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Office of the University Registrar

2009-10 Undergraduate Catalog

Course Descriptions



College of Agricultural and Life Sciences


LDE 3400C Residential Landscape Design
Credits: 3; Prereq: ORH 3513C.

A basic course in the study of residential landscape design including preparation, evaluation and implementation of simple landscape plans. Emphasis will be placed on the use of ornamental plants for functional and aesthetic improvement of home environments. Students enrolling in this class may be expected to attend one or two Saturday field trips.

ORH 1030 Plants, Gardening and You
Credits: 1.

A non-majors course that provides an overview of environmental horticulture. Emphasis is placed on the art and science of growing, installing and maintaining plants used to enhance and improve the human environment indoors and outdoors. During the course, students gain familiarity with the science and the industries associated with environmental horticulture.

ORH 3000 Introduction to Ecosystem Restoration
Credits: 4; Coreq: BOT 2010C or BSC 2010C or instructor permission.

This course covers restoration theory and planning, disturbed land reclamation, woodland/wetland/river restoration, invasive species, community involvement, and monitoring, and emphasizes plant selection, establishment and maintenance.

ORH 3053C Principles of Floral Art
Credits: 3.

An introduction into the concepts and practices of floral design. Includes an in-depth study of the principles and elements of design as well as the design process. These concepts are implemented through the medium of floral materials. Students practice the art of floral design in a hands-on laboratory.

ORH 3222C Turfgrass Culture
Credits: 4; Prereq: BOT 2010C or BSC 2010, CHM 1025.

Comparisons of turfgrass for their landscape and recreational uses. Growth characteristics, method of propagation, and basic management requirements, including control of important pest problems, are covered.

ORH 3253C Introductory Nursery Management
Credits: 4.

An introductory course presenting principles of planning, organizing and managing nursery operations. Interactions between growing medium components, plant nutrition and irrigation will be emphasized. Nursery layout, growing structures, materials requirements and business practices are covered. Weekend field trips may be required.

ORH 3513 Environmental Plant Identification and Use
Credits: 1; Coreq: ORH 3513L.

Identification, growth characteristics, culture and use of common landscape and greenhouse plants. Materials include trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, lawn grasses and floriculture crops. Emphasis is placed on temperate plants. (taught at off-campus location)

ORH 3513C Environmental Plant Identification and Use
Credits: 3.

Identification, growth characteristics, culture and use of common landscape and greenhouse plants. Materials include trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, lawn grasses and floriculture crops. Emphasis is placed on temperate plants. (B) (taught at UF)

ORH 3513L Environmental Plant Identification and Use Laboratory
Credits: 2;Coreq: ORH 3513.

This is an introductory, upper-division environmental laboratory course designed to have students identify commonly used landscape plants, their use, and their characteristics. (taught at off-campus location)

ORH 3611 Retail Florist Shop and Garden Center Management
Credits: 3.

A basic course in the operations of retail florist shops and garden centers, including management, shop design and layout, psychology of selling, postharvest handling of flowers, plants and seeds, and the principles of artistic design.

ORH 3773 Public Gardens
Credits: 2; Prereq: ORH 3513C.

This course focuses on teaching the operation and management of public gardens. Public gardens include community and amusement parks, nature preserves, botanical gardens, arboreta, and zoological gardens. Students will explore issues relevant to principles and practices of management and psychological and sociological benefits of gardens and green spaces.

ORH 3773L Public Gardens Laboratory
Credits: 2; Coreq: ORH 3773.

This course focuses on first hand observation and evaluation of public gardens and parks to illustrate the actual management situation based on what is discussed in the lecture course (ORH 3773). Course consists of field trips to various botanical gardens, zoos, and amusement.

ORH 3774C Trial Garden and Conservatory Management
Credits: 3; Prereq: ORH 3513.

Practical application of horticultural and computer skills needed to manage public, private and governmental conservatories and gardens.

ORH 3815C Florida Native Landscaping
Credits: 3; Prereq: ORH 3513C.

This is an upper-division, environmental horticulture course designed to introduce students with a plant science background to the nomenclature, effective utilization, and design elements of plants native to Florida.

ORH 4223 Golf and Sports Turf Management
Credits: 2; Prereq: ORH 3222C.

Strategies involved in golf course and athletic field operations, including development of management cultural practices, adherence to environment regulations, personnel management and budgeting. Students enrolled may be expected to attend Saturday field trips.

