Fighting hunger crises, promoting the energy transition or stopping global warming – hardly anyone thinks of horticultural scientists when tackling such important issues. Crops represent a large part of our diet: They are important renewable raw materials and indispensable for the climate of our planet.
Horticultural scientists know how to grow different plants in an environmentally friendly way and how to use them optimally later. With this knowledge you play a decisive role in solving the serious problems of our time . The tasks of horticultural scientists include the management of garden centers or the creative design of gardens, parks and other green spaces.
The subject of horticulture
For the horticultural subject, first-year students do not necessarily need the often cited “green thumb”. Instead, a well-founded interest in natural science subjects , economic topics and a certain technical interest for the degree are helpful.
Horticultural science can be studied in Germany at both universities and technical colleges. At most universities, horticulture is divided into two sub-areas: production horticulture and service horticulture. In production horticulture, students deal with production, i.e. the cultivation of vegetables, fruit, ornamental plants, trees and perennials. In the area of services horticulture it goes the other hand, issues such as garden design and landscaping or marketing and sales.
Bachelor’s degree in horticulture
At the beginning of the bachelor’s program are scientific principles taught on which further study is based. Mathematics , chemistry and biology are on the curriculum for the Bachelor’s degree . Specialized knowledge is imparted in subjects such as soil science, botany, plant nutrition or horticultural technology. In later semesters, students can then draw up a work field of horticulture among others in crop production or the organic gardening specialize .
Master’s degree in horticulture
According to searchforpublicschools, graduates of the bachelor’s degree in horticulture either enter the profession directly or deepen their knowledge as part of a master’s degree. The master makes sense when you later leadership clothe or a scientific career will take. As a rule, the master’s degree can specialize in a sub-area of horticulture .
The subject of horticulture abroad
The range of horticultural science courses abroad is diverse. Unlike in Germany, the subject is rarely divided into production horticulture and service horticulture.
Many bachelor’s degree programs in the field of horticulture , as the subject is called in English-speaking countries, offer the option of choosing a focus at the beginning of the degree :
- Urban Ecosystems
- Plant biodiversity / restoration
- Floriculture and Nursery
The challenges of horticulture are linked to the existing landscape and the prevailing climate. Studying abroad gives budding horticultural scientists the opportunity to get to know different soil conditions, new cultivation methods and, last but not least, unknown vegetation .
Advantages of studying abroad
Horticultural scientists are in demand internationally . Studying horticulture abroad for one or more semesters is the best preparation for a job abroad or in an internationally oriented company.
Getting to know other cultivation and production methods helps to sharpen one’s own professional profile and thus to be of interest to potential employers. A special plus point on the résumé is the professional training abroad , which is not yet widely available in Germany.
Continuing education programs for students and professionals
A stay abroad can also be useful in vocational training. Many universities in English-speaking countries offer a wide range of training programs for gardeners and other people involved in gardening and landscaping. A certificate in Ornamental Horticulture (ornamental garden design) or Turf Management (green space maintenance) from a university abroad can represent a valuable additional qualification and improve professional prospects.
Occupational fields
Horticultural scientists are active in a wide variety of fields. Most of the graduates in Germany currently work in the field of commercial horticulture , which includes the following institutions:
- Horticultural company
- Supplier industry
- Fertilizer manufacturer
- Manufacturer of horticultural machinery
- Universities
- state and private research laboratories
Horticultural scientists also work in trade, sales and in advising garden centers, horticultural companies and plant protection authorities . Some graduates become self-employed after several years of professional experience , for example as independent horticultural consultants or with their own production company.
