In this interdisciplinary module, you will bring together key concepts from climate, soil science, land use, and sustainability principles. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of how environmental systems, such as climate, soils, water and biodiversity interact with human activities, and how this complex relationship is changing over time and with socio-economic development. The scientific evidence for human-induced climate change, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation are comprehensive and compelling, and in this module, you will explore alternative emerging models and practices in sustainable development with a focus on land use practices. You will examine theories and explorative practices in regenerative and sustainable land use, including principles of nature-based solutions, in the context of the structures and processes found in natural systems that promote inherent growth, stability and resilience. As the speed and extent of change experienced in the modern world is affecting planetary systems and ultimately, human wellbeing is increasing, so is the need for radical transformational solutions to prevent further breaching of planetary boundaries to avoid irreversible tipping points. In this module, you will explore key sustainability concepts and frameworks, such as complex systems theory, ecosystem theory, and the circular economy, integrating these into a unified approach to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). You will look at interdisciplinary strategies to tackle environmental, social, and economic challenges, and discuss the need for collaboration across disciplines to develop practical, systemic solutions for sustainable land use and urban development.
View the full module definitionIn this module, you will explore the concepts and practices associated with the management of plants within a wide range of managed landscape situations. You will learn the selection, establishment and maintenance of plants based on their function, site conditions and sustainable goals. The ability to accurately identify plants based upon physical characteristics is developed alongside the capacity to apply plant knowledge relating to growing preference(s) and maintenance needs in a variety of contexts. Through hands-on practical demonstration carried out on the Writtle campus, you will apply what you have learnt to real-life experiences, building an essential range of practical horticultural and landscape skills that will support your future career.
View the full module definitionIn this module, you will dive into an exploration of various plant propagation techniques and learn how they are essential for successful and efficient horticultural production. You will gain in-depth knowledge and hands-on practical skills in producing highquality ornamental and edible plants through a variety of methods, while integrating scientific manipulation with sustainability and market demands. The course will emphasise the importance of specialist horticultural equipment and advanced technologies, which support the effective growth of young plants across different horticultural environments. You will evaluate the scientific principles behind plant establishment, focusing on environmental sustainability, ecological impacts, and protected systems. This module aims to foster an appreciation of the horticultural industry, address challenges faced by commercial propagation businesses, and ensure you gain familiarity with the selection and safe operation of horticultural equipment and facilities. This is your opportunity to learn how to balance innovation, sustainability, and production efficiency in real-world horticultural settings.
View the full module definitionThe module introduces key biological concepts and principles providing the foundation for future study. Dealing with life processes and living organisms, it links biological structure with function. Discipline specific themes are developed via partner units of study delivered in Semester 2. Laboratory and/or simulated practicals will link with the learning activities to provide experience of lab skills and consolidate learning. This will link form to function from cells and tissues to living organisms. Experience of collating observations and generating data will be used to write a laboratory report.
In this module, you will build on previous learnings to focus on the application of scientific principles to ecological agrihort techniques. You will explore the use technology to inform the process of commercial decisions in ways that promote sustainable land use and production. You will look at innovate, integrated systems and consider how digital tools can translate to economically viable options for farmers, growers, and land managers while protecting the planet and reducing environmental impacts. You will also explore the beneficial associations with microorganisms, as well as abiotic and biotic stressors, and how inputs and resource use affect soil health in relation to yields, emissions and overall planetary health. By the end of the module, you will understand how cutting-edge science and technology can work together to shape a more sustainable future for agriculture.
View the full module definitionEntering higher education is exciting; but it can also be a daunting experience. At ARU, we want all our students to make the most of the opportunities higher education provides, reach your potential, become lifelong learners and find fulfilling careers. However, we appreciate that the shift from secondary education, or a return to formal education is, in itself, quite a journey. This module is designed to ease that transition. You'll be enrolled on it as soon as you receive an offer from ARU so you can begin to learn about university life before your course starts. Through Into ARU, you'll explore a virtual land modelled around ARU values: Courage, Innovation, Community, Integrity, Responsibility, and Ambition. This innovative module is designed as a game, where you collect knowledge and complete mini tasks. You'll proceed at your own pace, though we you to have completed your Into ARU exploration by week 6. If for any reason you're unable to complete by that date, we'll signpost to existing services so that we can be confident that you are supported.
View the full module definitionThis module will develop knowledge of how the growth and development of plants is directly affected via their interactions with their environment. The approach will focus on plant health and quality by investigating the interrelationship between plants and their growth media, soils and environmentally based factors. Emphasis will be placed on plants and soils as living systems and how a systematic approach, encompassing cyclical interchange of necessary resources aids in the understanding of horticultural practice. The effect of human intervention in natural cycles is examined, as are the likely effect of a range of climate change scenarios.
