Methods of propagation of herbaceous and woody plants, fundamental anatomical and physiological principles underlying sexual and asexual propagation of plants. P: Biology/Botany 130 or Biology/Botany/Zoology 152
Hort 234 Ornamental Plants, 3 cr, offered Fall. On-site identification and description, aesthetic qualities and uses, environmental requirements and adaptability of selected ornamental plants with emphasis on annuals, herbaceous perennials, and those used for interior design.
Hort/Pl Path 261 Sustainable Turfgrass Use and Management, 2 cr, offered Fall, online. Sustainable use and management of turfgrass landscapes in urban and suburban environments, including home lawns, golf courses, and sports fields. Focus is on creating sustainable and attractive turfgrass landscapes through proper species selection, use of slow-release or organic fertilizer practices, and minimizing the use of pesticides and supplemental irrigation.
Hort/Pl Path 262 Turfgrass Management Laboratory, 1 cr, offered Fall even years. Hands-on turf establishment, cool- and warm-season grass, seed and weed identification, chemical application, and turf cultivation techniques and equipment use, plus field trips to major league sport facilities and golf courses. P: Hort/Pl Path 261 or concurrent enrollment
Hort/Land Arc 263 Landscape Plants, 3 cr, offered Fall. Field identification, landscape characteristics, uses, environmental requirements, adaptability of woody ornamental plants; their autumn and winter character. P: Sophomore standing and (Biology/Botany 130, Biology, Botany/Zoology 152, or Botany 100)
Hort 289 Honors Independent Study, 1-2 cr, Honors research work under direct guidance of a Horticulture faculty or instructional academic staff member. Enroll Info: Students are responsible for arranging the work and credits with the supervising instructor. Intended for students in the CALS Honors Program.
Hort 299 Independent Study, 1-3cr, Research work under direct guidance of a Horticulture faculty or instructional academic staff member. Enroll Info: Students are responsible for arranging the work and credits with the supervising instructor.
Hort/F&W Ecol/Land Arc/Pl Path 309 Diseases of Trees and Shrubs, 3 cr, offered Fall. Fundamental disease concepts, pathogens and causal agents, diagnosis, and biologically rational principles and practices for management of diseases of trees and shrubs. Enroll Info: Includes field trips P: (Biology/Botany/Zoology 152, Biology/Botany 130, or Biocore 381) or graduate/professional standing
Hort 320 Environment of Horticultural Plants, 3cr, offered Fall. Fluctuations and regulations of temperature, light, water, carbon dioxide and pollutants in natural and controlled environments. Effects upon plant growth and development. Adaptive mechanisms. Significance of air ions, electromagnetic fields and other geophysical factors. P: Biology/Botany 130, Biology/Botany/Zoology 152, Agronomy 100, or Hort 120
Hort/Soil Sci/Agron 326 Plant Nutrition Management, 3cr, offered Spring. Functions, requirements and uptake of essential plant nutrients; chemical and microbial processes affecting nutrient availability; diagnosis of plant and soil nutrient status; fertilizers and efficient fertilizer use in different tillage systems. P:(Chem 103, 109, or 115 and Envir St/Geog/Soil Sci 230) or Soil Sci 301, or graduate/professional standing
Hort 330 Wines and Vines of the World, 2 cr, offered occasionally during summer. An introduction to grape production and wine culture targeting students interested in learning the science of growing grapes, winemaking, and wine appreciation. Topics include cultural history and geography of the world’s grape-producing regions, principles of plant anatomy and physiology, biochemistry of wine production, wine producing regions of the world and wine styles, and sensory evaluation of wines. Includes a wine tasting discussion to explore the sensory attributes of the wines and production practices specific to the wine production regions to be covered. Students must be 21 years old by the beginning of class. P: Consent of instructor
Hort/Soil Sci 332 Turfgrass Nutrient and Water Management, 3 cr, offered Fall even years. Nutrient requirements of turfgrasses; nature of turfgrass response to fertilization; soil and tissue testing methodology and interpretation; irrigation scheduling; irrigation water quality; use of irrigation and fertilizer to minimize environmental impact; writing effective nutrient management plans. P: Agronomy/Hort/Soil Sci 326 or graduate/professional standing
