The program enables students to develop plant-based solutions to improve human diets and medicines in ways that result in healthier populations.

Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

  1. Develop an integrated knowledge base in the disciplines related to horticulture and human health, specifically in plant biology, food and medicinal crop production, human nutrition, and development and treatment of chronic disease;
  2. Construct systems-level intervention plans (i.e. farm-to-fork) that state and test hypotheses about plants and human health, achieving meaningful technical objectives;
  3. Apply and evaluate effective, contemporary professional and communication skills for scientific and non-scientific audiences; and,
  4. Demonstrate and assess professional and ethical behavior. Students write a scholarly paper (as per Plan B requirements) to achieve learning objectives focused on critical thinking, analyses, and writing skills.

Effective Fall 2023

Required Courses:
HORT 401Medicinal and Value-Added Uses of Plants3
HORT 515/AGRI 515Urban Horticulture3
HORT 521Horticulture and Human Health and Well-Being3
HORT 522Horticulture and Human Health Issues3
HORT 523Screening Crops for Human Health Traits3
HORT 524Food Pharmacology, Horticulture, and Health3
HORT 578/FTEC 578Phytochemicals and Probiotics for Health3
HORT 698Research7
Electives (see list below)7
Program Total Credits:35

Electives

Select a minimum of 7 credits from the following:
FSHN 530Principles of Nutrition Science & Metabolism3
FSHN 531Diet, Nutrition, and Chronic Disease3
FSHN 532Emerging Issues in Nutrition3
FSHN 540Nutrigenomics and Advanced Lipid Metabolism3
HORT 310Greenhouse Management4
HORT 410Postharvest Biology and Technology3
HORT 453Principles of Fruit Crop Management3
HORT 454Horticulture Crop Production and Management2
HORT 476Environmental Plant Stress Physiology3
HORT 511Green Roof Culture3

A minimum of 35 credits are required to complete this program. 

For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.

Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees

NOTE:  Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.

Forms are available online.

Step Due Date
1. Application for admission (online) Six months before first registration
2. Diagnostic examination when required Before first registration
3. Appointment of advisor Before first registration
4. Selection of graduate committee Before the time of fourth regular semester registration
5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) Before the time of fourth regular semester registration
6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) Two terms prior to final examination
7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) Within two working days after results are known
8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) When change is made
9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website
9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying
10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee
11. Final examination Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website
12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website
13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website.
14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website
15. Graduation Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website