Horticulture and Landscape Technology

Overview

This program brings together the study of science, your creativity and love of the outdoors to prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career. You develop an in-depth knowledge of plants and an understanding of the horticulture industry. You also build strong technical skills, leadership and interpersonal skills and learn to apply them working with industry partners on various projects.

After your first year, you choose between a Landscape or Operations concentration to prepare for your career choice.

Work experience

• Field experience (work placement) is a mandatory credit course completed at the end, or throughout the duration, of your program. It provides you with the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills outside of the classroom.
• Opportunities are typically unpaid and last approximately 5 weeks.
• Transportation, accommodations and other costs related to work placements are your responsibility.
• This program is eligible for an optional cooperative education (co-op) credit course between year one and two.
• Co-op provides an opportunity for paid, full-time work placements that last 12 to 16 weeks.
• Our co-op program follows Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) guidelines.
• For more information visit Work Experience Opportunities

Choose NSCC

• You learn in a state-of-the-art facility and through real projects that provide opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills.
• You gain a comprehensive set of skills that is current with industry needs and opens many avenues for employment.
• This program has been developed in partnership with the horticulture industry and you get the knowledge and skills required by employers.
• You enrich your awareness of environmentally-friendly practice, learning in a context that promotes land stewardship and sustainable development.
• Continue your studies at university – This program includes courses that count towards a university degree. Find out more
• This program is a first step towards certification in the Landscape Horticulturist trade. To become certified, you must register as an apprentice with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA). Once registered, you can transfer credit from this program towards your apprenticeship.

Other info

• Students are eligible for membership in Greenhouse Growers Association, Landscape Nova Scotia and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.
• Certification with a Red Seal – Landscape Horticulturist is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Graduates who complete an apprenticeship program in this trade are eligible to write the provincial certification exam, receive their certification and Red Seal. The Red Seal allows certified tradespersons to practise the trade in any province or territory in Canada – where the trade is designated – without having to write further examinations.
• Additional skills and abilities, including math, reading and workplace skills, are essential for your success in Trades and Technology programs. See the Trades and Technology Preparation Checklist (PDF 23KB).
• This program places a high importance on providing you with skills and knowledge to work safely in industry. You participate in a number of introductory safety awareness courses to prepare for employment.
• Many employers in this industry require a current, official Criminal Record check as part of the hiring process. A conviction on your criminal record may impact your ability to secure employment.

September 2020

Campus	Location	Full time/part time	Delivery	Availability
Kingstec Campus/Online	Kentville	Full time	BlendedBlended Complete your program through courses that combine online (scheduled), and on-campus learning.	Waitlist

Admission requirements

• High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent.
  • International students – High school diploma equivalency and English language requirements vary by country. View details

Program requirements

• Standard First Aid, CPR Level A

Tuition

Tuition is valid for the 2020-21 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional.

Tuition, fees and program costs

In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for college services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.

View detailed program fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.

• Horticulture and Landscape Technology - Year 1

Career options

• Graduates are able to work in a variety of industries related directly or indirectly to horticulture. As the horticulture industry continues to evolve and expand, new opportunities are being broached and developed in areas such as living walls and green roofs, turf management, horticulture therapy, recreation and environmental sustainability. Industries include nurseries, greenhouses, garden centres, farm markets, interior and exterior landscape operations, park maintenance, botanical gardens and more.
• Learn more about labour market information – visit Career Options.

Courses may include

These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.

COMM 1227 - Communications I
This course provides the student with an overview of the communication skills required by business and industry. Students will learn to apply these communication skills to be successful in their selected workplace setting.

COMM 1228 - Communications II
This course further develops essential communications skills with a focus on basic writing. This course provides the student with the opportunity to develop written work typical of the industry related to their program of study.

HLAN 3006 - Integrated Pest Management
This course introduces the concepts and control methods for a holistic approach to Integrated Pest Management, learning to identify and solve plant health problems. Learners will be introduced to pests and their impacts on the economic and aesthetic value of horticultural and landscape plants.

HLTG 1000 - Plant Production and Retail Principles I
This course introduces the learner to the profession of growing and selling plants. With an increasing focus on the greening of the environment, plant production and retailing of horticulture materials is a growing career path for those who wish a physical, yet artistic occupation. Learners will have the opportunity to practice greenhouse and nursery operations while creating products and displays for garden centre sales.

