VHT027 Diploma In Horticultural Science

Horticulture has changed dramatically in recent decades and will no doubt continue to change rapidly; but there will always remain a need for horticulturalists while we continue to eat fruit and vegetables, play sport and use tree planting to improve the environment in which we live.

Horticultural Technicans and Scientists need to have a strong foundation in both horticulture and science. They need to know how to identify lots of different plants, and the botany and chemistry that underpins an understanding of how to grow those plants .

Graduates may find employment as:

A consultant
A technician
A teacher
A research assistant.

Whatever is in vogue at different times throughout your career, this course will prepare you to move into and adapt to working in that part of the industry.

Course Manager

This course has been designed, and is managed by John Mason. Since graduating in horticultural science (1971), John has worked as a landscape designer, nurseryman, parks manager and research officer working with field crops, prior to being editor of 4 national gardening magazines, written over 40 books and maintained a small practice as a horticultural consultant.

John has been made a fellow of the Institute of Horticulture (UK) and the Parks and Leisure Institute (Australia).

Prerequisites:
Either Year 12 (passed), an acceptable certificate (eg. Completed apprenticeship) or over 21 yrs of age.
Modules
Core Modules These modules provide foundation knowledge for the Diploma In Horticultural Science.
Cell Biology BSC110
Horticultural Research A BHT118
Horticulture I BHT101
Horticulture II BHT102
Plant Health (Horticulture III) BHT116
Workshop I BGN103
Biochemistry II (Plant and Animal) BSC203
Horticultural Research B BHT241

Elective Modules In addition to the core modules, students study any 10 of the following 17 modules.
Botany II - Applied Plant Physiology BSC204
Cutting Propagation BHT211
Landscaping II BHT214
Landscaping III (Landscaping Styles) BHT235
Permaculture Systems BHT201
Planning Layout And Construction Of Ornamental Gardens BHT242
Plant Protection BHT207
Restoring Established Ornamental Gardens BHT243
Sports Turf Management BHT202
Trees For Rehabilitation (Reafforestation) BHT205
Amenity Horticulture 1 BHT324
Amenity Horticulture II BHT325
Biochemistry III (Plant Processes) BSC302
Organic Plant Culture BHT302
Plant Ecology BSC305
Tissue Culture BHT306
Turf Repair And Renovation BHT303


Note that each module in the Diploma In Horticultural Science is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.

Note: Modules from either stages II & III may be undertaken after stage I is complete.

Stage 1 Core Studies

Horticulture I

There are twelve lessons in this course, as follows:

1. Plant Identification
2. Planting
3. Soils
4. Nutrition
5. Water Management
6. Pruning
7. Weeds
8. Pests and Diseases
9. Landscaping
10. Propagation
11. Lawns
12. Arboriculture

Horticulture II

The content of each of the ten lessons is outlined below:

1. The Groups of Plants
2. Use of Plants
3. Australian Native Plants
4. Exotic Ornamental Plants
5. Indoor & Tropical Plants
6. Bedding Plants
7. Vegetables
8. Fruits, Nuts & Berries
9. Herbs
10. Alternative Growing Techniques

Horticulture III (Plant Health)

There are ten lessons in this module, as follows:

Introduction
Overview of Preventative Controls
Insecticides
Other Pesticides
Spray Equipment
Insect Biology
Fungal Biology
Environmental Problems
Viruses
Nematodes, Molluscs and Crustaceans

Plant Selection and Establishment

There are ten lessons in this course as follows:

1. Introduction
2. Woody plants
3. Windbreaks, hedges and screens
4. Alpine and water plants
5. Annual and herbaceous plants
6. Turf
7. Maintenance
8. Pest and disease control
9. Weed control
10. Risk assessment

Botany I

There are ten lessons in this module as follows:

Taxonomic Classification of Plants
Cells and Tissues
Specific Vegetative Parts of a Plant
Flowers and Fruit
Seed and the Developing Embryo
Photosynthesis and Growing Plants
Respiration
The Role of Water
Movement of Water and Assimilates through a Plant
The Effects of Growth Movements

Biochemistry I (Plants)

There are nine lessons as follows:

1. Introduction
2. Lipids & Proteins
3. Enzymes
4. Nitrogen & the Nitrogen Cycle
5. Photosynthesis & Respiration
6. Assimilation & Transpiration
7. Acidity & Alkalinity
8. Chemical Analysis
9. Biochemical Applications

Stage II Electives

10 electives. These modules can be seen in detail by clicking on any of those listed previously

Other options may be considered, though the above are generally considered the better options for this particular course.

Stage III Compulsory Modules

Compulsory Modules include:

Cell Biology

There are 10 lessons in this module as follows:

1. Introduction to Cells and Their Structure
2. Cell Chemistry
3. DNA, Chromosomes and Genes
4. Cell Division: Meiosis and Mitosis
5. Cell Membranes
6. Protein Structure and Function
7. Protein Synthesis
8. Food, Energy, Catalysis and Biosynthesis
9. Intracellular Compartments, Transport and Cell Communication
10. The Cell Cycle and Tissue Formation

Biochemistry II

There are nine lessons in this module as follows:

1. Introduction to Biochemical Molecules
2. Amino Acids
3. Structure of Proteins
4. Protein Dynamics
5. Sugars and Polysaccharides
6. Lipids (Fats) and Membranes
7. Enzymes, Vitamins and Hormones
8. DNA and RNA
9. Laboratory Techniques

Horticultural Research I

This course contains seven lessons:

1. Determining Research Needs
2. Searching for Information
3. Research Methods
4. Using Statistics
5. Conducting Statistical Research
6. Research Reports
7. Reporting on a Research Project

Horticultural Research II

There are 7 lessons in this module as follows:

1. Identifying research issues and determining research priorities
2. Acquisition of technical information
3. Specialised research techniques
4. Research planning and designing
5. Statistics
6. Conducting research
7. Writing reports

Industry Meetings OR Workshop I (Note: This can be completed without difficulty anywhere in the world).


Workshop I

There are three lessons in Workshop I; each involving a different PBL Project

Workplace Tools, Equipment and Materials: Identifying and describing the operation of tools and equipment used in the workplace; routine maintenance of tools and equipment; identifying and comparing materials used in the workplace; using different materials to perform workplace tasks.
Workplace Skills: Determining key practical skills in the workplace; identifying and comparing commonly-performed workplace tasks; determining acceptable standards for workplace tasks; implementing techniques for improving workplace efficiency.
Workplace Safety: Identifying health and safety risks in the workplace; complying with industry OH&S standards; developing safety guidelines for handling dangerous items.