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Horticulture Science

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (B.S.A.) - View all program options

Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.

Horticulture contributes to our quality of life through the food we eat and the environment we live in. It includes the sustainable production, improvement and use of fruit, vegetable, greenhouse, and ornamental crops. The Horticulture Science major integrates biology, production, aesthetics and plant breeding within a context of sound economic and environmental principles. Especially in our increasingly urbanized world, the supply and maintenance of horticulture crops as well as biopharmaceuticals are growth areas with excellent opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Year 1 courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.


AGRC 110.3 | Scientific Literacy and Communication for the Agricultural Sciences
AGRC 111.3 | Discovery in Plant and Soil Sciences
AGRC 112.3 | Animal Agriculture and Food Science
AGRC 113.3 | Agri Food Issues and Institutions
BIOL 120.3  | The Nature of Life
BIOL 121.3  | The Diversity of Life
CHEM 112.3 | General Chemistry I Structure Bonding and Properties of Materials


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What will I learn?
  • Gain practical skills in horticulture science along with an integrated understanding of biological, ecological, and economic principles
  • Develop integrative thinking to solve horticultural problems
  • Learn about how to make local food accessible and create more livable urban spaces through an economically and environmentally sustainable approach
  • Understand the sustainable production, improvement and use of fruit, vegetable, greenhouse, and ornamental crops while minimizing waste
  • Acquire skills to improve food security and sovereignty in Indigenous communities

Gain relevant experience


Create local and global connections


Get career ready

Featured courses

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue and meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Year 2 courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.


BIOL 222.3 | The Living Plant
CHEM 250.3 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry
PLSC 213.3 | Principles of Plant Ecology
PLSC 220.3 | Fundamentals of Horticulture
PLSC 235.3 | Urban Agriculture
PLSC 260.3 | Principles of Plant Protection
SLSC 240.3 | Agricultural Soil Science


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Add to your major

Choose from a variety of minors and certificates to complement your major.

Gain relevant experience


Create local and global connections


Get career ready

Career readiness competencies

Career Readiness Competencies are transferable skill sets that will prepare you for the world of work and include the top attributes that employers are looking for:

  • Career & Self-Development
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Equity & Inclusion
  • Leadership
  • Professionalism
  • Teamwork
  • Technology

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue  and meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements. NOTE: some courses are only offered on odd/even years

Year 3 and 4 courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.


BIOL 226.3 | Genes to Genomics
PLSC 317.3 | Plant Metabolism
PLSC 330.3 | Ornamental Plants
PLSC 433.3 | Greenhouse Crop Production
PLSC 441.3 | Fruit Science
PLSC 451.3 | Vegetable Agronomy
PLSC 461.3 | Post Harvest Management of Horticultural Crops
PLSC 470.3 | Plant Propagation


You choose

Apply to graduate

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Consider applying to a graduate program
Find a program

Gain relevant experience


Create local and global connections


Get career ready

Career readiness competencies

Career Readiness Competencies are transferable skill sets that will prepare you for the world of work and include the top attributes that employers are looking for:

  • Career & Self-Development
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Equity & Inclusion
  • Leadership
  • Professionalism
  • Teamwork
  • Technology

Possible destinations

People with a horticulture science degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.


Career paths

  • Agrologist
  • Atrium Management
  • Botanist
  • Crop/Food Inspection
  • Entrepreneur
  • Extension Agent
  • Golf Course Management
  • Government Staff
  • Graduate Student
  • Greenhouse Operator
  • Grower Associate
  • Horticulture Manager
  • Horticulture Marketing
  • Horticulturist
  • Irrigation Sales Rep
  • Landscaper
  • Market Gardener
  • Nursery Operator
  • Parks Technician
  • Plant Breeder
  • Plant Broker/Buyer
  • Plant Propagator
  • Producer
  • Produce Broker/Buyer
  • Research Scientist
  • Research Technician
  • Tree Care Professional
  • Tree Nursery Producer
  • University Professor
  • University Staff
  • Urban Forester
  • Urban Planner
  • Writer

Graduates in horticulture science are knowledgeable in plant science, adapt quickly to the work environment, and apply their knowledge to their work tasks effectively.

—Ruojing Wang, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ph.D. in plant sciences '04

Where do USask alumni work?

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
  • BASF
  • Bayer
  • BrettYoung Seeds
  • Canopy Growth Corporation
  • CFIA
  • City of Saskatoon
  • Corteva Agriscience
  • Federated Co-op
  • Government of Saskatchewan
  • Meewasin Valley Authority
  • Nutrien
  • PPS Fruit Trees
  • University of Saskatchewan

Explore Canadian salaries for various occupations using the Job Bank Career Planning Tool


"I am personally glad that I have obtained a degree in Horticulture Science as I feel that there will never cease to be a demand for jobs in the agriculture/horticulture industry as the population continues to grow and humans require food to eat. Thus, I feel that simply having this type of degree will help me either find a respectable job in the industry or lead to me starting my own entrepreneurial career growing local food."

—Kate, fourth-year horticulture science student

"The various hands on labs in the agriculture greenhouse along with the various field trips I have been on within my program (especially in PLSC 220) have been the most valuable to me, as they have provided real life examples of the horticulture industry and valuable knowledge of how the industry works, and what future jobs could entail."

—Erin, fourth-year horticulture science student

"Through the course of my major I have greatly enhanced my critical thinking skills and understanding of both basic and complex scientific concepts. The connections I have made and mindset I have developed through my education will be critical for success in this rapidly evolving, multi-disciplinary industry."

—Michael, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture ’21 in horticulture science