Ruskin Modules are designed to prepare our students for a complex, challenging and changing future. These interdisciplinary modules provide the opportunity to further broaden your perspectives, develop your intellectual flexibility and creativity. You will work with others from different disciplines to enable you to reflect critically on the limitations of a single discipline to solve wider societal concerns. You will be supported to create meaningful connections across disciplines to apply new knowledge to tackle complex problems and key challenges. Ruskin Modules are designed to grow your confidence, seek and maximise opportunities to realise your potential to give you a distinctive edge and enhance your success in the workplace.
This module builds on the content of Biological Processes with an examination of the important physiological processes that influence plant growth, development and quality. Experience of running an experimental project / growth trial will be included, with students taking substantial responsibility for the design, operation and collation of results over time. This will include the evaluation of quality in relation to physiological processes and commercial production developments and practices.
In this module, you will explore the vital role trees play in urban greenspaces and how many of them are threatened by climatic changes, urban development, and the spread of invasive pests and diseases. You will learn the importance of a ‘whole life strategy’ approach for tree management in urban environments, and how it can prove challenging due to stresses brought about by environmental change. You will look at the importance of species selection, physical tree management and maintenance, alongside the legal, cultural and social responsibilities that this involves. You will also develop skills in accurate data collection, legal compliance and an understanding of how these can be used to develop best practices in the current and future management of trees. By the end of the module, you’ll understand how to manage urban trees responsibly and sustainably, preparing you to meet the needs of today’s cities and the challenges of the future.
The module is designed to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and thought processes necessary for effective original research. You will study the nature and fundamentals of the research process, such as literature reviewing skills, the design of a research project, techniques for collection of research data and statistical techniques for analysing research data and drawing valid evidence-based inferences.
In this module, you’ll explore the growing challenges that urban environments pose to plants growing within towns and cities. While the benefits of plants is well known and documented, such as cooling urban areas, boosting biodiversity and supporting human well-being, the impact of our changing climate upon the plants themselves can have significant impact on plant health and survival. This module will examine these benefits as well as how the character and design of urban environments influences plant management. A key focus will be on the technical issues underlying plant selection, establishment and management. Through real-world case study sites, you will investigate these issues in greater depth and apply what you learn to practical examples.
View the full module definitionThe trade in horticultural produce and commodities is dependent upon a variety of political and economic factors. An awareness of these and how they affect markets in both the national and international contexts is a vital part of modern horticultural business enterprise. The impact and influence of consumer demands and values, and trade agreements is closely examined as is the role of international legislation on areas such as climate change and the environment, packaging and labelling. Assurance schemes such as GlobalGAP, HACCP and BRC or equivalents are covered as are policy drivers for climate change action, biodiversity conservation and human well-being. Key issues on renewable energy, sustainable resource management and payment for public services are integral elements of the module.
Fresh produce sales in UK supermarkets are worth approx. £10.8 billion. A supply of nutritious affordable foods for public health that meets the five a day campaign requires production and supply systems that assure high standards of quality and safety. The UK is currently reliant on imports and this a sector that is seeing fast paced change and innovation both in the UK and world agricultural systems. The module will give you the opportunity to assess developments and the potential of fresh plant produce production including root, salad and fruit crops which are of increasing importance in certain parts of the UK and overseas, where they contribute significantly to farm output. It will look at the role of this sector to the UK economy, EU imports and from a global perspective. This module will connect with other key modules to consider production systems and consumer behaviour in terms of dietary needs and food preferences in the UK. Its content will keep pace with rapid change through industry engagement and will be delivered in the context of food security, imports and exports, the resilience of supply changes, marketability, consumer demands, waste and sustainability. The content will look at products that can uphold standards of quality, plant health and sustainability. The opportunity to focus on the ornamental and flower production sector is also included part of the module. Specific crops will be evaluated and the agronomy discussed within the framework of Integrated Farm Management to promote the sustainable techniques and the production of high quality produce for multiple retailers and specific markets. Management issues will be evaluated to assess the factors necessary to produce high value field crops profitably while operating within the parameters of environmental sustainability and social values. The opportunity to apply concepts to novel crops and production systems and evaluate developments will also be included. Current developments in technology and those intended to operate within circular economic principles, to reduce ecological footprint and minimise waste output, will be evaluated along with the requirements of highly perishable crops as these are likely to make significant contributions to the efficient production of marketable produce in the future. The opportunity to work with the sector and visit local farmers, processors, packers and retailers will form part of the module.
