Bachelor of Science - Plant & Horticultural Sciences Major

Summary

The horticultural sector plays a pivotal role in shaping Aotearoa’s economic landscape and there’s a growing demand for a qualified workforce. With the Bachelor of Science, majoring in Plant and Horticultural Sciences, you’ll unearth your potential in a thriving industry.

This degree helps you develop critical knowledge in applied plant production, integrated pest management and problem solving. With a clear focus on sustainability, the programme will prepare you to make a real difference in any number of technical, advocacy and management roles.

You will also benefit from working at our Living Laboratory, an outdoor setting on campus that brings together research partners and students to explore challenges facing our world. You will increase your hands-on experience of the different aspects of horticultural production.

How you’ll grow

• Explain how horticultural plants grow in relation to soil, temperature, water, light and nutrition
• Understand the principles and practices concerning pruning, training and harvesting of horticultural crops
• Discuss the significance of sustainable production, integrated pest management and how Mātauranga Māori can be integrated and applied in commercial field operations
• Describe the different plant growth regulators and how these interact in horticultural production systems
• Identify the different controlled environment production systems, including managing an indoor climate and understanding growing media and fertilisers utilised in horticultural production systems
• Integrate knowledge and skills from different disciplines to help solve complex problems in a wide range of plant and horticultural sciences industries.

Career opportunities

Armed with this degree, you’ll be prepared to undertake a wide range of technical, advocacy and management roles across the agriculture and horticultural production industries.