collageDo you have any knowledge about bachelor of horticulture? Do you ever feel confused? Do you often feel overwhelmed with all the information available on bachelor of horticulture so you can’t figure out which one is correct? This article will let you know about bachelor of horticulture .
The Horticultural Science bachelor of science degree is designed to provide students science-based education, which can be applied in a wide variety of careers in landscape plant production and use of plant materials in constructed and natural landscapes.
Agriculture is defined as the science of growing plants and crops, as well as raising animals for food, and other useful materials in order to answer to human needs and ensure economic gain. The agriculture discipline combines life sciences like biology and botany with economic and social sciences. Plant or animal farmers develop the best methods for increasing the quality and production of crops, while ensuring animals are treated according to humane standards.
Agriculture can be divided into five main branches: agronomy, horticulture, agricultural engineering, agricultural economics and animal sciences.
Agricultural science degree programs give students a broad background in agriculture that includes agricultural technology, management principles, and research methods. Other science-related topics include the biological principles of farming and ecosystem protection. Business-related topics like agribusiness management and marketing may also be covered.
Many agricultural science programs allow students to choose a focus area, such as agricultural engineering, which is the design of agricultural tools or technology; or microbiology, which examines the various microorganisms that make up an agricultural ecosystem.
Prerequisites for a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science include minimum GPA and standardized test scores, as well as a strong college-level communications and math foundation.
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science
The courses included in a bachelor’s degree program in agricultural science can vary depending on which track a student is more interested in; however, there are some core courses required by all undergraduates. These include:
- Intro to agriculture
- Soil ecosystem lab
- GPS and precision agriculture
- Agribusiness management
- Statistical research methods
- Agricultural markets and prices
Popular Career Options
A bachelor’s degree in agricultural science can lead to several entry-level career opportunities in the fields of scientific research and agribusiness. Some common examples of positions in the field include:
- Farm or ranch manager
- Food scientist
- Food marketing expert
- Agricultural analyst
- Community planning consultant
- Conservationist
- Agricultural technology trainer
- Field representative
- Agribusiness sales manager
- Agriculture journalist
Employment Outlook and Salary Information
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural managers are projected to decline by 6% from 2019-2029. The mean annual wage for this field was $76,810 in May 2020, stated the BLS.
Continuing Education Options
An undergraduate degree in agricultural science can be an entryway into several different graduate programs, including a Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering, a Master of Science in Food Science, a Master of Science in Agribusiness, and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering. These graduate programs typically last about two years and provide students with an advanced grasp on research and emerging technologies in the agricultural field. Ph.D. programs in these areas take around five years to complete and prepare individuals for positions in government research and academia.
Bachelor’s degree programs in agricultural science introduce students to the basics in soil and agriculture, agribusiness, and statistical research. Graduates can then pursue careers as scientists, conservationists and community planners or continue their education in a related master’s degree program.
Class curricula include topics such as: principles of agronomy, farm management and operation, fundamentals of soil science, food animal production, agribusiness, crop management, animal diseases, and more.
Agriculture studies will develop students’ skills to plan, design and execute projects and productive agrarian processes, as well as projects in agronomic engineering related to animal and vegetation production. Students will also learn how to develop modern methods of plant breeding and seed production while using necessary specific technologies.
Job options for graduates cover jobs like: agricultural consultant, farm manager, rural practice surveyor, soil scientist, agronomist, agricultural scientist.
| Universities | Location | Shanghai Jiao Tong University Ranking (2017) | U.S. News & World Report Ranking (2018) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wageningen University and Research | Wageningen, Netherlands | 1 | 1 |
| University of California, Davis | Davis, United States | 2 | 2 |
| China Agricultural University | Beijing, China | 3 | 4 |
| Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences | Uppsala, Sweden | 4 | 33 |
| Cornell University | Ithaca, United States | 5 | 3 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, United States | 6 | 10 |
| Nanjing Agricultural University | Nanjing, China | 7 | 9 |
| Aarhus University | Aarhus, Denmark | 8 | 12 |
| Ghent University | Gent, Belgium | 9 | 6 |
| University of Copenhagen | Copenhagen, Denmark | 10 | 10 |
The curriculum provides fundamental knowledge in plant biology, soil and nutrient management, and the life of potential insect pests and plant diseases harmful to plants as well as beneficial organisms which help support plants. The basic science courses are complemented by a number of applied horticulture courses in both landscape and edible crops to build a valuable skill set for future careers in sustainable horticulture.
