Advanced Diploma in Horticulture

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

Apply appropriate skills in propagation, cultivation, and conservation of indigenous plants to develop knowledge for sustainable production and maintenance of specific medicinal, cut-flower, and indigenous species of South Africa.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

Understand advanced horticultural systems for plant cultivation by using appropriate methods, skills, and tools, including hydroponic plant cultivation, greenhouse production technologies, advanced irrigation techniques, using plant growth regulators and information technology to understand their efficiency and solve complex problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

Understand advanced management skills relevant to the horticultural industry, including concepts of environmental management, financial management, and project management necessary to function in a managerial environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

Understand systems, instruments, and equipment to collect both production and research data relevant to the horticultural industry to be assessed with scientific practical parameters, data collection, and statistical analysis.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

Apply fundamental concepts of applied horticultural chemistry and research principles necessary for future Postgraduate studies in horticulture.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

Assess appropriate managerial and maintenance skills and competencies to solve challenges in the field of amenity horticulture for managing City Parks, Urban crematoria, and cemeteries.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of research and work ethics according to professional standards of conduct and acceptable levels of workmanship as in line with registered and approved horticultural bodies, thus promoting safe working practices in the use of equipment and writing research proposals.

Integrated Assessment

A system of integrated assessment is used for the Advanced Diploma in Horticulture whereby the formal evaluation of the candidate academic progress and performance comprises regular integrated assessment, both formative and summative assessments. Assessments for this qualification are designed to encourage students to understand and apply knowledge, analyze data, evaluate procedures/principles through checking/critiquing, create systems/procedures by putting elements together in a coherent or functional manner and also to predict future trends. Formative assessment could include Tutorials, practical reports, oral presentations, research proposals, and research reports. A variety of formative assessments (written assessments, small assignments, practical assessments, open-book tests, plant identification tests, poster and oral presentations) will be used to enhance the teaching and learning process and to provide for sufficient opportunity to fully explore the curriculum. Some of the subjects for this qualification have an integrated assessment component in the form of an integrated research project linked to a presentation. The design/emphasis of these projects is placed on a students' ability to demonstrate the application of critical thinking skills, presentation of data, and solving of problems within the specific field of study. These assessments/projects are holistic assessments that address all the expected outcomes/student attributes that students must complete/demonstrate successfully for that specific subject. The assessment policy and procedures followed in the qualification are aligned with accredited institutional assessment policies at Level 7.