Overview
Do you enjoy working with your hands, cultivating plants, and beautifying landscapes? Are you interested in cultivating crops year-round and learning greenhouse techniques? As a Sheridan College student, you will engage in classroom studies, and practical, hands-on labs. Sheridan College’s on-campus greenhouses, small class sizes, and enthusiastic expert instructors will help you achieve your academic goals.
The plant sciences degree engages students in the study of the relationships between plants, soils, insects, animals, and humans. Students will learn the science and cultural practices necessary for successful crop production, landscape management, and restoration. This degree will prepare students to pursue a career or transfer degree in horticulture, agro-ecology, agronomy, weed science, restoration ecology, or related disciplines.
Why Sheridan College?
- Gain hands-on experience with our four student-run greenhouses at the state-of-the-art Mars Agriculture Center.
- Sheridan College has a high job-placement rate for our plant sciences graduates.
- Our Plant Sciences Program is one of the premier two-year programs in the state and region.
World-Class Facilities
The Mars Agriculture Center is a 16,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art building with top-notch learning environments for a variety of disciplines within the Sheridan College Ag Department. It also encompasses outdoor learning spaces such as the field lab, livestock barn, farrier barn, and greenhouses.
Sheridan College has four professional greenhouses in addition to the outdoor field lab space.
Over 2.5 acres of field lab space, featuring hop vines, orchard, vineyard, and rangeland plant spaces as well as free range chickens. The hops are harvested every year in collaboration with our local Black Tooth Brewing Company.
The herbarium houses over 2500 preserved, pressed plant specimens for plant ID and plant research activities.
The science labs support small laboratory classes in plant science sciences, soil science, animal science, and genetics. They are equipped with a variety of modern technological tools used in these areas.
Careers & Industry Outlook
A degree in plant sciences can lead graduates to jobs in every state, working as greenhouse and nursery managers, agriculture educators, golf and sports turf managers, and wholesale growers. Many Sheridan College graduates have also founded business ventures as horticulturists.
Industry Projections
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts steady growth in the plant sciences field, with a 7 percent increase in jobs in agriculture and food scientists, as well as 11 percent job growth in grounds maintenance, from 2016-2026.
Job Types
Sheridan College’s Plant Sciences degree can lead you to a career such as:
| Horticultural Specialist |
| Greenhouse Manager |
| Nursery Manager |
| Landscape Designer |
| Park Management |
| Agriculture Educator |
| Golf and Sports Turf Management |
| Landscape Contractor |
| Garden Manager |
| Floral Designer |
| Wholesale Grower |
| Research Scientist |
Curriculum
Associate of Science
The Plant Sciences AS degree engages students in the study of the relationships between plants, soils, insects, animals and humans. Students will learn the science and cultural practices necessary for successful crop production, landscape management and restoration. This degree will prepare students to pursue a career or transfer degree in horticulture, agroecology, agronomy, weed science, restoration ecology or related disciplines.
Program Outcomes
- Design solutions to real-world plant science issues using the scientific method
- Describe plant-soil interactions and their effects on plant health and productivity
- Manage environmental factors to promote healthy plant growth and propagation in outdoor and controlled environment situations
- Identify and describe plant material using correct terminology (taxonomy, anatomy, morphology, and physiology)
- Evaluate the cost/benefit of horticultural practices.
Scholarships
We make it easy. $3.7 million in scholarships awarded annually.
Financial Aid
Let us help you navigate the numerous financial aid opportunities available.
Faculty
Our Agriculture Department faculty are enthusiastic and approachable. They will make sure you learn the foundational skills to further your education or find a job following graduation. Sheridan College’s strong relationships with local and national industries in rangeland management, wildlife management, and agriculture present students with unique opportunities to expand their college experiences.
-
Rebecca Atkinson
Associate Professor Animal Science -
Ami Erickson
Professor Horticulture; Instructor, Plant Sciences -
Quint Gonzales
Instructor, Farrier -
Mae Smith
Agriculture Program Director; Instructor: Agriculture and Rangeland Management -
Angel Sparkman
Assistant Professor Ag; Instructor: Agricultural Business
Rebecca Atkinson
Ami Erickson
Quint Gonzales
Mae Smith
