• Plant Science

    The Plant Science program of study focuses on the science, research, and business of plants and other living organisms. It teaches students how to apply biology and life science to real-world life processes of plants and vegetation, either in laboratories or in the field.

  • Plant Science
  • Agriculture  The Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) Career Cluster focuses on the essential elements of life - food, water, land, and air. This career cluster includes a diverse spectrum of occupations, ranging from farmer, rancher, and veterinarian to geologist, land conservationist, and florist. It also includes non-traditional agricultural occupations like wind energy, solar energy, and oil and gas production.

  • Meets the requirements of the Business and Industry endorsement or STEM endorsement (if math/science requirements are met).   Business Industries STEM

  • Course Information

    Courses below are not tied to grade levels.  Not all courses have a required prerequisite. 

    For more course information, click on the name of course.

    Level 1

    Course: 55170Q SEMESTER
    Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
    Credit: 1
    Grade: 9 - 10
    Course Key:  55170Q
    SEMESTER
    Course Name:  Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
    Credit: 1
    Grade: 9 - 10

    Required Prerequisite(s): None

    Certification(s): N/A

    This comprehensive course prepares students for careers in agriculture, food, and natural resource management. Students benefit from the basis of agricultural knowledge as this course allows students to explore areas of animal, plant, food, agribusiness, and environmental sciences while developing their awareness and gaining knowledge and skills that promote personal development and career success.

    National FFA Organization

    Level 2

    Course: 55155B SEMESTER
    Landscape Design and Management
    Credit: 0.5
    Grade: 9 - 12
    Course Key:  55155B
    SEMESTER
    Course Name:  Landscape Design and Management
    Credit: 0.5
    Grade: 9 - 12

    Required Prerequisite(s): None

    Certification(s): N/A

    This course is designed to introduce students to horticultural sciences with emphasis on the technical skills involved in the designing, construction, and maintenance of planted areas and devices for the beautification of home grounds and other areas of human habitation and recreation.

    National FFA Organization

    Level 3

    Course: 55115Q SEMESTER
    Horticultural Science
    Credit: 1
    Grade: 9 - 12
    Course Key:  55115Q
    SEMESTER
    Course Name:  Horticultural Science
    Credit: 1
    Grade: 9 - 12

    Required Prerequisite(s): None

    Certification(s): N/A

    This course offers students the opportunity to explore plant systems and common horticulture management practices as they relate to food and ornamental plant production. Topics include ornamental trees and shrubs, insects, plant diseases, weed management, soils and plant nutrition, vegetable gardening, home fruit production, garden flowers, and water conservation.

    National FFA Organization

    Course: 551501 FULL YEAR
    Floral Design
    Credit: 1
    Grade: 11 - 12
    Course Key:  551501
    FULL YEAR
    Course Name:  Floral Design
    Credit: 1 fine arts credit
    Grade: 11 - 12

    Required Prerequisite(s): None

    Certification(s): Texas State Florists' Association Knowledge Based or Level 1

    This is an activity-based course which prepares students to develop competencies in flower classification and identification, geometric and specialized floral designs, identification and classification of plants, interior landscape development, and the use of artistic elements in personal designs. Students will learn business practices as they relate to the floral industry.

    National FFA Organization

    Level 4

    Course: 208001 FULL YEAR
    Honors Scientific Research and Design
    Credit: 1.0 - 3.0
    Grade: 9 - 12
    Course Key:  208001
    FULL YEAR
    Course Name:  Honors Scientific Research and Design
    Credit: 1.0 - 3.0 science credit
    Grade: 9 - 12

    Required Prerequisite(s): Concurrent enrollment in an advanced level science course and approval of instructor

    Certification(s): N/A

    Students will explore science and become acquainted with the scientific community, improve fundamental research skills, apply statistical analysis, and enhance oral and visual presentation techniques. Each student will be required to develop his/her own independent science research project and will learn how to structure, organize, publish, and present the project in one or more formal presentations to a panel of judges. It is required that all student independent research projects be judged.

    Course: 551801 FULL YEAR
    Advanced Floral Design
    Credit: 1
    Grade: - 12
    Course Key:  551801
    FULL YEAR
    Course Name:  Advanced Floral Design
    Credit: 1
    Grade:  - 12

    Required Prerequisite(s): Floral Design

    Certification(s): Texas State Florists' Association Level 2

    In this course, students build on the knowledge from Floral Design and are introduced to more advanced floral design concepts, with an emphasis on specialty designs and specific occasion planning. This course focuses on building skills in advanced floral design and providing students with a thorough understanding of the design elements and planning techniques used to produce unique specialty floral designs that support the goals and objectives of a specific occasion or event.Through the analysis and evaluation of various occasion and event types, students explore the design needs and expectations of clients and propose and evaluate appropriate creations. From conception to evaluation, students are challenged to create and design appropriate specialty floral designs that meet the needs of the client. Furthermore, an emphasis on budgetary adherence and entrepreneurship equips students with many of the necessary skills needed for success in floral enterprises.

    National FFA Organization

    Course: 552901 FULL YEAR
    Practicum in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
    Credit: 2
    Grade: - 12
    Course Key:  552901
    FULL YEAR
    Course Name:  Practicum in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
    Credit: 2
    Grade:  - 12

    Required Prerequisite(s): A minimum of one credit within the Plant Science program of study

    Certification(s): Texas State Florists' Association Level 2

    This course prepares students for careers in agriculture, food, and natural resource fields. It is delivered through classroom-based instruction and internship, job shadowing, and/or employment arrangements with local businesses. This is an Honors Level course.

    National FFA Organization Transportation will be needed. Dollar Sign