Program Overview

Horticulture Technician (Co-op option available)

Overview

The Horticulture Technician program at Durham College is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the horticulture industry. With a focus on the art, science, and business of horticulture, this program provides students with a comprehensive education in horticultural principles, practices, and technologies.

Program Details

• Ministry-approved title: Horticulture Technician
• Credential: Ontario College Diploma
• Location: Primary location Whitby (some courses may be delivered at Parkwood Estate in Oshawa)
• OCAS Code: HORT
• Next Intake: September 2025
• Faculty: Faculty of Hospitality and Horticultural Science (HHS)
• Length: Four semesters
• Laptop: Learn more about laptop requirements
• Co-op: Learn more about co-op options
• Delivery: In person

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)
• Grade 11 mathematics (C, M or U)

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
• Year one international: $15,309 (CAD)

Semester 1 Courses

• Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
• Landscape Planning, Materials and Construction 1 (ENGR 1101)
• Annual and Herbaceous Perennials for Historical and Contemporary Gardens (HORT 1100)
• Equipment Operations, Maintenance and Safety (HORT 1101)
• Horticultural Principles and Sustainable Practices (HORT 1102)
• Technical Report Writing for Horticulture (TECH 1132)

Co-operative Education (co-op)

The co-op option is available for students in the Horticulture Technician program. Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths, and apply in-class teachings to real work situations.

Career Options

• Entrepreneur/small business owner
• Golf course technician
• Greenhouse grower
• Landscape contractor or designer
• Municipal gardener
• Nursery grower
• Turf manager
• Arborist

Experiential Learning

• Field Placement: Students will participate in a field placement opportunity in the horticultural industry.
• Provincial conferences and competitions: Students will have the opportunity to participate in provincial and national competitions, where they will construct landscapes and other projects on fixed timelines and with specific guidelines and expectations.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion, and Additional Credentials

Durham College offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:

• Bachelor of Business Administration - General Business - Davenport University
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Practice - Royal Roads
• Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Practice - Royal Roads
• Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
• Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
• Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems – Trent University
• Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems – Trent University

Tech Requirements

To help students have the best learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements.

• Processor: i7
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
• Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
• Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
• Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
• Internet connection

See Your Space

Step into the exceptional learning spaces that define the Horticulture Technician program at Durham College. From the historic gardens and greenhouses of Parkwood National Historic Site to the innovative living lab at the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, these dynamic spaces bring the art, science, and business of horticulture to life, allowing you to learn, create, and grow in a one-of-a-kind environment.

Co-operative Education (co-op)

The co-op option is available for students in the Horticulture Technician program. Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths, and apply in-class teachings to real work situations.

Program Sequence

• SEPTEMBER INTAKE
  • Year 1: Academic semester 1, Academic semester 2, Co-op work term 1
  • Year 2: Academic semester 3, Academic semester 4

Courses

• Semester 1:
  • Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
  • Landscape Planning, Materials and Construction 1 (ENGR 1101)
  • Annual and Herbaceous Perennials for Historical and Contemporary Gardens (HORT 1100)
  • Equipment Operations, Maintenance and Safety (HORT 1101)
  • Horticultural Principles and Sustainable Practices (HORT 1102)
  • Technical Report Writing for Horticulture (TECH 1132)
• Semester 2:
  • Mathematics for Horticulture and Artisan Agriculture (AGHM 1131)
  • Co-op and Career Preparation (COOP 1000)
  • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
  • Topics In Horticulture (HORT 1200)
  • Sustainable Garden Concepts and Design (HORT 1201)
  • Woody Deciduous and EVergreen Species (HORT 1202)
  • Introduction to Soils, Agriculture and Horticulture (HTIS 2131)
• Co-op Work Term:
  • Co-op Work Term 1 (HORC 1000)
• Semester 3:
  • Landscape Planning, Materials and Construction 2 (ENGR 2100)
  • Entomology and Plant Pathology (HORT 2100)
  • Historical and Contemporary Landscape and Garden Maintenance (HORT 2101)
  • Parks and Turf Management (HORT 2102)
  • Greenhouse I (HTGS 4131)
  • Indigenous Elective (INDG 0000)
• Semester 4:
  • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
  • Arboriculture (HORT 2200)
  • Nursery Operations and Management (HORT 2201)
  • Greenhouse II (HTGP 2131)
  • Entrepreneurship (HTHE 4131)
  • Integrated Pest Management (HTIP 4131)

Co-op Administrative Fee

Once transferred to the co-op option of the horticulture program, students will have a co-op administrative fee of $475 assessed to their accounts during the academic semester(s) prior to scheduled work term(s).

Work Opportunities

Each summer, a number of students are selected for paid work opportunities in the fields and grounds of the Weston Centre. This allows them to build on the learning from their first year and take part in legacy projects.

Durham College’s recently announced partnership with The Barrett Family Foundation will support the creation of a centre of excellence and new urban farm in Durham Region. The Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture will become an internationally recognized hub of excellence in urban agriculture practices, research, education, and training, creating a range of new opportunities for students.