Skip to main content

Understanding Plants and Plant Science Level 3

OSC1481

Passionate about horticulture? Discover the science behind plants and learn how to cultivate fruit and vegetable crops.

Course duration

Up to one year.

Course outcome

You will receive a certificate of achievement in Understanding Plants and Plant Science Level 3.

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for this course.

Assessment

Tutor-marked written assignments.

Study Options

 
£389.00
or £11.56 /month*
Course code: OSC1481
Contact us

Buy now, pay later

Pay monthly options available in checkout.

Klarnanow available at checkout.
visamaestromastercardpaypalamexdiscoverdinerselo

Course overview

This course is perfect for anyone with an interest in horticulture, eager to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the field. You will explore the scientific principles that govern plant health and nutrition, and become familiar with the technical language needed to describe, classify and identify plant species.

In addition, you will cover the basic fundamentals of cultivating outdoor fruit and vegetable crops, with practical insights you can apply to your own garden or allotment. The course also introduces you to best practices for selecting garden features, while also teaching you how to recognise potential hazards, ensuring your designs are both safe and accessible.

Course content

  • Understand the characteristics and the naming of the main groups of plants and their life cycles.
  • Explain the impact of climate change on Horticulture.
  • Understand the structure and function of plant cells, tissues and vegetative organ.
  • Understand the structure and function of closers, fruits and seeds.
  • Understand the importance of photosynthesis, respiration and the movement water and minerals through the plant.

  • Understand the importance of abiotic conditions in plant health.
  • Know the role nutrition plays in ensuring plant health.
  • Understand the impact of competition on plant health.
  • Understand the importance of pests and plant pathogens.
  • Know the principles of biosecurity and plant passports.

  • Understand soil types and profiles.
  • Know the role of nutrients in plant growth and health.
  • Understand plant nutrition provided by soil and other growing media.
  • Understand pH and nutrient availability.
  • Review the importance of bulk constituents for growing media.

  • Know the importance of site selection for outdoor food production in a garden or allotment.
  • Understand the cultural operations used to produce outdoor food crops in a garden or allotment.
  • Understand the principles of vegetable crop production.
  • Understand the production of top and soft fruit for a garden or allotment.

  • Understand basic garden planning principles and the elements that contribute to a good design.
  • Understand the characteristics of accepted garden design styles.
  • Understand the effective use of soft landscaping elements.
  • Understand how to incorporate key elements into a cohesive design.
  • Understand the importance of safe, health, environmentally-aware and sustainable development of garden sites.

  • Understand the choice of plants for seasonal display and their establishment and maintenance.
  • Understand the choice of perennial plants and bulbs for display, and how to grow them.
  • Understand the choice of woody plants for display and their establishment and maintenance.
  • Understand the choice of alpine and rock garden plants and how they grow.
  • Understand the planting and maintenance of a garden pool.
  • Understand the establishment and maintenance of lawns.

Awarding body

This course has been endorsed by TQUK, meaning Open Study College have undergone external quality checks to ensure that the organisation and the courses they offer are to a high standard. Regular reviews of our courses are carried out as part of the endorsement process.

The course depth and study has been benchmarked at level three against level descriptors published by Ofqual.

Extra information

You may start at any time and have a full year to complete your studies. This is more than enough time to give you flexibility and work at your own pace without the pressure of deadlines.

This course will enable you to work when and where you want. You can study from home or at work; it is completely up to you. All your materials will be posted to you, so receiving your materials is easy. You will also receive our award-winning support by email, so help is only a click away!

This course is assessed by a series of assignments, which are submitted to your tutor for marking. No external examination is required.

At the end of this course successful learners will receive a Certificate of Achievement from TQUK.

FAQs

You may start at any time and have a full year to complete your studies. It is truly flexible and is designed to be adaptable around your lifestyle and other commitments.

You do not need any previous skills or knowledge to enrol onto this course.

You will send your work to your personal course tutor for them to mark and return to you. On successful completion of the course you will be awarded your certification.

It's not a problem. We offer a course replacement service, so if you get into trouble and your course pack is lost or damaged, our Learner Services Team can provide you with a new set of materials for a one-time additional fee.

That's not a problem. We want to make sure you're 100% confident about enrolling on the course and starting your study. So, just give our team of education specialists a call on 03300 563 100 and they'll do their best to help.