Program Information

The Horticultural Sciences (HOS) graduate program is administered jointly by the Environmental Horticulture (HSE) and Horticultural Sciences (HS) departments and offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science (thesis or nonthesis options) and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The Department offers a combination bachelor’s/master’s degree program. Contact the graduate coordinator for information. Members of the program’s Graduate Faculty include department resident faculty and faculty at University of Florida Research and Education Centers located throughout Florida.

For admission to the HOS graduate program, apply to either the HS or HSE departments, depending on your career/research interest.

Requirements

A strong undergraduate or graduate background in horticultural, biological, agronomic, or other disciplines in the life sciences and undergraduate coursework in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. A prospective graduate student need not have majored in horticulture as an undergraduate or master’s student; however, students with curriculum deficiencies are required to take prerequisite subjects during the first year of graduate study. Undergraduate courses taken to correct curriculum deficiencies do not count for graduate program credit.

Specializations in the HS department focus on vegetable and fruit crops and include

• Plant Breeding and Genetics
• Crop Production and Nutrient Management
• Postharvest Biology
• Organic Sustainable Agriculture
• Weed Science
• Physiology and Biochemistry
• Plant Molecular Biology
• Protected Agriculture

Numerous HS and HSE faculty participate in the interdisciplinary Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Program. Students interested in molecular biology/biotechnology may pursue molecular-oriented studies in any listed specialization. Students interested in full specialization in molecular and related disciplines should contact the Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology interdisciplinary program for specific requirements.

Specializations in the HSE department:

• Breeding and Genetics
• Restoration Ecology
• Floriculture
• Foliage Production
• Plant anatomy and development
• Plant Biotechnology
• Plant Restoration Conservation Biotechnology
• Stress Physiology
• Taxonomy
• Tissue Culture
• Turfgrass Science
• Woody Plants

Graduate School Degree Program Requirements Master of Science (Thesis Option)

Students must earn at least 30 credits as a graduate student at UF. No more than 9 of the 30 credits (earned with a grade of A, B+, or B) may be transferred from institutions approved for this purpose by the Dean of the Graduate School. A minimum of 12 credits is required in the Horticultural Sciences major; additionally, a maximum of 6 credits in HOS 6971 Research for Master's Thesis (1-15 cr.)- Master’s Research - may be counted toward the total credits. See here for information on M.S. graduate degrees.

A minor may be chosen in an academic unit other than the major. If a minor is chosen, at least 6 credits of course work are required in the minor field. Two 6-credit minors may be taken with the major academic unit’s permission. A 3.00 (truncated) GPA is required for minor credit. In addition, a representative from the department in which the minor is being received must be on the supervisory committee.

Master of Science Non-Thesis Option

This option offers additional training beyond the bachelor’s degree in a horticultural specialization. Essential elements of this program include a program of courses and a comprehensive written and/or final oral qualifying examination. There is no thesis requirement. A minimum of 30 credit hours of course work is required. Courses taken for program credit must be numbered 5000 or higher with at least 15 of these credits in the Horticultural Science major. With supervisory committee and college dean approval, 6 hours of 3000- or 4000-level undergraduate courses, taught outside the major department, may count toward the minimum requirements for the degree. Click for information on all graduate degrees.

A minor may be chosen in an academic unit other than the major. If a minor is chosen, at least 6 credits of work are required in the minor field. Two 6-credit minors may be taken with the major academic unit’s permission. A 3.00 (truncated) GPA is required for minor credit. In addition, a representative from the department in which the minor is being received must be on the supervisory committee.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree and is granted on evidence of general proficiency, distinctive attainment in a special field, and ability to conduct independent investigation as demonstrated in a dissertation presenting original research with a high degree of literary skill. Consequently, doctoral programs are more flexible and varied than those leading to M.S. degree programs. The Ph.D. degree requires at least 90 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree, although specific course requirements vary from field to field and from student to student. Up to 30 credits of master’s degree may be transferred to a doctoral program. Any credits counted from an M.S. degree program must have been earned within the previous seven years (or by petition). The Graduate Council does not specify the courses required for the Ph.D. degree.