Hort 334 Greenhouse Cultivation, 2 cr, offered Spring. Principles of selection, production, handling, use of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and foliage plants grown indoors. One-day field trip required. P: Biology/Botany 130, Biology/Botany/Zoology 152, Agronomy 100, or Hort 120
Hort 335 Greenhouse Cultivation Lab, 1 cr, offered Spring. Provide students with hands-on experience in and understanding of greenhouse cultivation. This course is the optional lab component of Horticulture 334 Greenhouse Cultivation. P: Hort 334 or concurrent registration
Hort/Agron 338 Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, 3 cr, offered Spring. Principles of transferring plant genes by sexual, somatic, and molecular methods and the application of gene transfer in plant breeding and genetic engineering to improve crop plants. P: (Biology/Botany 130, Genetics 466, 467, or Biocore 381) or graduate/professional standing
Hort/Agronomy/Botany 339 Plant Biotechnology: Principles and Techniques, 4 cr, offered Fall.Theoretical and practical training in plant biotechnology including molecular biology, protein biochemistry and basic bioinformatic techniques used in fundamental and applied research on plants. Valuable hands-on training to those interested in careers in biotechnology. P: (Biology/Botany/Zoology 152 or Biology/Zoology 102) and (Chem 104, 109, or 116) or graduate/professional standing
Hort/Agronomy/Botany 340 Plant Cell Culture and Genetic Engineering, 4cr, offered Spring.Presents an overview of the techniques, biology and underlying theory of plant tissue culture, genetic engineering and genome editing. Overviews of research and commercial applications, and issues/challenges in the area of plant biotechnology are also covered. P:(Biology/Botany 130, Biology/Botany/Zoology 152, Biology/Zoology 102, or Biocore 381) and (Chem 104, 109, or 116) or graduate/professional standing
Hort 345 Fruit Crop Production, 3 cr, offered Spring even years. Survey of fruit production, emphasizing commercial production of temperate fruits. Fruit origin, history, classification, physiology, genetics, harvest and postharvest handling P: Biology/Botany 130 or Biology/Botany/Zoology 152
Hort 350 Plants and Human Wellbeing, 2 cr, offered Fall. Plants provide not only the foundation of food, clothing, and shelter essential for human existence, but also some of the key raw materials for transcendence and abstraction through music, art, and spirituality. Since antiquity, we have co-evolved with plants and their derivative products, with each exerting a domesticating force on the other. It is, for example, impossible to think of our modern life without its plant-based accompaniments in the form of cotton, sugar, bread, coffee, and wood. Yet they are so ubiquitous we may forget they all derive from plants discovered, domesticated, bred, and farmed for millennia in a never-ending pursuit to improve our wellbeing. This course will explore major points of intersection between plants and human wellbeing from a horticultural point of view. Each week, we will highlight a plant or group of plants that represent a primary commodity or resource through which humans have pursued their own aims. We will examine this plant with hands-on demonstrations and produce extracts and preparations to more deeply explore its effects and impacts in human society. This course is open to all students, and has no prerequisites.
Hort 351 A Deeper Look At Plants And Human Wellbeing, 1cr, offered Fall as part of a First Year Interest Group (FIG). Plants are essential for human wellbeing, yet they are often manipulated in ways that contribute significantly to human and environmental detriment. Provides an opportunity for students to consider the scientific, social, economic, and public policy implications of plants or groups of plants and dive deeply into those subjects for a variety of crops that are essential for human societies. P: Concurrent enrollment in Hort 350
Hort/Entom/Pl Path/Soils 354 Diagnosing and Monitoring Pest and Nutrient Status of Field Crops, 1 cr, offered Spring. This course is designed to provide students with information necessary to diagnosis and monitor corn, soybean, alfalfa and wheat for pests (insects, weeds, diseases) and nutrient deficiency symptoms including perspectives from Agronomy, Entomology, Horticulture, Plant Pathology and Soil Science. Proper soil and pest sampling information will be provided as will proper crop staging techniques which are essential for pest and nutrient management.