Students will also learn the principles of sustainability, environmental stewardship, and the important quality-of-life enhancements provided by landscape plants.
Two focus areas, science or business, are available to students based on their future career plans. The science focus prepares students for graduate school or technical careers in the horticultural industries. The business focus is for students who plan on owning a business or who will work for a plant production facility, a landscape operation, or in horticultural product sales. Either focus will be useful to students planning careers in education, outreach, or recreation.
The Department of Horticulture was established in 1982 with the leadership of Dr. Casimiro D. Carcallas. Since its creation, DoH developed programs and initiated courses which were relevant and responsive to the needs of the Horticultural industry.
By definition, horticulture is the science, art and business of intensive production, distribution, and utilization of high-value plants, including both annual and perennial species, both food and non-food plants, and plants grown outdoors, indoors, and in protected or controlled environments. Horticultural crops are conveniently categorized into vegetables, fruits, ornamental crops and plantation or industrial crops.
VSU’s Department of Horticulture focuses on production management (including sustainable, organic and protected cultures), crop physiology, seed systems (seed technology, vegetative propagation, tissue culture, nursery culture, and seed banking), landscape development, and postharvest technology (postharvest handling of fresh produce, primary processing, food safety, and technical aspects of supply chain management).
B.Sc Horticulture Science: What is it About?
The BSc Horticulture Science course deals with topics related to breeding of plants, plant nutrition, fertilizers, pesticides, and all the other aspects that are required to grow good crop plants.
- The stream concentrates mainly on crop plants, vegetables, fruits, cereals, and medicinal plants.
- It individually discusses various types 9f crops like fruit crops, vegetable crops, garden crops, plantation crops, and many other types.
- The course discusses important topics related to the breeding of plants like Growth and Development of Horticultural Crops, Seed Production of Vegetable, Tuber and Spice Crops, among others.
- The course also discusses soil quality, type of soil required for different types of plants and how to grow different crops in different conditions.
- This course will prepare the students to breed, grow, evolve and do business with any kind of crop plants.
- Not only this, the course will also teach how to do marketing of Agro Products, how to manage orchids and farms, and many other important management related topics which will help the students to manage and run any agricultural farm successfully.
Why Study B.Sc Horticulture Science?
B.Sc Horticulture Science: Why this particular course?
You could consider studying BSc Horticulture Science because it offers the following advantages it has:
- The candidates willing to join the farming sector will find this course as hugely beneficial. This course will train them to farm various types of crop plants.
- The candidates who complete this course will have enough knowledge to pursue any kind of agricultural research in future. They can develop better seeds, research on breeding conditions and do many more different types of research.
- The candidates can work to develop their own farms and Horticulture gardens. They can start their own agricultural businesses.
- This course offers a vast opportunity for government jobs. Many government departments and banks offer jobs to BSc Horticulture Science candidates.
- Since farming will always be an important sector, the candidates with a degree in Horticulture will always be in demand in the job market.
