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Research activity and consultancy work are significant aspects of postgraduate programmes within the Horticulture department, covering many aspects of crop production and fresh produce management.
Recent activities have focused on breeding and improvement work with crops ranging from blackcurrants, carnations, hybrid brassicas and leafy African vegetables to rhubarb, evening primrose and Echinacea. Staff and students use techniques as diverse as cryogenic storage, flow cytometry and infra-red gas analysis as well as the more conventional methods available to the modern horticultural researcher. Important progress has also been achieved in topics such as eliminating fungal spores from stored potatoes, heavy metal Writtle College offers taught horticulture awards resistance in European wheat cultivars, the repair on a full and part-time basis including International and performance of modern football pitches and Horticulture, Horticulture (Crop Production), casual labour in the UK soft fruit industries.
Postharvest Technology and Landscape Management. A major research interest is the storage of fresh Each award can be pursued by research, leading to produce. Current investigations include bedding an MSc, MPhil or PhD, and each can be studied on a plants and cut flowers as well as sliced vegetables full or part-time basis. Students considering working and tropical fruits. Staff research activity embraces towards a PhD should allow a minimum of three techniques for storage and modified packaging as years full-time or eight years part-time investigation. well as improvements in national and international The Horticulture department will always endeavour to meet the needs of postgraduate students. For Horticultural staff are committed to expanding example, provided that suitable arrangements can research activity at Writtle College, which is why be guaranteed, it may be possible for students to the College is always keen to look at new areas spend some or almost all of their study period at and topics. For example, the College is currently their own institution or organisation.
investigating the beneficial effects of extracted plant oils on animal and human health. First results from this exciting new area should be appearing in the Links with the University of Essex have developed quite extensively in recent years. In addition to the quality assurance of courses at the College, which are validated through the University of Essex, The Horticulture department enjoys excellent staff regularly cooperate in research and outreach relations with the research sectors of several major activities, which have proved to be of substantial international organisations and universities such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Egerton University in Kenya, the Rubber Research Institute in Sri Lanka and the Parks department in Bermuda. These are in addition to relations with universities in the UK, such as Cranfield University, University of Nottingham and University of Abertay. Additionally, the department carries out regular consultancy studies for international companies working in Central/Southern Africa, Egypt, Eastern Europe and South East Asia, who produce and trade in fresh produce.
Horticulture
MSc/MA INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURE
Postgraduate Diploma in International HorticulturePostgraduate Certificate in International Horticulture The research project/dissertation provides an opportunity to undertake specialist investigative This course is particularly tailored to those who work to demonstrate the application of learning to a require an indepth understanding of horticultural problem-solving situation. The research project can be production and marketing techniques within a global based at Writtle College, HAS Den Bosch or at an context. Applicants will be graduates in subjects areas external organisation. However, students who embark related to horticulture, agriculture or agribusiness. upon an industry-based project must have access to Applications are equally welcome from individuals the same level of facilities and support as students with extensive industrial experience. Applications carrying out their research at Writtle College.
from non-UK students are particularly welcome.
This scheme will provide students with the opportunity to: At Writtle College:
• Study at an advanced level the techniques used for the production and postharvest handling of horticultural/tropical crops and the underlying mechanisms which determine and limit these techniques.
• Develop a broad understanding of the national and international institutions and organisations which are actively influencing developments in At HAS Den Bosch:
• Apply research methodology and information technology to horticultural practice.
Identify and critically evaluate important trends and developments within the international • Identify the needs of national and international communities, and reconcile these with the aims and objectives of specific horticultural • The second term is delivered in English at HAS • Global commercial focus, covering crop production and handling, as well as management, This modular course is delivered at Writtle College marketing and international trade issues.
and at HAS Den Bosch University of Professional • Opportunity to undertake research for the Education in The Netherlands. It is expected that dissertation in industry in the UK or at HAS Den most students undertaking this course will do so on a full-time basis over one year. However, it is also • An MA route for students specialising in business possible to study part-time over two to three years. Typically, students will study at Writtle College from September to December. The second stage of the course is then undertaken at HAS Den Bosch from January to April. A minimum of three months will be Upon successful completion of this course, graduates will be able to enter management positions in global export/import organisations, dealing with fruit, vegetables and flowers, or enter plant protection services and set up advisory Teaching methods will be a combination of lectures, businesses for new product development based on workshops, seminars, tutorials, visits and student- managed learning. Self-guided study takes place under the supervision of horticultural staff to ensure that students maximise their use of all study facilities available at Writtle College and HAS Den Bosch. MSc HORTICULTURE (CROP PRODUCTION)
Postgraduate Diploma in Horticulture (Crop Production)Postgraduate Certificate in Horticulture (Crop Production) The research project/dissertation provides an opportunity to undertake specialist research in This is a broadening course for students with a basic specific fields. It must also include an investigative grounding in plant biology who want to develop component to demonstrate that the student can their knowledge of commercial crop production apply learning to a problem-solving situation. The and the postharvest handling of horticultural crops. project is supervised by a member of academic Applicants will normally be graduates in a related staff, and takes place over a 20 week period during topic. Applications are equally welcome from the summer. The research project can be based individuals with extensive industrial experience. at Writtle College or at an external organisation. Applications from non-UK students are particularly International placements may also be arranged. Students who embark upon an industry-based project must have access to the same level of facilities and support as students carrying out This scheme will provide students with the opportunity to:• Study to an advanced level the techniques used for the production and postharvest handling of horticultural crops and the underlying • International Horticultural Crop Production mechanisms which determine and limit these techniques.
marketing processes concerned with the trade of • Protected Cropping/Agricultural and Horticultural Apply research methodology and information technology to horticultural practice.
