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Horticultural Science (HORT) Courses

Academic Unit: Horticultural Science

HORT 1001 - Plant Propagation [BIOL] (Primarily Online)
(4 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall & Spring)
Principles and techniques of propagating plants by seeds, cuttings, grafts, buds, layers, and division. Lectures on principles; labs on practice of various propagating techniques.
HORT 1003 - Organic Gardening: From Balconies to Backyards
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
This fully online course focuses on the principles and practices of growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs with an ecological approach. You'll explore basic botany, soils and compost, species and variety selection, planning and design, container gardening, pest management, season extension, and more so you can approach your gardening projects with confidence. We will begin by taking a look at the fundamentals of organic gardening, then move onto an overview of basic plant science principles. Following this introduction, course content will focus on how these principles can be applied practically in the planning and management of an organic garden, whether that be in your yard, on your patio, or at a school or community site. This course isn?t so much about memorizing facts as it is about you becoming a well-informed gardener who can make educated decisions and seek out reliable answers to questions or problems that might come up. The course is presented entirely online and makes extensive use of discussions, interactive activities, worksheets, and multimedia projects that get you immersed in a host of gardening topics. Short video segments in each module highlight key topics and provide information to guide you as you work through the readings, activities, and assignments.
HORT 1014 - The Edible Landscape [TS] (Completely Online, Primarily Online)
(3 cr; Student Option No Audit; offered Every Fall)
Tracing our relationship with edible landscapes traces to our hunting-gathering origins. Technological/social changes that have distanced us from our food. Integrating food plants into pleasing, sustainable, and edible landscapes in yards, neighborhoods, and cities.
HORT 1015 - Plant Families for Plant People
(4 cr; Student Option No Audit; offered Every Fall)
The most recent surveys reveal there are 347,298 vascular plant species in the world! During this course, you will acquire the skills that will allow you to identify many plants you encounter day-to-day in Minnesota and around the world. By the end of the term, you will have been introduced to over 150 woody and herbaceous plants and learned the key distinguishing features for identifying some of the most important ones. You will be introduced to plant families that are important from a human perspective, where in the world they are most commonly found, some of the problems they can experience or create, and some of the ways they are used by humans.
HORT 1031 - Vines and Wines: Introduction to Viticulture and Enology
(3 cr; Student Option No Audit; offered Every Fall & Spring)
This course is an introduction to the principles of growing grapes (viticulture), making wine (enology), and an appreciation of the historical, geographical, and sensory diversity of wine. The course is taught in part with 20-50 minute online lectures; usually 2 or 3 of these are covered each week. The class also meets once a week for a combination lecture and wine tasting/sensory session. Guest lecturers will be involved to explore certain aspects of the course including grape vine biology, morphology, genetics and breeding, as well as sensory evaluation and wine components, and the subject of soils and so-call ?terroir? or regional identity, including the relation between grape cultivar, soil, climate, and cultural practices. Prerequisite: Enrollees must be 21 yrs of age by date of 1st class meeting Enrollment Restrictions: Open enrollment to undergraduate students ONLY; graduate students, masters students, and others will need instructor permission.
HORT 1061 - The Sustainable Lawn (Completely Online)
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall)
Common turfgrasses. How to manage home lawn in sustainable way. Maintaining quality turf areas with reduced inputs.
HORT 1090 - Topics In Horticulture (Topics course)
(1 cr [max 4]; Prereq-instr consent or department permission; Student Option; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; may be repeated for 14 credits; may be repeated 4 times)
Topics vary with instructor.
HORT 1113 - Floral Design
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall & Spring)
Equivalent courses: HORT 1013 (inactive, starting 06-SEP-16)
Design for use in commercial flower shops and at home. Principles and elements of design. Wedding arrangements. Corsages. Decorative use of dried materials.
HORT 2121 - Agricultural Biochemistry
(3 cr; A-F only; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was HORT 2100 until 06-SEP-22
Chemical/biochemical foundation for agricultural disciplines. Concepts in organic, analytical, and biological chemistry. Chemistry, metabolism, and development of plants. Prerequisites: [CHEM 1015, CHEM 1017] or [CHEM 1061, CHEM 1065] *Note for those students considering graduate school - We highly recommend you consult your academic advisor for appropriate chemistry coursework.
