Welcome from the Department Head
Welcome to the Department of Horticulture at Penn State University, located in Tyson Building on the University Park campus. Our mission is to create and maintain extension, research and teaching programs, in the science, production, and creative utilization of flowers, fruits, ornamental and vegetable plants for the betterment of the citizens in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the nation and the world.Our undergraduate program offers two majors (Horticulture and Landscape Contracting) and a minor in Arboriculture. Facilities to support our teaching efforts includes more than 22,000 square feet of greenhouse space, growth chambers, a 100-acre research farm, the Cellar Market, two landscape design studios and a computer lab with 26 computers and associated printers and plotters. Faculty at the Berks campus also teach Horticulture courses and advise potential Horticulture and Landscape Contracting students. Our Undergraduate Advising Center provides students with individual counseling and facilitates the transition of students from Commonwealth campuses to University Park. Students also have access to international study tours, internships, undergraduate research opportunities, and the department annually offers about $125,000 in scholarships.
The graduate program offers graduate study leading to Masters of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The department participates in three inter-college programs (Ecology, Genetics, and Plant Biology). Opportunities exist for international study and research experience.
Research activities span the entire range of the plant sciences, including plant molecular biology, plant genetics and breeding, plant physiology, ecology, horticultural crop production and marketing, and post-harvest handling.
Research information generated on campus and at our three Research & Extension Centers located in Biglerville, Landisville, and Northeast is made available to Pennsylvania residents through our Extension programs. Extension specialists, along with county educators, transfer science-based information through educational meetings, extension bulletins, newsletters, and web sites. The Penn State Master Gardener program is administered by our department with more than 1,400 trained volunteers in 58 counties to educate the public on best practices in consumer horticulture and environmental stewardship.
We hope you enjoy our web site and you are able to find the information you are looking for because HORTICULTURE TOUCHES EVERYONE EVERY DAY!
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Best wishes,
Rich Marini
Department Head and Professor of Horticulture