Module Details

Module Code: AGRI7005
Title: Organic & Biodynamic Horticult
Long Title: Organic, Biodynamic and Conven
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2016/17 ( September 2016 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 6210 - Agriculture
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: Conventional, Organic and Biodynamic commercial cultivation approaches are contrasted in the modern horticultural and herbal industries.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Describe horticulture systems: Organic, Bio-dynamic and Conventional Horticulture.
LO2 Discuss the regulations associated with Organic, Bio-dynamic and Conventional Horticulture systems.
LO3 Describe cultivation practices both common as well as unique to Organic, Bio-dynamic and Conventional systems of food and medicinal crop production.
LO4 Perform basic organic and biodynamic cultivation practices.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Botany, Horticulture principles
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Organic farming
Philosophy, approach, techniques and legal guidelines pertaining to organic farming.
Companion planting
Importance of companion planting (harmonious and antagonistic relationships between horticultural plants).
Bio-dynamics
Understand the theory behind bio-dynamics, bio-dynamics in practice, construction of bio-dynamic charts for planting, cultivation and harvesting.
Commercial Plant Production
Advantages and disadvantages of producing plants in commercial environments. Issues arising from using extremely different horticultural production environments such as – plant selection, space constraints, cultivation techniques, cropping densities, environmental fluctuations (pH, temperature, humidity, air pressure etc), weed/pest problems, harvesting techniques, post-harvest treatments.
Bees, pollination and horticulture
Techniques used in beekeeping and its role in modern horticulture. Bee products: their quality and importance as food and medicinal products.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
Concepts of Organics and Biodynamics
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Comparison of Conventional, Organic and Biodynamic Horticulture
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Assessment Description
Skills evaluation of cultivation practices
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Indepth comparison of organic, biodynamic and conventional horticulture systems Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Industry visits & cultivation activities Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Review of literature and student independant building of skills Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Indepth comparison of organic, biodynamic and conventional horticulture systems Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Industry visits & cultivation activities Every Second Week 2.00 4
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact review of literature and student independant building of skills Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 9.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Jeff Carpenter and Melanie Carpenter. (2015), The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer: The Ultimate Guide to Producing High-Quality Herbs on a Market Scale, Chelsea Green Publishing Co, p.416, [ISBN: 1603585737].
  • Deni Brown. (2014), RHS Encyclopedia Of Herbs, DK, UK, p.448, [ISBN: 0241184029].
  • Christopher Brickell.. (2012), The Royal Horticultural Society encyclopedia of gardening, Dorling Kindersley, p.760, [ISBN: 1409383946].
  • Allen V. Barker.. (2010), Science and technology of organic farming, CRC Press, Boca Raton, p.240, [ISBN: 1439816123].
  • Gareth Davies and Margi Lennartson. (2006), Organic Vegetable Production, The Crowood Press Limited, p.240, [ISBN: 1861267886].
  • Gareth Davies, Becky Turner. (2008), Weed Management for Organic Farmers, Growers and Smallholders, The Crowood Press Ltd, p.192, [ISBN: 1861269706].
  • Gareth Davies, Phil Sumption and Anton Rosenfeld. (2010), Pest and Disease Management for Organic Farmers, Growers and Smallholders, The Crowood Press Ltd, p.416, [ISBN: 1847971504].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SHERB_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Herbal Science 4 Mandatory
CR_BHORT_7 Bachelor of Science in Horticulture 2 Mandatory