About Environmental Horticulture

The Environmental Horticulture program at City College offers a broad curriculum in a community-based program. The program maintains strong links with employers (many of whom are ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ graduates) in both the private and public sectors.

Professional organizations such as the California Landscape Contractors Association, the Plant California Alliance, California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers and Climate Action Now! recognize the Environmental Horticultural program and provide scholarship assistance for outstanding students.
 
Environmental Horticulture provides job notices placement for its students, as well as referral to superlative internships such as those at Strybing Arboretum and Filoli Estate. 
 
The program offers excellent facilities, and a staff committed to student success.
Other program highlights include:

  • Degree and certificate programs for varied interests and levels of commitment
  • Individualized assistance in planning a course of study
  • Greenhouse and nursery facilities
  • A variety of Department and community-funded scholarships for motivated students
  • A diverse student body and a positive learning environment
  • Work experience classes and strong links to employers in the community
  • A number of A.S. degrees, Majors and Certificates are available-check the College catalog for details

Explore Potential Careers

Studying Environmental Horticulture can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have!

  • Greenhouse and Nursery Production
  • Arboriculture (Tree Care)
  • Landscape Design and Installation
  • Residential and Estate Gardening
  • Pest Control Specialist
  • Irrigation Specialist
  • Nursery Specialist / Propagator
  • City Gardener
  • Retail Nursery Sales
  • Interiorscape Design and Maintenance
  • Golf Course Maintenance
  • Park Supervision

Program Options 

Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish. 

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals. 

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
OH 50 Introduction to Environmental Horticulture 3  
OH 76 Fall and Winter Plant Identification 4  
ENGL 1A + AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 4-6  
CMST 11 Basic Public Speaking 3  

Total Units: 14-16 

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
OH 58 Greenhouse Operations 3  
OH 77 Spring and Summer Plant Identification 4  
R F 81 Flower and Foliage Identification/Culture and Care 2  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Math Requirement See Counselor 3-5  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Area H Ethnic, Women & Gender & LBGTQ Studies 3  

Total Units: 15+ 

Semester 3 (Summer)

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Area D Social & Behavioral Sciences 3  

Total Units: 3

Semester 4

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
OH 56 Horticulture Machines 3  
OH 63 Soils 3  
OH 65 Plant Propagation 3  
R F 82 Interior Plant Identification 3  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Area F United States History and Government 3  

Total Units: 15

 

Semester 5

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
OH 60 Business Practices in Environmental Horticulture 3  
OH 70A or 71A Principles of Landscape Design or Landscape Construction 3-4  
OH 75 Pest Management 3  
OH 97 Work Experience 2  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Area E Humanities 3  

Total Units: 14-15

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
OH 50 Introduction to Environmental Horticulture 3  
OH 76 Fall and Winter Plant Identification 4  
ENGL 1A + 1AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 4-6   
OH 56 Horticultural Machines 3  

Total Units:  14-16 

Semester 2 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
OH 53A Beginning Landscape Horticulture 3  
OH 75 Pest Management 3  
OH 77 Spring and Summer Plant Identification 4   
MATH 46, MATH 60 or 860, ET 108B, or ET 50, or PSYC 5, or ECON 5, or LALS 5, or PHIL 12A, or FIN 136M or higher math course (or equivalent) Math Graduation Requirement 3-8  
GE Area H Ethnic Studies, Women's and Gender Studies and LGBTQ Studies 3  

Total Units:  16-21 

Semester 3 (Summer)

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
GE Area D Social and Behavioral Sciences Requirement 3  
GE Area E Humanities Requirement 3  

Total Units: 6

Semester 4

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
OH 53B Advanced Landscape Horticulture 3  
OH 70A Principles of Landscape Design 3  
OH 71A Landscape Construction 4  
CMST 6 or ESL 79 Workplace Communication or Advanced Speaking and Pronunciation 3  
GE Area F United States History and Government Requirement 3  

Total Units: 16

 

Semester 6

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
OH 63 Soils  3  
OH 70B Advanced Principles of Landscape Design 3  
OH 71B Landscape Construction 4  
OH 97 Work Experience 3  
OH 60 Horticulture Business Practices 3  

