The Sustainable Plant and Soil Systems major, with concentrations in Environmental Horticulture, Sustainable Agriculture, and Turfgrass Science, focuses on the science and practices associated with sustainable plant production and/or use within managed systems. Courses emphasize practices and concepts related to reducing environmental impact during production and in managed land use systems.
Click here to view all of the Sustainable Plant and Soil Systems (SPSS) course offerings.
Concentrations focus on the production of ornamental and edible crops in controlled environments, greenhouses, nurseries and on farms; management practices for built landscapes and surfaces used for recreational and sporting activities, and the selection and management of ornamental trees, shrubs, grasses, native species, and plants and soils that perform ecosystem services in recreational, urban, and suburban settings to meet functional and aesthetic requirements. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, and developing and applying knowledge to solve contemporary problems in individual and team approaches. Students have the opportunity to gain real-world experience through internships
THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG YEAR
(Click here to view past catalogs)
All students in this major must complete the following courses:
All of:
SPSS 1120: Introduction to Plant Science
SPSS 2110W: Sustainable Plant Pest Management Communication or SPSS 2560W: Written Communications in Horticulture
SPSS 2120: Environmental Soil Science
Environmental Horticulture Concentration
All of:
SPSS 3640: Plant Propagation
Two of:
SPSS 2430: Herbaceous Ornamental Plants
SPSS 3410: Woody Plants: Common Trees, Shrubs and Vines
SPSS 3560: Interior Plants and Interioriscaping
Two of:
SPSS 3810: Fundamentals of Plant Pathology
SPSS 3820: Ecology and Control of Weeds
SPSS 3830: Horticultural Entomology
Three of:
SPSS 3540: Garden Center Management
SPSS 3550: Urban Plant Systems Construction & Maintenance
SPSS 3610: Organic and Sustainable Vegetable Production
SPSS 3660: Nursery Production
SPSS 3670: Greenhouse Technology and Operations
SPSS 4650: Plant Tissue Culture
Sustainable Agriculture Concentration
All of:
SPSS 2100: Environmental Sustainability of Food Production in Developed Countries
SPSS 2500: Principles and Concepts of Agroecology
SPSS 3610: Organic and Sustainable Vegetable Production
SPSS 3620: Soil Fertility
SPSS 3840: Integrated Pest Management
SPSS 3990: Field Study Internship
Two of:
SPSS 3810: Fundamentals of Plant Pathology
SPSS 3820: Ecology and Control of Weeds
SPSS 3830: Horticultural Entomology
Turfgrass Science Concentration
All of:
SPSS 1100: Introduction toTurfgrass Management
SPSS 3150: Advanced Turfgrass Management
SPSS 3620: Soil Fertility
SPSS 3990: Field Study Internship
Three of:
SPSS 3800: Turf Pests and Control
SPSS 3810: Fundamentals of Plant Pathology
SPSS 3820: Ecology and Control of Weeds
SPSS 3830: Horticultural Entomology
One of:
SPSS 2430: Herbaceous Ornamental Plants