Program Overview
Horticulture and Crop Science Program
The Horticulture and Crop Science program is offered by the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University.
Degree and Campus
- Degree: BS
- Campus: Columbus
- College: Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Specializations
The program is broken down into six areas of specialization:
- Agroecology: focuses on understanding and applying ecological principles in crop production to integrate natural biological cycles and controls, make efficient use of resources, enhance environmental quality, and increase biodiversity.
- Agronomy: is the application of biological, chemical and physical principles to crops and cropping systems to increase their efficiency in converting light and supplemental resources into food, feed and fiber products.
- Controlled Environment Agriculture: is an interdisciplinary crop production science integrating horticultural science, plant health management, applied environmental science, and applied biological engineering to achieve sustainable crop production in various climate regions.
- Horticulture: is the application of scientific principles to grow vegetables, fruits and ornamental plants as well as business principles to sell the commodities.
- Plant Biosciences: is the study of plant form and function, diversity, reproduction, evolution and uses.
- Turfgrass Science: is an integrated program that studies the grasses used to enhance our environment.
Curriculum
Admitted students who indicate their major as Horticulture and Crop Science on their application directly enroll in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. A faculty member in the department is assigned as an advisor to assist students in program planning and is available for academic consultation.
Study Abroad
Students can explore horticulture and crop science in a global context and earn major credit through study abroad programs offered by the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Internship
Horticulture and Crop Science students are required to complete at least one internship to gain practical, hands-on experience to complement their on-campus course work.
Research
Students have a variety of opportunities to gain valuable hands-on research experience while learning new skills and techniques, which can be broadly applied across fields. Students conducting research will also get to work one-on-one with faculty and present their work at college and university level forums.
Student Organizations
Several student organizations are available for students to engage with, including:
- Crops and Soils Club
- Student Growing Collaborative
- Pi Alpha Xi (PAX)
- Turf Club
Possible Careers
Graduates of the program can find careers in various fields, including:
- Agroecology: conservation scientists, farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers, secondary and postsecondary agricultural sciences and conservation science teachers, and first-line supervisors of farming, fishing and forestry workers.
- Agronomy: agrochemical, seed, grain and food processing companies, independent crop producers, professional agricultural consultants, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), local and regional planning agencies, and the Cooperative Extension Service.
- Controlled Environment Agriculture: crop care specialists, lead growers, directors of integrated pest management or food safety and quality, data scientists, computer or industrial engineers, logistics and inventory coordinators, and many more.
- Horticulture: fruit/vegetable production manager, grower/manager in a greenhouse growing vegetables or ornamentals, nursery grower/manager, garden center manager or plant care specialist, farm market manager, community garden manager, research assistant, or horticulture pest management consultant.
- Plant Biosciences: business, research in both governmental and private sectors, teaching, and agricultural extension, plant biotechnology, pharmaceutical, energy, and chemical industries, food and seed companies, botanical gardens, museums and herbaria, or for graduate study in the field of plant biology and related plant science disciplines.
- Turfgrass Science: golf course superintendents and assistants, athletic field managers, grounds maintenance managers, lawn care operators and sod producers.