Identify and critically evaluate important trends and developments within the horticultural • Identify the needs of national and international communities, and reconcile these with the aims and objectives of specific horticultural organisations.
• A combination of theory, practical experience and industrial visits alongside the development of interpersonal and communication skills.
This modular course can be completed in one • An international dimension to the course content.
year if studied on a full-time basis. If studied on a • Opportunity to undertake original research in the part-time basis the course can take two to three years to complete. The part-time programme offers greater flexibility for those with demanding Upon successful completion of this course, graduates will be able to move into crop production with international growers and management Teaching methods include lectures, workshops, positions within major import/export organisations.
seminars, tutorials, visits, case studies and student-managed learning. Self-guided study takes place under the supervision of horticultural staff who ensure that students maximise their use of all study facilities at the College, including the estate. Students will be assessed by a variety of methods including written papers, case studies and project reports. This flexible approach allows students to monitor their knowledge and skills development throughout the course.
Horticulture
MSc POSTHARVEST TECHNOLOGY
Postgraduate Diploma in Postharvest TechnologyPostgraduate Certificate in Postharvest Technology The research project/dissertation provides an opportunity to undertake specialist research This is an advanced course for students from a in specific fields. It must also include a practical broad range of biological disciplines who want to experimental component to demonstrate that the develop an indepth understanding of the way fresh student can apply learning to a problem-solving horticultural produce must be handled, transported situation. The project is supervised by a member of and stored to maintain quality from grower to the academic staff and takes place over a 20 week consumer. Applicants will normally be graduates in period during the summer. The research project a related topic. Applications are equally welcome can be based at Writtle College or at an external from individuals with extensive industrial experience. organisation, but students who embark upon an Applications from non-UK students are particularly industry-based project must have access to the same level of facilities and support as students carrying out their research at the College.
Course aimsThis scheme will provide students with the • Study to an advanced level the techniques used for the postharvest handling of horticultural crops and the underlying mechanisms which determine • Develop a thorough knowledge of the business environment and marketing processes concerned within the trade of fresh horticultural produce.
Apply research methodology and information technology to postharvest horticultural practice.
• Identify and evaluate critically important trends and developments within the horticultural industry.
• Identify the needs of national and international • A course with a strong commercial focus communities, and reconcile these with the aims including site visits and guest lecturers.
and objectives of specific postharvest technology • A strong international flavour in both crops and • Opportunity to undertake original research in the This modular course can be completed in one year if studied on a full-time basis. If studied on a part-time basis the course can take two to three Upon successful completion of this course, years to complete. The part-time programme graduates will be able to gain employment offers greater flexibility for those with demanding with major wholesale, retail and import/export organisations where produce quality is paramount, and where supply objectives are on a global scale.
Delivery and assessmentTeaching methods include lectures, workshops, seminars, tutorials, visits, case studies and student-managed learning. Self-guided study takes place under the supervision of horticultural staff who ensure that students maximise their use of all study facilities at the College, including the estate. Students will be assessed by a variety of methods including written papers, case studies and project reports. This flexible approach allows students to monitor their knowledge and skills development.
MSc LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT
Postgraduate Diploma in Landscape ManagementPostgraduate Certificate in Landscape Management This course is available on a full or part-time basis. The full-time route will appeal to UK and International students normally with an undergraduate qualification in a relevant discipline. The part-time route will appeal to experienced middle managers working in the industry.
• Landscape and Environmental Assessment Students who have successfully completed this • A combination of theory, practical experience and course will be able to demonstrate a knowledge, industrial engagement alongside the development understanding and critical evaluation of: of interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strategic, policy, planning and delivery issues • Course content that is local and international.
• Opportunity to undertake studies and original • The interdisciplinary and holistic nature of the Issues of lifestyle, consumption and culture as they affect people’s lives and the choices they make Upon successful completion of this course, graduates will move into managerial and practitioner • The diversity that prevails within the management status with national and local government of landscape in relation to stakeholders such organisations, landscape and architect practices and as consumers, employees, organisations and other companies and organisations involved with • Applying research methodology and information technology to landscape management and identifying and critically evaluating important issues, trends and developments.
DurationThis degree is as a one year full-time or a flexible two year part-time course.
Delivery and assessmentThe basic teaching philosophy will involve working in multi-disciplinary teams on problems and projects that use Writtle College’s extensive contacts within industry.
Teaching methods are a rich mix of lectures, workshops, studios, seminars, tutorials, visits, case studies and student-managed learning. Self-guided study takes place under the supervision of experienced staff who ensure that students maximise their use of all study facilities at the College, including the estate. Students will be assessed by a variety of methods including written papers, case studies and project reports most of which will be grounded in practice. A flexible approach allows students to monitor their knowledge and skills development throughout the course.

Source: http://www.writtle.ac.uk/pdfs/5/PG_Horticulture2007.pdf