Module Details

Module Code: AGRI6016
Title: Introduction to Horticulture
Long Title: Introduction to Horticulture
NFQ Level: Fundamental
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2016/17 ( September 2016 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 6210 - Agriculture
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module is designed to introduce participants to the exciting and diverse sectors of the Horticultural industry. It includes visits to vegetable and fruit growers, ornamental nurseries, public gardens, garden centre and florists. Direct contact with leaders in the horticultural industry offers lifelong benefits to participants.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Discuss the history of horticulture.
LO2 Distinguish between the concepts of amenity and commercial horticulture.
LO3 Describe the different types of horticulture enterprises.
LO4 Discuss horticulture's relationship with the broader environment and biodiversity.
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).
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
Commercial Horticulture
Vegetable production, protected cropping, fruit production, organic growing, mushroom production, hardy nursery stock and floricultural production.
Amenity Horticulture
Parks and gardens, landscape horticulture, urban and rural landscapes, elements of amenity horticulture and landscape architecture.
Use of plants in the environment
Relationship between plants and the environment. Ecosystems, macro and micro environments, animals association with plants, sustainable gardening, carbon sequestration and biomass crop production, managing risks of introduced invasive species.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework40.00%
End of Module Formal Examination60.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Assessment of lecture content and industry visits
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 60
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final 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 Lecture Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Laboratory practical and Industry visits Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Study course material and horticultural business visits 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 Lecture Every Week 1.00 1
Lab Contact Industry Visit Every Second Week 2.00 4
Directed Learning Non Contact Study course material and horticultural business visits Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 9.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Cambridge University Press. (2014), The Fundamentals of Horticulture Theory and Practice, Cambridge University Press, p.473, [ISBN: 0521707390].
  • Christopher Brickell. (2012), The Royal Horticultural Society encyclopedia of gardening, Dorling Kindersley, USA, [ISBN: 1409383946].
  • Paul V. Nelson. (2014), Greenhouse Operation and Management, 7th. USA, p.566, [ISBN: 1292027681].
  • Rice and Rice. (2011), Practical Horticulture, Pearson, [ISBN: 0135038669].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Ingram, D., Vince-Prue, D. and Gregory, P.J.. (2008), Science and the Garden, 2nd Ed. Blackwell, [ISBN: 9781405160636].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_BHORT_7 Bachelor of Science in Horticulture 1 Mandatory