AESC30210 Plant Protection - Pests

Academic Year 2023/2024

This course provides an overview of the biology and management of animal pests of economic importance in horticulture. The module covers the biology, classification and identification of the major animal pests (and also of beneficial groups); the damage caused by pest species and methods for damage prevention; as well as the principles of pest control and integrated management of pests in horticulture.

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Curricular information is subject to change

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: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

23
Laboratories

12
Specified Learning Activities

20
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Total

115
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.

NOTE: An in-person end of trimester examination is currently planned for this module. These arrangements are subject to COVID-19 public health advice and may change during the trimester. You should continue to review the module descriptor for updates. 
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  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Lab Report: Assessment of in class lab reports following practicals Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

30
Examination: End of term examination with a combination of essay and multiple choice questions 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

70

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
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.

Name Role
Dr Tara Dirilgen Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Dara Stanley Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Fri 11:00 - 12:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 1-6 Mon 10:00 - 10:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 7-12 Mon 10:00 - 10:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn