AESC30210 Plant Protection - Pests

Academic Year 2020/2021

This course provides an overview of the biology and management of animal pests of economic importance in horticulture. The module covers the biology, classification and identification of the major animal pests; the damage caused by pest species and methods for damage prevention; as well as the principles of pest control and integrated management of pests in horticulture.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
- Recognise major animal pest species in horticulture.
- