Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Literature Review 2000 words | 35% |
| Semester Assessment | Interactive Task 1500 word count | 25% |
| Semester Assessment | Case Study 2500 words | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Case Study 2500 words | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Interactive Task 1500 word count | 25% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Literature Review 2000 words | 35% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Explain the current and future challenges associated with sustainable horticulture
Apply the underlying principles of plant physiology and biology to a range of horticultural contexts and scenarios.
Apply the underlying principles of soil science to a range of horticultural contexts and scenarios.
Evaluate the impacts of environmental factors on the performance of horticultural produce and/or ecosystem services.
Appraise a range of macroenvironmental strategies for the management of carbon, water, and pests/diseases.
Brief description
This module is part of the BioInnovation Wales courses. Students will study the underlying scientific principles which enable the practice of sustainable horticulture in a wide range of disciplines and professions. It will cover the above and below ground biology and interactions that enable plant health and the micro and macro environmental strategies that can be utilised to maximise plant performance and/or ecosystem services.
Content
‘Plant life above ground’ – to include topics such as:
- Plant taxonomy and nomenclature
- Plant physiology
- Plant biology
- Plant genetics and managing genetic resources
Block 2 (3 units)
‘Plant life below ground’ – to include topics such as:
- Soil structure and composition
- Soil biogeochemistry/nutrient cycling
- Soil microfauna and macrofauna
- Root/soil interactions
Block 3 (3 units)
‘Macro-environmental strategies’ – to include topics such as:
- Carbon management
- Hydrological management
- Integrated pest and disease management (IPDM)
- Environmental manipulation
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Adaptability and resilience | Detailed feedback will be given for assignment work for students to see where improvements could be made before subsequent assignments. A written formative assessment will give an early risk-free opportunity for feedback and there will be assessed forums will be marked and feedback provided in time to aid performance in the next forum. Formative MCQs will enable students to see where they need to concentrate their self-directed study. |
| Co-ordinating with others | Online forums will require students to debate among themselves to develop a consensus of opinion. |
| Creative Problem Solving | Interactive tasks, such as online forums, will be used to help develop and improve students’ problem solving skills, through use of questions that present theoretical problems for the students to solve. The case study will also require students to propose ways to improve sustainability in horticultural systems. |
| Critical and analytical thinking | Students will be required to undergo directed self-study, as well as a literature review assignment, so will develop their literature research skills. Feedback from assignments will offer advice on information synthesis. |
| Digital capability | Students will be required to examine and synthesize quantitative data from a range of publications and databases in their assignments and will be expected to explain or show evidence to support claims of e.g. financial gains, reduced environmental impacts, efficiency improvements, etc. in the case study. |
| Professional communication | Students will be expected to be able to express themselves appropriately in their assignments and to discuss relevant topics with each other in the forums. |
| Real world sense | This module will provide the students with the latest research to help them provide the most up-to-date information/advice to their colleagues/clients in the horticultural industries; they will be assessed on their understanding of this information but won’t be specifically assessed on personal development and career planning. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Biological and physiological principles of plant growth and soil management, and interactions between associated biotic and abiotic factors, will underpin the knowledge-base needed to understand how these can be managed to improve horticultural productivity and sustainability. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7