HORT 3005W - Introduction to Plant Physiology [WI]
(4 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was PLSC 3005W until 16-JAN-24, was HORT 3005 until 08-SEP-09
Introduction to physiological basis for effects of environment on plant growth/development. How to produce optimal plant growth. Experimental technique, data analysis, scientific writing. Lecture, readings, lab.
HORT 3093 - Directed Study
(1 cr [max 4]; Student Option; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; may be repeated for 6 credits; may be repeated 6 times)
A course in which a student designs and carries out a directed study on selected topics or problems under the direction of a faculty member; e.g., literature review. Directed study courses may be taken for variable credit and special permission is needed for enrollment. Students enrolling in a directed study will be required to use the University-wide online directed study contract process in order to enroll. Instructor consent required. No more than 6 credits of directed study counts towards CFANS major requirements.
HORT 3094 - Directed Research
(1 cr [max 4]; Student Option; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; may be repeated for 6 credits; may be repeated 6 times)
An opportunity in which a student designs and carries out a directed research project under the direction of a faculty member. Directed research may be taken for variable credit and special permission is needed for enrollment. Students enrolling in a directed research will be required to use the University-wide online directed research contract process in order to enroll. Instructor consent required. No more than 6 credits of directed research counts towards CFANS major requirements.
HORT 3131 - Student Organic Farm Planning, Growing, and Marketing
(3 cr; Prereq-Agro 1101 or 1103 or Biol 1001 or 1009 or Hort 1001; Student Option; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: HORT 5131 (starting 20-JAN-15)
Organic fruit and vegetable production has been one of the fastest growing segments of the US economy for almost two decades, stimulating an overwhelming number of biological and ecological innovations to produce food using organic approaches. This course aims to increase student's knowledge of ecological concepts as applied to managing organic systems, with an emphasis on soil nutrient cycles and plant-soil-microbe interactions that serve as the cornerstone of organic systems. Students in this course will learn tools needed to manage an organic diversified vegetable operation. The course consists of two components. The lecture session is designed to help students think about concepts and principles that are useful in planning and managing production strategies on organic farms. We spend a significant amount of our time reviewing soil nutrient cycling and its critical importance for organic farms, including how to effectively use soil and organic nutrient inputs such as cover crops, manure and fertilizers, to provide vegetable crops with the nutrients they need to grow. We also learn about successful marketing strategies for organic produce. Finally, near the end of the semester we will discuss pest management, including both weeds and disease/insect pests, and compare different tillage options available to organic producers. What we learn is then applied to planning next year's season of the UMN student organic farm. Throughout, we will use case studies, guest speakers, games, and active learning discussion approaches to move these classroom sessions "beyond the lecture" and allow students to engage with the material in a meaningful way. The lab is designed to allow a space to put into action some of the concepts students learn in lecture, including soil organic matter analysis, microgreen propagation, calculation of organic fertilizer rates, and operation of driven and walk-behind tractors.
HORT 4061W - Turfgrass Management [WI]
(3 cr; Prereq-1001 or instr consent; A-F only; offered Fall Even Year)
Equivalent courses: was HORT 4061 until 24-MAY-04
Biology of turfgrasses, ecology of landscape systems. Installation, management, and culture of turfgrass communities and landscape plant systems. Sod production, industrial grounds, lawn care, park/recreation areas, athletic field/business management. Case studies.
HORT 4062 - Turfgrass Weed and Disease Science (Partially Online)
(3 cr; A-F only; offered Fall Odd Year)
Turfgrass weed/disease problems. How to deal with these problems using an integrated approach. Biology, identifying features, and management strategies for several turfgrass diseases/weeds. How to apply IPM principles to turfgrass weed/disease problems.
HORT 4063 - Turfgrass Science
(3 cr; Prereq-4061; A-F only; offered Periodic Fall & Spring)
Ecology, physiology, and theory of turf population dynamics. Specialized management situations such as golf course, commercial sod production, and fine turf athletic settings.
