Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Course Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Horticulture, Plant Production Concentration, AAS


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The Horticulture program provides students with technical training in the broad horticultural field through the classroom, greenhouse, turf lab, tree nursery and practical on-the-job employment experiences.

Graduates of the program will be capable of filling jobs in fields such as greenhouse operator and management involving greenhouse production, scheduling and marketing; landscaping involving design, planting and maintaining trees, shrubs, turf and foliage plants for the beautification of home, commercial, public and recreational grounds. Other jobs may include turf management involving establishing, managing and maintaining grassed areas for ornamental and/or recreational purposes; nursery operation and management concerned with the production of trees, shrubs and turf for the purpose of transplanting or propagating them. Employment may also be found in garden center merchandising and management, merchandising of flowers and foliage plants and their design. Certificates of specialization are offered in Greenhouse Production, Landscape Design and Turf Maintenance.

In addition to the required and option courses listed, there are elective courses that may be taken for additional credit. Those courses are AGH 160  Irrigation Systems and AGH 241  Sports Turf.

For more information about the Horticulture program, please visit our website at https://www.dmacc.edu/programs/ag/horticulture/Pages/welcome.aspx.

Program Details


Location: Ankeny


Students may start any semester


Program Entry Requirements


  1. Complete an application for admission.
  2. Satisfy the assessment requirement.
  3. Attend any required information/registration session.

Graduation Requirements


To earn a Horticulture AAS degree, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

Semester 2


Total Credits Required to Complete the Plant Production Concentration - 72


Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$151.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs


Costs Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4 Semester 5
Books (approximate) 205 255 105 185 275
Supplies 105   15   15   15  
Equipment 135        
Field Trips (2)   80   55 105    

Approximate total for program: $12,422**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


  • Care for and maintain grounds, trees, plants, gardens, shrubbery and other greenery.
  • Pest control for plants.
  • Production and/or sales of commercial horticultural plants and products.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?


  • Work independently.
  • Follow directions and accept responsibility for your own work.
  • Demonstrate your knowledge of plant materials and use of horticulture terminology, skills and equipment.
  • Deal with people in a pleasant, businesslike way.
  • Use math in the selling and purchasing of materials and supplies and for calculating chemical/fertilizer applications.
  • Physical ability to perform horticulture tasks.

What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice?


  • Need access to transportation for employment experience.
  • There is much variety in this work due to seasonal changes; may work outdoors in all kinds of weather.
  • Allergies to plants and pollen can be a problem.
  • Entry-level positions usually involve some level of physical activity and you are sometimes on your feet long hours.
  • Average starting salary is $26,440 (2010-2011 Placement Report).

Nondiscrimination Statement


DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, National & Environmental Services /Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Arts, Design, and Visual communications/Business, Management, and Marketing/Education, Public, and Human Services/Health Science/Hospitality and Culinary/Information Technology/Manufacturing/Transportation & Logistics

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6857, sgbittner@dmacc.edu.  Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6574, dkmckittrick@dmacc.edu.  Question or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone 312/730-1560, tax 312/730-1576..

Legal references: Iowa Code §§ 216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S. C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S. C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S. C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).(2017)

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