Graduate Field of Horticulture (M.S./Ph.D.)
The Graduate Field of Horticulture includes the study of fruits, vegetables and landscape plants to sustain the environment, the economy, and our quality of life. Graduate students can select one of four concentrations: Horticultural Crop Breeding, Horticulture Crop Management, Physiology & Ecology of Horticultural Crops, and Human-Plant Interactions
Master of Professional Studies (MPS)
The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Agriculture and Life Sciences degree offered through the School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) is a one-year, course-based master's degree, ideal for individuals who are interested in in-depth study of the issues and advancements in plant and soil sciences.
Undergraduate Plant Sciences Major
With a Major in the Plant Sciences, you can:
- Expand our knowledge of fundamental plant biology
- Find new ways to produce enough nutritious food for a growing world population.
- Breed plants to tolerate the heat- and drought-stress caused by climate change.
- Develop sustainable cropping practices to produce healthful food while protecting the environment.
- Investigate new methods to fight plant diseases.
- Restore damaged ecosystems to better support those who live there.
- Conserve species, through plant collections in gardens and arboretums, for future generations.
Related majors
In addition to the Plant Sciences Major, Horticulture Faculty contribute to the teaching efforts of other related majors:
- Agricultural Sciences
- Viticulture and Enology
- Biology with a Plant Biology Concentration
- International Agriculture and Rural Development (IARD)
Undergraduate minors
Minors offered by the School of Integrative Plant Science will broaden your horticulture education at Cornell:
- Plant Sciences
- Crop Management
- Fungal Biology
- Horticulture
- Plant Breeding
- Soil Science
Experiential learning and hands-on research opportunities for undergraduates
All Plant Sciences Majors are required to engage in at least one experiential learning opportunity while at Cornell. Most meet this requirement either through internships or research experience. Learn more about these real-life learning experiences.
Continuing education
Horticultural learning isn't just for undergraduate, graduate, and MPS students. It lasts a lifetime. Here are some opportunities to continue your education ...
- Horticulture Distance Learning - Online courses on botanical illustration, organic gardening, plant propagation, and beginning farming.
- Master Gardener Volunteer Program - Improve your community through gardening by becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer.
- Cornell Botanic Gardens education programs - Tours, lectures, classes and more at Cornell's renowned botanical gardens, arboretum and natural areas.
- Seminars and events - Online seminars and field days from the School of Integrative Plant Science.