Diploma in Horticulture

Purpose

The purpose of the Diploma in Horticulture is to provide horticulture graduates who will be equipped with technical, horticultural sciences/technologies and applied managerial skills within a range of horticultural establishments such as a nurseries, garden centres and or horticultural/agriculture research stations.

Graduates will be trained in ornamental plant propagation, production, sales, and maintenance of public amenities, conservation and sustainability of the environment in applying knowledge of functional and aesthetic uses of plants to promote human and social well-being of communities.

An increase in the theoretical content will provide students with a better scientific understanding of plant functions, which is vital for success in the advanced and Post Diploma programmes.

Rationale

The horticulture industry has changed significantly over the past decade or more. Adaptions due to water scarcity have placed more emphasis on growing and planting indigenous ornamental species. The large and diverse Green Industry requirements for ornamental plant production, propagation, sales, landscaping and design establishment, the maintenance of public amenities and the conservation and sustainability of the environment were also considered in aligning the Diploma with these requirements. The Diploma in Horticulture is also the only offering in Ornamental Horticulture in the Western Cape. Focus has been placed on improvement of vocational knowledge in providing employees who are more equipped with technical, horticultural sciences/technologies and applicable managerial skills for the industry.

The consumer has placed a greater awareness on the quality and price of products. The focus of the qualification is build knowledge over time of the various functional and aesthetic uses of plants which, when fully exploited, can serve to promote human and social well-being of communities. Graduates will acquire a range of horticultural technologies and applicable management skills within a range of horticultural establishments such as a nurseries, garden centres or horticultural research stations.

An increase in the theoretical content with regards to botany provides students with a better scientific understanding of plant functions, which is vital for success in the Post Diploma programmes.

Benefits on completion of the qualification will ensure lifelong learning, professional development and personal enrichment of graduates in the Horticulture field.

Entry Requirements

National Senior Certificate: In keeping with the Minimum Admission requirements for Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor's Degree programmes requiring a National Senior Certificate (NSC)as specified in legislation, the following admission requirements will be applicable to this qualification:

• English Home or First Additional Language (rating 4).
• Mathematics (rating 3) or Mathematical Literacy (rating 5).
• Life Sciences (rating 3) or Physical Sciences (rating 3).

National Certificate Vocational: In keeping with the Minimum Admission requirements for Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor's Degree programmes requiring a National Certificate (Vocational) (NCV) as specified in legislation, the following admission requirements will be applicable to this programme:

• At least 60-69% in three of the following fundamental subjects, including the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) of the institution.
• English (official language at first additional language level, 20 Credits) at Level 4.
• Mathematics (20 credits) at Level 4 or Mathematical Literacy (20 Credits) requiring a pass rate of at least 60%.
• Life Orientation (10 Credits) at Level 4.
• At least 60% in four vocational subjects (20 Credits each), chosen from the NC (V) Level 4 subjects as stipulated in legislation that align closely to the field of study and the purpose of the qualification.

This qualification consists of a total of 360 number of credits, sub-divided into the following NQF levels

Level 5 subjects consisting of

• Greenhouse Technology (15 Credits) (Core).
• Communication (10 Credits) (Fundamental).
• Computer Skills (10 Credits) (Fundamental).
• Botany 1a (15 Credits) (Core).
• Horticultural Sciences (10 Credits) (Fundamental).
• Horticulture 1(13 Credits) (Core).
• Horticultural Management 1(8 Credits) (Core).
• Botany 1b (13 Credits) (Core).
• Plant Material Studies 1(13 Credits) (Core).
• Growth Media Technology (13 Credits) (Fundamental).
• Environmental Studies (8 Credits) (Fundamental).
• Plant Pests (13 Credits) (Fundamental).
• Horticultural Mechanisation (13 Credits) (Fundamental).
• Horticulture Integrated Project 2a (13 Credits) (Core).
• Turfgrass Culture (11 Credits) (Fundamental).
• Plant Diseases (11 Credits) (Fundamental).

