Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University A land-grant institution
Horticulture
The mission of the Department of Horticulture is to excel in delivering education, research, and Extension/outreach programs on plant-related topics to students, commercial and consumer clientele, and scientific colleagues throughout the world.
Undergraduate Program - Bachelor's Degree
The horticulture curriculum builds on a broad foundation in science, communication, economics, and horticultural science during the first two years and then provides for an individualized program of study based on student interests and goals. In the junior year, or earlier if desired, students may begin specializing in one of the following options:
Horticulture Crops Production - Students gain knowledge on how to manage and market ornamental and food crops. They learn sustainable and organic alternatives to meet tomorrow's challenges, whether in Virginia or around the globe.
Landscape Contracting - Students learn to design, build, and manage beautiful and functional landscapes using sustainable practices that improve the living environment.
Horticulture Science and Biotechnology - Graduates are ready to find a cutting-edge career improving horticulture crops through micropropagation, molecular engineering, and plant-pathogen interactions.
Horticulture Education - Graduates can assist and teach others through rewarding, people-oriented careers in horticultural education.
Graduate Programs
The Department of Horticulture offers programs leading to the Master's and Doctoral degrees. Areas of specialization within vegetable crops, fruit crops, horticulture therapy, ornamentals, urban horticulture, international development, and landscape horticulture (M.S. only) include, plant breeding and genetics, growth and development, anatomy and morphology, growth regulation, nutrition, physiology, and molecular biology as well as intensification of production through modern cultural practices and innovative approaches and horticulture to enhance the quality of life.
Research
Five research laboratories (plant tissue culture and genetics, seed physiology and biotechnology, plant molecular biology, plant nutrition, and fruit quality) occupy 3,639 square feet in Saunders Hall. Through the collaboration of two Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) research faculty members, one adjunct professor to the horticulture program, and collaborative research projects involving other VBI faculty, horticulture graduate students, and faculty members have direct access to two analytical laboratories (including GC-MS and an array of molecular biology analytical equipment) and the bioinformatics facilities at VBI. VBI also provides office space to the jointly supervised graduate students. Through collaborative projects, and/or fee for service arrangements, the department has access to most of the modern analytical facilities on campus, including the Fralin Biotechnology Center.
Extension Programs
The Department of Horticulture offers several Extension and outreach opportunities including commercial nursery production, nursery best management practices, ornamental crops as supplements to tobacco farming, aquatic vegetation management, bayscape native plant garden, nursery and landscape industry, and commercial grape production.
Contact Information:
Jerzy Nowak, Department Head
Saunders Hall (0327)
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
(540) 231-5451
Fax: (540) 231-3083
jenowak@vt.edu