HORT10040
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Academic Year 2025/2026
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
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What will I learn?
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
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 23 |
| Specified Learning Activities | 30 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 47 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 100 |
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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.\
Am I eligible to take this module?
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Not applicable to this module.
\
Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module. \ \
How will I be assessed?
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) | Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% | 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 |
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Carry forward of passed components
No
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What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Autumn | Yes - 1 Hour |
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \
Assessment feedback
Feedback Strategy/Strategies
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
Not yet recorded.
Associated Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Dr Paula Munoz Roldan | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Noeleen Smyth | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
When is this module offered?
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 |