Diploma (Advanced) in Horticulture (Parks And Recreation)

DEVELOP A CAREER IN PARKS AND RECREATION RESORTS!

Would you like to care and manage parks, natural parks, holiday and recreation resort facilities? Then this is the course to do. This course provides training for people to work in the management and development of recreation and park facilities and services. It is relevant to all types of situations including municipal parks, national parks, tourist parks, commercial landscapes, resorts, etc.

1.     CORE and ELECTIVE MODULES

The Advanced Diploma in Horticulture includes core studies and electives. Core modules are compulsory, electives are chosen to suit your particular specialization or work needs.

a) CORE MODULES (13)

• Biochemistry (Plants)
• Computer Studies
• Business Studies
• Instructional Skills
• Workplace Health & Safety
• Horticulture I
• Arboriculture I
• Turf Care
• Irrigation
• Playground Design I
• Recreation Marketing
• Recreation Management-Human Resources
• Recreation Management -Financial/Clerical
  

b) ELECTIVES (8)

• Landscaping I,
• Landscaping II, 
• Recreation Facility Management I,
• Recreation Facility Management II,
• Amenity Horticulture I
• Amenity Horticulture II
• Sports Turf Management
• Recreation Management -Policies & Procedures,
• Plant Protection,
• Engineering I,
• Soil Management,
• Irrigation Management,
• Australian Native Plants I,
• Horticulture II;
  and more!
  
  Outlines of these modules and other modules may be found throughout the handbook or at www.acs.edu.au/outlines
  

2. WORKSHOPS
2 workshops of 100 hrs (or equivalent). Documentation that specifies what is required can be provided so that these requirements may be satisfied by working with a professional anywhere in the world. Ask for further information.

3. INDUSTRY CONFERENCES/SEMINARS
Attendance at conferences, seminars etc totalling 100 hrs

4. RESEARCH PROJECTS
Two projects (2 X 100 hrs), dealing with different aspects of the workplace.

STUDY SEQUENCE
The core modules are required to be completed before anything else. Beyond that it is possible for you to determine your order of studies.

Note: Fees cover all tuition and "essential" texts.
They do not include fees for any Industry conferences or seminars which are attended.

Note: Course fee does not include exam fees

Brief Outlines for Core Modules

• Biochemistry Plants
  Biochemistry is the chemistry of living things. This
  introductory course concentrates on the chemistry of either animals or
  plants. Some secondary school chemistry will be helpful though it
  is not essential. Lessons cover biochemical substances and
  terms, carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins,
  metabolism, the nitrogen cycle, photosynthesis, respiration,
  transpiration, acidity and alkalinity, nutrition, hormones,
  chemical analysis and biochemical applications in the
  industry.

• Workplace Health and Safety
  An important subject area applicable to all industries. This
  course covers the following topics:
  * Introduction to workplace health and safety, procedures, duty of care
  * Legislation
  * Handling chemicals, including pesticides, cleaning chemicals, explosives, petrol
  * Handling equipment: tools and machinery
  * Handling objects: lifting, manual handling
  * Standards and rules: safety audits, codes of practice
  * Signs and signals: communicating in the presence of noise, eye problems, hazardous chemicals

• Project Management

There are nine lessons as follows:

1. Introduction
   Understanding what project management is, and what its applications might be.
2. Project Identification
   Identification and defining projects which need management.
3. Project Planning
   Developing a strategy and framework for the plan.
4. Project Implementation
   Managers duties during implementation, developing a Preparation Control Chart,
   Regulating implementation.
5. Project Completion & Evaluation
   Dangers in this stage, Steps in Project completion, Declaring a project sustainable,
   Developing an evaluation method.
6. Technical Project Management Skills
   Preparing a proposal, budget control/management, steps in drawing up a
   post project appraisal.
7. Leadership Skills
   Styles of leadership, leadership principles and methods.
8. Improving Key Personnel Skills
   Listening skills, Negotiation skills, Conflict management.
9. Major Assignment
   Developing full documentation for a project.

• Instructional Skills
  There are 11 lessons with a written assignment to be submitted at the end of each lesson as follows:

1. Introduction to Training – Communication
2. Understanding Learning
3. Determining Training Requirements in The Workplace
4. Commencing Training
5. Developing a Lesson Plan
6. Assessment and Evaluation of Training Programs
7. Training Aids
8. One-To-One Training
9. Motivation Skills and Techniques
10. Promoting Training
11. Assessor Training

• Horticulture I

There are twelve lessons in this course, as follows:

1. Plant Identification: Naming plants; distinguishing the taxonomic divisions of plants including family, genus, species and variety or hybrid; identifying the different parts of a flower; distinguishing the morphological characteristics of leaves.