Level 6 subjects consisting of

• Plant Material Studies (13 Credits) (Core).
• Horticulture 2 (12 Credits) (Core).
• Horticulture Management 2 (7 Credits) (Core).
• Environmental Studies 2b (7 Credits) (Fundamental).
• Horticulture Integrated Project 2b (12 Credits) (Core).
• Horticulture 3 (13 Credits) (Core).
• Horticultural Management 3 (8 Credits) (Core).
• Plant Physiology (13 Credits) (Fundamental).
• Plant Material Studies 3 (13 Credits) (Core).
• Horticulture Integrated Project 3 (13 Credits) (Core).
• Horticulture Workplace-Based Learning (60 Credits) (Core).

Rules of combination within the qualification relate to different stream streams within the qualification (if applicable). Pre-requisite and co-requisite subject combinations as defined by the academic department and approved by Senate will be published in official documentation of the institution.

1. Apply knowledge of ornamental plants and plant organisms of the plant kingdom to various horticultural practices.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of plant physiology and the relevance thereof in relation to different growth conditions.
3. Select and utilise plant material appropriate/suitable for various horticultural purposes under specific conditions/situations.
4. Utilise appropriate techniques, equipment and materials for the maintenance and care of plant material to ensure optimum functionality in various horticultural situations.
5. Apply appropriate techniques, equipment and materials for the multiplication, propagation and production of plant materials for use in horticulture and landscaping.
6. Apply appropriate ethical business, entrepreneurial skills, problem-solving and management skills in a horticultural enterprise.
7. Communicate effectively with clients and personnel.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• A comprehensive grounding in application of knowledge on ornamental plants and plant organisms relevant to various horticultural practices.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Provide students with skills that demonstrate an understanding of plant physiology and the relevance thereof in relation to different growth conditions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Preparation of students with skills to select and utilise plant material appropriate/suitable for various horticultural purposes under specific conditions/situations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Utilise appropriate techniques, equipment and materials for the maintenance and care of plants.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Apply appropriate techniques, equipment and materials for the multiplication, propagation and production of plant materials for use in horticulture and landscaping.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Apply appropriate ethical business, entrepreneurial skills, problem-solving and management skills in a horticultural enterprise.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Develop students that communicate effectively with clients and personnel.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment forms part of continuous assessment at the institution and takes the form of an appropriate mix of both formative and summative assessment methods. Assessment policy and practices at the institution promote constructive alignment of the curriculum, student centred-learning and assessment, and the importance of feedback to enhance student engagement. Assessment practices should be fair, reliable and valid. It should also be in keeping with academic disciplinary and professional field norms and standards.

Formative assessment is aimed at enhancing student learning and provides students with an opportunity to reflect critically on their own learning and to improve their own levels of personal accountability and time management. Formative assessment usually consists of a variety of assessment tasks relevant to the field of study.

In this qualification it will consist of a variety of tasks such as problem-solving individual and/or group assignments and projects, case studies, portfolio development, class discussions, quizzes, field trip reports and poster design.

Summative assessment will take place at the end of a section of work/quarter or semester and is aimed at assessing students' attainment against the learning outcomes of the programme and subject(s). Summative assessments are internally and externally moderated based on institutional policy and requirements. Summative assessments usually consist of a variety of formal assessment tasks relevant to the field of study, including written tests, reports and examination.

In this qualification it will consist of written assessments in the form of written class tests and examination conducted during and at the end of the academic semester/year.

Integrated assessment often cuts across a number of subjects/modules of a programme and is aimed at the holistic development of students and contributes to students' personal and professional development in the field of study in terms of foundational, practical and reflexive competence.

Integrated assessment in this qualification will take place at the third year of study and students will be assessed holistically by means of project reports, a portfolio of evidence and an oral presentation related to the needs and requirements of the industry and field of study.