B.Sc Horticulture Science: College Comparison
The top colleges offering BSc Horticulture Science have been compared in the table given below.
| Parameters | GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology | Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya | Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology was one of the oldest agricultural universities established in India. This prestigious institution is famous for providing practical and technical based courses in the field of Agriculture, Home Science, and Engineering. | Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya is a government autonomous University which offers research based UG, PG and PhD courses in Agriculture and Horticulture. The college focuses on genetic research, improving crop variety, developing Eco-friendly farming techniques to develop green farming methods. | Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya offers quality courses in Agriculture and Horticulture to all the regional people. The college has a preference policy for the students of WBCHSE board. The college offers UG, PG and PhD level courses. |
| Location | Pantnagar | Raipur | Cooch Bihar |
| Admission Process | Entrance Based | Through CGPAT | Merit Based |
| Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 in Science Stream with minimum 60% aggregate in PCB / PCMB | 10+2 in Science Stream with minimum 50% aggregate in PCB / PCMB | 10+2 in Science Stream with minimum 50% aggregate in PCB / PCMB |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 41,736 | INR 14,710 | INR 4,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 6,50,000 | INR 3,80,000 | INR 3,00,000 |
| Top Recruiters | Sungro Seeds, N-Lite Nutrition and Health Consultancy, TUVSUD, etc. | Amul, VNR Seeds, Central Bank of India, Ankur Seeds, etc. | IFFCO, Krishi Rasayan, Tata Rallis, etc. |
Course Syllabus
What is the B.Sc Horticulture Science Syllabus?
The BSc Horticulture Science Course is divided into 6 to 8 semesters, depending on the duration of the course. The semester wise breakup of the subjects taught in BSc Horticulture Science Course are tabulated below.
| Semester I | Semester II |
|---|---|
| Elementary Statistics and Mathematics | Tropical and Subtropical Vegetables |
| Fundamentals of Soil Science | Fundamentals of Plant Breeding |
| Fundamentals of Economics and Marketing | Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management |
| Plant Propagation and Nursery Management | Fundamentals of Entomology |
| Introductory Crop Physiology | Fundamentals of Extension Education |
| Fundamentals of Horticulture | Fundamentals of Plant Biochemistry |
| Principles of Landscape Architecture | Orchard and Estate Management |
| Principles of Genetics and Cytogenetics | Growth and Development of Horticultural Crops |
| Communication Skills and Personality Development | Introductory Microbiology |
| Human Values and Ethics | Dryland Horticulture |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Fundamentals of Plant Pathology | Soil, Water and Plant Analysis |
| Spices and Condiments | Weed Management of Horticultural Crops |
| Organic Farming | Tropical and Subtropical Fruits |
| Nematode Pests of Horticultural Crops and their Management | Ornamental Horticulture |
| Principles of Plant Biotechnology | Plantation Crops |
| Temperate Fruit Crops | Farm Machinery and Power |
| Commercial Floriculture | Diseases of Fruit, Plantation, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops |
| Environmental Studies and Disaster Management | Insect Pests of Fruit, Plantation, Medicinal & Aromatic Crops |
| Agri- Informatics and Computer Application | Introductory Agro-meteorology & Climate Change |
| Semester V | Semester VI |
| Temperate Vegetable Crops | Insect Pests of Vegetable, Ornamental and Spice Crops |
| Introduction to Major Field Crops | Apiculture, Sericulture and Lac culture |
| Medicinal and Aromatic crops | Precision Farming and Protected Cultivation |
| Seed Production of Vegetable, Tuber and Spice Crops | Introductory Agroforestry |
| Breeding of Vegetable, Tuber and Spice Crops | Breeding and Seed Production of Flower and Ornamental Plants |
| Diseases of Vegetables, Ornamentals and Spice Crops | Water Management in Horticultural Crops |
| Postharvest Management of Horticultural Crops | Horti-Business Management |
| Entrepreneurship Development and Business Management | Potato and Tuber Crops |
| Processing of Horticultural Crops | Breeding of Fruit and Plantation Crops |
| Semester VII | Semester VIII |
| Student Project | Student Project |
B.Sc Horticulture Science: Course Comparison
Though both these courses belong to the same domain, there are certain basic differences between the BSc Horticulture and BSc Agriculture courses, some of which are discussed in the table below.
