Horticulture, Landscape & Sportsturf Management  (HLS1)

This programme in Horticulture, Landscape & Sportsturf Management provides students with the education and skills to enable them to attain leadership roles, and to both set and maintain professional standards of excellence within horticulture in Ireland and globally. Graduates can become professional horticulturists and horticultural scientists who utilise their scientific education to provide sustainable management of horticulture enterprises, services and organisations. They have the capacity to be educators, to influence and direct policy and governance at corporate, local, national and international level for the betterment of their enterprise or services and the wider community. Dissemination of knowledge by engagement with the various industry sectors and horticultural services is a key activity for staff and students. Student education is informed by active internationally recognised research where engagement in learning is through formal lectures, practical classes, scenario based learning, group and individual research project work. Teaching and learning activities are conducted in an atmosphere of fairness, quality, and excellence, which is supported by an assessment process, which includes the submission and critique of reports, continuous assessment, individual and group project presentations and end of module examinations, designed to provide students with a record of their academic progress. Their educational experience is enriched by intensive interaction with staff as part of our community of scholars and by their participation in study abroad opportunities, professional work placement and within-module industry/site visits. This programme enables students to develop critical thinking capabilities, to be confident and competent individuals who have the ability to acquire the knowledge necessary for professional decision-making and to advocate for horticulture in a global context. The programme facilitates the progression of students from other horticulture courses and welcomes mature applicants.

1 - Describe and communicate multiple examples of the importance of plants for human health and well-being..
2 - Evaluate and demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of horticultural systems including an understanding of the art, science, business, technology and sustainability of intensive plant cultivation for human use.
3 - Evaluate and demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the growth, development and protection of plants for food, leisure, sports, environmental use and health benefits.
4 - Demonstrate knowledge of Irish, European and global horticulture, landscape and sportsturf industries.
5 - Apply the principles underpinning sound horticultural practice acquired in the following key areas: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Plant Biology, Plant Physiology, Microbiology, Soil Science, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Statistics and Agribusiness,
6 - Apply the principles underpinning sound horticultural practice acquired in the following key areas: Plant Identification and Appropriate Use of Plant Material, Horticulture Food Production, Landscape Design.
7 - Apply the principles underpinning sound horticultural practice acquired in the following key areas: Sports Turf Construction and Management, Nursery Stock Production and Sales, Information and Communication Technology.
8 - Apply practical horticultural skills and techniques such as plant selection, propagation, cultivation and plant protection required in food, environmental and social & therapeutic horticulture.
9 - Devise scientific investigations and identify relevant accurate information and synthesise knowledge to generate effective solutions to problems within the horticulture industry.
10 - Research, combine and apply the interpretation and application of new scientific, technological & business knowledge to their horticultural practice.
11 - Create, plan and realise sustainable management of biological, human, financial, and social resources, to ensure the success of commercial and non-commercial horticulture enterprises.
12 - Apply relevant scientific evidence and other knowledge, to effect horticultural policy, evaluation and analysis.
13 - Use a range of communication and advocacy techniques to interact effectively with all relevant stakeholders.

This degree programme includes Horticulture, Sportsturf Management, Landscape Management and Social & Therapeutic Horticulture.

Horticulture is the art and science of plant cultivation for human use. It is a topic that covers a vast and interesting range of modules, including all of the sciences, plant protection (pests and diseases), environmental studies, business, management and communications and of course growing plants.

Sportsturf Management focuses on the science behind developing and maintaining Ireland's golf courses, tennis courts, and football, rugby and other sports pitches.

Nursery, Garden Centre and Ornamental Plant Production concentrates on the booming business of growing plants for housing developments, road construction and other projects.

Social & Therapeutic Horticulture looks at the interaction between humans and plants and the use of horticulture to develop social capital and its use in therapy. This area would be of interest for those individuals who like working with people and plants.

Fresh Produce Production studies food production, food supply and globalisation and its impact on food supply, safety and quality.

The objectives of this degree are to give you: 

- An appreciation of the importance of plants for human existence

- Knowledge of the growth, development and protection of plants and use of plants for food, leisure, sports, social and environmental benefits

- An understanding of horticultural plant production systems and how their components are integrated and managed in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner

- Knowledge of the horticulture, landscape and sportsturf industries in Ireland

STAGE 1
Stage 1 will ensure that you have a good knowledge of the core sciences, e.g. biology, chemistry and physics. You will also undertake Introduction to Horticulture, Landscape & Sportsturf Management, which provides a good insight of the degree programme in the subsequent stages.

STAGE 2
In Stage 2 you will go on to cover the applied sciences such as Chemistry, Soil Science and Plant Physiology as well as modules and electives in Business Management and Fundamentals of Horticulture.

STAGES 3 & 4
Later stages cover the core modules including:
- Nursery / Garden Centre Management and Retail Horticulture
- Protected Food Crops and Mushroom Production
- Fruit Growing
- Potato and Vegetable Crops
- Landscape Trees and Shrubs
- Sportsturf Management
- Landscape Management
- Garden Design

PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
Professional Work Experience is an important element of your degree and gives you the opportunity to further develop your skills in a real-life environment. Five months work experience is taken in your area of interest between Stages 3 and 4 of your degree.

All or part of your five-month PWE  in third year can be taken abroad, with possibilities including Japan, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Britain and Europe.

Studying abroad for one trimester is also a popular option for many students.

• Cornell University, USA
• University of Queensland, Australia
• Lincoln University, New Zealand

This degree maintains strong links with the horticulture industry.

Career opportunities include management, technical advisory, consultancy, research, quality assurance and sales or marketing positions, working for companies or within your own business.

Opportunities also exist in state, semi-state, EU and international organisations. Your transferable skills will also make you highly employable in other industries. Master’s and PhD degrees are also available.

UCD Agriculture and Food Science Programme Office,
Agriculture and Food Science Centre,
Belfield,
Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1 716 7194
Email:agandfoodprogrammes@ucd.ie
Web:www.ucd.ie/agfood

Stage 1

In addition to the 50 credits of core modules, students must choose 2 option modules amounting to ten credits from the option list.
It is recommended that option modules are taken in the Autumn trimester for a balanced workload.

Stage 2

In addition to the 50 credits of core modules, students must take elective credits or the option modules listed amounting to ten (10) credits. Please note these credits can be taken in either Autumn or Spring Trimesters.

Stage 3

In addition to the 50 credits of core modules, students must take an additional 10 credits by either:

1). Taking elective credits (totalling 10 credits)

2). Taking a combination of the option module listed and an elective credit to make up 10 credits in total


A period of Professional Work Experience is mandatory and must be undertaken in Stage 3.

Stage 4

In addition to the 55 credits of core modules, students must take an elective credit or an option module listed - worth (five (5) credits). Please note this elective/option can only be taken in the Autumn Trimester.

See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

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Module Weighting Info