ORH 4236C Landscape and Turfgrass Management
Credits: 3; Prereq: ORH 3513C.

Principles and practices of landscape installation and management and arboriculture. Students will survey the landscape industry, study landscape contracting procedures and interior plantscape maintenance. Laboratories will provide practical experience in various installation and maintenance practices, and field trips will provide interaction with industry. Students should expect Saturday field trips.

ORH 4242C Arboriculture
Credits: 4; Prereq: ORH 3513C.

Introduction to urban trees: biology, management requirements, design of urban spaces for trees, site modifications and construction techniques, tree selection, installation techniques, establishing trees in adverse sites, tree pruning and related tree management practices. A written tree management plan is required of every student.

ORH 4254 Advanced Nursery Management
Credits: 3; Prereq: ORH 3253C, ORH 4264C or instructor permission.

Presents current production and management problems in the U.S. nursery industry. Topics include propagation, water quality, container substrates, nutrient management, irrigation efficiency, cost of production, pest management, postproduction handling and personel training. Introduces students, educators and horticultural professionals to the best management practices in ornamental plant production. Individuals will gain hands-on experience by growing a select group of ornamental plants plus trips to commercial nurseries and markets. Activities such as case studies, evaluation of scientific literature and assignments will reflect real world scenarios and will help better prepare students for positions in the green industry. The course is also designed to enhance the skills of horticultural professionals and educators that are currently working in or with the ornamental plant industry.

ORH 4254L Advanced Nursery Management Laboratory
Credits: 1; Prereq: ORH 3253C, ORH 4264C or instructor permission.

Presents current production and management problems in the U.S. nursery industry. Topics include propagation, water quality, container substrates, nutrient management, irrigation efficiency, cost of production, pest management, postproduction handling and personnel training. Introduces students, educators and horticultural professionals to the best management practices in ornamental plant production. Individuals will gain hands-on experience by growing a select group of ornamental plants plus trips to commercial nurseries and markets. Activities such as case studies, evaluation of scientific literature and assignments will reflect real world scenarios and will help better prepare students for positions in the green industry. The course is also designed to enhance the skills of horticultural professionals and educators that are currently working in or with the ornamental plant industry.

ORH 4256 Nutritional Management of Nursery Crops
Credits: 3.

Techniques for determining, interpreting, and managing the nutritional status of container grown greenhouse and nursery crops. To include: water quality, substrate physical and chemical parameters, irrigation and fertilization practices.

ORH 4264L Greenhouse and Nursery Crop Culture Laboratory
Credits: 1; Prereq: ORH 3513C; Co-req: ORH 4264.

An advanced hands-on lab growing a wide range of greenhouse plants through the application of crop cultural practices discussed in lecture.

ORH 4280 Orchidology
Credits: 3; Prereq: BOT 2011C or BSC 2011.

The principles and practices involved in the production of orchid plants and flowers, including nomenclature, breeding, seed culture, harvesting and handling.

ORH 4321C Palm Production and Culture
Credits: 3; Prereq: BSC 2010 or BOT 2010.

This course will focus on vegetative and reproductive morphology, identification, germination and container, field and liner production of palms. Palm use in landscapes, interior scapes and their maintenance, transplanting nutrition, and harmful diseases and pests will be discussed.

ORH 4527C Florida Flora and Ecosystem Landscapes
Credits: 3.

This is an introductory, upper-division environmental course designed to teach students plant identification and environmental aspects of Florida's diverse ecosystems.

ORH 4528L Advanced Laboratory in Biotechnology
Credits: 1; Prereq: MCB 3020L or BSC 2010L; Coreq: BCH 4024 or CHM 3218 or HOS 4303.

Experiments include gene cloning, PCR techniques, expression and purification of recombinant proteins.

ORH 4804 Annual and Perennial Gardening
Credits: 1; Prereq: ORH 3513C.

Identification, selection, use and management of annuals, perennials, vines, ornamental grasses and ground covers in the landscape. Hands-on care for plants in the outdoor laboratory will be included. Each student will learn the irrigation, fertilization, pruning, and other cultural needs of these popular plants. Laboratory will complement lecture.

ORH 4804L Annual and Perennial Gardening Laboratory
Credits: 2; Prereq: ORH3513; Coreq: ORH 4804.

The taxonomy of ornamental landscape annuals and perennials. Site evaluation, diagnostics, preparation, installation and maintenance of the color portion of commercial and residential landscaping.

