Horticultural Science Program

Associate of Science in Sustainable Horticulture

Contact: Douglas Cox, Program Coordinator
Office: 208 Bowditch Hall
Phone: 413-545-5214
Email: dcox@umass.edu

Horticulture is a broad field of study encompassing the production, maintenance, sales, and service of bedding, flowering, ornamental, and nursery plants and food crops. Students in Sustainable Horticulture select courses in a range of horticultural topics and design their own focus of study. They can concentrate in greenhouse management, floriculture crop production or nursery and garden center management, while also gaining general knowledge in plant science.

Bachelor of Science in Horticultural Science

Contact: Amanda Bayer
Office: 210 Bowditch Hall
Phone: 413-545-1059
Email: abayer10@umass.edu

Horticultural Science provides students with the tools and knowledge to work in the horticultural field. Students receive scientific training in the production of herbaceous ornamentals, fruits, and vegetables. Students in this major have the option of selecting a science or business management option.  The program stresses the concepts and practices vital to the preservation of natural resources in managed plant systems.  University-operated greenhouses, vegetable farm, and orchard are used as laboratory spaces to provide hands-on experience related to knowledge acquired in the classroom. Successful graduates of this program find employment in plant conservatories and arboreta, as well as in businesses such as direct-market farms, greenhouse operations, landscaping firms, seed companies, and nurseries, or they continue to graduate school for advanced degrees.