Horticulture Technology, A.A.S. - HRT3
Students majoring in Horticulture Technology will learn the art, science, and technical skills necessary to:
- Grow high-quality plants in greenhouses and gardens.
- Design attractive, functional and sustainable landscapes.
- Install whole landscapes including plants, irrigation systems, water features, landscape lighting, and hardscapes.
- Maintain healthy and pristine lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, and landscapes.
Students will learn the scientific principles and practices of plant growth and development, soils, and pest and pathogen control. Additionally, students will gain substantial hands-on experience operating the latest tools, equipment, and technologies used in the horticulture industry by participating in laboratory activities and field trips.
Graduates of the two-year Horticulture Technology major may pursue supervisory, middle management or technical careers in garden centers, nurseries, greenhouses, landscape operations, golf courses, athletic fields, lawn care companies, tree care companies, and public and private gardens.
Requirements
| Courses | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Courses | ||
| ART 101 | Art History and Appreciation | 3 |
| ENG 165 | Professional Communications | 3 |
| or ENG 101 | English Composition I | |
| MAT 170 | Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry I | 3 |
| or MAT 120 | Probability and Statistics | |
| PSY 103 | Human Relations | 3 |
| SPC 205 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Required Core Subject Areas | ||
| HRT 107 | Woody Ornamentals | 2 |
| HRT 108 | Annuals and Perennials | 2 |
| HRT 110 | Plant Form and Function | 4 |
| or BIO 101 | Biological Science I | |
| HRT 125 | Soils | 4 |
| HRT 141 | Horticulture Pest Control | 4 |
| Subtotal | 16 | |
| Other Courses Required for Graduation | ||
| CWE 101 | Cooperative Work Experience Preparation | 1 |
| HRT 101 | Introduction to Horticulture | 3 |
| HRT 104 | Landscape Design and Implementation | 3 |
| HRT 121 | Commercial Irrigation | 3 |
| HRT 130 | Greenhouse Production | 3 |
| HRT 133 | Basic Plant Propagation | 2 |
| HRT 153 | Landscape Construction | 3 |
| HRT 200 | Horticulture Business Management | 3 |
| HRT 212 | Commercial Landscape Design | 3 |
| HRT 241 | Turfgrass Management | 3 |
| HRT 254 | Landscape Maintenance | 2 |
| HRT 255 | Urban Tree Care | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Small Business Management | ||
| Accounting Principles I | ||
| Introduction to Business | ||
| Subtotal | 35 | |
| Total Hours | 66 | |
Graduation Plan
Our semester-by-semester graduation plans will show you when required courses in your major are offered. Following this plan will help you stay on track and graduate on time.
Fall Start
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| CWE 101 | Cooperative Work Experience Preparation | 1 |
| HRT 107 | Woody Ornamentals | 2 |
| HRT 121 | Commercial Irrigation | 3 |
| HRT 141 | Horticulture Pest Control | 4 |
| HRT 241 | Turfgrass Management | 3 |
| HRT 254 | Landscape Maintenance | 2 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| HRT 101 | Introduction to Horticulture | 3 |
| HRT 104 | Landscape Design and Implementation | 3 |
| HRT 108 | Annuals and Perennials | 2 |
| HRT 133 | Basic Plant Propagation | 2 |
| HRT 255 | Urban Tree Care | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| HRT 110 or BIO 101 |
Plant Form and Function or Biological Science I |
4 |
| HRT 125 | Soils | 4 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| HRT 130 | Greenhouse Production | 3 |
| HRT 153 | Landscape Construction | 3 |
| ACC 101 | Accounting Principles I 1 | 3 |
| ENG 165 or ENG 101 |
Professional Communications or English Composition I |
3 |
| Elective Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| HRT 200 | Horticulture Business Management | 3 |
| HRT 212 | Commercial Landscape Design | 3 |
| MAT 170 or MAT 120 |
Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry I or Probability and Statistics |
3 |
| SPC 205 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Elective Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 66 | |
¹ BUS 101 or MGT 120 may be taken instead of ACC 101.
