Recommended Study Sequence

Horticulture is no longer just fruits, flowers and vegetables; it’s now a very broad field, encompassing science, technology, business, tourism and sociology. It impacts on the everyday lives of all Australians through parks and gardens, television programs, heritage homes, organic farming, recreational landscape development, rural tourism and the use of plants in alternative therapies.

By mastering horticulture’s diversity in the face of the challenges presented by Australia’s landscape and climate, you can play an integral part in Australia’s economic future. With a rich and innovative 115 year horticultural history and extensive facilities across the 1300 hectare Hawkesbury campus, the University of Western Sydney is well qualified to prepare you for those challenges.

The UWS Horticulture degree is designed to produce professional, practical and creative professionals with a broad and deep knowledge of plant form and function, soils, landscape design, production systems, pest and disease control, people and plant relationships, horticulture in society and cool chain care of fresh produce. It offers a range of specialisations including agribusiness and operations management, and combines traditional subjects with studies of leading-edge technologies such as biotechnology, molecular biology, genetic engineering, process engineering, botany, chemistry, microbiology and soil science.

Throughout your degree, you will be personally mentored and have access to leading research academics and projects through the UWS Centre for Plant and Food Science, a leading national research centre. Some pioneering research projects include the development of X-ray CT studies of native bee hives and the development of environmentally friendly approaches to pest management in agriculture and horticulture production.

Like all UWS science degrees, Horticulture is a very practical course. Field and laboratory practical work and industry experience are emphasised, with forty days industry placement required during the second or third year of the program. The outdoor laboratory facilities are used throughout the program as study models to develop knowledge and skills. All of the facilities required by students in horticulture are located on campus.

Course Details

Duration

3 years full-time.

Practical Experience

Professional Studies incorporates eight weeks of practical work experience.

A Career in Horticulture

As a UWS Horticulture graduate, you will be well equipped for a diverse range of professional careers in the horticultural industry, with various options open to you, depending upon the electives you choose. All students undertake industry-based work experience that proves to be a valuable asset when they enter the employment market. Recent graduates have found employment in a range of disciplines within the industry. Examples of career opportunities include:

• Landscape Horticulture – Environmental officers and amenity managers with councils, catchment boards and environmental groups (such as Greening Australia) and rural or urban development and planning organisations; consultants; advisory officers; landscape/garden designers and gardeners; ‘healing’ garden designers; environmental horticulturalists; horticulturists in print or television media; horticulturists in rural and urban development and tourism; horticulture and human well-being.
• Horticulture Production – Horticultural producers and/or business managers in production, wholesale, retail or export operations; technical consultants; advisory officers, applied researchers, managers and buyers with major supermarket chains; garden centre and nursery operations; plant breeders and seed producers.

Recommended Studies

One or more of the following subjects: Agriculture, Business Studies, Geography, Society and Culture, any two units of Mathematics, any two units of Science.

Honours

An Honours degree is available to high-achieving students.

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