2. Planting: Planting methods used for different types of plants including annuals, perennials, evergreen and deciduous plants; influence of environmental factors on planting techniques.

3. Soils: Classifying soils; sampling and testing soils; chemical and physical properties of soils; soil improvement techniques; composting; potting mixes.

4. Nutrition: Major and micro elements necessary for plant growth; nutrient deficiencies and toxicities; fertilisers.

5. Water Management: Irrigation systems – characteristics, advantages and disadvantages; drainage systems; waterwise gardening.

6. Pruning: Pruning techniques; importance of pruning to growth, flowering and fruiting; pruning tools.

7. Weeds: Identifying common weeds; characteristics of weeds; control techniques; herbicides.

8. Pests and Diseases: Identifying common insect and disease problems; control methods; Integrated Pest Management; pesticides; hygiene procedures; chemical safety.

9. Landscaping: Stages of landscaping; design procedures; collating pre-planning information; preparing plans; selecting plants for specified sites.

10. Propagation: Asexual and sexual propagation; taking cuttings; sowing seeds; aftercare of propagated plants.

11. Lawns: Turf grass varieties; laying a new lawn; cultural techniques including watering, fertilizing, topdressing, aerating, pest and disease control.

12. Arboriculture: Tree management techniques including pruning, removal and tree surgery; identifying tree problems.

• Arboriculture I

There are eight lessons in this module, as follows:

1. Introduction To Arboriculture
2. Tree Biology
3. Soils In Relation To Trees
4. Diagnosing Tree Problems
5. Tree Surgery
6. Pruning Of Trees
7. Arboricultural Equipment
8. Workplace Health & Safety.

• Turf Care

There are eleven lessons as follows:

1. Introduction - Turf Varieties
2. Turf Grass Physiology
3. Turf Establishment
4. Soils
5. Turf Weed Problems
6. Turf Pests & Diseases
7. Turf Maintenance Techniques
8. Irrigation - An Overview
9. Playing Fields & Bowling Greens
10. Managing Established Turf
11. Establishing Ornamental Turf

• Irrigation

There are 10 lessons as follows:

1. Introduction to Irrigation
2. Soil Characteristics & Problems
3. Estimating Plant Needs & Irrigation Scheduling
4. Drainage
5. Types of Irrigation Systems
6. Trickle Systems
7. Design Specifications
8. Pumps & Filters
9. Selecting the Right System for a Plant
10. Design & Operation of Systems.

• Playground Design I

There are eight lessons in this unit as follows:

1. Overview of Parks & Playgrounds
2. Playground Philosophy
3. Preparing a Concept Plan
4. Materials
5. Park & Playground Structures and Materials
6. Local and Neighbourhood Parks
7. Community Participation In Park Development
8. Special Assignment.

• Recreation Marketing
  The course is divided into ten lessons as follows:

1. Introduction to Marketing
2. Marketing Strategy
3. Media Promotions
4. Promotional Materials
5. Complaints
6. Managing Membership Levels
7. Sponsorship & Fundraising
8. Managing Events
9. Managing Promotional Activities
10. Market sensitive recreation services.

• Recreation Management-Human Resources

Lessons are structured as follows:

1. Work Schedules
2. Work Teams
3. Workplace Efficiency
4. Recruitment
5. Staff Performance
6. Workplace Communications
7. Staff Grievances
8. Developing a Staff Manual

• Recreation Management -Financial/Clerical

There are eight lessons as follows:

1. Financial Analysis
2. Budget Control
3. Legal Requirements
4. Funding Opportunities
5. Workplace Communications
6. Managing Documents
7. Managing a Resource Library
8. Managing Information Technology

Other Courses/Studies we offer:

You can also study Certificates, Associate Diplomas or vocational (career) studies in Ecology, Botany, Plant Ecology, Zoology, Horticulture (Nature Park Management), Wildlife Management, Environment Management, Earth Science, Marine Studies, Waste Management and much more.

WHY CHOOSE US?

• Reputation: well-known and respected in horticulture and environmental sciences
• Industry focus: courses designed to suit industry needs and expectations
• Different focus: develop problem solving skills that make you stand out from others
• Hands on: develop practical as well as theoretical skills
• Lots of help: dedicated and knowledgeable tutors (Faculty of internationally renowned horticulturists)
• Efficient: prompt responses to your questions
• Reliable: established in 1979, independent school with a solid history
• Up to date: courses under constant review
• Resources:  huge wealth of constantly developing intellectual property
• Value: courses compare very favourably on a cost per study hour basis
• Student amenities: online student room, bookshop, ebooks, acs garden online resources.