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Applied Biological Sciences (Sustainable Horticulture), BS

Are you interested in growing sustainable plants, foods and herbs? Cultivate your expertise in a program where biology meets hands-on plant training. Build practical skills through work in an urban desert environment, vertical farming and plant-related technologies.

Apply now
Under pink grow lights, a student tends plants indoors, highlighting sustainable horticulture in ASU’s Applied Biological Sciences program

Quick facts

Courses

120 credit hours
Math intensity: Moderate program math intensity moderate
First required math course: MAT 210 - Brief Calculus
or MAT 251 Calculus for Life Sciences
View more details

Additional facts

STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes

International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Degree description

Program description

If you want theoretical and practical experiences in distinct aspects of plant culture in an urban desert environment, the sustainable horticulture concentration within the Bachelor of Science program in applied biological sciences is designed for you.

You acquire the skills to produce, design and care for ornamental and edible plantscapes. If you are interested in sustainable practices, you have the opportunity to specialize in vertical farming and other plant-related technologies. In this program, you contextualize knowledge through experience-based learning activities, including:

  • case studies
  • faculty-guided research and service-learning projects
  • field trips
  • greenhouse experiences
  • internships

Courses

Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.

Sample courses
ABS 390 Professional Identity and Career Foundation
ABS 490 Applied Biological Sciences Seminar
BIO 181 General Biology I
BIO 182 General Biology II
BIO 340 General Genetics
ABS 100 Discovering the Professions

Course checksheet and curriculum archive

The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.

What If

Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).

Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.

If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.

See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)

Admission requirements

Here are the admission and application details

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.


Explore expanded study opportunities

This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

General contact
602-496-0450
Learn more about this program

Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Global experience

Students can explore habitats and ecosystems around the world in one of several Global Education programs. Opportunities include working with scientists and conducting independent research. Students can stay on track for graduation by earning ASU credit while they become immersed in other cultures. Studying abroad helps students to build professional skills that employers demand, such as collaboration and critical thinking.

Paying for college

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Get an estimate

Build the career and future you want

Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:

Career opportunities showing job titles, projected growth rates, median salaries, and links to detailed information
Career Growth Median Salary More Information
Agriculture Professor 2.9% $98,700
Biological Scientist (General) 4.7% $98,920
Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO) 3.5% $76,210
Life Scientist 6.3% $93,750
Soil Scientist 6.7% $78,850

Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.

Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).


More about careers

Careers this sustainable horticulture concentration prepares you for

Horticulture is a multibillion-dollar national and international enterprise that offers a diverse and exciting choice of professional careers. Graduates can pursue numerous entry-level careers in horticulture. Employment opportunities exist in the private and public sectors. The general program in sustainable horticulture also prepares graduates to succeed in roles such as:

  • arboretum or botanical garden manager
  • city horticulturist
  • horticultural consultant, plant researcher or educator
  • horticulture supply sales representative
  • integrated pest management specialist
  • interior plant specialist or plant propagator
  • landscape designer or contractor
  • nursery plant broker or cultivator and plant salesperson
  • organic urban farmer or permaculturist
  • urban plant ecologist, forester, tree specialist or arborist

Career opportunities for urban horticulture graduates are not limited to any geographic location; graduates can embark on careers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and overseas.

Contact information

Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.

School of Applied Sciences and Arts | SANCA 233
CISA@asu.edu
480-727-1526

Frequently asked questions about degree programs

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

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