Discover Plants - Department of Plant Sciences

For more information, contact:
Department of Plant Sciences
2431 Joe Johnson Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4561
Phone: (865) 974-7324
E-mail: plantsciences@utk.edu
Plant
Sciences
Major in
Horticulture Science
and Production
Department of Plant Sciences
What Is Horticulture
Science & Production
Or view these Web addresses:
Horticulture Science & Production:
http://plantsciences.utk.edu/hsp/
Career examples: http://plantsciences.utk.edu/jobs/
Department of Plant Sciences:
http://plantsciences.utk.edu/
Do you like to work with plants Would you like to learn how your food is grown and try your hand at
growing your own Maybe you would like to run your own plant nursery or greenhouse Perhaps a winery
and vineyard are in your future Then a concentration in Horticulture Science & Production may be right for
you. Areas of focus include production of ornamental plants, fruits and vegetables; nursery and greenhouse
management; and plant breeding. Horticulture scientists help improve crop yield, quality, nutrition and
resistance to pests and environmental stresses.
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural
Resources: http://casnr.tennessee.edu/
Undergraduate Admissions:
http://admissions.utk.edu/undergraduate/
Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships:
http://web.utk.edu/~finaid/
Financial Aid
In addition to the Tennessee Hope Scholarship,
a variety of financial aid is available. About
one-third of the students in the College of
Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
receive scholarships directly from the college,
averaging about $2200 per student annually.
Students are also eligible for a variety of
university scholarships, as well as scholarships
offered by horticultural organizations.
Cover photo of Japanese maple and crab apple by Hubert Steed.
Discover Plants
UT is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Institution.
E01-1145-00-008-09 500 8/08 08-0161

STUDIES
Fundamentals
The horticulture science & production concentration
prepares you for success in the competitive U.S. green
industry. The curriculum builds upon the university-wide
general education requirements, with critical courses
in botany, biology, soils and business, and adds a set of
departmental courses specific to the professional skill set
required of students studying this concentration. Students
customize their program by selecting electives. Students in
all of our concentrations are trained to work knowledgeably
with plants. While firmly grounding students in the
knowledge and skills of the plant sciences, the curriculum
emphasizes critical thinking and creative activity. Our
students also gain the theoretical education necessary to
continue their education for advanced degrees in plantrelated
fields.
Producing
food & Beauty
Study areas include flowers, trees, fruits, vegetables,
plant propagation, plant identification, greenhouse
and nursery management, and organic and traditional
production systems. This academic track focuses
on practical aspects of production, marketing and
management of ornamental and food horticultural
crops. Students with commercial horticultural
production interests are encouraged to enhance their
plant sciences course work with electives or a minor in
agricultural economics, business or marketing.
Graduates in horticulture science & production
enter a variety of careers. Production
horticulturists are nursery and greenhouse
managers, consultants, sales representatives,
vegetable growers, orchardists, teachers,
winery owners, researchers and Extension
agents. Production horticulturists shape the
food production and ornamentals industries
through innovative approaches and cutting-edge
technology, uncovering practical solutions to realworld
problems. Plant the seed for your future
and watch it blossom into a career in production
horticulture.
CAREERS
A variety of student activities are available on
campus, ranging from intramural sports to
student branches of professional horticulture
societies (e.g., American Society for Horticulture
Science). Our students have traveled across
the country participating in contests and
attending conferences. Students may also
conduct or contribute to ongoing research in
novel production techniques, new consumer
marketing strategies or optimal crop management
practices. Opportunities also exist for students
to gain valuable hands-on experience through
employment as student workers in research labs
or internships.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES