Associate in Applied Science Degree
(Application Curriculum Code - 0646)
The trees, shrubs, flowers and landscapes of our nation are the working tools of the professional florist, greenhouse grower, nursery manager, landscape contractor and groundsperson. A daily involvement with ornamental plants in careers that enrich the lives of all those served is the reward of employment in the fields of ornamental horticulture.
At SUNY Cobleskill, an extensive greenhouse range, nursery growing area, arboretum, landscaped campus, landscape design studio, floral design lab, model flower shop, science laboratories and the most modern equipment available provide a job-like training environment for students.
Career Opportunities
The Nursery Management major is for the student interested in the production and sale of nursery crops, garden center sales and retail or wholesale nursery management. Employment opportunities in Nursery Management include: managers of garden centers, greenhouses, nurseries or flower shops; landscape contractors; nursery plant inspectors; estate gardeners; public grounds maintenance or park maintenance personnel; salespersons of horticulture supplies, equipment, or plant materials; and arborists.
Degree Requirements
To fulfill requirements for the Associate in Applied Science degree, the candidate in the major field of Nursery Management must complete a minimum of 66 credit hours of academic work with a GPA of not less than 2.00. These include 34 credits of major field requirements, 22 credits in prescribed areas of liberal arts and sciences, and 10 credits of general electives.
Major Field Requirements
Group I - All courses required (25 credits)
| Code | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGSC 111 | Introduction to Soil Science | 3 |
| AGSC 186 | Entomology | 3 |
| AGSC 281 | Plant Pathology | 3 |
| ORHT 113 or ORHT 114 | Horticultural Field Experiences | 1 |
| ORHT 121 | Woody Plant Materials | 3 |
| ORHT 141 | Nursery Management I | 3 |
| ORHT 172 | Management of Horticulture Business | 3 |
| ORHT 242 | Nursery Management II | 3 |
| ORHT 282 | Arboriculture | 3 |
| Code | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ORHT 122 | Environmental Design I | 3 |
| ORHT 215 | Interior Plantscapes Maintenance | 3 |
| ORHT 251 | Greenhouse Management | 3 |
| RECM 222 | Turfgrass Management I | 3 |
| BADM 137 | Professional Selling | 3 |
Students should check with their advisors to make sure courses are taken in proper sequence and any prerequisites have been met. Some flexibility is available as to when courses must be taken. Students should consult with their advisors during the scheduling process.
Liberal Arts and Sciences Requirements
ENGL 101 – 3 credits, additional ENGL course (not including ENGL 099 ); 1 credit in Physical Education (PHED); 6 credits of Science/Mathematics (any BIOL, CHEM, PHYS, PSCI; BIOL 116 , MATH 111 recommended); 6 credits Social Science (any AAMS, ANTH, ECON, GOVT, HIST, NAMS, PSYC, SOSC); and additional Liberal Arts and Sciences courses totaling 3 credits (AAMS, AGSC, ANTH, ARTS, BIOL, CHEM, ECON, ENGL, FREN, GOVT, HIST, HUMS, MATH, MUSC, NAMS, PHED, PHIL, PHYS, PSCI, PSYC, SOSC, SPAN).
General Electives
10 credits.
Suggested Course Sequence
First Semester
| Code | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGSC 111 | Introduction to Soil Science | 3 |
| ORHT 113 | Horticultural Field Experiences | 1 |
| ORHT 121 | Woody Plant Materials | 3 |
| ORHT 141 | Nursery Management I | 3 |
| ENGL 101 | Composition I | 3 |
| PHED | Physical Education | 1 |
| Science/Mathematics | 3 |
Second Semester
| Code | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGSC 186 | Entomology | 3 |
| ORHT 172 | *Management of Horticulture Business | 3 |
| OR | ||
| ORHT 242 | Nursery Management II | 3 |
| **Group II Major Field Requirement | 3 | |
| ENGL | English | 3 |
| Science/Mathematics | 3 |
Third Semester
| Code | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGSC 281 | Plant Pathology | 3 |
| **Group II Major Field Requiement | 6 | |
| Social Science | 3 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 |
Fourth Semester
| Code | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ORHT 172 | *Management of Horticulture Business | 3 |
| OR | ||
| ORHT 242 | Nursery Management II | 3 |
| ORHT 282 | Arboriculture | 3 |
| Social Science | 3 | |
| General Electives | 7 |
* Students intending to be involved with nursery management or sales should select ORHT 172, Management of Horticulture Business, in the second semester. Students intending to be involved with nursery management should select ORHT 242, Nursery Management II, in the second semester.
** Group II Major Field Requirement selections should be based on career objectives in consultation with a faculty advisor.