HORT 4071W - Applications of Biotechnology to Plant Improvement [WI]
(3 cr; Prereq-Biol 1009 or Biol 1009H; A-F or Audit; offered Spring Odd Year)
Equivalent courses: was HORT 4071 until 06-SEP-05
This course is designed to provide a foundation in the theory and application of plant biotechnology used in crop improvement. The class meets twice per week to introduce and discuss the basic concepts of plant genetics, molecular biology, DNA manipulation, plant tissue culture, gene introduction, and analysis of gene expression. The diversity of perspectives surrounding the application of biotechnology to plant improvement will be discussed. Course content consists of lecture, reading assignments, practice writing, peer review, discussions, and group work.
HORT 4112 - Flowering Trees and Shrubs
(1 cr; A-F only; offered Periodic Spring)
Need an excuse to spend a few hours outside at the height of the spring flowering season? Want to spend more time amidst the expansive and beautiful University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum plant collections? Do you want to be able to identify more woody landscape plants, in flower? Here's your chance to expand your plant identification skills and learn the names and flowering characteristics for approximately 150 woody landscape plants. Flowering Trees and Shrubs is a practitioners course, designed to give you a hands-on opportunity to learn to identify woody landscape trees, shrubs, ground covers, and vines, including the common and scientific names for each. We will study the plants as family assemblages, noting features common to each family which will assist you in identifying unknown plants in Minnesota and other geographical locations in the future. In addition to identification; common landscape uses, cultural specificities,problems, and notable cultivars will be highlighted.
HORT 4114 - Spring Flowering Bulbs
(1 cr; A-F only; offered Spring Odd Year)
Equivalent courses: was HORT 4110 until 16-JAN-24
Geophytes are early harbingers of spring. In this course, we will examine the variety of herbaceous perennial spring-flowering crops with underground storage organs (geophytes). As spring progresses, different genera and species predominate in the flowering landscape. In contrast, greenhouse production of potted plant and cut flower geophytic crops can be simultaneous rather than sequential. This course will consist of hands-on taxonomic identification of geophyte crops, their uses in landscape design, and production essentials. The course will be hands-on, experiential learning with many visits of outdoor landscape, gardens, production greenhouses, and interiorscapes.
HORT 4141W - Scheduling Crops for Protected Environments [WI]
(4 cr; Prereq-HORT 1001/6011 or PMB 2022 or BIOL 1009. HORT 1015 preferred but not required. ; A-F only; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: HORT 6141
The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with the identification, scheduling, and cultural requirements of commercially produced vegetables, herbs, ornamental flowers, and foliage plants, gain experience in growing them, and conduct experiments to understand current problems. The course builds on knowledge obtained in Hort 1001 or Hort 1015, by adding in additional factors of plant growth coupled with scheduling and growing of crops which commercial growers would experience. The role of ornamental plants in the human environment will be discussed, with special emphasis on future issues. Writing is an integral component of this course; one major paper is revised and expanded multiple times plus other course writing fulfill the writing intensive requirement. Through the use of interactive learning, field trips, written assignments, and in-class discussions, students learn crop requirements and the interactions between the marketing distribution system of breeders, producers, distributors, growers, retailers, and consumers.
HORT 4401 - Plant Genetics and Breeding
(4 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was AGRO 4401 until 05-SEP-17, was AGRO 4401 until 07-SEP-04, was AGRO 4401 until 03-SEP-02
Principles of plant genetics and environmental variation. Applications of genetics to crop evolution and breeding of self-pollinated, cross-pollinated, and asexually propagated crops. Lab experiments investigate hybridization, variation, and selection.
HORT 4461 - Horticultural Marketing
(3 cr; Prereq-ApEc 1101 or 1101H or Econ 1101 or 1101H; A-F only; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: APEC 4461
Major areas in horticultural marketing. Difference between horticultural products and commercial commodities. Core marketing components that should be used by every small horticultural business. Approaches to consumer research.
