Explore UCD

UCD Home >

HORT20070

Academic Year 2024/2025

Agricultural Botany (HORT20070)

Subject:
Horticulture
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Caroline Elliott-Kingston
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module integrates our understanding of basic plant science with the objectives of plant production systems. Knowledge of fundamental plant biology and physiological processes allows manipulation of both the external (environmental) and internal (physiological) factors that are key to plant growth and development; and which underpin good husbandry practice in the achievement of improved yield and quality in both crop and livestock production systems.

The module focuses on the following topics:
1) The role of plants in energy capture and food production, and as regulators of air, soil and water quality.
2) The basic requirements of plant growth and development.
3) Plant morphology: roots, stems, leaves, fruits and seeds.
4) Major plant groups of agronomic importance, including forage grasses, cereals, legumes and other important field crops.
5) Biology and ecology of annual and perennial weed species.
6) External (environmental) and internal (physiological) regulation of plant growth and development.
7) Plant relationships with beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms.
8) Postharvest plant physiology.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1) Recognise the importance of plants in the food chain, and in environmental regulation.
2) Detail the basic requirements of plant/crop growth and development.
3) Understand plant structure and function.
4) Identify plants of agronomic importance, including major arable, horticultural and forage crops, and perennial and annual weed species.
5) Understand how plant physiology impacts crop productivity.
6) Understand how plant relationships with beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms impact crop production.
7) Understand the influence of post-harvest physiology on the quality and shelf-life of food crops.
8) Understand the basic principles of plant genetics as they underpin plant/crop breeding.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Practical

18
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Total

102

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Includes self-assessment

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

None

Learning Exclusions:

None

Learning Recommendations:

None


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): Submission of completed herbarium Week 8 Graded No
10
 No
Report(s): Lab reports are submitted at the end of each lab session. Any missed reports must be submitted by week 10. If a lab is not attended, a report may not be submitted by the student. Week 3, Week 5, Week 7, Week 9 Graded No
20
 No
Exam (In-person): End of trimester MCQ. End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Graded No
70
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

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

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Caroline Elliott-Kingston Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Linxi Jiang Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Cathal McCabe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Helen Sheridan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Noeleen Smyth Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Saoirse Tracy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 Mon 15:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Tues 15:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Thurs 15:00 - 17:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.