Hort/Agronomy 360 Genetically Modified Crops: Science, Regulation & Controversy, 2 cr, offered Spring. Explores how and why genetically modified (GM) crops are created and their regulation at the federal and state level. Through case studies, students will learn about the impacts of GM crops and critically evaluate arguments both for and against their use. Readings and discussion introduce students to the complex economic, cultural, and political issues surrounding GM crops. P: Biology/Zoology 101, Biology/Botany 130, Biology/Botany/Zoology 151, Biocore 381, Genetics 466, or Genetics 467
Hort/A A E/Agronomy/Pl Path 367 – Introduction to Organic Agriculture: Production, Markets, and Policy, 3cr, Provides an in-depth understanding of the history of organic agriculture, its production, processing, marketing, and social dimensions, and its impact on environmental, community, and human health. P: Envir St/Agroecol/Agronomy/C&E Soc/Entom 103 or graduate/professional standing
Hort 370 World Vegetable Crops, 3cr, offered Fall. An overview of the importance of fresh and processed vegetables worldwide. Vegetable origin, history, classification, culture, marketing, physiology, genetics, handling, quality, significance in world cultures and diets. P: Biology/Botany 130, Biology/Botany/Zoology 151, or Biocore 381
Hort 372 Colloquium in Organic Agriculture, 1 cr, offered Spring. Colloquium in which faculty, regional professionals, local organic farmers and students will present and discuss topics relevant to history, marketing, economics, production and social context of organic and sustainable agriculture. P: Junior Standing
Hort 375 Special Topics I, II, and III, 1-4 cr Specialized subject matter of current interest to undergrads
- Organic Vegetable Production, offered occasionally, typically in spring
- Planting for a Greener Future, offered spring
- The Science of Hemp, offered spring
Hort 376 Tropical Horticultural Systems, 1 cr, offered Fall. This course will highlight the interactions between tropical plants and society. How plants are obtained, the systems used to raise the crops, the specific plants that are used and how we use these in the context of local and global markets, have a profound implication on food security, the resilience of the farming systems and the conservation of natural habitats. Class discussions will include reflections on the origins of the tropical crops, the roles of plants in our daily lives, and the effects of our daily choices on the environment, climate change, human health, water access, conflicts, poverty, and development. We will do an overview of tropical horticulture and survey some of the social, scientific and environmental problems associated with the utilization of plants for subsistence, health, aesthetics, and cultural practices. P: Junior Standing
Hort 378 Tropical Horticultural Systems International Field Study, 2 cr. This international field study will meet during the winter intercession in a tropical country in Central America. We will reflect on the role of plants in our daily lives and the effects that our daily choices have on the environment, human health, conflicts, poverty, and development. This course will provide an opportunity to develop a holistic appreciation of horticulture by highlighting the interactions between plants and society. We will discuss some of the social, scientific and environmental challenges that conventional, sustainable and organic horticulture practices face in the production, marketing, and use of tropical crops. The field study will provide an opportunity to contextualize what students learned during the course “Tropical Horticultural Systems” (HORT 376). We will visit diverse agricultural systems, such as small farms, large-scale operations, market growers, and industrial export businesses. In addition, we will visit agronomic centers, botanical gardens, herbaria, germplasm banks, and nature preserves. P: Hort 376
Hort 380 Indigenous Foodways: Food And Seed Sovereignty, 2 cr. Indigenous foods of North America are a vital component of modern agricultural and food systems. Indigenous foods and foodways will be examined from interdisciplinary historical, legal, biological, and social perspectives. Historic indigenous foodways of the present-day upper Midwestern United States and the impact on food and seed sovereignty of settler colonialism and subsequent agricultural practices and policies will be explored. Current efforts to re-claim agricultural traditions and foodways to improve public health, economic opportunity, and food and seed sovereignty will be covered, including the right to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, to define one’s own food and agriculture systems, and to control the mechanisms and policies that govern food distribution. Hands-on activities are featured; previous examples include cooking with indigenous foods, ice fishing, and tapping maple trees for syrup. P: Sophomore standing
Hort 399 Coordinative Internship/Cooperative Education, 1-8 cr, Internship under guidance of a Horticulture faculty or instructional academic staff member and internship site supervisor. Enroll Info: Students are responsible for arranging the work and credits with the Horticulture faculty or instructional academic staff member and the internship site supervisor.
