Landscape Design and Management - AAS

The Instructional Program

The College offers distinct programs in the golf and plant sciences field, which gives students the opportunity to specialize. Students choose one of the following programs: 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.

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.

At the end of the second semester, a one-week field experience on Long Island is required of students in the Horticulture and the 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.

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

Delhi also has a student chapter of the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) that competes in the national ALCA career days.

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.

Transfer Options

Students interested in transferring to a baccalaureate program in Landscape Architecture may prepare for this by selecting additional courses in consultation with their faculty advisor. See "Landscape Architecture: Transfer Options" below.

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 and Biology Regents exams

CURRICULUM

SUNY Curriculum Code: 0638

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 = 69 

Major Courses Required - 46 credit hours

General Education/Liberal Arts Courses Required - 19 credit hours

Restricted Electives by Advisement - 4 credit hours³

Notes

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

² Mathematics is by placement according to competency.

³ Electives by advisement:

Students who intend to transfer to a landscape architecture program should follow the guidelines below in consultation with their advisors.

Landscape Architecture:  Transfer Option

Student Learning Outcomes

A graduate of the Landscape Design and Management 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 trees, shrubs, and groundcovers 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 used typical to landscape installation and management.
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 for residential and commercial landscape settings.
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. Properly identify, select, establish, and maintain major turf grasses.
10. Properly identify and manage turf pests.
11. Read and create construction documents, prepare materials estimates and bids, and demonstrate familiarity with specialized landscape features.
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 landscape contracting 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.