E Kinsley School of Engineering, Sciences and Technology

York College of Pennsylvania 

Environmental Horticulture 

The Appell Environmental Horticulture Program  

is rooted in plant science and growing plants  

sustainably for food and landscaping purposes.  The program will teach students to understand  and influence the production of food and  ornamental plants with a global perspective  of their use and how they impact global  environmental phenomena. 

FROM DAY ONE. 

QUICK FACTS 

• Diverse, hands-on 

course offerings  

• Project-based 

learning with local  

environmental partners 

• Internship requirement 

COURSES 

Students in the  Environmental Horticulture  program will carry out  research projects guided  by faculty as they move  through coursework in basic  plant science, economic  botany, fruit and vegetable  production, nursery  

management, and others.  

Our program is focused  on environmental  

sustainability and studies  the economic use of plants  from a global perspective.  While conventional  

programs focus on  

agricultural production and  yields, our program also  provides an understanding  of the environmental  

impacts and how to  

manage them. Urban food  production is part of our  program, and is not often  included at other schools. 

PROJECT-BASED LEARNING 

Students will gain hands-on environmental horticulture  experience through project-based learning experiences,  research opportunities, and internships. With a focus on  environmental sustainability, the Appell Environmental  Horticulture Program will include hands-on learning  opportunities at Millbourne, Appell’s 50-acre private estate  in York. Partnerships with local farms and urban food  production entities, as well as landscaping and ornamental  plant operations, are some additional opportunities for  project-based learning. 

“In this program, students will  gain knowledge in the effects  of food crops and ornamental  plants on water use and quality,  

how horticulture affects climate  change, and how to reduce  negative impacts.”  

- Dr. Charles MacVean, Dean, Kinsley School of Engineering, Sciences and TechnologyOUTCOMES  

Environmental Horticulture  can be described as the  science and art of improving  our world with the  

intentional use of plants  for food, landscaping, and  decoration. Professionals  in this industry are  

responsible for the  

production, utilization,  and maintenance of trees,  shrubs, houseplants,  

flowers, and turf grasses  that are used to enhance  the environment. There  are a number of career  opportunities available to  graduates of this program,  as well as graduate school  opportunities leading to  careers in research, product  development, and teaching. 

COURSES  

• BIO 142 Molecules, Genes and Cells 

• HRT 100 Plant Science 

• HRT 200 Intro to Environmental Horticulture • ENT 150 Intro to Entrepreneurship 

• HRT 300 Plant Taxonomy and Systematics • HRT 320 Soil Science and Fertility 

• BIO 290 Biostatistics 

• HRT 310 Economic Botany 

• HRT 330 Plant Nutrition and Physiology • HRT 340 Plant Pathology 

• HRT 350 Landscape Plants, Design and Management • HRT 355 Vegetable and Fruit Production • HRT 345 Applied Entomology and Integrated Pest Management 

• HRT 360 Plant Protection 

• HRT 370 Plant Propagation  

• HRT 460 Sustainable Horticulture 

Sample Careers 

• Fruit and Vegetable Farming • Landscaping and 

Turf Operations 

• Nursery Operation 

• Greenhouse Operation • Urban Food Production • Floriculture 

• Soil and Plant Management • Start your own 

Horticulture business 

For more information about  the program, contact