Horticultural Science
Apply to Be a StudentRelease Date: Sept 2025
Professional Accreditation: 18 Basis points
Lead Organisation: IBERS, Aberystwyth University
This module will explore the underlying scientific principles that unlock the practice of sustainable horticulture. A robust understanding of these principles will prepare students with a wide range of connections to horticulture to apply a common language and fundamental knowledge base to respond to critical global challenges including climate change mitigation and adaptation, food security, halting biodiversity loss, and the transition to a zero-carbon economy within this diverse sector. It will cover the above and below ground biology and interactions that enable plant health and the micro and macro environmental strategies that can be utilised to maximise plant performance and/or ecosystem services.
Topics include:
- Plant nomenclature and taxonomy
- Plant biology – structure, physiology and reproduction
- Plant genetic resources – importance, evaluation and conservation
- Soil structure and composition
- Soil ecology and health
- Soil nutrient cycling
- Root/soil interactions
- Alternatives to peat-based compost
- Integrated pest, disease, and weed management
- Routes to net-zero
Assessments and Learning Outcomes for this module can be found HERE
Apply to Be a StudentQualifications which this Module may be Used Towards
| PGCert Nuffield Farming Scholarship | Option |
|---|---|
| MSc Agrifood Innovation | Option |
| MRes Agrifood Innovation | Option |
| Professional Doctorate in BioInnovation | Option |
Tutors
| Tutors Name |
|---|
| Dr Sarah Watson-Jones |
Testimonials
[I liked] "Learning about a subject that I enjoyed dealing with in a practical sense, i.e growing vegetables and fruit, but which I had never thought of in a scientific way before, due to my non-science background. It has been a complete eye-opener and fascinating, although I found it very hard also. My tutor, Sarah Watson-Jones was fantastic, very approachable, helpful and friendly...Thank you for helping me discover the potential for a career change.”