In the last 50 years global gross domestic product has doubled, enabling immense progress in parts of the world, and providing a quality lifestyle for millions of people. However, this economic growth has been fuelled by grossly unsustainable demands on the planet’s natural resources. Overexploitation together with the production of non-recyclable waste and pollution has driven many of the natural ecosystems into a state of collapse or irreversible change. Estimated boundaries of tolerance for ecosystem structures and function, including biodiversity, climate and nitrates have been exceeded. The United Nations 2019 Global Resources Outlook report reveals that 90 per cent of biodiversity loss and water stress are caused by resource extraction and processing. These same activities contribute to about half of global greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, the benefits of this type of resource use disproportionately limited to a relatively small section of global society in developed parts of the world. High-income countries maintain levels of per capita material footprint consumption that are 60 per cent higher than upper-middle income countries and more than thirteen times the level of the low-income countries. Economic growth which comes at the expense of our planet is simply not sustainable. Through the theory and principles of systems science this module critically examines cause-effect dynamics and drivers of change in land use management, and the implications of unsustainable global food systems and natural resource management on climate, biodiversity and human well-being. The complexity of the problem is a central tenet, and so the need to adopt a multidisciplinary approach is emphasised throughout: one that interrogates current problems in land use practice through the lenses of contemporary scientific theory, specifically, complex systems theory, ecosystem theory and principles of adaptive management. Using case studies, you are tasked with analysing models of sustainable development and nature based solutions, and to work with concepts of cooperative, multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder based approaches.
The trade in horticultural produce has become increasingly internationally based, with many countries involved in the trade of produce. Ensuring the reliability of trade and supply lines is a key aspect within this, as are the systems used to assure quality and safety of various products. This module sets out to examine the causes and types of food loss as well as where it occurs in the food chain and systems. The aim is to illustrate the variety of methods available to reduce loss through packaging, training appropriate equipment etc. Economics and sustainability are included in the debate on food loss, as is the relevance of Fairtrade. Reference to the UN sustainability goals will be implicit to discussions on future developments holding central the tenets of social justice, ethical business and human well-being. You also become acquainted with the methodologies associated with measurement of quality relating to biological change, as well as marketing requirements on local and global bases and the issues of health and food safety in day to day operations.
This module will examine how the productivity of a crop is influenced by a combination of crop physiology, crop husbandry and crop technology. The yield potential of crops will be examined within the context of environmental change. Current topics of importance to the management of horticultural plants and crops will be debated.
This module critically examines the interaction between people and horticulture. As the majority of people live in towns and cities, the module will particularly, but not exclusively, be focused on urban communities and their environments. Communities are being empowered to take greater responsibility for their neighbourhoods from writing neighbourhood development plans through to asset management of behalf of the local authority. Community-run projects can bring many benefits but require co-ordination and co-operation. The module will critically evaluate how people within a community can be contacted and brought together through a range of community horticultural projects.
Urban landscapes that include green spaces (like parks and gardens), blue spaces (such as rivers and lakes and blue-green infrastructure (integration of both) offer significant benefits to the people who live and work in them, as well as being important in supporting biodiversity and offer key environmental services. These areas offer significant benefits to individuals and communities living in urban areas, impacting both human health and wellbeing, community cohesion and quality of life in built up cities and towns. Importantly they also offer ways of directly and indirectly mitigating climate change, which can capitalise on the diversity of horticultural species and promote sustainability contributing to climate risk reduction In this module, you’ll examine how these spaces can be used , how examples were planned and designed, with a focus on the choice of planting and the use of ornamentals, trees and green spaces examining their contribution and management today. The structural and functional benefits of plants in such environments will be examined. You’ll critically evaluate key legislation, strategy, research and policy measures relating to the protection and management of urban greenspace. There will be an opportunity to focus on examples such as private and community gardens, parks, recreational / open green space, green corridors, tree street and hedge planting, playing fields, rain gardens and the use of green roofs and walls alongside the aesthetic use of plants in green and blue infrastructure. The interrelationship and multifunctional use of these infrastructures such as water and flood risk management, thermal regulation, carbon capture and storage and supporting biodiversity will be considered in the context of public and environmental benefit.
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The dissertation is designed to enable you to gain experience in research by undertaking a substantive project, in a subject of your choice. It allows you to gain specialist knowledge, demonstrate scholarship and academic maturity to explore specific issues in greater depth than is possible elsewhere in the programme. It is a major opportunity to demonstrate that you have met the Level 6 descriptors for Bachelor Degrees with Honours as detailed by QAA within their FHEQ. You will also be expected to critically analyse and evaluate information and data from a wide range of sources, justify your choice of topic whether through a process of primary or secondary investigation, effectively interpret and synthesise findings in a structured and logical narrative. Dissertation topics can be laboratory and/or field based investigative studies, business projects or literature reviews, with tutor help and guidance supporting the final project approval. The dissertation is also designed to develop independent learning, self-reliance, work planning skills and a professional approach to study. You are expected to take responsibility for the direction and management of your work through to submission. It is also intended to encourage interdisciplinary and systems-thinking approaches to researching situations and problems encountered in industry and sector to allow you to focus on a specialist subject of your choosing that is often linked to your experience in the sector and future career aspirations.