Horticulture Co-op Information for Employers
Adding Value to Your Team
The nursery, landscaping, turf, and floriculture segments of the horticulture industry are areas of sustained growth and development in Ontario and Canada. The Associate Diploma in the Horticulture program provides a basic curriculum in ornamental horticulture and an opportunity to take specialized courses in various components of the industry. Practical experience and training complement the more formal material presented in lectures and provide an opportunity to acquire the practical skills required in greenhouse and landscaping firms. The program prepares students for a variety of career opportunities in landscaping, nursery and greenhouse firms,, municipal parks, garden centers, and private businesses.
University of Guelph Advantage
The Ontario Agrciultural College (OAC) of the University of Guelph is internationally renowned for its research, teaching, and knowledge extension. The Associate Diploma in Horticulture Co-op program offers students the chance to experience working in the industry while accomplishing their studies. The program ensures students develop relevant skills through practical labs and hands-on experiences. Students broaden their knowledge by taking specialized courses including arboriculture, cannabis production, greenhouse management, viticulture and horticultural pest management. They learn to function in a professional environment, work in teams, solve problems, and be knowledgeable about a wide variety of plants and their growing requirements.
The co-op work term is scheduled after the second academic semester, providing a foundation on which to build the work experience.
Student Strengths
Critical Thinking
Skills and knowledge to maintain, adjust and repair equipment used in horticulture. Knowledge of the function, structure, production practices and management techniques of greenhouses.
Deep Understanding
Develop relevant skills to national standards through the use of live horses in practical labs and experiential learning opportunities. Ability to identify exterior and interior landscape plants as well as common weeds.
Application
Applied practical training on campus grounds and in the campus greenhouse.
Horticulture Co-op Work Term Schedule
| YEAR | FALL | WINTER | SUMMER |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONE | Academic | Academic | Work |
| TWO | Academic | Academic |
Horticulture Course Sequencing
Please see the current Associate Diploma Calendar for more information.
Fall
- Introduction To Co-operative Education
- Communications & Software Applications I
- Applied Plant Science
- Applied Mathematics
- Soil and Water Use in Agroecosystems
- Plant Identification I
- Horticultural Equipment Operation and Safety
Winter
- Communications & Software Applications II
- Plant Propagation
- Greenhouse Production and Vertical Farming
- HVAC and Water System Automation
- Pest Identification - Entomology, Pathology and Weeds
- 1 Restricted Elective
Summer
Work Term One
Fall
- Introduction to Business Management
- Plant Identification II
- Nursery Management
- 2 Electives
- 1 Restricted Elective
Winter
- Financial Management
- Pesticide Certification and Safety
- Integrated Pest Management and Biological Control
- 1 Elective
- 2 Restricted Electives
Restricted Electives
- Introduction to Landscape Construction
- Greenhouse Structures and Engineering
- Turf and Garden Maintenance
- Greenhouse Ornamental Production
- Greenhouse Vegetable and Small Fruit Production
- Advanced Greenhouse Management
- Arboriculture
- Landscape Design
About Us
The Experiential Learning Hub is home to experiential learning opportunities on and off-campus, co-op, career education and community engaged learning.