Qualification -Advanced Diploma Horticulture - Ornamental Horticulture

  ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE

" I really appreciate Gavin's (tutor) comments and look forward to receiving the feedback from him."
- Nadine

This course is designed to assist the graduate to gain employment in the following fields: Garden Company Manager, Technical Officer, Marketing Manager, Consultant, Vocational Trainer.

RECOGNITION:

This course is written to satisfy all relevant competencies for accreditation through the International Accreditation and Recognition Council.

DURATION:

2,500 hours minimum nominal duration.

Being a self paced learning program, the student can study at a rate according to their ability and capabilities.

This course may be studied over 3 years or less on a full time basis, or up to 8 years on a part time basis.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

There are no academic pre-requisites for this course but it is expected that successful applicants have achieved an educational level that will enable the completion of the course objectives.

Entry to this course is based on:

• a person with 5 years industry experience;
• year 12 standard of education;
• mature age student.

COURSE CONTENT 

a/ Compulsory core modules

The following four modules are compulsory: Biochemistry (Plants), Instructional Skills, Business Studies, and Workplace Health and Safety A.

b/ Stream Core Modules

800 hours of study in compulsory modules (normally 8 x 100 hour modules) as follows: Horticultural Management, Horticultural Marketing, Botany I, Horticulture I, Horticulture II, Engineering I, Soil Management, Plant Protection.

c/ Stream Elective Subjects

600 hours of study in modules (normally 6 X 100 hour modules), selected from the following: Turf Care, Arboriculture I, Landscaping I, Landscaping II, Landscape Construction, Advanced Propagation, Irrigation, Australian Native Plants I, Herb Culture, Orchid Culture, Roses.

d/ Optional Electives

200 hours of study in modules (normally 2 X 100 hour modules), which can be chosen from any advanced diploma accredited modules, selected from stream electives not studied yet, or any module from other diplomas (except Recreation Administration & Management I, II & IV, Agricultural Marketing, Farm Management).

Students are required to attain a current Senior First Aid Certificate during the period of study.

WORKPLACE ORIENTED RESEARCH

Two Research projects must be undertaken to satisfy the 200 hour nominal duration. Well organised study guides have been developed for Research Project I & II to work through in order to satisfy this part of the course.

Each project will deal with a distinct aspect of workplace activity, and culminate in a written formal report of a length appropriate to the nature of the project.

WORKSHOPS

Two 100 hour work oriented projects, each involving a series of PBL projects:

Workshop I

This module involves undertaking three problem based learning projects to solve set hypothetical problems, which are highly specified, and in the following areas:

1. Workplace Tools, Equipment and Materials: Identifying and describing the operation of tools and equipment used in the workplace; routine maintenance of tools and equipment; identifying and comparing materials used in the workplace; using different materials to perform workplace tasks.

2. Workplace Skills: Determining key practical skills in the workplace; identifying and comparing commonly-performed workplace tasks; determining acceptable standards for workplace tasks; implementing techniques for improving workplace efficiency.

3. Workplace Safety: Identifying health and safety risks in the workplace; complying with industry WH&S standards; developing safety guidelines for handling dangerous items.

Workshop II

This module involves undertaking three problem based learning projects to solve set hypothetical problems, which are highly specified, and in the following areas:

1. Identifying Technical Problems and Collecting Samples or Data: Investigating technical problems in the workplace; collecting and treating samples, data or other evidence.

2. Analytical Procedures: Using specialised technical equipment to analyse samples, data or other evidence; undertaking routine and advanced scientific or technical analyses.

3. Workplace Operations: Describing the operations and equipment of a laboratory or other technical environment.

INDUSTRY CONFERENCE/SEMINARS/MEETINGS

Students must attend 100 hours (minimum) of industry seminars within the period of the course.  These may include such things as industry conferences, seminars, or professional society meetings.

SUMMARY OF  COURSE

Meet Some of Our Horticulture Tutors

Diana Cole B.A. (Hons), Higher Dip. (Garden Design), RHS Advanced Cert. Horticulture, Cert Admin.Mgt., Dip. Inst. Personnel Management

In addition to her RHS horticulture, garden design, City & Guild construction, NPTC pesticide/legislation and business/management qualifications, Diana has a variety of skills drawn from setting up Arbella Gardens, a landscape gardening business. She also has administrative, management and training delivery experience drawn from her employment in other organisations such as the NHS and other educational institutions such as schools & universities. She has augmented her training expertise having gained the Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector qualification. She also has experience gained through working as a volunteer in a number of different roles including amenity style gardening in parks and practical conservation work.

Maggi Brown Cert.Ed.(Environment)
Maggi is regarded as an expert in Organic Growing throughout the UK, having worked for two decades as Education Officer at the world renowned Henry Doubleday Research Association (now Garden Organic). She has been active in education, environmental management and horticulture across the UK for more them three decades.

Yvonne Sharpe RHS Cert.Hort, Dip.Hort, M.Hort, Cert.Ed., Dip.Mgt.
Over 30 years of experience in horticulture, education and management, Yvonne hastravelled widely within and beyond Europe, and has worked in many areas of horticulture from garden centres to horticultural therapy. She has served on industry committees and been actively involved with amateur garden clubs for decades.