Degree Emphasis for B.S. in Horticulture
Fruit and Vegetable Production and ManagementMore people today are aware of the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables in their diets than at any time in history. As a result, the production of these crops is increasing for domestic use and export.
The emphasis area of fruit and vegetable production specializes in the science and practice of growing, harvesting, handling, storing, processing, and marketing fruits and vegetables. This emphasis area provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to be current on new varieties, cultural practices, mechanization, weed and pest control, harvesting, storage, processing, marketing, and personnel and financial management. Students graduating in this emphasis area are prepared for careers as growers and farm managers; as production field advisors for fresh market, processing, and vegetable seed companies; or as field advisors for allied industries that manufacture production and harvest machinery, fertilizers, and agricultural chemicals. They can also find careers in fruit and vegetable marketing as managers of produce firms; as supervisors of storage; or as sales people, field advisors, buyers, brokers or managers of marketing and promotional organizations. Fruit and vegetable majors also enter the field of international horticulture as overseas supervisors for commercial companies, as participants in Peace Corps and other humanitarian endeavors, or technical assistants with USAID or international food production, research or teaching programs.
Nursery/Floral Crop Production and Management
Production of floral and nursery crops has been a rapidly expanding industry and has become a major contributor to the economy of Texas and the nation. This industry requires college graduates who understand the basics of ornamental plant production and use, and have a keen sense of business and management skills.
Greenhouses provide a protected environment for producing potted and bedding plants, cut flowers, transplants for field production and out-of-season fresh vegetables and berries. Excellent career opportunities exist for graduates specializing in greenhouse crop production.
Nursery production includes field and/or container growing of the many woody and herbaceous species utilized in landscapes or planted in orchards and vineyards. Crops types include shade and flowering trees, narrow-leafed evergreens, broad-leafed evergreens, deciduous shrubs, tree and small fruits, vines and ground covers and herbaceous perennials.
In addition, the demands for plants for environment enhancement and the need for personnel trained in the requirements of production, maintenance, marketing and utilization of these plant materials are creating exciting career opportunities. Students who study production are employed as growers and production managers in greenhouses and nurseries and as research technicians, extension specialists and teachers. Students with interests in marketing may work with producers, wholesale suppliers, garden centers and other retail outlets.
Landscape Management
Landscape trees, shrubs, bedding plants, foliage and flowering potted plants and cut flowers have long been valued for their contributions to the quality of the environment in which we live, work and play. Successful landscape management companies provide an integrated approach to landscape contracting and managing landscape projects from inception through maintenance. The Landscape Management emphasis area focuses on plants and landscape materials, plant identification and culture, plant installation, and landscape construction and maintenance. Students in this emphasis area gain knowledge and skills to prepare them to preliminary landscape designs, install plantings and steward their creations. Job opportunities are plentiful for individuals with targeted educational backgrounds and experience in landscape management including careers in installation, management and maintenance of interior as well as exterior landscapes. Landscape management careers span from hotels and resorts, planned communities, corporate campuses, private estates, municipal properties, golf courses, theme parks, retail and entertainment centers, sports complexes and residential developments.
Science & Biotechnology
The Science and Biotechnology emphasis area is intended for, but not limited to, those students who feel they will go to graduate school and provides these students with a strong foundation in basic sciences. Career opportunities for graduates in this area who complete advanced graduate degrees include teaching and research at universities and private industry research. Graduates with good communication skills may also have career opportunities with consulting firms and the Cooperative Extension Service communicating scientific research findings to the public in an applicable and understandable format. Students graduating with a BS and MS degrees, with research experience and skills, will be very competitive for lab bench positions, but the MS will facilitate promotions to supervisor and leadership positions. In addition to larger companies, there are many smaller companies and start-ups looking for recent biotechnology graduates. Skills in tissue culture and transformation, recombinant DNA and molecular biology, protein and nucleic acid biochemistry, genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics are particularly useful.