Horticulture

Overview

Horticulture is seen as the 'Art, Science, Technology and Business of intensive plant cultivation for human use' (Chartered Institute of Horticulture). It is a range of diverse activities from landscaping through to production of food and non-food crops, all of which contribute to human health and well-being.

With the world's population continuing to increase and climate change impacting upon production, it is vital to continue to investigate new growing systems and to establish new crops which can be grown sustainably and transported to market with minimal losses.

Students studying Horticulture at Writtle University College will have access to the Research glasshouse, farms and the postharvest unit which undertakes research and trials in conjunction with commercial companies .

Who is the Course for?

This broad based course is designed for those who already have an interest in horticulture as well as those who wish to develop or update their existing knowledge .Applicants will normally be graduates in agriculture, horticulture, engineering, biosciences, geography, business and economics or will have extensive relevant industrial experience. There will be opportunities to specialise as the course progresses and the students' knowledge of the subject develops.

Delivery and Assessment

Delivery is through a combination of lectures, practical, formative and summative coursework, tutor and student led tutorials, case studies and group work, including seminars and presentations .It is developed through a series of visits to commercial/industrial and research establishments and through dissertation-related studies. Appropriate knowledge and understanding is enhanced if students opt to undertake their dissertation work in an industrial situation. Students, who undertake their dissertations outside the UK, will also gather a measure of this enhanced experience.Knowledge and understanding is assessed using a combination of examination (seen and unseen), assessed coursework (lab reports, projects, case studies, presentations) and problem-based learning scenarios which include interpretative exercises.

Career Prospects

On successful completion of the course graduates will posses the knowledge and skills to gain employment in management positions with major import/export organisations, with crop producers and horticultural enterprises

There are also opportunities to undertake further research.