The Plant Health Major is an interdisciplinary program that combines plant pathology, entomology, and horticultural practices as part of a holistic approach to plant health protection. The program emphasizes sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) practices including cultural control, biological control, and surveys/scouting, as tools supporting overall management of pests such as insects, weeds and organisms that cause plant disease.

Students address the impacts of plant health issues on the local, regional, and international practice of horticulture. The recognition of plant health, the diagnosis of poor plant performance, and the analysis of plant health programs form the core educational goals. Students explore the impacts of weeds, pests, and diseases as well as the implementation of pest management tactics on the environment. A key feature of the program is the recognition of horticulture as part of international trade and the impact of moving plants, plant products and their pests or diseases globally.

The Bachelor of Horticulture Science program has the following strengths:

Customized education through the selection of electives that support learner educational goals
Emphasis on the economic, environmental, and social components of sustainability
Strong connections with horticulture industry and community groups
Development of essential skills such as teamwork, creative thinking, problem solving, and communication
Capstone research courses which include the application of new skills to a community based issue
Required work experience
Students may have the opportunity to engage in international studies.