News

New horticulture degree offered by DCU and Teagasc

14 February 2011

DCU, in conjunction with Teagasc, has launched a new BSc in Horticulture degree programme which will start in September 2011.

This degree is suited to students who have an interest in the natural environment and who envisage a career in all aspects of horticulture, including plant husbandry and crop production, soil science and plant nutrition, as well as landscaping and management of outdoor public and private spaces, such as public parks and sports pitches.

The course will be held on the DCU campus and at the National Botanic Gardens where students can avail of extensive plant collections, conservation, research projects and worldwide network of contacts. The Gardens are also located within walking distance of the DCU campus enabling easy movement between both locations.

Dr Paul Fitters of Teagasc said that the degree was designed to cater for the growing number of students interested in obtaining a third-level qualification in horticulture and who have an interest in both the theory and the practical aspects of horticulture. “The career options for graduates are wide-ranging, and allows them to work in the diverse field of landscape and garden professions at a scientific or more applied level”, he said.

In the first year horticultural students share subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics with common entry science students in DCU. Specialised subjects are taught too, such as biodiversity in DCU and introduction to horticulture in the National Botanic Gardens.

In year 2, subjects will include professional horticulture and plant husbandry, plant materials, soil science, plant nutrition, plant physiology.

In year 3, landscape construction, landscape design and management, professional horticulture and plant husbandry will be taught in the National Botanic Gardens, while new enterprise development and science aspects will be taught at DCU. Students will also take part in a period of paid work placement as an integral part of the degree in year 3.

In the fourth and final year, students will submit a substantial research project on a selected aspect of horticulture.

Students on this course can avail of all the DCU facilities, including on-campus accommodation for over 1,000 students, a fully-equipped sports centre including a swimming pool, a range of over 100 clubs and societies, restaurants, pharmacy and student centre.