HORT 5007 - Advanced Plant Propagation
(3 cr; Prereq-HORT1001/6011 or PMB 2022; Student Option; offered Spring Even Year)
Control of growth/development in sexual/asexual reproduction of plants. Effects of environment, plant growth substances. Protocols on dormancy, origin, development of adventitious structures. Specialized propagation techniques. Lecture, lab.
HORT 5023 - Public Garden Management
(2 cr; Student Option; offered Spring Even Year)
Overview of knowledge/skills necessary to manage a public garden. History of public gardens. Development of mission and vision. Planning and design. Operations. Education and research. Fund raising, business management, personnel, marketing, conservation.
HORT 5033 - Small Fruit and Berry Production for Local and Organic Markets
(3 cr; A-F only; offered Every Spring)
This course will focus on production of small fruit for local and organic markets in the upper Midwest. Most fruit and vegetable growers in Minnesota operate diversified production systems for local and organic markets, therefore we explore production within this specific framework. Examples from large-scale systems will also be highlighted to compare and contrast different production features and challenges. We will explore the specialty crop industry trends, consumer behavior, and marketing, including organic regulations and certification programs. We will explore fruit production within the framework of sustainable agriculture, which encompasses agricultural productivity, economic viability, environmental conservation, and social equity, and how this relates to the regulatory framework supporting organic certification.Background knowledge in basic biology and/or plant propagation areprerequisites for this class [HORT 1001 or HORT 6011 or AGRO 1101 or BIOL 1009 or BIOL 1001].
HORT 5071 - Ecological Restoration
(4 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: ESPM 5071 (starting 20-JAN-15)
Each ecosystem restoration is the product of a myriad of decisions made in response to existing site conditions (biotic and abiotic), anticipated effects from the surrounding landscape, predictions about future events, logistical realities, and, of course, desired conditions. During this course, you will learn about the ecological and social factors that affect ecosystem recovery and how people intervene to reverse ecosystem degradation. The course includes examples from ecosystems around the world, with emphasis on those found in the Midwestern US. Field trips. PREREQUISITES: This course presumes previous courses in basic ecology and plant science.
HORT 5093 - Directed Study
(1 cr [max 4]; Student Option; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; may be repeated for 12 credits; may be repeated 6 times)
A course in which a student designs and carries out a directed study on selected topics or problems under the direction of a faculty member; eg, literature review. Directed study courses may be taken for variable credit and special permission is needed for enrollment. Students enrolling in a directed study will be required to use the University-wide on-line directed study contract process in order to enroll. Instructor consent required. No more than 6 credits of directed study counts towards CFANS major requirements.
HORT 5094 - Directed Research
(1 cr [max 4]; Student Option; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; may be repeated for 12 credits; may be repeated 6 times)
An opportunity in which a student designs and carries out a directed research project under the direction of a faculty member. Directed research may be taken for variable credit and special permission is needed for enrollment. Students enrolling in a directed research will be required to use the University-wide online directed research contract process in order to enroll. Instructor consent required. No more than 6 credits of directed research counts towards CFANS major requirements.
HORT 5114 - Knowing and Naming the Plants We Eat
(1 cr; A-F only; offered Every Fall)
The 1-credit course HORT 5114 ?Knowing and naming the plants we eat? focuses on identification, taxonomy and characteristics of plants, and plant parts commonly contributing to human diets. Course modules emphasize culinary fruits, vegetables and herbs plus grains, pulses and oilseeds grown for food use. This online course meets synchronously for lecture and discussion on Wednesdays from 5pm to 6pm. Weekly lectures are posted online for asynchronous study. Students develop a portfolio of their course work where they document and reflect upon characteristics and taxonomic relationships among the plants addressed in this course. As a 5xxx-level course, students with less than 60 credits completed in their program (typically underclassmen) will need to request a permission number to enroll. prereqs: junior or senior; Biol 1001 or Biol 1009 or HORT 1001 or HORT 1015
HORT 5131 - Student Organic Farm Planning, Growing, and Marketing
(3 cr; Prereq-AGRO 1101 or AGRO 1103 or BIOL 1001 or BIOL 1009 or HORT 1001 ; Student Option; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: HORT 3131 (starting 05-SEP-17)
Students plan/implement cropping/marketing strategies for organic produce/flowers from Student Organic Farm on St. Paul campus.
