The Certificate in General Horticulture covers introduction to plant identification, soils, fertilisers and basic plant botany. It comprises two modules that include unit standards at Level 2 and Level 3.
This programme aims to provide students with the broad knowledge and skills necessary for entry level employment and/or further study in the horticulture sector.
CGH101 General Horticulture Operations 1 (20 credits)
Students will learn about the structure of plants and the function of different parts. You will learn about identifying plants and common plant diseases and disorders.
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- describe simple plant classification and identify unfamiliar plants.
- describe the composition of soil and identify soil texture and structure
- describe two soils using New Zealand Soil Classification
- learn about the role of fertiliser for plant health and growth.
- demonstrate knowledge of plant structures and their functions
- describe plant tissue structures and their functions.
- learn about plant processes
- describe how environmental factors affect plant processes
- demonstrate knowledge of plant life cycles.
CGH102 General Horticulture Operations 2 (20 credits)
This module will help you learn about soil properties, fertilisers, common weeds and control measures and also control programmes for plant pests.
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- identify the main types, and give common examples, of amenity plant pests, diseases, and disorders
- describe the principles of prevention and control of amenity plant pests, diseases and disorders
- identify common horticultural weeds
- explain the way common weeds survive and spread and describe methods to control weed growth and spread.
- describe the formation of soil
- describe the water, chemical and biological properties of soil
- describe how modifying soil properties can influence plant growth.
- identify environmental factors which influence vegetative and fruit growth; identify other factors which influence vegetative and fruit growth; demonstrate knowledge of a specific crop which is grown using environmental techniques to improve plant production and crop quality.
A photographic collection and practical soil assignment is required to complete this module.
It is recommended that CGH101 is completed before CGH102.
Enrolment: Application forms are filled out on a year by year basis and students are welcome to apply for multiple intakes on the one application form. Further enrolment is the responsibility of individual students. There is no automatic enrolment rollover.
Transfers: All study selected for a particular intake must be completed within that intake period and cannot be carried over to another intake, unless a transfer is requested within the first two weeks after the start date. Each transfer requested into an alternative intake will incur an admin fee of $50. Transfers are not permitted two weeks after the intake start date or between academic years.
Withdrawals: In order to get a refund of fees, students must advise SIT2LRN of their application withdrawal, in writing, 14 days prior to programme start date. Students can withdraw up to 75% of the way through the course, but will still be liable for the fees. Students must advise SIT2LRN in writing of their programme withdrawal.
This programme requires a computer and internet access. All students are required to use their SIT webmail only. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system, for which access will be given during the period of study.
Facilitator Assistance: During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (week days only). All students are required, within the first two weeks of intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study. Students who have not completed this enrolment process or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2nd week of intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme. Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fee Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.
For some papers, students are required to obtain reading material from the library. All the books are available from the SIT library.
Assessments include assignments and on-line tests.
Assessments for this course typically include short written answers and reports. There are some weed collections to compile. There are no external exams for this course.
The Zero Fees Scheme applies to this course, so there are no tuition fees as long as you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident (residing in NZ), BUT there is a student direct material cost of $5.50 per credit of study undertaken, plus the required textbook/s listed below. You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain your Zero Fees Scheme entitlement.
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Enrolment category
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Zero Fees Scheme – applies to NZ citizens and permanent residents (residing in NZ)
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International Students
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Cost (NZ$)
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$5.50 per credit (totalling $220.00 for 40 credit course) - includes GST
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$100.00 per credit (+GST for those living in NZ – no GST for those living offshore)
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Payment is due on the start date of each intake enrolled in - for just the paper/s or unit/s that you have enrolled in for that intake.
All SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink. Any queries regarding Studylink allowances, loans, and terms and conditions should be made directly to Studylink on 0800 88 99 00 or www.studylink.govt.nz.
The following textbooks are required for this course:
CGH101
Botany for Gardeners (3rd Ed)
Author: Capon (2010)
For a quote from the SIT Bookshop please call: 0800 888 220 or email: bookshop@sit.ac.nz. Limited numbers are also available to borrow (short term) from SIT’s library by emailing library@sit.ac.nz or phoning 0800 478 839 ext 8836.
All applicants should demonstrate a keen interest in horticulture and possess academic attributes, which demonstrate that applicants have a reasonable likelihood of successful completion of the programme. Mature students (20 years of age or over at commencement of programme) are welcome to apply.
For students to be considered to have satisfactorily completed this programme, and be eligible for the awarding of the qualification Certificate in General Horticulture (Level 3) they must have completed all scheduled course work requirements and assessments, successfully completed assessment requirements for all unit standards, and achieved a total of 40 credits as specified in the programme schedule.