Agricultural Sciences:
Horticultural Sciences major

You will also acquire practical knowledge of the basics of production technology, both for greenhouse and outdoor cultivation. 

Business administration and economics also play an important role, of course: You will learn everything you need to know about farm management, marketing, trade, and agricultural policy. While location, climate, and soil are decisive factors in outdoor cultivation – for example in field vegetable cultivation – cultivation in the greenhouse takes place on substrates, in closed systems, and under controlled conditions.

The future of horticulture is digital: Digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and precision farming are becoming increasingly important and are shaping modern crop production.

You deal with the following questions, among others:

• How can healthy, sustainable fruit and vegetables be produced in the future?
• How can viticulture and fruit and vegetable cultivation be made climate-resilient?
• How can plant ingredients such as vitamins, plant proteins, or fats and other health-promoting ingredients in vegetables or fruit be optimized?
• What are sustainable crop protection strategies?
• What lighting options, energy-saving measures, heat supply concepts, and control technology are available for greenhouses?
• How can (AI-based) solutions for autonomous systems be developed?
• How does “urban farming” (indoor farming, vertical farming, hydroponics, and aeroponics) work?
• Which cultivation practices are suitable for which locations?
• What factors influence nutrient and water efficiency and what options are there for increasing it?
• Which innovative cultivation methods in horticulture are economically interesting for companies?

If you are interested in horticultural crops, the environment, sustainability, and modern technology and want to combine scientific thinking with practical application, the Horticultural Sciences major in the Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences is just right for you.

In addition to lectures, you will learn about the challenges of agricultural and horticultural production during exercise courses, internships, field tours, greenhouse visits, and excursions.

From the 4th semester onwards, you can decide where your further journey will take you. That is when you can choose from a variety of options for individual study design. With the elective modules, you can enhance your professional profile according to your interests and strengths. You can specialize in certain crops such as vegetable and fruit cultivation, viticulture, or medicinal plants and herbs. Modules are also offered on the use of harvested products as food, greenhouse technology, post-harvest technology, trade, quality management, certification, cost and performance accounting, and controlling. Automation, robotics, and digital applications are also suitable for horticultural sciences.

In addition, you can set an individual focus in the 4th semester and choose one of the following options:

1. Focus on research: You want to pursue a scientific research path? Then take the module "Research Project" and prepare yourself for a Master's program. For this, you will work on a specific research project at one of the faculty's institutes. Tasks include project organization as well as planning, executing, and evaluating experiments. You will also write reports and publications.
2. Focus on practice: If working in horticultural practice is your goal, you can prepare for this task with the Qualified Company Internship module. You will start your career in the horticultural sector in a recognized horticultural training company. In addition, elective modules with excursions and exercises on production-related topics are available to round out your profile.
3. Individual module combination: Do you have a very individual profile in mind? Then choose your focus according to your own ideas. Over 50 modules give you a lot of freedom. At this point you could also integrate a semester abroad. If you need assistance in choosing what to do, just ask the faculty’s advisors for support.

Practical relevance plays a significant role in the Bachelor’s program in Agricultural Sciences with a major in Horticultural Sciences. In addition to the module-specific practical components, an 8-week professional internship is included. This internship takes place during the lecture-free period on a horticultural farm or upstream or downstream area and must be completed by all students. An exception is granted to those who have chosen the focus on practical orientation and have taken the module "Qualified company internship." If you have already gained equivalent practical experience prior to your studies, this can be recognized and the duration of your studies can be shortened. If, for example, you have completed an apprenticeship in the horticultural or agricultural sector, half a year of this will be credited to you in the Qualified Company Internship module and your studies will be shortened by one semester. 

In general, the following applies: The more practical experience you gain, the better. That's why we make it easy for you to integrate additional voluntary internships at home and abroad into your studies. For this, you have the option of requesting up to two semesters of leave during the course of your studies. 