HORT 5480 - Topics in Horticultural Science (Topics course)
(1 cr [max 4]; Student Option; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; may be repeated for 24 credits; may be repeated 6 times)
Topics vary.
HORT 6002 - Problem Solving in Horticulture
(2 cr; Prereq-HORT 6101 and completion of 18 or more credits towards Master of Professional Studies in Horticulture Degree. ; S-N only; offered Every Fall)
This course is intended to be a capstone experience that integrates the knowledge gained from coursework, personal research, and the student's academic and professional experiences. Enrollment is usually limited to students who have completed 18 or more credit hours of their required 30 credits and accounts for 2 of the minimum 30 credits required for the degree. These credits are not considered part of the horticulture core course requirements; an additional 15 credits in Horticulture are required for the MPS Hort degree.
HORT 6003 - Masters of Professional Studies in Horticulture Professional Experience Program: Internship
(1 cr [max 3]; Prereq-Masters of Professional Studies in Horticulture student and HORT 6101, or instructor consent. ; S-N only; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; may be repeated for 6 credits; may be repeated 2 times)
Professional experience in horticulture firms or government agencies attained through supervised practical experience. Students evaluate reports, consult with faculty advisers and with employers. Students must complete internship contract.
HORT 6011 - Plant Propagation
(4 cr; Prereq-Master of Professional Studies or instr consent; A-F only; offered Every Fall)
Principles/techniques of propagating plants by seeds, cuttings, grafts, buds, layers, and division. Lectures on principles, labs on practice of various propagating techniques. Reading/discussion of related primary literature.
HORT 6101 - Introduction to the MPS in Horticulture Program
(1 cr; Prereq-MPS in Horticulture Student; A-F only; offered Every Fall)
This course will introduce you to the MPS Horticulture Program, along with the resources available at the University that can help you successfully complete your MPS degree. In addition, you will learn more about the research, teaching, and outreach occurring in the Department of Horticultural Science and begin to plan for your required capstone project that occurs at the end of your degree program. We will meet online each week via Zoom. Our class time will be used in several ways including large and small group discussions, guest speakers, and workshops.
HORT 6141 - Scheduling Crops for Protected Environments
(4 cr; Prereq-Graduate student. HORT 1001/6011 or PMB 2022 or BIOL 1009. ; A-F only; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: HORT 4141W (starting 22-JAN-19, ending 20-JAN-15, starting 04-SEP-07)
The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with the identification, scheduling and cultural requirements of commercially produced potted plants, gain experience in growing them, and conduct experiments to understand current problems. The course builds on knowledge obtained in Hort 1001 or Hort 1015, by adding in additional factors of plant growth coupled with scheduling and growing a of crops which commercial growers would experience. The role of ornamental plants in the human environment will be discussed, with special emphasis on future issues. Writing is an integral component of this course; one major paper is revised and expanded multiple times plus other course writing fulfill the writing intensive requirement. Through the use of interactive learning, field trips, written assignments, and in-class discussions students learn crop requirements and the interactions between the marketing distribution system of breeders, producers, distributors, growers, retailers, and consumers.
HORT 8005 - Supervised Classroom or Extension Teaching Experience
(2 cr; S-N or Audit; offered Every Fall & Spring)
Equivalent courses: was AGRO 8005 until 16-JAN-24, was BBE 8005 until 02-SEP-08, was PLPA 8005 until 02-SEP-08, was SOIL 8005 until 02-SEP-08, was AGRO 8005 until 02-SEP-08, was BBE 8005 until 16-JAN-07, was PLPA 8005 until 16-JAN-07, was SOIL 8005 until 16-JAN-07, was AGRO 8005 until 16-JAN-07, was BAE 8005 until 03-SEP-02, was PLPA 8005 until 03-SEP-02, was SOIL 8005 until 03-SEP-02, was AGRO 8005 until 03-SEP-02, was BAE 8005 until 07-SEP-99, was PLPA 8005 until 07-SEP-99, was SOIL 8005 until 07-SEP-99
Classroom or extension teaching experience in one of the following departments: Agronomy and Plant Genetics; Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering; Horticultural Science; Plant Pathology; or Soil, Water, and Climate. Participation in discussions about effective teaching to strengthen skills and develop personal teaching philosophy.
