Plant Science and Agricultural Technology with Specializations in:

• Horticulture
• Landscape
• Sustainable Agriculture

Associate in Science Degree _{CIP# 1101060502)}

This program is designed to prepare students for careers in the landscape and horticulture industries. Students may choose to specialize in two areas: landscape or horticulture. The Landscape Specialization provides for skills in landscape design, construction, and maintenance, which include instruction in constructing and landscaping parks, airports, communities, resorts, etc. Students are trained to supervise, manage, and design exterior and interior landscapes. The Horticulture Specialization is designed to prepare students for careers in both greenhouse and nursery operations and includes instruction in greenhouse foliage, flower and woody nursery production. Students are specially trained to operate and manage all types of plant productions, programs and facilities.

Students are strongly encouraged to consult a Career Program Advisor in the department office for assistance in determining the best education plan for their career goals.

Although scheduling may not always provide for the following progression of courses, students should use the foundation, intermediate and specialization course sequence as a guide in program planning.

All degree-seeking students must satisfy entry testing requirements and satisfactorily complete all mandatory courses in reading, student success, mathematics, English, and English for Academic Purposes in which the student is placed.

Alternative Ways to Earn Credit

You may be eligible to receive credit toward this degree if you have earned an approved industry certification or Career Pathways credit.  For more information and requirements, go to valenciacollege.edu/asdegrees/transferagreements.cfm to view the award of credit options.  Eligible students should contact the related academic department and/or Career Program Advisor at Valencia for the award of credit.

Technical Certificates

The Plant Science and Agricultural A.S. degree also offers the following college credit certificate programs.  These certificate programs can put you on the fast-track to reaching your career goals. They are designed to equip you with a specialized skill set for entry-level employment or to upgrade your skills for job advancement. Most can be completed in one year or less, and all of the courses in the certificate programs are embedded in the A.S. degree. Click on the Certificate tab at the top of the page for more information about the course requirements.

• Plant Science Specialist (12 credits) (CIP # 0101060503)
• Plant Science Professional (18 credits) (CIP # 0101060504)
• Plant Science Technician (30 credits) (CIP # 0101060505)

Start Right

Degree-seeking students enrolling at Valencia for the first time will have a limited range of courses from which to choose for their first 18 college-level credits. Within the first 18 college credit hours, you will be required to take ENC1101 (3 credits), and if applicable, SLS 1122 (3 credits) and a mathematics course appropriate to your selected meta-major (3 credits).  The remaining courses will be chosen from the General Education Core Courses in humanities (3 credits), science (3 credits), or social science (3 credits), and/or the introductory courses within the A.S. degree programs. For specific courses see the Foundation Courses on the “Program Requirements” tab. For course sequencing recommendations, see your Career Program Advisor or create an education plan by logging into Atlas, clicking on the LifeMap tab and clicking My Education Plan.

Potential Careers

• Nursery Supervisor/Manager
• Supervisor, Parks
• Production Superintendent
• Landscape & Groundskeeping Manager
• Landscape Gardener/Designer/Contractor
• Supervisor/Manager of Landscaping and Horticulture Services
• Landscape & Horticulture Specialist
• Landscape & Horticulture Professional

Salary & Earnings Information

For salary and wage information, visit:  www.floridawages.com.

Contacts

Future Students

Contact Enrollment Services at enrollment@valenciacollege.edu or call 407-582-1507.

Current Students

Javier Garces, Program Chair, West Campus: 407-582-1820
jgarces3@valenciacollege.edu

Beverly Johnson, Career Program Advisor, West Campus: 407-582-1890
bjohnson@valenciacollege.edu

Internship and Workforce Services

If you need assistance with job resources or in locating an internship, please visit: valenciacollege.edu/internship.

Program Requirements

Foundation Courses
ENC 1101	FRESHMAN COMPOSITION I +*~	3
SLS 1122	New Student Experience ~	3
EVR 1001	Intro to Environ Science +*~	3
or MAC 1105	COLLEGE ALGEBRA
PLS 1010C	INTRODUCTION TO PLANT SCIENCE	3
ENY 1002C	PRINCIPLES OF ENTOMOLOGY *	3
BOT 2010C	BOTANY ~	4
CHM 1025C	INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL CHEMISTRY *~	4
or CHM 1045C	GENERAL CHEMISTRY WITH QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS I
Intermediate Courses
AOM 2012C	TYPES & SYSTEMS OF AGRICULTURE OPERATIONS	3
ECO 2013	Principles of Economics-Macro ~	3
PLP 2001C	PLANT PATHOLOGY *	4
SWS 2102C	SOILS AND FERTILIZERS *	3
Humanities	See Gen. Ed. Core or Institutional Requirement ~	3
Specialization (See below)		21
Total Credit Hours		60

+	This course must be completed with a grade of C or better.
*	This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.
~	This is a general education course.
(GR)	Denotes a Gordon Rule course.

