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Soils and Growing Media (HORT10014)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Burnley)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Understanding soils and growing media is fundamental to achieving optimal growth of plants in a wide range of environments. Soils affect plant health intimately and their composition, structure and nutrient availability can dictate which plants can be grown successfully in a particular environment. Understanding the mechanisms by which soils and growing media promote or detract from plant growth will allow the horticultural professional to successfully negotiate plantings in a range of soil types. Natural soils in the urban environment are increasingly rare while the number of specialist growing applications such as roofs, vertical plantings, and other substrates with limited soil volume are increasing rapidly. This subject will allow the student to understand the properties required in growing media, why they are important and give them the ability to specify physical and chemical properties for specific situations.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- understand the chemical and physical properties of soil and growing media composition
- identify different soil textures and structures
- understand the importance of soil water aeration, drainage and temperature
- apply the principles and practices of soil husbandry and growing media management to specialist applications such as green roofs, vertical walls and container gardening
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should have:
- developed a capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning;
- an ability to derive, interpret and analyse information from primary sources;
- be able to apply theoretical principles to achieve practical outcomes;
- an ability to integrate information to solve problems and effectively use technology in this discipline; and
- excellent written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups
Last updated: 12 October 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 12 October 2023
Assessment
Additional details
- 1000 word assignment, due mid semester (approxiamately week 6), (25%);
- 1 hour examination, mid semester (approxiamately week 7), (25%);
- 1000 word assignment, due before the end of the teaching period, (25%);
- 1 hour examination, held in the examination period, (25%).
Last updated: 12 October 2023
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Kirsten Raynor Mode of delivery On Campus (Burnley) Contact hours 24 hours lectures and 24 hours practical activities. Total: 48 hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 23 July 2018 to 21 October 2018 Last self-enrol date 3 August 2018 Census date 31 August 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 September 2018 Assessment period ends 16 November 2018 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 12 October 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Associate Degree in Urban Horticulture - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 12 October 2023