Hort/Path-Bio 500 Molecular Biology Techniques, 3cr, offered Spring. The objective of the course is to familiarize students with recombinant DNA technology. This will be accomplished through lectures as well as hands on exposure to methodologies used in molecular biology laboratories.P: (Biochem 501, Genetics 466, or Microbio 303) or graduate/professional standing
Hort/Agron 501 Principles of Plant Breeding, 3 cr, offered Fall. Principles involved in breeding and maintaining economic crops; factors affecting the choice of breeding methods; alternative approaches through hybridization and selection. P: (Genetics 466 or 467) and (Biology/Botany 130, Biology/Botany/Zoology 151, or Biocore 381) or graduate/professional standing
Hort/Agron 502 Techniques of Plant Breeding, 1 cr, offered occasionally. Lab and field techniques used in breeding and maintaining economic crops. P: (Genetics 466 or 467) and (Biology/Botany 130, Biology/Botany/Zoology 151, or Biocore 381) or graduate/professional standing
Hort/F&W Ecol/Soil Sci 524 Urban Soil and Environment, 3 cr, offered occasionally. Many environmental issues related to urbanization are derived from the manipulation of soil. By coupling contemporary literature in urban soils with soil science, students will be able to evaluate environmental issues within the urban environment and provide new ways of remediating their impact. P:(Physics 103, 201, 207, or 247) and (Envir St/Geog/Soil Sci 230 or Soil Sci 301 or concurrent), or graduate/professional standing
Hort/Genetics 550 Molecular Approaches for Potential Crop Improvement, 3 cr, offered Spring. Introduction of basic concepts of plant molecular biology and molecular techniques in current use. Topics include: organization and regulation of plant genes, gene cloning and analysis, transformation systems for plants, and molecular techniques for crop improvement. P:Biochem 501 and (Genetics 466 or 467); or graduate/professional standing
Hort/Stat/F&W Ecol 571 Statistical Methods for Bioscience, 4 cr, offered Fall. Descriptive statistics, distributions, one- and two-sample normal inference, power, one-way ANOVA, simple linear regression, categorical data, non-parametric methods; underlying assumptions and diagnostic work. P: Graduate/professional standing
Hort/Stat/ F&W Ecol 572 Statistical Methods for Bioscience, 4 cr, offered Spring. Continuation of Forestry 571. Polynomial regression, multiple regression, two-way ANOVA with and without interaction, split-plot design, subsampling, analysis of covariance, elementary sampling, introduction to bioassay. P: F&W Ecol/Hort/Stat 571
Hort/Agronomy/An Sci/Genetics 615 Genetic Mapping, 3cr, offer spring odd years. Computing-intensive course to prepare students for genetic mapping research; linkage analysis and QTL mapping in designed crosses; linkage disequilibrium and association analysis (GWAS). Enroll Info: Recommended preparation is undergraduate courses in genetics and statistics and prior experience writing R scripts (such as module 1 of STAT 327). P: Graduate/professional standing
Hort/Botany/Soil Sci 626 Mineral Nutrition of Plants 3cr, Essential and beneficial elements, solutions and soil as nutrient sources, rhizosphere chemistry, nutritional physiology, ion uptake and translocation, functions of elements, nutrient interactions, genetics of plant nutrition. P: Botany 500 or Graduate/professional standing
Hort 681 Senior Honors Thesis, 2-4 cr (Honors only), Individual study and research for students completing theses under direct guidance of a Horticulture faculty or instructional academic staff member. Enroll Info: Students are responsible for arranging the work and credits with the supervising instructor. Intended for students in the CALS Honors Program.
Hort 682 Senior Honors, 2-4 cr (Honors only) Individual study and research for students completing theses under direct guidance of a Horticulture faculty or instructional academic staff member. Enroll Info: Students are responsible for arranging the work and credits with the supervising instructor. Intended for students in the CALS Honors Program. Continuation of HORT 681
Hort 699 Special Problems, 1-4 cr, Provides academic credit for directed study under direct guidance of a Horticulture faculty member or instructional academic staff member. Enroll Info: Students are responsible for arranging the work and credits with the supervising instructor.
Hort 799 Practicum in Horticulture Teaching, 1-3 cr Instructional orientation to teaching at the higher education level in the agricultural and life sciences, direct teaching experience under faculty supervision, experience in testing and evaluation of students, and the analysis of teaching performance.
Hort/Agronomy 811 Biometrical Procedures in Plant Breeding, 3 cr, Use of statistical methods to facilitate improvements in quantitative traits of cultivated plants. P: (F&W Ecol/Hort/Stat 572, Genetics 466 or Genetics 467) or graduate/professional standing
Hort/Agronomy 812 Selection Theory for Quantitative Traits, 2cr, Discuss advanced topics in selection theory and the utilization of molecular markers in selection. P: Graduate/professional standing
Hort 875 Special Topics, 1-4 cr For graduate students
- Organic Vegetable Production, offered Spring occasionally.
- Polyploid Genetics, offered Spring even years
Hort 910/Agron 920 Seminar, 1 cr, Weekly seminar topics in agronomy and horticulture.
Hort/Agron 957 Seminar – Plant Breeding, 1 cr, Graduate seminar in Plant Breeding Plant Genetics (PBPG) that requires students to give oral scientific presentations on topics chosen by the instructors and/or the student¿s thesis research. This seminar is coordinated by PBPG faculty on a rotating basis.
Hort 990 Research, 1-12 cr, Independent research and writing for graduate students under the supervision of a faculty member.