2023-2024 Course Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Modern concepts of sustainability changing plant use in urban settings. Fundamentals of urban plant systems in the context of urban ecosystem management. Philosophy and critical analysis of sustainability related to green infrastructure, including urban forests, green roofs, urban soils, urban wildlife, urban agriculture, and innovations merging plant and ecosystem functions with building and site engineering. Multi-disciplinary emphasis at site, regional, and global, scales.
Basic horticultural principles, identification and cultural criteria applicable to foliage and flowering plants grown indoors. Specific plant groups discussed include ferns, cacti and succulents, and carnivorous plants, among many others.
Dialogue-based language course focusing on the vocabulary and grammatical structures pertaining to Green and Agricultural Industry jobs. Includes vocabulary and context specific to jobs and workers in greenhouse, nursery, turf and landscape environments. Spanish culture is included throughout the course along with grammar and structure. Prior study in Spanish is helpful but not required. I, II.
Fundamental art theory, historical and cultural influences, tools and techniques as applied to current floral art. Emphasis on applied experiential learning through designing, building and producing acceptable floral displays for home and public environments. Sustainable and ethical practices in growing and purchasing flowers. Fee $128.
Impact of worldwide production and trade in fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers (horticultural commodities) on societies, cultures, economies, politics, and environment. Case studies covering history, economics, social/cultural impacts of producing fruit, vegetables, tea, coffee, and other horticultural crops in producing and consuming countries. Case studies illustrate inextricable interactions and interconnectedness between horticultural crops and cultures.
Survey course of horticultural crops (fruits, vegetables, ornamentals) and enterprises. Includes plant science and business aspects of horticultural production and service industries, and introduces related issues and emerging technologies such as work force characteristics, organic production, and biotechnology. I.
Principles and practices in managing environmental factors - temperature, water, light, atmospheric gases and pollutants, and soil and minerals - that influence growth and production of horticultural plants.
Principles and practices of plant propagation by sexual and asexual methods.
Introductory botany. Form, growth, function, reproduction, and ecological adaptations of major groups of plants.
Hands-on training in sustainable agricultural production at a student-operated vegetable and fruit farm. Participation in tasks required in managing a diversified sustainable horticulture operation, including planting, pest management, irrigation, and post-harvest handling. Discussion of soil fertility, planning, efficiency, food safety and community food systems. May be repeated with different content, for a maximum of 6 credits.
Development of a working knowledge of world wine styles, wine appreciation, and sensory evaluation of wine. Emphasis on the influences of grape growing and winemaking practices on wine quality, style, economic value, and significance in global food culture. Pre: Must be at least 21 years of age.
Identification, growing requirements, culture, landscape use, physiology, and propagation of native and non-native herbaceous landscape plants for temperate environments. Ornamental annuals and perennials; cultivated wildflowers, plants for wetland and aquatic systems.
Functions, growing requirements, hardiness, problems, and methods of identification of landscape plant materials. 3325: Commonly available woody landscape plants. 3326: Native and rare woody landscape plants.
Functions, growing requirements, hardiness, problems, and methods of identification of landscape plant materials. 3325: Commonly available woody landscape plants. 3326: Native and rare woody landscape plants.
Science and practice of tree cultivation, conservation, and management in human-dominated environments along an urban to rural gradient. Holistic study of landscape tree management: planning, planting, inspection, maintenance, removal, and wood waste utilization. Examination of tree responses to urbanization and tree influences on built environments. Emphasis on sustainable, ethical stewardship of landscape trees for the benefit of people and the environment.
Plant selection to provide ecosystem services. Site analysis, design, preparation, planting and maintenance strategies specific to cold-hardy herbaceous plants including native and non-native perennials, and ornamental grasses. Philosophy, historical perspective, and case studies of ecological planting designs.
The development of practical skills in landscape contracting. The course will rotate between design and installation of water gardens, landscape irrigation systems, landscape lighting or other pertinent topics on consecutive years. The course can be repeated for exposure to specific subjects to maximum of 3 credits. Junior standing required.
Non-plant portions of landscape construction such as rock walls, paver floors, arbors, and water gardens. The course covers the materials, construction methods, and business aspects required for hardscape construction.
Assessment of fundamental horticultural skills developed through academics and employment. Includes career placement preparation and problem solving through research and production project design and implementation using a team approach. Junior standing required.