ORH 4848 Landscape Plant Establishment
Credits: 2.

ORH 4874C Interior Landscape Practices
Credits: 3; Prereq: ORH 3513C.

An in-depth course covering the principles and practices of using plants indoors. Emphasis will be placed on the interaction between environmental factors and installation, maintenance and management of plants in large interior settings such as airport terminals, hotel lobbies, office complexes and shopping malls. Installation and maintenance contracts, as well as cultural practices essential to plant survival and utilization will be treated in detail.

ORH 4905 Independent Study of Environmental Horticulture
Credits: 1 to 5. Can be repeated with a change in content up to 12 credits.

Three topics for independent study: Research investigation which may include review of literature, drafting of proposal, conduct of an experiment, collection of data, summation and interpretation of results and preparation of a report; Library or Studio Assignment, including analysis of several sources of information on a specific topic with a written evaluation and list of conclusions prepared; Assist in teaching laboratory of selected courses in environmental horticulture.

ORH 4909 Honors Project
Credits: 1 to 6; Prereq: Must be admitted to the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences' honors program.

A special project course restricted to students in the college's Honors Program. Students will complete a project on a topic, issue or problem in research, teaching or extension. The project will be reviewed by two faculty members chosen by the honors coordinator. May be repeated for up to six credits.

ORH 4932 Special Topics in Environmental Horticulture
Credits: 1 to 4

Topics of current interest concerning environmental plants.

ORH 4933 Professional Seminar in Environmental Horticulture
Credits: 1; Prereq: AEE 3030, AEE 3033 and ORH 3513C.

A senior-level course for students seeking career opportunities in environmental horticulture. Special emphasis is placed on the expectations of and the relevant issues facing the landscape plant production, landscape management and turfgrass industries. Field trips and attendance at selected commercial trade shows are mandatory.

ORH 4941 Practical Work Experience
Credits: 1 to 3; Prereq: Prior arrangement with adviser, approval of department chair and dean.

Practical work must be a new experience and related to student's field of study. A written and oral report is required. (S-U)

PLS 3221 Plant Propagation
Credits: 2; Prereq: BOT 2010C or BSC 2010; Coreq: PLS 3221L.

Principles, practices and physiological aspects of the propagation of horticultural and agronomic crops by cuttage, graftage, seedage, micropropagation and other methods.

PLS 3221L Plant Propagation Laboratory
Credits: 1; Prereq: BOT 2010C or BSC 2010.

Methods of propagating by seeds, bulbs, divisions, layering, cuttings, budding, grafting, and micropropagation in a hands on environment.

PLS 4242C Micropropagation of Horticultural Crops
Credits: 4; Prereq: ORH 3513C recommended.

Lectures and laboratory exercises emphasizing the practical application of plant tissue culture for the clonal propagation of horticultural crops. Emphasis on aseptic technique, culture methodology, and micropropagation systems development.

PLS 4343C Identification and Ecology of Aquatic Plants
Credits: 3; Prereq: refer to the department.

Identification and ecology of aquatic plants. Emphasis placed on use of taxonomic keys for identification. Factors influencing development and growth of aquatic plant communities will be related to plants identified.

PLS 4353C Culture and Production of Aquatic Plants
Credits: 3; Prereq: refer to the department.

Environmental, physical, nutritional and ecological factors influencing aquatic plant growth. Commercial production techniques will be emphasized. Aquatic plants will be evaluated for use in ecosystems and wetland restoration.

PLS 4404C Principles of Composting Technology
Credits: 3.

Principles that influence the humification of organic matter under controlled conditions, emphasizing factors related to successful utilization of compost in horticultural production, analytical methods of compost quality determinators and regulatory aspects of compost product use.



General Education Categories
Consult Schedule of Courses for specific information.

  • Biological Sciences (B)
  • Composition (C)
  • Diversity (D)*
  • Humanities (H)
  • International (N)*
  • Mathematics (M)
  • Physical Sciences (P)
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (S)

* Students who entered UF prior to Summer B 2007 and/or whose catalog year is not 2007-08: Current students who have not already completed six hours of "I" - international/diversity credits can do so now by taking "D" and "N" courses.

Symbols Used in Course Descriptions

  • (WR) indicates the course satisfies the writing requirement.
  • (MR) indicates the course satisfies the math requirement.
  • (S-U) indicates the course may be taken on a satisfactory-unsatisfactory basis.
  • Refer to the Schedule of Courses for specific information.