Ecological Management of Turf, Landscape and Urban Horticulture Option
This option is available within the Horticulture major at the following location:
- Corvallis
The turf, landscape, and urban horticulture industries are large and diverse, offering careers in golf course and athletic field management; landscape design, construction, management, and ecological restoration; conservation; park, botanical, and public garden management; urban horticulture and forestry policy and management; research; and consulting.
The Turf Management program works to develop ecological and sustainable ways to manage large grassed areas, such as golf courses, athletic fields, and parks. A natural fit for the grass seed capital of the U.S., the Willamette Valley, the Turf Management program allows you to integrate horticulture, biology, soil science, and pest management in your studies. Today's turf landscapes are managed with a focus on sustainability and ecosystem enhancement, and Oregon State leads the way. In addition to sustainable methods, you’ll learn about the environmental benefits of turf, like pollutant filtration and flood control, and you'll become an expert in understanding how to maintain native wildlife and bird populations while using cutting edge turf management techniques.
Recent graduates who have focused on Turf Management have become golf course supervisors, athletic field managers, and caretakers of the parks and grounds of cities, counties, and school districts. The program focuses on science, technology, 'in-field' hands-on experience, and decision making in real-world settings. Activities stress networking and exposure to multiple work environments to help students integrate quickly into the industry.
In the Landscape and Urban Horticulture program, students will learn about sustainable landscape management, urban forestry, and the ecosystem services provided by the built environment, such as carbon sequestration and climate regulation, temperature modulation, waste decomposition and detoxification, purification of water and air, storm and rainwater management, crop pollination, pest and disease control, nutrient dispersal and cycling, seed dispersal, intellectual and spiritual inspiration, recreational experiences, and scientific discovery.
Landscape professionals design, build, and manage aesthetically pleasing, functional, and environmentally responsible natural spaces where we all live, work, and play. Some focus is on ecological restoration of disturbed habitats. In recent years, the industry has expanded and rapidly become more sophisticated to meet the challenges of today’s urban environment. Consequently, there is great demand for creative, motivated individuals who love the outdoors and enjoy working with plants, soil, water, nature, and people.
Active Learning
As a student studying Turf Management, you'll spend time conducting field research trials at our turfgrass research facility at Lewis-Brown Farm. You'll also have the opportunity to compete in the yearly Collegiate Turf Bowl at the GCSAA Education Conference and the Golf Industry Show. Most students also join the Turf Club, as there you'll get to meet industry members, visit their golf courses and athletic fields, perform community service, and play golf at a local golf course - for free!
As a student studying Ecological Landscape and Urban Horticulture, you'll spend time in one of our greenhouses, learning the best methods to grow and propagate plants and at the Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture, working on permaculture and landscape design, construction and management projects. You'll also learn from faculty in the College of Forestry, to explore the latest urban forest management techniques. Student teams will also attend the Collegiate Competition at the Annual Meeting of the National Association of Landscape Professionals. The Department of Horticulture encourages students to get out of the classroom and take a hands-on approach to learning and skill development.
Option Code: 792
Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:
- Find, interpret and integrate data and theory from horticultural systems and sciences, and related disciplines.
- Assess horticultural systems, diagnose horticultural problems and recommend solutions, and create novel systems based on data and theory from horticultural sciences and related disciplines.
- Integrate horticultural sciences with contemporary social, economic, political and environmental issues.
- Develop and articulate content knowledge and critical thinking in horticulture through frequent practice of oral and written communication.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Materials | ||
| HORT 226 | LANDSCAPE PLANT MATERIALS I: DECIDUOUS HARDWOODS AND CONIFERS | 4 |
| or HORT 228 | LANDSCAPE PLANT MATERIALS II: SPRING FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS | |
| Select one additional course from the above or below courses: | 2-4 | |
| PLANT STRUCTURE | ||
| PLANT SYSTEMATICS | ||
| ^FLOWERING PLANTS OF THE WORLD | ||
| FLORA OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST | ||
| DENDROLOGY | ||
| TEMPERATE TREE FRUIT, BERRIES, GRAPES, AND NUTS | ||
| HERBACEOUS ORNAMENTAL PLANT MATERIALS | ||
| SYSTEMATICS AND ADAPTATION OF VEGETABLE CROPS | ||
| WILDLAND PLANT IDENTIFICATION | ||
| Ecology | ||
| HORT 318 | ^APPLIED ECOLOGY OF MANAGED ECOSYSTEMS | 3 |
| Technology | ||
| HORT 312 | PLANT PROPAGATION LABORATORY | 1 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| SURVEY OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN NATURAL RESOURCE | ||
| GISCIENCE I: GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THEORY | ||
| SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN | ||
| PRECISION AGRICULTURE | ||
| Horticultural Communication | ||
| HORT 318 | ^APPLIED ECOLOGY OF MANAGED ECOSYSTEMS | 3 |
| HORT 407 | SEMINAR | 1 |
| HORT 411 | HORTICULTURE BOOK CLUB | 1 |
| Capstone | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 4 | |
| ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION | ||
| GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE | ||
| URBAN FOREST PLANNING, POLICY AND MANAGEMENT | ||
| CASE STUDIES IN CROPPING SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT | ||
| Science and Technology of Managed Ecosystems | ||
| GEOG 340 | *INTRODUCTION TO WATER SCIENCE AND POLICY | 3 |
| HORT 314 | PRINCIPLES OF TURFGRASS MAINTENANCE | 4 |
| HORT 315 | SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPES: MAINTENANCE, CONSERVATION, RESTORE | 4 |
| HORT 358 | LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES | 4 |
| HORT 360 | IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE | 4 |
| Select two courses from the following, for a minimum of 6 credits: | 6 | |
| *HUMAN IMPACTS ON ECOSYSTEMS | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY OF PLANTS | ||
| CASE STUDIES IN CROPPING SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT | ||
| ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION | ||
| ECOSYSTEM SERVICES | ||
| LAND USE IN THE AMERICAN WEST | ||
| PERMACULTURE DESIGN AND THEORY: CERTIFICATE COURSE | ||
| RESTORATION HORTICULTURE | ||
| +*PESTS, PLAGUES AND POLITICS | ||
| URBAN FORESTRY | ||
| FLORICULTURE AND GREENHOUSE SYSTEMS | ||
| PLANT NURSERY SYSTEMS | ||
| READING AND CONFERENCE | ||
| PRECISION AGRICULTURE | ||
| GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE | ||
| INSECT AGROECOLOGY | ||
| ARBORICULTURE | ||
| URBAN FOREST PLANNING, POLICY AND MANAGEMENT | ||
| ADVANCED PERMACULTURE DESIGN TOOLS FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS | ||
| RANGELAND RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT | ||
| NUTRIENT CYCLING IN AGROECOSYSTEMS | ||
| BIOLOGY OF SOIL ECOSYSTEMS | ||
| *SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT | ||
| +WOOD INNOVATIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY | ||
| Business Management | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD MANAGEMENT | ||
| AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD MARKETING | ||
| +*INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY | ||
| +*INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD ECONOMICS | ||
| FOUNDATIONS OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET | ||
| ACCOUNTING FOR DECISION MAKING | ||
| FAMILY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT | ||
| Total Credits | 50-54 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025
- +
Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond
- ^
Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course
Option Code: 792