Bachelor of Horticulture (Honours)

Course 609-BH (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Year and Campus: 2009
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Undergraduate

Contact

Mr James Will, Course Coordinator, School of Resource Management, Faculty of Land and Food Resources, The University of Melbourne, Burnley campus. Phone: +61 3 9250 6849 Email: jwill@unimelb.edu.au Ms Kylie Cannon, Undergraduate Coordinator, Faculty of Land and Food Resources, The University of Melbourne, Burnley. Phone: +61 3 9250 6804 Email: kcannon@unimelb.edu.au
Course Overview:

The honours year in Bachelor of Horticulture comprises advanced coursework, and an individual research project designed to extend students' knowledge and skills in solving research problems. After successfully completing the program, students will be prepared to enter the workforce and pursue a career or to continue further research study through a masters or doctor of philosophy degree.

The honours program can be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis. The program can commence either in February or July. February commencement concludes in November. July commencement concludes in June of the following year. Most students study full time and commence in February.

Objectives:

On completion of the program, graduates should be able to:

  • demonstrate an understanding of, and apply, scientific, technological, managerial and social principles related to the environmental horticultural industries of Australia;
  • interpret the roles and inter-relationships of plants, soil, water, air and micro-organisms and apply them to the interpretation, assessment or prediction of problems and solutions in environmental horticulture systems;
  • demonstrate analytical, quantitative and interpretive skills in the context of environmental horticulture;
  • integrate theory, formal study and industry practices at a professional level relevant to environmental/ornamental horticulture;
  • develop strategies appropriate to the establishment, maintenance and management of landscapes, public and private open space, and plant production systems;
  • research, analyse and present, both orally and in written form, data and concepts relevant to the industries associated with environmental/ornamental horticulture;
  • demonstrate an understanding of the dynamic nature of the industries associated with environmental/ornamental horticulture.
Course Structure & Available Subjects:

609-BH Bachelor of Horticulture (Honours) - Burnley
Subject Options: BACHELOR OF HORTICULTURE (HONOURS)

FOURTH YEAR (HONOURS)

208-411 Research Philosophies and Statistics or 207-414 Social Research Methods or 220-404 Methods for forest and Ecosystem Research

Two electives in Semester 1 and Semester 2

202-408 Honours Research Project (year-long) may be replaced by 202-414 Honours Research Proejct (mid-year entry)

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
62.500

Elective subjects

In addition to the subjects below, electives may be drawn from other faculties, subject to the approval of the faculty concerned and the course coordinator. By appropriate subject choice students in the Bachelor of Horticulture will be able to build on the general education they receive in the first two years of the program to develop specialised knowledge in particular horticulture disciplines.
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.500
Semester 1
12.500
Not offered in 2009
12.50
Semester 2
12.500
Not offered in 2009
12.500
Entry Requirements:

To be eligible for consideration for entry into honours in the Bachelor of Horticulture degree applicants must have:

  • achieved an average of at least 65 in the third year (300-level) subjects in their Faculty undergraduate degree; or
  • completed an equivalent qualification to the Faculty undergraduate degree, this qualification being recognised by the Faculty, at a level of academic performance equivalent to that required in the point above

On completion of the fourth (honours) year, the Faculty determines the award of honours degrees on the basis of average mark of the weighted average of all fourth-year subjects. The resulting figure is the 'Honours Score'.

Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. This course requires all students to enrol in subjects where they must actively and safely contribute to field excursions and laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Disability Liaison Unit (8344 7068 or DLU-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au).
Further Study: The Faculty offers excellent opportunites for students to pursue postgraduate studies in the fields of agricultural science, forestry, natural resource management, urban horticulture, food science, animal welfare, wood science, agribusiness, wine technolgy and viticulture, forest ecosystem science. Programs available include Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters (by coursework), Masters (by research) and Doctoral degrees
Graduate Attributes: Graduates will be expected to:have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitationshave a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarshiphave in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communicationbe critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learningbe adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologiesbe advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
Generic Skills: Students who complete this course should have acquired:
  • a profound respect for truth, intellectual and professional integrity, and the ethics of scholarship
  • a capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning and research identification and description of the business environment in which rural and regional businesses operate
  • an ability to derive, interpret and analyse ecological, biological, social, technical or economic information from primary sources
  • an awareness of, and ability to utilize appropriate communication technology and methods for the storage, management and analysis of data
  • an ability to utilize appropriate technology in the analysis of rural and regional business
  • a capacity for creativity and innovation, through the application of skills and knowledge
  • an ability to integrate information across a broad range of disciplines to solve problems in applied situations
  • highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
  • highly developed oral communication skills to allow informed dialogue and liaison with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
  • an appreciation of social and cultural diversity from a regional to a global context
  • an ability to participate effectively as part of a team
  • an ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects

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