Horticulture 1

Description

Horticulture is the industry that produces and maintains plants for human use. Successful horticulturalists understand the science of soil management and plant production. They combine their knowledge with their creative skills to develop products and services that people need and want. The horticulture industry is expanding, and it offers people a rewarding and exciting career in areas such as landscape design and maintenance, food production, and plant production for aesthetic and pharmaceutical use.

This course provides a broad-reaching education to those interested in a career in horticulture. Throughout the year students make several field trips to a range of horticultural businesses. Excellent facilities enable the practical application of coursework. There are five hectares of landscape on site including; nursery stock, fruit/ vegetable production, glasshouse, and natural/synthetic sports pitches.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

•    Leaving Certificate, L.C.A. or equivalent, with some practical experience in horticulture desirable.

•    Mature students without formal qualifications are welcome to apply for places on this course.

•    All applicants are interviewed, and places are awarded on suitability.

DURATION:

One year full-time.

CERTIFICATION:

•    QQI Level 5 in Horticulture (5M2586).

COURSE CONTENT:

The following subjects may be offered:

Plant Propagation - 5N2547

The purpose of this award is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence necessary for plant propagation.

Plant Protection - 5N2546

Plant Science - 5N2528

Plant Identification & Use - 5N2527

Soil Science & Growing Media - 5N2530

Fruit and Vegetable Production - 5N2552

Garden Design - 5N2551

Communications - 5N0690

Work Practice - 5N1433

Excellent progressions opportunities including:

•    Cork College of FET, Tramore Road Campus: Greenkeeping and Sports Turf Management (6M4330).

•    Cork College of FET, Tramore Road Campus: Landscape & Nursey Management (6M4234).

•    MTU: BSc Horticulture (CR011).

•    MTU: BSc Herbal Science (CR330).

•    SETU/Kildalton College: BSc Horticulture (WD096).

•    SETU/National Botanic Gardens: BSc Horticulture (WD097).

•    UCD: BAgrSc Hons Horticulture, Landscape and Sports Turf Management (DN272).

•    UCD: BSc Hons Landscape Architecture (DN120).

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:

Career opportunities exist in Landscape Construction and Maintenance, Landscape Design, Garden Centre or Nursery Operations, Fruit and Vegetable Production.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

For the duration of the course students are provided with the opportunity to work with a commercial enterprise for a minimum of one day per week. This work placement will take place under the supervision of a qualified Horticulturist. Students propagate plants at a commercial glasshouse throughout the year and organise a plant sale in May of each year.