HORT 201 Horticultural Science and Practices
Horticultural Sciences can be considered the "HORT 101" course for horticulture majors at A&M. This class essentially teaches the basics of horticulture. More specifically, this class focused on the practices, structure, and growth & development of plants from a scientific and practical approach. We studied environmental effects on plants, basic principles of propagation, outdoor production, greenhouse production, plant nutrition, pruning, and integrated pest management. This was the first horticulture class I took at A&M, so I view it with extreme importance. Overall, this class gave my foundation in horticultural science that would allow to me better understand and succeed in the classes that were to come in my future years at Texas A&M.
HORT 306 Trees and Shrubs for Sustainable Built Environments
In HORT 306 we studied the identification, morphology, classification, nomenclature and adaptability for use of woody ornamental plants in the landscape environment. This class was very enjoyable for me. The lecture consisted of our professing going over a list of plants each week. With each list he described the plant in great deal and what sites they would do well on, what sites they would do well on, aesthetic pros & cons, advantages to wildlife, practical use in landscapes, etc. This class sparked my interest in possibly pursing a career in landscaping. I have always appreciated the outright beauty of plants, but this class enabled me to focus not only on their outer appearance but also on their practical uses. In addition to this, I also learned the importance of not just simply satisfying the needs and wants of your clients, but doing so in a way that would provide them with a landscape that is practical and sustainable.
HORT 325 Vegetable Crop Production
In HORT 325 I studied the origin, nutritive value, economic importance, botany and cultural practices of the major vegetable crops. Our lab activities included organic and non-organic production of major vegetable crops. This class truly allowed me to practice what I had learned in the classroom out in a field plot. This class enabled me to properly identify plant diseases, pest insects, proper cultivation of fruits and vegetables, etc. I also learned that the weather truly is one of the most important factors concerning vegetable production; with this I learned how to handle a cold freeze after it happened, or an intense heat wave. It also strengthened my work ethic and gave me a closer look into the hard work it requires to be a successful farmer.
SCSC 301 Soil Science
In SCSC 301 we learned about the nature and properties of soils. We were taught a detailed explanation of the various soils, their components and roles in the environment. This class taught me more than I thought I could have ever learned about soil. While taking this class I learned that there is a great deal of things happening beneath the soil surface. More importantly, I learned that the composition and makeup of plants is greatly determined but what soil they are grown in. Mid-way into this class I learned that if you are going to farm, your first focus needs to be on your soil. By taking this class I learned that soil health and composition depends on chemistry, cultural practices, microscopic and beneficial organisms, and the kind and amount of amendments you need to add to your soil. This class strengthened my skills in calculating amounts of fertilizer that need to be applied, correct cultural practices as to not destroy the composition of soil, and so much more!
ENTO 201 General Entomology
In ENTO 201, we studied the major classes of arthropods with special emphasis on species of economic or biological importance. We also studied the general insect anatomy, physiology, metamorphosis and classification. We studied the biologies of insect orders and major families using common injurious and beneficial species to relate material to production agriculture and the urban environment. Overall, this class spoke volumes to me. Considering I plan on working out in a field for the rest of my life, especially with plants, it is of the upmost importance that I am familiar with both the pest and beneficial insects that I will come into contact with. In this class we were required to make an insect collection consisting of a total of 22 insects from 11 different classes. The insect collection truly felt like an art to me. While pinning my insects, I also got to take a closer look at the makeup of their bodies. Not to mention, I scouted most of the insects that I pinned from the farm I worked at.
HORT 335 Sociohorticulture
HORT 335 focuses on horticulture as it relates to humans through people-plant interactions. We studied the use of horticulture to improve quality of life, and awareness & appreciation of the economic, environmental, social and health benefits of plants. This is one of the classes that resonated most with me during my time at A&M. In this class, we truly focused on the relationship between plants and peoples, specifically how much we rely on plants and how much they affect us. It is in this class that I developed my love and passion for horticultural therapy.