4205: Principles and practices of winter annuals and spring blooming bulb production and installation; water garden cultivation and systems maintenance; fall fertilization programming; vegetative waste management; information dissemination and communication methods for public outreach including education, interpretive programs, and fundraising. 4206: Principles and practices of pruning, summer annual production; soil amendment and protection; plant collections/accessions curation and database management; personnel and financial management issues unique to public gardens. Pre: Junior standing required.
4205: Principals and practices of winter annuals and spring blooming bulb production and installation; water garden cultivation and systems maintenance; fall fertilization programming; vegetative waste management; information dissemination and communication methods for public outreach including education, interpretive programs, and fundraising. 4206: Principles and practices of pruning, summer annual production; soil amendment and protection; plant collections/accessions curation and database management; personnel and financial management issues unique to public gardens. Junior status required.
For persons who intend to manage or advise those managing commercial or institutional greenhouses. Includes greenhouse construction, environmenal controls, disease/insect identification and management, control of plant growth, root-zone management, and marketing and management principles specific to greenhouse operations. Pre: Coursework or experience in plant growth and environmental management required.
Managing commercial or institutional greenhouses and/or controlled environment operations. Construction, environmental controls, disease/insect identification and management, control of plant growth, root-zone management. Marketing, accounting, and management principles specific to greenhouse and controlled environment operations.
Controlled environment agriculture. Study of major hydroponic systems used in the production of horticultural food crops. Crop life cycles, nutrient requirements. Cost analysis and troubleshooting common problems that arise in controlled environment systems.
Capstone course for students entering the landscape contracting industry. Includes contracts, site plan interpretation, cost estimation and bidding, project sequencing, business marketing, irrigation design, and current issues. Emphasis on real-world skills and problem solving. Pre: Senior Standing Required.
Development of graphic skills with concentration on a variety of media and techniques. Basic theory and principles on design of small scale and residential landscapes with emphasis on spatial composition, user needs, ecology, and uses of plant materials and light construction.
Development of graphic skills with concentration on a variety of media and techniques. Basic theory and principles on design of small scale and residential landscapes with emphasis on spatial composition, user needs, ecology, and uses of plant materials and light construction. 4545, I; 4546, II.
Multidisciplinary, team oriented, problem-solving approaches to creating cities that foster healthy interconnections between human and ecological systems. Analysis of problems from practical and ethical perspectives in the context of the diverse knowledge bases and values of decision-makers. Formation and utilization of integrated design teams to solve complex urban design and planning problems at a variety of scales. Senior standing.
In-depth production and marketing of woody and herbaceous plants in wholesale nursery and floriculture/greenhouse and related retail outlets. Includes production laboratory.
Propagation, production, and marketing of small fruit crops for the mid-Atlantic region. Emphasis on sustainable practices, market sectors, and health and nutritional benefits. Blueberries, strawberries, brambles and other crops.
Overview of grapevine growth and development, factors affecting yield and grape quality, and regional industry. Vineyard financial considerations, site evaluation, varietal characteristics plus cultural practices of pruning, training, canopy management, fertilization and pest management.
Plant establishment and environmental design process for sustainable landscapes emphasizing the relationship between design of human-constructed landscapes and ecosystems at larger scales. Site assessment, urban soils, site rehabilitation, plant response to disturbed environments, green infrastructure and other contemporary landscape forms. Plant selection, sourcing, and installation to achieve environmental design goals. Emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning to achieve sustainable landscapes. Pre: Senior Standing.
A comprehensive study of major and minor vegetable crops of Virginia, the U.S., and world in relation to production practices, crop development, nutritional value, and quality characteristics.
The study of production agriculture or reproductive biology. Seed production, handling, identification, conditioning, enhancement, packaging, storage, testing, federal standards, and biotechnology. Pre: 4764 or 2244 or equivalent experience in vegetable crops, plant propagation, or plant growth and development.
Comprehensive study of medicinal plants/herbs history, production, processing, lore and documented scientific benefits. Traditional plant medicinal practices of Native Americans, Chinese, Indians, European and African cultures will be contrasted with use of contemporary herbal products.
Detailed practices in organic vegetable production. Issues in starting organic production, profitability, organic transition strategies and organic certification.
Detailed practices in organic vegetable production. Issues of initial and improving soil quality in organic systems, factors that affect produce quality and whole-farm weed/disease/pest management.
Field experiences, demonstrations, and farm tours complementing 4835 and 4836 lectures.
Field experiences, demonstrations, and farm tours complementing 4835 and 4836 lectures.
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