HORT 8007 - Extension Horticulture Practicum
(1 cr [max 5]; Prereq-9 grad cr in [ag or bio] science, instr consent; Student Option; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; may be repeated for 5 credits)
Selected activities that may include development of an extension fact sheet, assistance in Dial-U Clinic, or preparation of a workshop or short course.
HORT 8023 - Evolution of Crop Plants
(3 cr; Prereq-9 grad cr in ag or bio sciences; A-F only; offered Spring Even Year)
Origin, distribution, and evolution of cultivated plants; implication of the effects of evolutionary processes on crop breeding for needs of people today.
HORT 8044 - Manipulation of Plant Growth and Reproduction
(2 cr; Prereq-PBio 5412; Student Option; offered Periodic Fall & Spring)
Impact of environmental and genetic factors on crop growth, development, and reproduction. Emphasis on whole plant physiology and plant response to the environment as determined by genotype and its manipulation for the purpose of producing a crop. Lectures, discussion of current literature, and projects.
HORT 8093 - Directed Study
(1 cr [max 4]; Prereq-department consent, instructor consent, no more than 6 credits of directed study counts towards CFANS major requirements.; Student Option; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; may be repeated for 6 credits; may be repeated 3 times)
A course in which a student designs and carries out a directed study on selected topics or problems under the direction of a faculty member; eg, literature review. Directed study courses may be taken for variable credit and special permission is needed for enrollment. Graduate students enrolling in a directed study will need to follow the designated graduate student directed study enrollment procedure found on the Plant Science and Food Systems websites (plantscience.umn.edu and foodsystems.umn.edu).
HORT 8094 - Directed Research
(1 cr [max 4]; Prereq-department consent, instructor consent, no more than 6 credits of directed research or directed study counts towards CFANS major requirements.; Student Option; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; may be repeated for 6 credits; may be repeated 3 times)
A course in which a student designs and carries out a directed research on selected topics or problems under the direction of a faculty member; eg, literature review. Directed research courses may be taken for variable credit and special permission is needed for enrollment. Graduate students enrolling in a directed research will need to follow the designated graduate student directed research enrollment procedure found on the Plant Science and Food Systems websites (plantscience.umn.edu and foodsystems.umn.edu).
HORT 8201 - Plant Breeding Principles I
(3 cr; A-F or Audit; offered Fall Odd Year)
Equivalent courses: was AGRO 8201 until 21-MAY-18
Principles and current methods involved in breeding agronomic and horticultural crops. Use of genotype/environment data to increase genetic gain, population improvement, parent building, alternative selection strategies, breeding for special traits, and new approaches.
HORT 8280 - Current Topics in Applied Plant Sciences (Topics course)
(1 cr; Prereq-Grad major in [hort or applied plnt sciences or ent or agro or plnt brdg or plnt path or soil] or instr consent; S-N or Audit; offered Every Fall & Spring)
Topics presented by faculty or visiting scientists.
HORT 8305 - Physiological Ecology of Plants in Natural and Managed Ecosystems
(4 cr; A-F or Audit; offered Periodic Fall & Spring)
Equivalent courses: was AGRO 8305 until 03-SEP-13
Introduction to plants and their reactions and responses in managed and natural ecosystems, including carbon and nitrogen allocation, root biology, microbial interaction, secondary metabolism, and plant response to biotic and abiotic stress.
HORT 8900 - Advanced Discussions (Topics course)
(1 cr [max 3]; Prereq-instr consent; Student Option; offered Every Fall & Spring; may be repeated for 36 credits; may be repeated 12 times)
Special workshops or courses in applied plant sciences.

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