Horticulture Specialization

Designed for students wishing to specialize in nursery and greenhouse operations.

Program Outcomes

• Differentiate the mechanisms involved in plant physiology and growth.
• Categorize plants based on growth, morphological, and taxonomic characteristics.
• Design a pest management program.
• Demonstrate employability skills in the field of horticulture.
• Develop solutions for a wide variety of plant health issues.

ORH 1510C	ORNAMENTAL PLANT MATERIALS I *	3
ORH 2251C	NURSERY OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT *	3
or ORH 2260C	GREENHOUSE OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT
PLS 2220C	PLANT PROPAGATION *	3
Plant Science and Agricultural Technology Degree Electives		12
Total Credit Hours		21

*	This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

Landscape Specialization

Designed for students wishing to specialize in landscape design, construction, and maintenance.

Program Outcomes

• Differentiate the mechanisms involved in plant physiology and growth.
• Categorize plants based on growth, morphological, and taxonomic characteristics.
• Design a landscape or interiorscape project.
• Demonstrate employability skills in the field of horticulture.
• Schedule a landscape or interiorscape maintenance program.

LDE 1000C	LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION *	3
ORH 1234C	ORNAMENTAL PLANT MAINTENANCE *	4
ORH 1510C	ORNAMENTAL PLANT MATERIALS I *	3
ORH 2840C	LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION *	4
Plant Science and Agricultural Technology Degree Electives		7
Total Credit Hours		21

*	This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

Sustainable Agriculture Specialization

Designed for students wishing to specialize in edible crop production.

Program Outcomes

• Differentiate the mechanisms involved in plant physiology and growth.
• Categorize plants based on growth, morphological, and taxonomic characteristics.
• Design a crop management program.
• Demonstrate employability skills in the field of horticulture.
• Develop solutions for a wide variety of plant health issues.

Program Requirements

AOM 1461C	INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE	3
Electives	Plant Science and Agriculture Technology Degree Electives	18
Total Credit Hours		21

*	This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

Notes:

Specialized program courses are offered on the West Campus and some off-site locations, and may not be offered every session.

Expand your career opportunities with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Organizational Leadership (BASBOL) from Valencia. This degree builds on your skills, and prepares you for a supervisory or management role within your respective field. For more information, go to: Bachelor's Degree in Business & Organizational Leadership.  Students who wish to continue their education should consult with a Career Program Advisor to determine the best education plan for their career goals.

Students wishing to transfer credits from this program to another institution must accept responsibility for securing approval from the transfer institution for acceptance of this degree.  

Plant Science Specialist

Technical Certificate

This program is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in the landscape and horticulture industries as nursery workers, landscape and horticulture workers and specialists. Areas of study include an understanding of plant physiology, growth, plant classification and plant identification.

Program Outcomes

• Differentiate the mechanisms involved in plant physiology and growth.
• Categorize plants based on growth, morphological, and taxonomic characteristics.
• Design a landscape project.
• Install landscape plants.
• Demonstrate employability skills in the landscape field.

PLS 1010C	INTRODUCTION TO PLANT SCIENCE	3
ORH 1510C	ORNAMENTAL PLANT MATERIALS I *	3
or AOM 1461C	INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
ENY 1002C	PRINCIPLES OF ENTOMOLOGY	3
Plant Science and Agricultural Technology Electives		3
Total Credit Hours		12

*	This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

Notes:

All certificate courses are offered on the West Campus.

Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.

Plant Science Professional

Technical Certificate

This program is designed to prepare students for immediate employment in the landscape and horticulture industries as landscape gardeners, park workers, gardener specialists and landscape or horticulture professionals. Students focus on the maintenance of landscape plants, including nutrition, fertilization and pest control.  Gainful Employment Information

Program Outcomes

• Differentiate the mechanisms involved in plant physiology and growth.
• Categorize plants based on growth, morphological, and taxonomic characteristics.
• Design a landscape project.
• Install landscape plants.
• Schedule a fertilization program.

