Masters Degree in Horticulture with Emphasis in Organic Sustainable Production

The organic industry is rapidly evolving into a sophisticated system of production practices, codified standards and increasingly diversified marketing channels that provide value-added horticultural commodities. The value added to the commodities is based on the perception of consumers of a) healthier, more nutritious fruits and vegetables, b) flowers, trees and landscapes that are ecologically compatible and promote harmony with the environment, c) conformity with a philosophy of sustainable and environmentally friendly production systems and, d) marketing that promotes a social contract between producers and consumers.

The increasing complexity of the organic industry requires professionals in leadership positions in farming, processing, marketing, state and local government and regulatory agencies with a breadth of training that spans natural science, ecology, public policy and sociology. The objective of the proposed Masters Degree in Horticulture with emphasis in organic and sustainable production is to provide a unique combination of curriculum requirements combined with a critical research experience that will prepare graduates for leadership positions in this emerging industry.

The cultural practices associated with organic horticulture production emphasize natural biological management of genetic diversity among cultivars, insects, diseases and weeds. To promote organic and sustainable production practices in greenhouses, field production, and landscapes, research input is needed to more fully understand the biological interactions in complex ecosystems. In addition, research is required for development and validation of technologies and management systems. The objective of the proposed Masters degree is to provide a mechanism for integrated research in natural science, public policy and sociology relevant to the organic industry.

How to apply

1) Complete the application for the UW-Madison Graduate School:  at http://www.wisc.edu/grad/ .

2) Though not required, we recommend that you review the Dept. of Horticulture web site:  http://www.horticulture.wisc.edu and contact faculty members either via email or surface mail with whom you may share a research interest.  

Financial Aid

If you need financial assistance, please indicate this on the application form as well as in correspondence with potential theses advisors.  The Department of Horticulture will make every effort to assist students.  Options for financial assistance include working as project assistants as well as teaching and research assistantships.
           

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to accommodate two groups of potential students: 1) students who have received prior undergraduate training in either production agriculture or natural science who would benefit from advanced courses in natural science as well as depth and breadth in ecology, public policy and sociology and;  2) the converse, students who have received prior undergraduate training in sociology, public policy or ecology who would benefit from advanced courses and a research experience in natural science.

 A minimum of 24 total credit hours are required for graduation.  At least 18 credit hours must be earned in residence as a graduate student in the program from the following curriculum.  A minimum of six credits must be earned as research (990).  A formal thesis based on original research that focuses on plant pathology, horticulture, entomology biology, public policy or sociology in organic systems is required.  The student must select a committee of at least three faculty members from at least two different departments to guide the student’s thesis research and certify compliance with the recommended curriculum.  Deviations from the recommended curriculum can be approved by the student’s certifying committee.  A copy of the curriculum approved by the student’s committee should be submitted to the chair of the Horticulture Curriculum Committee to monitor progress of this new degree program.  The following is the recommended curriculum:   

• Ecology core curriculum  (one course required)

Ecology 460 (XL: Forest ecology and Zoology) (4 cr.)
Agroecology I:  The farm as a socio-environmental endeavor (3 cr.)

Agroecology II: Agricultures social contract (3 cr.)

• Horticulture (one course required)

Hort  370 World Vegetables (3 cr.)

Hort  345  Fruit Crop Production (3 cr.)

• Plant Pathology (one course required)

Plant Path 300  Intro. to Plant Pathology (4 cr.)

Plant Path 559 Diseases of Economic Plants (3 cr.)

Plant Path 517  Plant Disease Resistance (2-3 cr.)

• Agronomy and Entomology (one required course)

Entom. 541  Biological Control of Insects (3 cr.)
Agron 328  Integrated Weed Management (3 cr.)

• Soils  (one course required)

Soils 323 Soil Biology (2 cr.)

Soils 326  Plant Nutrition Management (3 cr.)

Soils 333 Nuntrient Management: Horticultural Crops) (1 cr.)

• Statistics (one required course)

Stats 571 (XL: Horticulture and Forestry) (4 cr.)

• Seminar (one credit hour required)

Agroecology : Seminar in Agroecology

Hort 410   Colloquium in Organic Agriculture (1 cr.)
Hort  375  Tropical Horticulture seminar and field trip  (1-2 cr.)

• All students are required to take a minimum of 18 credit hours of academic classes while in residence as a graduate student.  Students who may have already taken one or more required courses (A-G above), or their equivalents, as an undergraduate are encouraged to choose among the following breadth courses to fulfill the 18 credit hour requirement:

For more information on the degree program please contact:

Dr. Patrick Krysan, Graduate Coordinator

UW-Madison, Department of Horticulture

1575 Linden Drive

Madison, WI  53706

Tel: (608) 262-6975

Email fpat@biotech.wisc.edu

www.horticulture.wisc.edu