Korea University Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science

• Department of Food Bioscience and Technology
• Department of Applied Economics
• Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering
• Department of Molecular and Genetic Engineering
• Department of Molecular Diagnostic Biomedicine
• Department of Horticulture and Bio-Technology
• Department of Climatic Environment

The Department of Horticulture Science, founded in 1977, became the Department of Horticulture and Biotechnology in 2006 to continue its development by adopting biotechnology. Our department consists of two majors--Horticulture and Horticulture Therapy and Flower Design.

1. Horticulture and Horticulture Therapy

We study horticultural plants that can create the highest added value in agriculture and promote the emotional stability and health of humans for wellness in the 21st century. Our school offers education or retraining on changes in related industries to those who are interested in horticulture.

Our field deals with the basic theories of physiology, ecology, genes and breeding of horticultural plants, micro-breeding of special plants and cultivation techniques for medicinal herbs. In addition, it looks at the floriculture industry for the mass production, green protection of plants, storage and use of plants in the creation of refreshing living spaces.

Horticulture and Horticulture Therapy studies ways to improve our living conditions using horticulture therapy. The therapy was first introduced in Korea by KU Prof. Kwak Byeong-hwa who presented the basic concept at a special lecture of the Korean Society for Horticulture Science in 1984. The area has recently drawn attention as our society becomes economically affluent and leisure activities are utilized as wellness programs. As the benefits of horticulture therapy began to be recognized, including its emotional and physical effects, a more systematic education for the subject was required in Korea. Following such demands, we have offered basic and medical courses related to horticulture therapy since 2006, thereby fostering professionals in the field.

2. Flower Design

Our society and economy has become stable and evolved into an industrialized society. However, this has brought side effects such as severe urbanization and pollution. As a result, urban dwellers experience a growing desire to live with nature, escaping pollution and unfulfilling lifestyles. Decoration which uses flowers to promote emotional stability and physical health has been widely recognized for its positive effects, thus drawing much attention as a social welfare program.

To keep up with such changes and demands, we established the Flower Design major in 2006. It instructs students in how to use flowers to decorate indoor and outdoor spaces and to promote a functional yet aesthetic beauty. As a total art that encompasses installation, maintenance and management, flower design reinvents unappealing spaces into beautiful places using principles of arts fit for temporal and spatial purposes.

Today flower design witnesses exchanges across the globe due to economic growth, improvement of living conditions and fast access to information, thus playing a significant role in related areas. Korea is no exception as it experiences a substantial rise in demand for flower design. The introduction of the florist license in 2005 attests to such trends. Therefore, we aim to foster experts who can meet the requirements of the growing flower design industry.

Another feature of the department lies in its focus on hands-on experience. For instance, professors and students alike participate in field trips—overseas in the spring semester and domestic in the autumn semester. During spring semester trips, students have visited flower exhibitions, production fields and businesses in Japan, China, Taiwan, the Netherlands and U.K. to broaden their horizons. Domestic field trips have included visits to horticulture-related labs, businesses, farm houses, orchards, storage facilities, large water and seedling farms to confirm what students have learned in the classroom and to encourage lively discussions.

Diverse lecture and field programs have brought all members of our department closer together. This is the pride and legacy of our department that has been passed down for the past 30 years. Our alumni association is very active in reaching out to professors, students and graduates. It holds a sports or outdoor activity which includes family participation at least once a year.

After graduation, some operate large herb or flower farms while some continue toward their doctorate and work as professors or for national organizations.

Professors of our department are the best in this field in Korea and spare no effort to guide the academic achievements of students, broaden networks within the community and inspire students with the pride of studying at KU.

3. Inquiries

For more information, please visit our Daum café (http://cafe.daum.net/koreacultura) or send us email (chpak@korea.ac.kr).

Professor Introduction