The Sustainable Plant and Soil Systems major, with concentrations in Environmental Horticulture, Sustainable Agriculture, and Turfgrass Science, focuses on the science and practices associated with sustainable plant production and/or use within managed systems. Courses emphasize practices and concepts related to reducing environmental impact during production and in managed land use systems.
Concentrations focus on the production of ornamental and edible crops in controlled environments, greenhouses, nurseries and on farms; management practices for built landscapes and surfaces used for recreational and sporting activities; and the selection and management of ornamental trees, shrubs, grasses, native species, and plants and soils that perform ecosystem services in recreational, urban, and suburban settings to meet functional and aesthetic requirements. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and developing and applying knowledge to solve contemporary problems in individual and team approaches. Students have the opportunity to gain real-world experience through internships.
Requirements
All students in this major must complete the following courses:
The writing in the major requirement is satisfied by SPSS 2110W Sustainable Plant Pest Management Communication or SPSS 2560W Written Communications in Horticulture or SPSS 3660W Nursery Production.
Environmental Horticulture Concentration
Students in this concentration must complete the following courses:
Course List
Course |
Title |
Credits |
SPSS 3640 | Plant Propagation | 3 |
| 6 |
| Fundamentals of Plant Pathology | |
| Ecology and Control of Weeds | |
| Horticultural Entomology | |
| 6 |
| Herbaceous Ornamental Plants | |
| Woody Plants: Common Trees, Shrubs and Vines | |
| Indoor Plants and Interiorscaping | |
| 9 |
| Small Fruit Production | |
| Garden Center Management | |
| Urban Plant Systems Construction and Maintenance | |
| Organic and Sustainable Vegetable Production | |
| Nursery Production | |
| Greenhouse Technology and Operations | |
| Plant Tissue Culture | |
Total Credits | 24 |
Sustainable Agriculture Concentration
Students in this concentration must complete the following courses:
Course List
Course |
Title |
Credits |
SPSS 2100E | Environmental Sustainability of Food Production in Developed Countries | 3 |
SPSS 2500E | Principles and Concepts of Agroecology | 3 |
SPSS 3610 | Organic and Sustainable Vegetable Production | 4 |
SPSS 3620 | Soil Fertility | 3 |
SPSS 3840 | Integrated Pest Management | 3 |
SPSS 3990 | Field Study Internship | 1-6 |
| 6 |
| Fundamentals of Plant Pathology | |
| Ecology and Control of Weeds | |
| Horticultural Entomology | |
Total Credits | 23-28 |
Turfgrass Science Concentration
Students in this concentration must complete the following courses:
Course List
Course |
Title |
Credits |
SPSS 1100 | Turfgrass Management | 3 |
SPSS 1115 | Turfgrass Management Lab | 1 |
SPSS 3150 | Advanced Turfgrass Management | 3 |
SPSS 3620 | Soil Fertility | 3 |
SPSS 3990 | Field Study Internship | 1-6 |
| 9 |
| Fundamentals of Plant Pathology | |
| Ecology and Control of Weeds | |
| Horticultural Entomology | |
| Integrated Pest Management | |
| 3 |
| Herbaceous Ornamental Plants | |
| Woody Plants: Common Trees, Shrubs and Vines | |
| Urban Plant Systems Construction and Maintenance | |
Total Credits | 23-28 |
Students successfully completing these courses will have met their general education exit requirements for information literacy.
University General Education Requirements
Every student must meet a set of core requirements to earn a baccalaureate degree, in addition to those required by the student's major course of study and other requirements set by the student's school or college. For more information about these requirements, please see General Education Requirements.
College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources Degree Requirements
Students must meet a set of requirements established by the college in addition to the University's General Education requirements. For more information, see the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources section of this catalog.