Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Introduction to Horticulture (Face-to-Face)

AGSC 1800-01

Course: AGSC 1800-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ASNS
CRN: 33236

Course Description

An introductory course covering the principles and practices used in the production of horticulture crops including fruits, vegetables, nursery, turf, landscape, greenhouse, aboriculture, and floriculture crops. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

Introduction to Horticulture by Stott ISBN 978177872115

Learning Outcomes


By the end of this course:
-Students will be able to identify the different divisions of horticulture.
-Students will gain a general knowledge of the science, art, and business of horticulture plants.
-Students will develop skills needed for successful horticulture production.
-Students will be able to scientifically evaluate and communicate horticulture needs in society.
-Students will be able to apply learned academic concepts to applied situations.

Course Requirements

Assessment / Evaluation / Grading 

Student achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed through a combination of exams and assignments. 

  • Exams (60%)
    Exams (3 per semester, including the final) will assess students’ comprehension, critical thinking, and ability to apply course concepts. Exams may include multiple-choice, short answer, and problem-solving questions.

  • Assignments (40%)
    Assignments will consist of a variety of activities and participation in class discussions or group work. Assignments are intended to reinforce material, encourage application, and develop communication of ideas.

Grade Determination
Final grades will be based on the weighted average of exams and assignments as follows:

  • 60% Exams

  • 40% Assignments

Letter grades will be assigned using the following scale (unless otherwise adjusted by the instructor):

  • A = 90–100%

  • B = 80–89%

  • C = 70–79%

  • D = 60–69%

  • F = below 60%



Course Outline


Module 1: Introduction to Horticulture
  • Topics: Scope of horticulture, plant classification, career opportunities

  • Assignments:

    • Chapter 1 – What is Horticulture? (Due Sept 1, 5 pts)

    • Chapter 2 – Classifying Plants (Due Sept 3, 5 pts)

    • Flashcards: Plant Identification (Due Sept 8, 20 pts)

Module 2: Plant Structure and Function
  • Topics: Plant tissues and organs; roots, stems, leaves, flowers

  • Assignments:

    • Chapter 3 – Plant Tissues and Organs (Due Sept 10, 5 pts)

Module 3: Plant Propagation
  • Topics: Sexual and asexual propagation; seeds, cuttings, grafting

  • Assignments:

    • Chapter 13 – Plant Propagation (Due Sept 15, 5 pts)

    • Propagation Project (Due Dec 1, 60 pts)

  • Activities: Greenhouse Tour

Module 4: Exam 1 Preparation
  • Activities: Test Prep session, Exam 1

Module 5: Environmental Factors – Light
  • Topics: Role of light in plant growth; photoperiodism and photosynthesis

  • Assignments:

    • Chapter 5 – Lights and Plants (Due Sept 29, 5 pts)

  • Activities: Guest Speaker

Module 6: Environmental Factors – Temperature & Water
  • Topics: Plant responses to temperature and water availability

  • Assignments:

    • Chapter 6 – Temperature Effects on Plants (Due Oct 6, 5 pts)

    • Chapter 7 – Water in and Around Plants (Due Oct 8, 5 pts)

Module 7: Soils & Media
  • Topics: Soil structure, fertility, and media management

  • Assignments:

    • Chapter 8 – Soil and Media Management (Due Oct 15, 5 pts)

Module 8: Plant Nutrition & Mulching
  • Topics: Essential nutrients, fertilizers, and mulching practices

  • Assignments:

    • Chapter 9 – Plant Nutrition (Due Oct 20, 5 pts)

    • Chapter 10 – Mulching (Due Oct 22, 5 pts)

Module 9: Plant Growth & Maintenance
  • Topics: Plant growth regulators; pruning principles and techniques

  • Assignments:

    • Chapter 11 – Plant Growth Regulation (Due Oct 27, 5 pts)

    • Chapter 12 – Pruning (Due Oct 27, 5 pts)

  • Activities: Guest Speaker

Module 10: Postharvest & Pest Management
  • Topics: Handling produce after harvest; managing pests and diseases

  • Assignments:

    • Chapter 14 – Maintaining Postharvest Quality (Due Nov 3, 5 pts)

    • Chapter 15 – Managing Pests and Other Problems (Due Nov 3, 5 pts)

  • Activities: Guest Speaker

Module 11: Exam 2 Preparation
  • Activities: Test Prep session, Exam 2

Module 12: Genetics and Plant Improvement
  • Topics: Principles of heredity, variation, and plant breeding

  • Assignments:

    • Chapter 4 – Basic Plant Genetics (Due Nov 17, 5 pts)


Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Assignments will be accepted for 75% credit up to one week late.

Attendance Policy

Attendance

  • Regular attendance expected

  • Be on time and prepared

  • Participate respectfully (no disruptions)

  • You are responsible for all missed material; get notes from classmates, not the instructor

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.