Concentrations         Back to concentrations page In 2004, the department conducted a major curricular review. We sought and received feedback from students, alumni, employers, and faculty here and at other universities. One result of our self-study process was to propose revising our concentrations. Beginning Fall 2005, we will offer four concentrations of study: Landscape Design & Construction Turfgrass Science & Management Public Horticulture Plant Science, Biotechnology and Horticulture Landscape design is our largest concentration, with about half of our ~200 students majoring in this specialty. In addition to design, the concentration has also had a focus on landscape construction for many years. More of our students find employment in hands-on landscape enhancement and maintenance than they do in straight design. To reflect this, the Landscape Design Concentration is changing to Landscape Design & Construction. To understand turfgrass growth and behavior, turfgrass managers need a strong background in plant science. Our turf curriculum has been thoroughly grounded in science for many years, and we are changing the name of the concentration to reflect this. Public horticulture continues to grow and assume greater importance in society. Our concentration name here remains the same. The Horticulture and Agronomy Concentration was devised immediately following the integration of ornamental and food production horticulture and crop sciences into one department in 2001. Student interest in agronomy and crop sciences had diminished for many years prior to 2001, yet we wanted to maintain a concentration in this important landgrant area. By 2004 we realized we could not justify maintaining a concentration with just 4 or 5 students, in a department with 200 majors. It is our hope to revitalize interest in crop sciences by integrating biotechnology. The new concentration, Plant Science, Biotechnology & Horticulture, has two tracks. The Science and Biotechnology track emphasizes fundamental plant science and molecular tools. The Production Horticulture track emphasizes production of woody ornamentals, fruit and vegetables. 2004 curricular review                                     See also: Fun stuff! Study areas/Specialties in Plant Sciences Courses:   Undergraduate   Graduate Financial Aid / Scholarships / Loans Tennessee Scholar Dollars Professional opportunities: jobs for our grads Application procedures Bursar / maps / housing / parking / VolCard / grades / transcripts / more... College Honors Research & Creative Achievements Program International Programs for Agriculture Sciences & Natural Resources Helpful online links for student information at UT Plant Sciences UG Committee Page