PLS 1010C	INTRODUCTION TO PLANT SCIENCE	3
ORH 1510C	ORNAMENTAL PLANT MATERIALS I *	3
or AOM 1461C	INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
ENY 1002C	PRINCIPLES OF ENTOMOLOGY	3
SWS 2102C	SOILS AND FERTILIZERS *	3
or AOM 2012C	TYPES & SYSTEMS OF AGRICULTURE OPERATIONS
	Plant Science and Agricultural Technology Elective(s)	6
Total Credit Hours		18

*	This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

Note:

All certificate courses are offered on the West Campus.

Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.

Plant Science Technician with Specializations in

• Horticulture
• Landscape

Technical Certificate

This program is designed to prepare students for immediate employment in the landscape and horticulture industries as supervisors of landscaping and horticulture, production and nursery supervisors, and horticulture technicians. Areas of study include managing culture of plant materials and installing and constructing landscape projects. Students should select the Horticulture or Landscape Specialization.  Gainful Employment Information

Foundation Courses
PLS 1010C	INTRODUCTION TO PLANT SCIENCE	3
ORH 1510C	ORNAMENTAL PLANT MATERIALS I *	3
or AOM 1461C	INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
ENY 1002C	PRINCIPLES OF ENTOMOLOGY	3
SWS 2102C	SOILS AND FERTILIZERS *	3
or AOM 2012C	TYPES & SYSTEMS OF AGRICULTURE OPERATIONS
Specialization (See below)		18
Total Credit Hours		30

*	This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

Horticulture Specialization

Program Outcomes

• Differentiate the mechanisms involved in plant physiology and growth.
• Categorize plants based on growth, morphological, and taxonomic characteristics.
• Design a landscape or interiorscape project.
• Install landscape plants.
• Manage a plant nursery.

ORH 2251C	NURSERY OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT *	3
or ORH 2260C	GREENHOUSE OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT
	Plant Science and Agricultural Technology Elective(s)	15
Total Credit Hours		18

Landscape Specialization

Program Outcomes

• Differentiate the mechanisms involved in plant physiology and growth.
• Categorize plants based on growth, morphological, and taxonomic characteristics.
• Design a landscape or interiorscape project.
• Install landscape plants.
• Design a pest management program.

LDE 1000C	LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION	3
ORH 1234C	ORNAMENTAL PLANT MAINTENANCE *	4
ORH 2840C	LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION *	4
	Plant Science and Agricultural Technology Elective(s)	7
Total Credit Hours		18

*	This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

Plant Science Technician Certificate Electives

These courses may be used for Landscape and Horticulture Technology Certificate Electives credit if not being used as a certificate requirement.

AOM 2012C	TYPES & SYSTEMS OF AGRICULTURE OPERATIONS	3
BOT 2010C	BOTANY *	4
BOT 2501C	PLANT PHYSIOLOGY	4
CGS 2100C	COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS AND APPLICATIONS	3
CHM 1025C	INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL CHEMISTRY *	4
ENY 1002C	PRINCIPLES OF ENTOMOLOGY *	3
EVR 1001	Intro to Environ Science	3
GEB 1011	Introduction To Business	3
HOS 2932	Selected Topics Horti/Lndscap *	1-4
HOS 2941	INTERNSHIP EXPLORATION IN LANDSCAPE/HORTICULTURE *	1-4
HOS 2942	INTERNSHIP IN LANDSCAPE/HORTICULTURE *	1-4
IPM 1301C	SURVEY OF PEST CONTROL	3
IPM 2011C	DIAGNOSTICS TECHNIQUES FOR PLANT PROBLEMS	4
LDE 1000C	LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION	3
ORH 1234C	ORNAMENTAL PLANT MAINTENANCE *	4
ORH 1873C	Interiorscapng-Desgn and Maint *	3
ORH 2251C	NURSERY OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT *	3
ORH 2260C	GREENHOUSE OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT *	3
ORH 2840C	LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION *	4
OST 1755C	MICROSOFT WORD - INTRODUCTION	1
PLP 2001C	PLANT PATHOLOGY *	4
PLS 2220C	PLANT PROPAGATION *	3
SBM 1000	Small Business Management	3
SWS 2102C	SOILS AND FERTILIZERS *	3
VEC 1201C	INTRODUCTION TO VEGETABLE GARDENING	3

*	This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

Note

All certificate courses are offered on the West Campus.

Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.

This certificate program is eligible for Financial Aid.