Horticulture - AAS

The Instructional Program

Students study one of four program areas: Horticulture, Landscape Design and Management, Turf Management, or Golf Course Operations. Credit is not lost if a student changes areas after the second semester since each program shares common core courses in the first year. Each area leads to the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree.

The Horticulture program gives students a broad overview of the horticulture field. Practical experience is gained in growing and nurturing greenhouse crops. This program also gives students the flexibility to transfer, upon graduation, to a four-year-college program in Horticulture.

Students in the Landscape Design and Management program gain practical experience in the design and installation of residential and commercial landscapes. The program also gives students the bases for transfer to a four-year college offering a bachelor degree in Landscape Architecture.

Turf Management emphasizes the care and maintenance of fine-turf areas. Students are taught the theory and practice of proper turf management, and are given extensive hands-on experience in the laboratory, at the College’s 18-hole golf course, and on the extensive campus athletic fields.

The Golf Course Operations program emphasizes the management of golf course facilities. Students are required to have knowledge of the game of golf and also to intern during the summer between the first and second years at a program-approved golf course. Students gain extensive experience on the College’s 18-hole golf course. The Golf Course Operations program is designed for seamless transfer into Delhi's Golf Course Management B.B.A. program.

All four programs afford students opportunities for extensive hands-on experience. Students are also required, with the assistance of their faculty advisor, to enroll as summer interns at various golf courses, athletic field facilities, arboretums, garden centers, and landscape contracting firms.

At the end of the second semester, a one-week field experience on Long Island is required of students in the Horticulture and Landscape Design and Management programs. Consequently, some extra expense will be incurred. Also, for these students the semester will end one week later than indicated on the College calendar.

During the fourth semester, students can take the exam for the State Pesticide Applicator’s License. This is often a required credential in the job market.

Several industry-supported scholarships are available to assist second-year students in continuing their education at Delhi.

Career Options

Career possibilities for those choosing Horticulture include: nursery manager, greenhouse manager, horticultural inspector, and garden center manager.

Landscape Design and Management graduates find opportunities in landscape design, landscape contracting, landscape production and sales, landscape equipment sales, or transfer to a B.L.A. program in Landscape Architecture.

Turf Management prepares students for careers as athletic facility managers, turf equipment salespersons, or for transfer to a bachelor degree program in Turf Management.

The Golf Course Operations program prepares students specifically for career opportunities as golf course superintendents and in related golf course support services.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must:

• be a high school graduate with a minimum 75% overall average or a minimum 2500 GED test score
• have 73% or higher on the Algebra Regents exam and the Biology Regents exam.

CURRICULUM

SUNY Curriculum Code:  0610

SUNY General Education Requirements: Students who intend to receive A.A., A.S., or baccalaureate degrees must satisfy SUNY and campus General Education (GE) requirements to graduate. Students should be aware that GE requirements may vary by academic program. Consult with your academic advisor. For general information, see the "General Education" section of this catalog.

A.A.S. and A.O.S. degree students may not be required to fulfill General Education (GE) requirements; however, any student who may wish to transfer should complete as many GE courses as possible. Consult with your academic advisor.

Technical Standards: In addition to academic requirements, all applicants must also be able to meet the minimum Technical Standards for the program, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Academic Requirements:

Minimum Total Credit Hours = 64

Major Courses Required = 41 credit hours

General Education/Liberal Arts Courses Required = 19 credit hours

Restricted Electives = 4 credit hours by advisement⁴ 

Notes

¹ A one-week field trip to Planting Fields Arboretum, Oyster Bay, New York is a required component of the curriculum.

² English is by placement according to competency.

³ Mathematics is by placement according to competency.

⁴ Restricted Electives - Students may choose, with advisement, from the following electives:

Student Learning Outcomes

A graduate of the Horticulture A.A.S. program should be able to:

1. Demonstrate basic knowledge of botany.
2. Understand and apply the basic principles and terminology used in the care, pruning, growth, propagation, growing media, soil amendments, and fertilization of plants.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in the proper identification, terminology, and use of woody trees, shrubs, groundcovers and herbaceous plants used in various Northeast landscapes.
4. Exhibit a working knowledge of basic surveying techniques; the proper use of transits and levels; and the necessary drafting and drawing skills to communicate the data collected.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the diagnosis, repair, and operation of equipment.
6. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of soil: its genesis, composition, classification, physical and chemical characteristics; and how to test, correct, and implement proper soil management practices.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of the construction principles and materials used for decks, fences, patios, walks, and retaining walls.
8. Understand and apply the theory and principles of landscape design for both residential and commercial sites
9. Understand the fundamentals of greenhouses and greenhouse production.
10. Demonstrate an awareness of how a business is developed and operation in the profession.
11. Select appropriate herbaceous plants and design a landscape plan that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
12. Understand basic concepts in plant pathology and entomology as they relate to ornamental plants.
13. Describe, demonstrate, and apply the basic theories of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices.
14. Properly identify, select, calibrate, and safely apply pesticides.
15. Prepare analysis, design, and presentation drawings to communicate design intent to a client.
16. Display a thorough understanding of the horticulture industry, acquired through a 180-hour summer internship.
17. Properly select and maintain trees.
18. Recognize and respond to emergencies by making appropriate decisions regarding first-aid care.