PLANT SCIENCES / HORTICULTURE CURRICULUM – 2005

General Course Objectives:

· To introduce students to various aspects of Plant Science and Horticulture

· To do in depth studies of plant structure and function, taxonomy, propagation techniques, as well as practice greenhouse management and skills related to production of a cash crop.

Topics to be included:

A. Basic Botany

1. What is botany?

2. Related divisions of study

B. Importance of plants as related to;

1. food

2. medicine

3. esthetics

4. ecology

5. uses and products

C. Classification

1. nomenclature

2. overview of the plant phyla and families

3. plant identification using a botanical key

4. identification of common house plants

D. Physiology and Growth

1. functions of plant structures – roots, stems and leaves

2. basic requirements for plant growth

3. characteristics of gymnosperms and angiosperms

4. characteristics of monocotyledons and dicotyledons

5. factors affecting growth

6. seed structures and germination

E. Plant Reproduction and Life Cycles

1. differences among annuals, bi-annuals, and perennials

2. sexual reproduction - why plants flower

a. structure and function of flowers

b. fertilization

c. structure and types of seeds and fruits

3. asexual reproduction

a. spores

b. propagation

4. importance of genetics in botany

F. Propagation Techniques

1. cuttings

2. layering

3. grafting

4. tissue cultures

5. cloning

G. Plant Nutrition

1. components of soils

2. fertilizers

3. composting know-how

H. Plant Pests and Diseases

1. identification of plant pests and diseases

2. treatments for these situations

3. pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals

4. safe handling of chemicals

I. Greenhouse Operations

1. care and maintenance

2. greenhouse basics

3. tools and equipment

4. watering

5. heating

6. cooling

7. designs for greenhouses

J. Product Production

1. selection of project specimen

2. research requirements

3. planting

4. record keeping

5. business practices

6. marketing product

7. presentation brochures with product information

a. care

b. habitat

c. growth habits

8. sales

K. Careers in botany/horticulture

1. research and report on a related field of study

2. visit various community businesses

3. guest lecturers from Master Gardeners and local growers

4. continuing education requirements for a degree in Botany/Horticulture

L. Gardening

1. landscaping

2. vegetable and flower gardens

3. water gardens

4. container plantings

5. shrubs and trees

6. pruning

7. Hydroponics

M. Noxious Weeds

Students will produce a minimum of one cash crop each semester. They will be required to do research on their cash crop and present that information as a product information sheet to be given to customers when plants are purchased. Students will also be required to research many of the topics that were mentioned previously and present that information to the class and community in the form of informational brochures or informal gatherings.

This will be a hands-on class teaching to skills related to plant parenthood.

Learner outcomes should include;

a. an understanding of basic botany

b. ability to locate species of plants using appropriate information sources

c. a working knowledge of plant structures and their requirements for

healthy growth

d. skills related to propagation of various types of plants

e. knowledge of factors affecting plant growth and maintenance of plant health

f. a working knowledge of greenhouses and how to manage one

g. ability to raise a product and successfully market same

h. responsible attitudes concerning plants and their place in society

i. ability to communicate effectively with others

j. awareness of career potentials