Total Units: 16

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
OH 50 Introduction to Environmental Horticulture 3  
OH 76 Fall and Winter Plant Identification 4  
ENGL 1A + 1AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 4-6  
CMST 6 or ESL 79 or an accredited college level foreign language or oral presentation course (See Counselor) 3  

Total Units: 14-16

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
OH 56 Horticulture Machines 3  
OH 63 Soils 3  
OH 75 Pest Management 3  
OH 77 Spring and Summer Plant Identification 4  
MATH 46, MATH 60 or 860, ET 108B, or ET 50, or PSYC 5, or ECON 5, or LALS 5, or PHIL 12A, or FIN 136M or higher math course (or equivalent) Math Graduation Requirement 3-8  

Total Units: 16-21 

Semester 3

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
OH 60 Horticulture Business Practices 3  
OH 70A Principles of Landscape Design 3  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ GE Area D Social and Behavioral Sciences Requirement 3  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ GE Area E Humanities Requirement 3  
Degree Applicable Elective   3  

Total Units: 15

Semester 4

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
OH 65 Plant Propagation 3  
OH 71A Landscape Construction 4  
OH 97 Work Experience 3  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ GE Area F United States History and Government Requirement 3  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ GE Area H Ethnic Studies, Women's and Gender Studies and LGBTQ Studies 3  

Total Units:16

View Requirements in College Catalog

Required courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
O H 50 Introduction to Environmental Horticulture 3  
O H 56 Horticultural Machines 3  
O H 58 Greenhouse Operations 3   
O H 60 Horticulture Business Practices 3  
O H 63 Soils 3  
O H 65 Plant Propagation 3  
O H 75 Pest Management 3  
O H 76 Fall and Winter Plant Identification 4  
O H 77 Spring and Summer Plant Identification 4  
CMST 6 Workplace Communication* 3  

or

ESL 79 Advanced Speaking and Pronunciation* 3  

* Students may satisfy this requirement by passing an accredited college level foreign language or oral presentation course.

Total Units: 32

View Requirements in College Catalog

Required courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
O H 50 Introduction to Environmental Horticulture 3  
O H 56 Horticultural Machines 3  
O H 60 Horticulture Business Practices 3   
O H 63 Soils 3  
O H 70A Principles of Landscape Design 3  
O H 70B Advanced Principles of Landscape Design 3  
O H 75 Pest Management 3  
O H 76 Fall and Winter Plant Identification 4  
O H 77 Spring and Summer Plant Identification 4  
CMST 6 Workplace Communication* 3  

or

ESL 79 Advanced Speaking and Pronunciation* 3  

* Students may satisfy this requirement by passing an accredited college level foreign language or oral presentation course.

Total Units: 32

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
O H 50 Introduction to Environmental Horticulture 3  
O H 53A Beginning Landscape Horticulture 3  
O H 53B Advanced Landscape Horticulture 3   
O H 56 Horticultural Machines 3  
O H 60 Horticulture Business Practices 3  
O H 63 Soils 3  
O H 75 Pest Management 3  
O H 76 Fall and Winter Plant Identification 4  
O H 77 Spring and Summer Plant Identification 4  
CMST 6 Workplace Communication 3  

or

ESL 79 Advanced Speaking and Pronunciation 3  

Total Units: 32 

View Requirements in College Catalog

Required courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
O H 50 Introduction to Environmental Horticulture 3  
O H 56 Horticultural Machines 3  
O H 60 Horticulture Business Practices 3  
O H 63 Soils 3  
O H 75 Pest Management 3  
O H 76 Fall and Winter Plant Identification 4  
O H 77 Spring and Summer Plant Identification 4  
CMST 6 Workplace Communication* 3  
or      
ESL 79 Advanced Speaking and Pronunciation* 3  

* Students may satisfy this requirement by passing an accredited college level foreign language or oral presentation course.

Total Units: 26 

Transfer Options

The program coursework you complete at City College will satisfy lower-division requirements for related majors at several colleges and universities. Start planning your transfer by exploring Environmental Horticulture programs at the following institutions: 

  • California Polytechnic State University
  • University of California, Berkeley
     
  • University of California,  Davis

Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.