Bachelor of Science - Plant & Horticultural Sciences major
Bachelor of Science - Plant & Horticultural Sciences major
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Upcoming start dates
Semester 1 - 17 Feb 2025
Semester 2 - 14 Jul 2025
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Qualification
Bachelors
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Duration
3 years full-time
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Credits
360
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Location
Lincoln University Campus
The horticultural sector plays a pivotal role in shaping Aotearoa’s economic landscape and there’s a growing demand for a qualified workforce. With the Bachelor of Science, majoring in Plant and Horticultural Sciences, you’ll unearth your potential in a thriving industry.
This degree helps you develop critical knowledge in applied plant production, integrated pest management and problem solving. With a clear focus on sustainability, the programme will prepare you to make a real difference in any number of technical, advocacy and management roles.
You will also benefit from working at our Living Laboratory, an outdoor setting on campus that brings together research partners and students to explore challenges facing our world. You will increase your hands-on experience of the different aspects of horticultural production.
How you’ll grow
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Explain how horticultural plants grow in relation to soil, temperature, water, light and nutrition
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Understand the principles and practices concerning pruning, training and harvesting of horticultural crops
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Discuss the significance of sustainable production, integrated pest management and how Mātauranga Māori can be integrated and applied in commercial field operations
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Describe the different plant growth regulators and how these interact in horticultural production systems
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Identify the different controlled environment production systems, including managing an indoor climate and understanding growing media and fertilisers utilised in horticultural production systems
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Integrate knowledge and skills from different disciplines to help solve complex problems in a wide range of plant and horticultural sciences industries.
Career opportunities
Armed with this degree, you’ll be prepared to undertake a wide range of technical, advocacy and management roles across the agriculture and horticultural production industries.
Programme information
University Entrance through NCEA, or an approved equivalent qualification.
*If English is not your first language, other entry requirements will apply. Learn more about English language requirements.
Recommended preparation
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Biology (highly recommended)
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Chemistry (highly recommended)
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English
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Māori Studies (highly recommended)
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Maths/Statistics
Summary of Regulations
All of the following:
- Pass at least 360 credits (24 courses)
- Pass all compulsory courses
- Complete no more than 165 credits (11 courses ) at the 100 level
- Complete at least 75 credits (five courses) at the 300 level
- Meet the requirements of at least one of the named Bachelor of Science majors
Please refer to the Academic Calendar for all of the suggested electives for the Bachelor of Science.
What's it going to cost?
Learn more by using the Domestic Fees Calculator or viewing the International Fees.
You can start studying in either:
- Semester 1 (late February)
- Semester 2 (mid July)*
There are also options for starting in summer semesters, although the range of courses available would be limited.
*Please obtain course advice if you’re considering this option.
There may be an opportunity to add an additional major to your programme of study. Please refer to the Course Advisor for further information.
Graduate Attributes refer to the knowledge, skills, and values that you gain from completing your qualification. These high-level qualities will prepare you for career success, further study or research and making a valuable contribution to society in your chosen field.
Knowledge
- Describe the biological, physiological, and biochemical processes that underpin plant form and function.
- Describe the scientific principles of plant physiology.
- Outline current scientific and public debates in plant production, including sustainability and biotechnologies.
- Describe the major weeds, plant diseases and pests that impact plant production in New Zealand.
- Describe the management methods for biosecurity, the control of pests, and their impact on horticultural production and biodiversity.
- Identify key functional areas of management and their interlinkage with the overall global supply chain.
Outline how plant performance can be manipulated to improve plant production with consideration to sustainability.
Skills
- Acquire, analyse and interpret information across a range of plant systems.
- Utilise and expand existing knowledge and skills to solve a range of theoretical and practical problems.
- Apply the scientific method and correctly interpret the results of scientific studies.
- Apply scientific methods in a real-world context through exposure to industry and sectors that utilise this science.
- Employ scientific methods to solve problems, both independently and as part of a team.
- Competently apply statistics and biometrics, in the design of experiments and data analysis.
- Collect, collate, synthesise, and interpret data across a wide range of disciplines.
- Communicate information effectively in written and/or oral form to lay and expert audiences.
- Relate effectively to people from a wide range of backgrounds and communities.
- Use self-directed learning.
Values
- Appreciate the key principles and practices underpinning sustainable development in plant production.
- Evaluate the ethical implications of scientific research.
- Appreciate the key principles and practices underpinning horticultural production science and their limitations.
- Develop an awareness of Māori perspectives and their implications for plant and horticultural science.
- Develop an awareness of the importance of cultural indigenous knowledge.
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Entry requirements
University Entrance through NCEA, or an approved equivalent qualification.
*If English is not your first language, other entry requirements will apply. Learn more about English language requirements.
Recommended preparation
-
Biology (highly recommended)
-
Chemistry (highly recommended)
-
English
-
Māori Studies (highly recommended)
-
Maths/Statistics
-
Regulations and fees
Summary of Regulations
All of the following:
- Pass at least 360 credits (24 courses)
- Pass all compulsory courses
- Complete no more than 165 credits (11 courses ) at the 100 level
- Complete at least 75 credits (five courses) at the 300 level
- Meet the requirements of at least one of the named Bachelor of Science majors
Please refer to the Academic Calendar for all of the suggested electives for the Bachelor of Science.
What's it going to cost?
Learn more by using the Domestic Fees Calculator or viewing the International Fees.