In the 6th semester you will write your Bachelor’s thesis. At this point, you deal scientifically with a concrete agricultural science problem and apply the skills acquired during your studies.

In addition, the degree program in Agricultural Sciences with a Horticultural Sciences major should fit your interests and personality. You can use the information above to help you decide whether this is the case. To better understand the program, this graphic shows you which school subjects are included in this degree program.
Here is a brief overview of the most important interests and skills you should bring with you:

• Interest in plants, nature, and the environment as well as curiosity and the ability to think outside the box
• Good knowledge of scientific basics and aptitude in chemistry, biology, math, and physics: If you feel you have some catching up to do here, we offer you the opportunity to improve your knowledge and prepare for your studies, for example by attending pre-courses
• Technical understanding in order to understand the engineering part of the program
• The desire to help shape the future in a socially relevant area for plant-based, healthy nutrition

Practical experience – hands-on studies – shape the future!

Theoretical knowledge is good and important—but you also need to be able to apply your knowledge in your career. The focus of a university degree course is on teaching theoretical content and scientific methodological skills. However, the Agricultural Sciences degree program with a Horticultural Sciences major cannot do without a strong practical focus. That’s why we aim to optimally combine theory and practice. 

Gaining practical experience

Internships offer insights into companies and professional fields and give you orientation and work experience for your later career start. An 8-week mandatory internship is integrated into this degree program. Alternatively, you can even choose a practice-oriented specialization integrated into your studies and dedicate six months to practical preparation for a job. In addition, you can include a research stay in Germany or abroad or up to two internship semesters in your studies. This time investment is worthwhile: The more practical experience you gain, the easier it will be for you to enter the professional world later on. Of course we will support you with the administrative aspects, internship search, and application process. 

Acquiring new skills 

If you want to be successful in your career, you have to be able to apply your expertise. We offer you the opportunity to acquire additional qualifications beyond the practical part of the degree program: trainer aptitude test, laboratory management certificate, plant protection certificate of competence, TÜV quality management certificate. But that's not all: The university-wide continuing education program offers you a wide range of opportunities to expand your personal, social, and methodological skills. 

Practical elements for students
Continuing education program F.I.T.

Learning from practice

We maintain close contacts with the industrial sector, farms as well as research institutes and regularly have lecturers and guest speakers at the university. You will gain practical insights into the real world. This is ensured by the agricultural sciences teaching garden, field tours at the Agricultural Experiment Station sites, day internships in the stables, and excursions, for example to agricultural businesses.  

Learning languages, understanding cultures

Explore the world and study or research abroad for a semester! An experience like this is an opportunity to develop personally and professionally and broaden your horizons. A semester abroad is a great opportunity to improve your language and intercultural skills and to think outside the box. Agricultural sciences are no longer a national discipline, but are increasingly concerned with global and cross-border challenges. All the more reason why experts with foresight are in demand, not least in internationally operating companies in the agricultural sector. We have over 80 partner universities in Europe and all over the world. 

Stays abroad

Gaining experience with start-ups

The “Innovation Greenhouse” is all about sustainable business creation, from idea development and evaluation to the founding and subsequent growth of the company. Here you have the opportunity to staff an exciting start-up or receive support for your own ideas or the company you have founded yourself. 

Innovation Greenhouse

Researching during your studies

If you are particularly interested in combining science and practice, research projects are perfect for applying the methods and skills you have learned in practice. The specialization in research is recommended, as it allows you to test your own ideas and find solutions to very specific problems by working as an assistant on a research project. The conditions here are ideal: With 700 hectares of land, we have the largest experimental property among Germany’s universities. There are also several farms at the University of Hohenheim with outdoor crops and livestock where you can gain practical knowledge and carry out your own experiments and exercises.

Our Agricultural Experiment Stations

In the project “Humboldt reloaded,” you will go through all stages of a real research project, from the preparation of the current state of research and the selection of methods for your own research to data analysis and presentation. 

Humboldt reloaded project: What does the oilseed rape beetle like?