AESC30210

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
- Recognise major animal pest species and beneficial groups in horticulture.
- Describe the biology and economic importance of the main pest groups.
- Recognise types of pest damage, identify the causal organisms and make recommendations for their control.
- Recommend methods for pest avoidance and control, and describe the principles of integrated pest management.

Indicative Module Content:

Topics include: The biology, classification and identification of animal pests in major taxonomic groups (Nematoda, Mollusca, Arthropoda, vertebrates); the recognition of the damage caused by pest species; the nature and incidence of pest outbreaks; methods for damage prevention; principles of pest control; integrated management of invertebrate pests in horticulture using cultural, physical, biological and chemical methods; pest management concepts for birds and mammals.

Student Effort Hours:

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

The modules uses lectures and laboratory practicals to cover general pest biology and identification of the most important invertebrate taxa.
The module comprises taught lecture classes and a total of 5 x 2 hour practical classes held in the laboratory for class groups A and B on alternate weeks during the trimester. Students will be informed of their practical class group at the start of the trimester.
Specialised lectures deal with pest problems in particular horticultural crops such as indoor/protected crops and woody species, as well as vertebrate pests.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Learning Requirements:

First year biology

Learning Exclusions:

This module (AESC 30210) and AESC 30100 Pests and Parasites ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE. Students who take AESC30100 cannot take this module.

Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Incompatibles:
AESC20050 - Applied Zoology, AESC30100 - Pests, Parasites & Beneficials, AESC30150 - Forest Protection

Equivalents:
Plant Protection - Pests (ERM30040)


 

Assessment Strategy

 

Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual and class feedback are provided on lab reports, in the form of annotated and graded worksheets submitted by students at the end of each practical.