Online Horticulture of Cannabis Courses

May 28 - June 28 & July 8 - August 9, 2024

This summer (SS1: May 28 - June 28, 2024 & SS2: July 8 - August 9, 2024), UConn is offering two Horticulture of Cannabis courses (introductory and advanced) in convenient online formats. The two 3-credit courses can be completed 100% online from anywhere in the world and are designed to provide intensive overviews of the horticultural techniques used to grow and manage this medically important and high value crop. Both of UConn's Cannabis Horticulture courses are delivered via an interactive and online platform, enabling you to engage with students, faculty and content within an asynchronous environment. Asynchronous means that you can sign on anytime of the day to complete assignments or participate in discussions.

Cannabis is one of today's hottest and most lucrative crops. There is increasing interest in the U.S. about growing Cannabis as a recreational crop, and also medical usefulness of cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD).

Both courses are taught by Matthew DeBacco and Gerald Berkowitz, resident experts within UConn's College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.

Concerning costs for each 3-credit Cannabis Horticulture course:

  • Many visiting (non-degree) students will pay $2,193 for 1 course and $4,311 for 2.
  • Most current UConn students will pay $2,213 for 1 course and $4,331 for 2.

Note: There are multiple exceptions and special cases concerning course costs, visit UConn's Summer Sessions Dates & Fees Page to learn more.

Horticulture of Cannabis Summer Courses

Introduction to the Horticulture of Cannabis: Seed to Harvest

SPSS 2130 (SS1: May 28 – June 28, 2024)

SPSS 2130 Horticulture of Cannabis: Seed to Harvest - This 100% online course focuses on growing cycles of Cannabis from both macro and microscopic scales. Students will develop an understanding of some of the common challenges with Cannabis production and how to best identify and correct these issues. Lectures focus on horticultural management of a Cannabis crop grown in the field and in controlled environment.

In this course, students focus on the fundamentals of the production cycle of Cannabis including horticultural management, identification of crop issues, elite feminized seed production, seed propagation, vegetative propagation, pruning, training, optimization of cannabinoid content, and post-harvest handling. And further, the course will overview business operations related to Cannabis world-wide and in Connecticut, explore lab testing procedures, cannabidiol extraction technologies, the Connecticut medical marijuana program, and government regulation of the industry. Taught with SAPL 130.

Course material will be presented at the introductory level; the class is designed for students with diverse academic backgrounds; there are no prerequisites. There is no laboratory component to the course. Cannabis plants will be grown for class demonstrations related to specific horticultural techniques.

Prerequisites:  None

Advanced Cannabis Horticulture: Production & Industry

SPSS 3680 (SS2: July 8 – August 9, 2024)

SPSS 3680 Special Problems: ‘Advanced Cannabis Horticulture: Production and Industry’ - This 100% online course focuses on growing cycles of Cannabis from both macro and microscopic scales. Students will develop an understanding of some of the common challenges with Cannabis production and how to best identify and correct these issues. Lectures focus on horticultural management of a Cannabis crop grown in the field and in controlled environment.

Students will develop a full understanding of the production methods of cannabis in addition to postproduction methods. Aspects of the industry will also be included to provide information about extraction, end products, jobs and current research within the cannabis industry. The organization of this course allows students to be able to choose their own progression through the course to allow for individual paths that will provide advanced level details. Students will be able to select starting plants from clones or seeds and if they plan on growing indoors or outdoors. Each student’s directed path through the course allows for a deeper understanding of the topics which are of greatest interest to the students that are connected with scientific research supported information. Job opportunities related to growing as well as other careers involved with the industry will be provided.

The class is designed for students with diverse academic backgrounds; there are no prerequisites. There is no laboratory component to the course. Cannabis plants will be grown for class demonstrations related to specific horticultural techniques.

Prerequisites:  SPSS 2130 or previous production experience.

If you have any questions concerning this course or require assistance enrolling please reach out to us. We're ready to help! Please visit https://summersession.uconn.edu/enrollment-assistance.