Home Studies Course -RHS Level III Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Health and Applied Propagation.
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Learn the principles of plant taxonomy, structure, function and growth,
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Study the management of plant health, and learn more about plant propagation.
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Flexible self paced practical, 100 hour course
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Study and sit exams, anywhere in the world, top obtain a prestigeous RHS qualification
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Support from a team of a dozen highly skilled professional horticulturists located in Australia, the UK and New Zealand
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ACS is recognised internationally through IARC and is part of a global network of affiliated colleges spanning 5 countries.
Lesson Structure
There are 15 lessons in this course:
- Taxonomic Classification of Plants
- Structure and Function of Cells and Tissues
- Role of Flowers and Fruit
- Photosynthesis, Respiration, and Movement of Water
- Effects of Tropisms and Plant Growth Regulators
- Physical Properties of Growing Media
- Chemical Properties of Growing Media and Role of Air and Water
- Biological Processes in Growing Media
- Nutrients and Plant Growth
- Organic Techniques and Soil Management
- Plant Pests, Diseases and Disorders Part A
- Plant Pests, Diseases and Disorders Part B
- Regulation of Chemicals and Storage Procedures
- Seed Propagation
- Vegetative Propagation
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
- Demonstrate knowledge of the major divisions of the plant kingdom and an understanding of the taxonomic hierarchy and its relevance to horticultural practice.
- Identify and describe the different types of plant cells and tissues, their structure, and function.
- To understand the role and function of the reproductive parts of the plant and the seed in the plant lifecycle.
- Understand the mechanism and role of photosynthesis and respiration in the metabolism of plants, the role of water in the plant, and the movement of water, solutes, and assimilates through the plant.
- To develop an understanding of the effects of tropisms and other plant movements on growth and development.
- Understand the physical properties of growing media and their significance in relation to plant growth.
- To understand basic chemistry of soils and other growing media, and the relationship between their air and water content and plant growth.
- To understand the role of living organisms in the biological processes of soils and other growing media.
- To understand how nutrients affect plant growth and describe a range of fertilisers and their applications.
- To determine appropriate management programs for different soils in horticultural situations.
Course Duration : 200 hours
Prerequisite: RHS Certificate II in Horticulture or equivalent (eg Level 3 Australian TAFE Certificate, or any ACS Horticulture Certificate)
To obtain the certificate, awarded by the RHS in England, the student needs to sit and pass written exams conducted under supervision, and assessed by the RHS.
- Exams can be arranged to be sat anywhere in the world.
- Exams are offered twice annually; in February and June. A separate fee applies for exams; set by and paid to the RHS.
- A network of exam centres are located across the UK for students located in the UK
- Exam locations are easily arranged in Australia or elsewhere
For students located elsewhere; a provision is made for exams to be conducted "under arrangements for exceptional supervision".
This is one of several new RHS Qualifications being phased in to replace older courses over the second half of 2010.
The older courses can still be studied with ACS, but there will be cut off dates on their accreditation; and the possibility of sitting an RHS exam for the older qualification may be missed. Opportunities will be made available to upgrade from the older courses to the new qualifications, irrespective.