General requirements for the program include

• a clear objective for research
• approval of the student’s entire supervisory committee
• an appropriate number of credits of doctoral research

Click for information on all graduate degrees.

Minor

With the supervisory committee’s approval, the student may choose one or more minor fields. Minor work may be completed in any academic unit outside the major, if approved for M.S. or doctoral programs listed in this catalog. The collective grade for courses included in a minor must be “B” (3.00) or higher. If one minor is chosen, the supervisory committee member representing the minor suggests 12 to 24 credits of courses numbered 5000 or higher as preparation for a qualifying examination. Part of this credit may have been earned in the M.S. degree program. If two minors are chosen, each must include at least 8 credits. Competence in the minor area is demonstrated by written examination by the minor academic unit, or by the oral qualifying examination. Minor course work at the doctoral level may include courses in more than one academic unit; if the objective of the minor is clearly stated and the combination of courses is approved by the Graduate School (this approval is not required for a minor in one academic unit). Further requirements for the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees are listed under those headings in the General Information section of this catalog.

Degrees Offered with a Major in Horticultural Sciences

• Doctor of Philosophy
  • without a concentration
  • concentration in Environmental Horticulture
  • concentration in Horticultural Sciences
  • concentration in Toxicology
• Master of Science
  • without a concentration
  • concentration in Environmental Horticulture
  • concentration in Horticultural Sciences

Requirements for these degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

Horticultural Sciences Program Courses

Additional Course Offerings

The following courses may be taken to contribute to the overall degree award requirements.

Botany Courses 

Environmental Horticulture Courses

Horticultural Sciences Departmental Courses

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Courses

horticultural sciences (PHD)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Describe and explain theories and concepts of the various disciplines of Horticultural Sciences including plant physiology and plant genetics as related to horticultural plant growth and development, and the integration of structure and function of the whole plant

SLO 2     Knowledge        
Describe new techniques and technologies from associated disciplines

SLO 3     Knowledge        
Evaluate horticultural systems, components and/or processes to meet industry and societal needs within realistic economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability constraints

SLO 4     Skills     
Design and conduct experiments required for successful production of fruit and vegetable crops and analyze results

SLO 5     Skills     
Communicate horticultural ideas, technical data and design information clearly and professionally to other students, scientists and the public

SLO 6     Professional Behavior   
Display ethical behaviors, cultural sensitivity, teamwork skills and professional conduct

Horticultural sciences (MS)-Environmental Horticulture

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Describe and explain theories and concepts the various disciplines of Horticultural Sciences including plant physiology and plant genetics as related to horticultural plant growth and development, and the integration of structure and function of the whole plant.

SLO 2     Knowledge        
Evaluate and advance horticultural systems, components and/or processes to meet industry and societal needs within realistic economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability

SLO 3     Knowledge       
Describe techniques and technologies from associated disciplines as applied to Environmental Horticulture

SLO 4     Skills     
Design, conduct, and evaluate experiments or study required to advance or improve production and/or management of horticultural crops and analyze results

SLO 5     Skills     
Communicate in written and oral form horticultural ideas, technical data and design information clearly and professionally to other students, scientists and the public

SLO 6     Professional Behavior   
Display ethical behaviors, cultural sensitivity, teamwork skills and professional conduct

Horticultural sciences (MS)-Horticultural Sciences

SLO 1          Knowledge       
Describe and explain theories and concepts the various disciplines of Horticultural Sciences including plant physiology and plant genetics as related to horticultural plant growth and development, and the integration of structure and function of the whole plant

SLO 2             Knowledge      
Describe new techniques and technologies from associated disciplines

SLO 3             Knowledge       
Evaluate horticultural systems, components and/or processes to meet industry and societal needs within realistic economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability constraints                        

SLO 4 HS              Skills    
Design and conduct experiments required for successful production of fruits and vegetables and analyze results

SLO 5 HS              Skills    
Communicate horticultural ideas, technical data and design information clearly and professionally to other students, scientists and the public

SLO 6 HS              Professional Behavior  
Display ethical behaviors, cultural sensitivity, teamwork skills and professional conduct