-
Intake semesters
You can start studying in either:
- Semester 1 (late February)
- Semester 2 (mid July)*
There are also options for starting in summer semesters, although the range of courses available would be limited.
*Please obtain course advice if you’re considering this option.
-
Additional major
There may be an opportunity to add an additional major to your programme of study. Please refer to the Course Advisor for further information.
-
Graduate Attributes
Graduate Attributes refer to the knowledge, skills, and values that you gain from completing your qualification. These high-level qualities will prepare you for career success, further study or research and making a valuable contribution to society in your chosen field.
Knowledge
- Describe the biological, physiological, and biochemical processes that underpin plant form and function.
- Describe the scientific principles of plant physiology.
- Outline current scientific and public debates in plant production, including sustainability and biotechnologies.
- Describe the major weeds, plant diseases and pests that impact plant production in New Zealand.
- Describe the management methods for biosecurity, the control of pests, and their impact on horticultural production and biodiversity.
- Identify key functional areas of management and their interlinkage with the overall global supply chain.
Outline how plant performance can be manipulated to improve plant production with consideration to sustainability.
Skills
- Acquire, analyse and interpret information across a range of plant systems.
- Utilise and expand existing knowledge and skills to solve a range of theoretical and practical problems.
- Apply the scientific method and correctly interpret the results of scientific studies.
- Apply scientific methods in a real-world context through exposure to industry and sectors that utilise this science.
- Employ scientific methods to solve problems, both independently and as part of a team.
- Competently apply statistics and biometrics, in the design of experiments and data analysis.
- Collect, collate, synthesise, and interpret data across a wide range of disciplines.
- Communicate information effectively in written and/or oral form to lay and expert audiences.
- Relate effectively to people from a wide range of backgrounds and communities.
- Use self-directed learning.
Values
- Appreciate the key principles and practices underpinning sustainable development in plant production.
- Evaluate the ethical implications of scientific research.
- Appreciate the key principles and practices underpinning horticultural production science and their limitations.
- Develop an awareness of Māori perspectives and their implications for plant and horticultural science.
- Develop an awareness of the importance of cultural indigenous knowledge.
Programme Structure
Prescribed course awaiting approval
The course below cannot currently be included in the programme structure above as it is yet to be approved, but is compulsory and needs to be included in course planning:
Level 100
- HORT109 – Horticultural Science Principles and Practices
Year 1
Semester 1 Courses
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Semester 1 Courses
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{{ 'BIOS 110' | except-last-word }} {{ 'BIOS 110' | last-word }}
Biological Sciences
15 credits
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{{ 'HORT 107' | except-last-word }} {{ 'HORT 107' | last-word }}
Introduction to Horticulture
15 credits
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{{ 'PHSC 101' | except-last-word }} {{ 'PHSC 101' | last-word }}
Chemistry IA
15 credits
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Elective
Semester 2 Courses
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Semester 2 Courses
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{{ 'ECOL 103' | except-last-word }} {{ 'ECOL 103' | last-word }}
Ecology I: New Zealand Ecology and Conservation
15 credits
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{{ 'MAST 120' | except-last-word }} {{ 'MAST 120' | last-word }}
Mahika Kai
15 credits
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{{ 'PLSC 104' | except-last-word }} {{ 'PLSC 104' | last-word }}
Plant Science I
15 credits
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{{ 'SOSC 106' | except-last-word }} {{ 'SOSC 106' | last-word }}
Soil Science I
15 credits
Year 2
Semester 1 Courses
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Semester 1 Courses
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{{ 'HORT 222' | except-last-word }} {{ 'HORT 222' | last-word }}
Principles of Propagation and Nursery
15 credits
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BSc - Plant&HortSc Sem 1 Electives*
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Elective
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Elective
Semester 2 Courses
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Semester 2 Courses
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{{ 'HORT 272' | except-last-word }} {{ 'HORT 272' | last-word }}
Fruit Crop Production
15 credits
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{{ 'PLSC 201' | except-last-word }} {{ 'PLSC 201' | last-word }}
Plant Science II: Plant Function
15 credits
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{{ 'PLPT 203' | except-last-word }} {{ 'PLPT 203' | last-word }}
Plant Pest Management
15 credits
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{{ 'QMET 201' | except-last-word }} {{ 'QMET 201' | last-word }}
Biometrics
15 credits
Year 3
Semester 1 Courses
Semester 2 Courses
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Semester 2 Courses
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{{ 'HORT 330' | except-last-word }} {{ 'HORT 330' | last-word }}
Fruit and Vegetable Science and Technology
15 credits
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{{ 'PLPT 306' | except-last-word }} {{ 'PLPT 306' | last-word }}
Sustainable Plant Protection
15 credits
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{{ 'PLSC 325' | except-last-word }} {{ 'PLSC 325' | last-word }}
Environmental Plant Biology
15 credits
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Elective
- Compulsory courses
- Elective courses
- Choose between an elective or the list below
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*BSc - Plant&HortSc Sem 1 Electives
List A
Please note this degree structure is indicative only. A course advisor can assist you to select your electives and plan your degree.
Upon successful completion of this degree programme, you will be awarded with a Bachelor of Science with a Plant and Horticultural Sciences major.
Programme contacts
Key information for students
Compare qualification and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Need more info?
Email us on grow@lincoln.ac.nz
Or call us on 0800 10 60 10
If you're overseas, please call +64 3 423 0000
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