Spring Start
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Hours | |
| HRT 101 | Introduction to Horticulture | 3 |
| HRT 104 | Landscape Design and Implementation | 3 |
| HRT 108 | Annuals and Perennials | 2 |
| HRT 133 | Basic Plant Propagation | 2 |
| HRT 255 | Urban Tree Care | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| HRT 110 or BIO 101 |
Plant Form and Function or Biological Science I |
4 |
| HRT 125 | Soils | 4 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| CWE 101 | Cooperative Work Experience Preparation | 1 |
| HRT 107 | Woody Ornamentals | 2 |
| HRT 121 | Commercial Irrigation | 3 |
| HRT 141 | Horticulture Pest Control | 4 |
| HRT 241 | Turfgrass Management | 3 |
| HRT 254 | Landscape Maintenance | 2 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Spring Semester | ||
| HRT 200 | Horticulture Business Management | 3 |
| HRT 212 | Commercial Landscape Design | 3 |
| MAT 170 or MAT 120 |
Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry I or Probability and Statistics |
3 |
| SPC 205 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Elective Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| ACC 101 | Accounting Principles I 1 | 3 |
| ENG 165 or ENG 101 |
Professional Communications or English Composition I |
3 |
| HRT 130 | Greenhouse Production | 3 |
| HRT 153 | Landscape Construction | 3 |
| Elective Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 66 | |
¹ BUS 101 or MGT 120 may be taken instead of ACC 101.
Summer Start
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer Semester | Hours | |
| HRT 110 or BIO 101 |
Plant Form and Function or Biological Science I |
4 |
| HRT 125 | Soils | 4 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| CWE 101 | Cooperative Work Experience Preparation | 1 |
| HRT 107 | Woody Ornamentals | 2 |
| HRT 121 | Commercial Irrigation | 3 |
| HRT 141 | Horticulture Pest Control | 4 |
| HRT 241 | Turfgrass Management | 3 |
| HRT 254 | Landscape Maintenance | 2 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| HRT 101 | Introduction to Horticulture | 3 |
| HRT 104 | Landscape Design and Implementation | 3 |
| HRT 108 | Annuals and Perennials | 2 |
| HRT 133 | Basic Plant Propagation | 2 |
| HRT 255 | Urban Tree Care | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ACC 101 | Accounting Principles I 1 | 3 |
| ENG 165 or ENG 101 |
Professional Communications or English Composition I |
3 |
| HRT 130 | Greenhouse Production | 3 |
| HRT 153 | Landscape Construction | 3 |
| Elective Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| HRT 200 | Horticulture Business Management | 3 |
| HRT 212 | Commercial Landscape Design | 3 |
| MAT 170 or MAT 120 |
Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry I or Probability and Statistics |
3 |
| SPC 205 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Elective Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 66 | |
¹ BUS 101 or MGT 120 may be taken instead of ACC 101.
Application and Advising
If you are ready to start your education, there are a few simple steps involved in enrolling at Piedmont Technical College.
Advising Information
The following information provides a guide for advisors who are helping students enroll in this program.
Program Notes
HRT courses should be taken as sequenced in the Graduation Plans because they are only offered in specific semesters. If students deviate from this schedule, they risk delaying course completion and consequently graduation. If students desire to make an adjustment from the graduation plan, they should consult with the Program Director first.
Students desiring to transfer to a four-year university should get in contact with that university as soon as possible to ensure that they are taking all the necessary course to successfully transfer.
The following classes are offered in the fall semester: HRT 107, HRT 121, HRT 130, HRT 141, HRT 153, HRT 241, and HRT 254.
Notes About Individual Classes
If a student would like to transfer to a four-year institution, he or she should take MAT 120.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Purpose Statement
Prepare students for supervisory, middle management and technical positions in horticulture. Promote excellence in teaching, learning, and educational services to ensure that each student has the opportunity to attain her or his fullest potential.
Program Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Propagate and grow marketable plants in commercial plant production settings.
2. Produce attractive and functional landscape designs that meet client goals and expectations.
3. Interpret landscape plans and install plants and other landscape features according to specifications.
4. Maintain healthy and well-manicured lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, and landscapes.
5. Diagnose and provide solutions for biotic and abiotic plant problems utilizing principles of Integrated Pest Management.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of business principles needed to start and run a horticulture business.
7. Visually identify ornamental plants and provide their scientific names, growth habit, and cultural requirements for optimal growth in the landscape.