Explore UCD

UCD Home >

HORT10040

Academic Year 2024/2025

Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture (HORT10040)

Subject:
Horticulture
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Aisling Reilly
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module covers the Environmental, Social and Economic sustainability of horticultural production. Environmentally, horticulture provides the following ecosystem services: food, fibre, fuel, genetic resources, biochemicals, natural medicines, fresh water and improved air quality. Socially, horticulture contributes to our physical and mental health through the consumption of fresh horticultural produce and by providing amenity spaces in which people can exercise, relax and spend time in nature. Economically, horticulture plays a key role in mitigating the climate crisis through increasing carbon sequestration, reducing GHG emissions using sustainable soil management, and reducing inputs through implementation of advanced technologies such as Precision Horticulture.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students should be able to discuss the following:
· Horticulture and climate
· Water use and conservation
· Nutrient management and novel alternatives to chemical fertilisers
· Sustainable growing media
· Reducing plastics use in horticulture
· Extensive versus intensive production (agroforestry)
· Food Security – improving local and regional production
· Organic production
· Enhancing the environment with urban greenspace
· Benefits of trees in urban environments
· Planting to support pollinators
· Social and therapeutic horticulture
· Viability of horticultural businesses (Horticulture is fourth largest sector in Irish agriculture after beef, dairy and pork)
· Cold Chain for fresh horticultural produce
· Modern trends in horticulture (vertical farms, hydroponics, precision horticulture)
· Medicinal and cosmetic value of plants

Indicative Module Content:

As above

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

23

Specified Learning Activities

30

Autonomous Student Learning

47

Total

100


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will be delivered through the UCD VLE system:
All lectures will be face-to-face and will introduce theoretical content using real-life case studies.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): MCQ End of timester examination. End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
Graded No
50
No
Exam (In-person): Multiple choice exam Week 11 Week 11 Graded No
25
No
Exam (In-person): MCQ Examination Week 6 Week 6 Graded No
25
No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Noeleen Smyth Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 09:00 - 09:50