| Parameters | BSc Horticulture Science | BSc Agriculture |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Bachelor of Science in Horticulture Science | Bachelor of Science in Agriculture |
| Overview | BSc Horticulture mainly focuses on the breeding of different crop plants, vegetables, fruits, medicinal plants, ornamental plants, etc. These generally do not include plants which do not have any food, medicinal or ornamental benefits. | BSc Agriculture is a vast course which includes all kinds of plants and trees, the different farming techniques, how to produce better Agro products, and many more related topics. It also concentrates on the crop plants as well. |
| Duration | 3 to 4 years | 3 to 4 years |
| Eligibility | 10+2 in Science Stream with PCB / PCMB | 10+2 in Science Stream with PCB / PCMB |
| Admission Process | Both Merit and Entrance Based | Both Merit and Entrance Based |
| Examination Type | Semester | Semester |
| Top Colleges | GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, etc. | Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, etc. |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 15,000 to 50,000 | INR 30,000 to 75,000 |
| Job Profiles | Plant Breeders, Marketing Managers, Gardeners, Agricultural Researchers, among others. | Agricultural Scientist, Crop Scientist, Gardeners, Agricultural Researchers, among others. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 3,00,000 to 4,00,000 | INR 4,00,000 to 6,00,000 |
| Areas of Employment | Agrochemicals, Agriculture Research Laboratories, Orchids, etc. | Fertiliser Manufacturing and Pesticide Manufacturing, Agrochemicals, Agriculture Research Laboratories, etc. |
B.Sc Horticulture Science: Job Profiles
The BSc Agriculture candidates can work in government organisations, research labs, plantations, and even schools. The following job profiles and Salary Trends are available for BSc Horticulture Science candidates.
| Job Profiles | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Breeder | Plant Breeders breed, take care and grow various types of plants, mainly crop plants, vegetables and fruits. | INR 3,50,000 |
| Product Marketing Manager | Product Marketing Manager plans the marketing strategies for various Agro products. | INR 5,00,000 |
| Gardener | Gardeners look after the plants present in various orchids and gardens. | INR 2,80,000 |
| Agricultural Researcher | Agricultural researchers research over various agricultural technologies, irrigation techniques, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. | INR 4,50,000 |
| Teacher | Teacher teaches farming and biology topics to school students. | INR 3,00,000 |
| Farming Educators | Farming Educators workforce government organisations and NGOs and teach correct farming techniques to farmers. | INR 4,00,000 |
Future Scope
B.Sc Horticulture Science: Future Scope
After completing BSc Horticulture Science Course, the candidates will have the following future scope options available.
- The candidates can join the higher courses like Master degree courses such as MSc Horticulture, MSc Agriculture, and other relevant courses. These will help them join the research based higher courses in future.
- The admission to MSc courses are usually granted on the basis of entrance exams. However, some universities also conduct entrance exams for admission to MSc courses.
- The candidates can also do relevant management courses like MBA Product Management, MBA Marketing Management, MBA Farm Management, among others. These courses will help them in getting better jobs in future.
- For admission to MBA courses, the candidates will have to qualify in various MBA Entrance Exams like CAT, MAT, CMAT, among others.
- The candidates can also prepare for various government service exams like Railways, UPSC, CTET, etc.
- The candidates can also start their own horticulture farms and set up their own Agro business.
Bachelor of Science in Horticulture Science, also known as BSc Horticulture, is a 3 to 4 years long undergraduate degree course which deals with the science of breeding (both Conventional and Hybrid) vegetables, cereals, fruits, orchids and other plants. It also deals with subjects like product marketing, farming management, pest control, and many other related topics in detail.
The candidates must complete 10+2 in Science background with Biology as a compulsory subject to be eligible for BSc Horticulture Science course. The minimum required percentage varies from college to college, but the candidates must score above 50% aggregate marks in class 12 boards to be eligible for this course.
The admission to BSc Horticulture course is either merit based or entrance based. Some of the universities grant admission through state level or university level entrance exams. There is no such national level entrance exam for this course. The other colleges admit students on the basis of marks obtained in the 10+2 exam.
There are many specialised Agricultural and Horticultural universities which mainly offer the BSc Horticulture Science Course. Many technical colleges and other universities also offer this course. Some of the most popular colleges for BSc Horticulture Science are tabulated below.
B.Sc Horticulture Science: Course Highlights
| Full-Form | Bachelor of Science in Horticulture Science |
| Level of Study | Undergraduate |
| Course Duration | 3 to 4 years |
| Eligibility | 10+2 in Science Stream with PCB / PCMB |
| Admission Process | Both Merit and Entrance Based |
| Examination type | Semester |
| Average Annual Fee | INR 15,000 to 50,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3,00,000 to 4,00,000 |
| Job Options | Plant Breeders, Marketing Managers, Gardeners, Agricultural Researchers, among others. |
| Areas of Employment | Agrochemicals, Agriculture Research Laboratories, Orchids, etc. |
B.Sc Horticulture Science: Admission Process
The admission to BSc Horticulture Course is either merit based or entrance based. The two processes have been discussed below in detail.
Merit Based Admission
The general steps involved in merit based admission to BSc Horticulture Science course are discussed below.
- Step 1: Application: The students need to fill the application form to apply to the university through the official university website. The application forms are generally released in the month of April – May.
- Step 2: Generation of Merit List: A merit list of shortlisted candidates will be prepared on the basis of marks obtained in class 12 board exam.
- Step 3: Counselling and Document Verification: The shortlisted candidates will be called for Counselling and document verification. The candidates will have to show the relevant documents to prove their eligibility.
- Step 4: Enrollment: The candidates found eligible will be granted admission to the course.
Entrance Based Admission
Many top universities like GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, etc grant admission to BSc Horticulture Science Course on the basis of entrance exam scores. The stepwise admission process is discussed below.
- Step 1: Application: The candidates will have to apply for both college and entrance exam.
- Step 2: Entrance Exam: The exam will be conducted either on online or offline mode, though most exams are conducted online. Admit cards are generally issued 10-20 days prior to the exam.
- Step 3: Results and Cutoffs: Along with the results of the exam, a cutoff list will also be released. The candidates qualifying the cutoff will be shortlisted for next round.
- Step 4: Document Verification: The shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification. The candidates will have to present their marksheets and other documents to prove their eligibility.
- Step 5: Enrollment: The candidates found eligible will be granted admission to the course.
The important documents which need to be presented during document verification generally include the following:
- Marksheet and Pass Certificate of class XII
- Admit Card and Marksheet of class X
- Birth Certificate
- Migration Certificate
- Original Photo ID
- Passport Size Photographs
B.Sc Horticulture Science: Eligibility Criteria
The candidates who wish to study BSc Horticulture Science must fulfil the following basic eligibility criteria.
- The candidates must complete 10+2 in Science stream with Biology as one of the compulsory subjects.
- The candidates must score above 50% aggregate marks in class 12. However, this may vary from university to university.
- The candidates must study English as one of the compulsory subjects.
- The candidates must have good communication skills.
- The candidates must be above 27 years of age. The maximum age limit varies from college to college and ranges between 21 to 24 years.
B.Sc Horticulture Science: Entrance Exams
There are few state level and university level entrance exams which are followed for admission to BSc Horticulture Science course. Some of these exams are discussed in detail below.
- HORTICET: The HORTICET exam is conducted by YSR Horticultural University for admission to all the Horticultural courses offered by the University and its affiliated colleges. The exam is primarily conducted in Telugu language. The duration of the exam is 2 hours and consists of MCQ questions.
- CG PAT: Chhattisgarh Professional Examination Board conducts CGPAT for admission to Undergraduate Agricultural and Horticultural courses. It is a 3 year long exam and consists of MCQ questions on PCMB.
- UPCATET: Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture Technology Kanpur conducts UPCATET which regulates the admission to all the Agricultural and Horticultural courses offered by almost all the colleges in Uttar Pradesh.
How to Prepare For BSc Horticulture Science Entrance Exams?
Some of the important points that the candidates must keep in mind while preparing for these entrance exams are as follows.