HLTG 1003 - Green Research Project
Research is an important skill used in the Horticulture industry that contributes to the development of critical thinking skills. This course introduces learners to various research methods, providing the background necessary to support independent learning and self-discovery. Learners will have the opportunity to research topics of interest and how they relate to industry, field of study and future career path. This course will focus on developing the essential skills of Reading, Document Use, Writing, Oral Communications and Critical Thinking. All project submissions will be professionally presented using a variety of computer applications (i.e. Microsoft Office). Proper use of grammar and syntax, as required by industry, is expected of all final project submissions.

HLTG 1010 - Plant Production and Retail Principles II
This course provides learners opportunity to practice greenhouse and nursery operations, select crops for production and retail sales, and apply their learning by planning a retail sales event.

HORT 1002 - Biology
This course covers scientific methodology, plant and animal biology, biochemistry, cytology and genetics. The modes of instruction vary between lecture, discussion, experiments and discovery.

HORT 1010 - Industry Relations
In this course, learners will study the scope of the horticulture industry across Canada, with an eye on professional development pathways. Liaising with regional industry representatives, and researching local opportunities, learners will explore career path options. Guest speakers are invited to share insights on Nova Scotia’s horticulture industry, discuss certification opportunities, and outline the work of select provincial and national professional associations.

HPRA 1004 - Landscape Plant Materials I
This course introduces learners to the science of botanical nomenclature and plant identification techniques. The course will analyze plant relationships in the natural environment. Over the duration of the course, learners will develop a variety of plant identification skills and build a vocabulary using Botanical Latin. Learners will apply plant identification and classification skills to complement the multi-disciplinary nature of the horticulture industry. Learners will examine in detail, live and dormant samples of a broad range of representative plants. At the conclusion of this course, learners will have the ability to recognize the genus of common landscape plants.

HPRA 1005 - Landscape Principles I
This course introduces the learner to the profession of landscaping. Part art and part science, landscaping is a career path for those who wish a physical, yet artistic occupation. Learners will have the opportunity to practice installations and maintenance of various landscape components. Photos of lab work will be valued additions to learner portfolios.

HPRA 1019 - Horticulture Science I
This course will introduce learners to the science of horticulture, analyzing plant and soil relationships in the natural environment and increasing their knowledge of the interactions of these relationships by examining sustainable horticulture practices.

HPRA 1100 - Work Experience
The work experience component provides the learner with an opportunity to apply skills and concepts appropriate for entry-level positions within the occupation. Learners will assess their own performance and be evaluated by an industry partner. Learners will identify personal outcomes they wish to attain during the work experience and will keep a journal.

HPRA 2005 - Landscape Principles II
During the second semester, learners participate in the installation of various landscape construction modules. Large indoor lab facilities at Kingstec allow for all weather installations. These landscape installations provide a Service Learning opportunity for learners on campus. Learners will be exposed to the theory of landscape installation and build various landscape features, including but not limited to walks, retaining walls, water gardens and wooden structures.

HPRA 2019 - Horticulture Science II
This course will emphasize green space values through environmental sustainable practices as they relate to the soil food web and nursery and landscape standards.

SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.

SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.

SAFE 1021 - Introduction to Hazard Identification
The learners are introduced to the types of hazards encountered in workplaces and the approach that should be followed when recommending and implementing appropriate controls. Two key elements of Hazard Identification are addressed: Hazard Assessment and Inspection. The Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act is discussed. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

SAFE 1023 - Introduction to Lock Out/Tag Out
Lock-out Tag Out introduces the learner to the hazards related to energized systems and procedures to ensure worker safety. Related legislation and risk management is discussed and the learner is exposed to the various types of lock-out devices. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

SAFE 1024 - Introduction to Respiratory Protection
The learner is introduced to the potential of atmospheric hazards in the workplace and the available personal protection and control methods to maintain a safe work environment. Discussion includes identification and testing for atmospheric hazards and workplace respiratory programs. The learner will be given the opportunity to select, use and maintain respiratory equipment. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

WORK 1100 - Workplace Mentoring I
This unit of instruction is designed to assist learners in managing their learning as an apprentice in the workplace. Learners will study their own experiences with learning new skills and identify their own learning preferences as an aid to developing learning strategies.