- The candidates will have to solve one question in less than 1 minute. So, they should practice solving questions rapidly.
- They should solve as many tricky questions as possible. Most of the questions asked in these exams involve tricky solutions.
- The candidates should properly cover NCERT textbooks of 10+2 PCM. They should go through the theory of these books and practice numericals multiple times.
- They should also have adequate knowledge of the basic agricultural practices which will help them crack the agriculture related questions.
- They should master the art of fast and accurate calculations. Candidates will not be able to carry calculators inside the exam hall.
- Try to focus on previous 10 years question papers, and practice them in a time bound manner.
- Make sure that you cover every chapter of the 10+2 syllabus, so that you can attempt as many questions as possible.
B.Sc Horticulture Science: How to get admission in a good B.Sc Horticulture Science college?
If you want to get admission in top BSc Horticulture Science colleges, the higher you score in the 10+2 examination, the better will be your chances. The following points should be kept in mind.
- The cutoff for top colleges taking merit based admission to BSc Horticulture Science course generally ranges between 80-90%.
- The competition for BSc Horticulture seats are comparatively lesser than the other courses. But if you want a seat in the top 10 colleges, you will have to score at least 80% or more in 10+2 to be on the safer side.
- Be sure that you fill all the correct details in the application forms. Any mistake will be fatal.
- Appear confident in front of the college authorities, and don’t get nervous if they ask you any question.
- Keep a good understanding of all the major farming and Horticultural techniques. These may prove useful during counselling.
- The candidates must present all the documents properly during document verification. Any negligence may result in severe problems.
Degree in Agronomy
Agronomy is the study of crops and soils. Academic degrees in agronomy vary greatly and include studies as diverse as molecular biology and international agricultural economics. If you have a specific interest, you’ll find that many programs will allow you to choose a specialization or a specialized curriculum track; continue reading for more information.View Schools
Agronomy Degrees
If you’re interested in pursuing an agronomy degree, you’ll find many options, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Agronomy may be available as a concentration within a broader program in plant and soil science. These programs provide you with training in plant science, entomology and agribusiness.
Important Facts About Degrees in Agronomy
| Prerequisites | High school education or GED equivalent; formal degree required for advanced positions |
| Online Availability | Yes |
| Common Courses | Issues in agriculture, International agriculture, Principles of soil science, Organic chemistry, Crop and weed genetics, Integrated weed management, Plant nutrition |
| Continuing Education | Professional specializations, licenses and certifications require specific training and education |
Associate of Applied Science in Agronomy
If you’re looking for a 2-year course of study in agronomy, you will find a handful of community colleges that offer associate’s degree programs. Many of these programs include courses on plant science, farm management, marketing, crop chemicals and farm safety. Many schools offering such programs are in areas where agriculture is an important part of the local economy, and they therefore provide access to farms, so that you can build hands-on skills while working toward your degree.
Bachelor of Science in Agronomy
Bachelor’s degree programs in agronomy are designed to provide you with the tools to succeed in a career in the chemical, pesticide, fertilizer industries. Depending on their policies, schools may also require students to choose a specific concentration, such as agronomic science or crop production.
Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Agronomy
If you already have an undergraduate degree in agronomy, and you’re interested in graduate study, you’ll find that master’s degree and doctoral degree programs emphasize independent research in a specific area of interest. As a master’s degree or Ph.D. candidate, you’ll take advanced courses in crop physiology, plant breeding, and forage sciences, among other topics.
Career Information
A degree in agronomy can lead to a wide range of professions, and many jobs for agronomists are based in research, management, academia and consulting. Some specific job titles include crop research technician, soil testing technician and seed analyst.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), agricultural and food science technicians, who typically need an associate’s degree, are expected to have a 4% increase in available jobs from 2019-2029, while soil and plant scientists, who are required to hold at least a bachelor’s degree, are forecast to experience 7% employment growth. Also listed by the BLS, in 2019, technicians in this field earned a median salary of $41,230, and scientists brought home a median of $65,160.
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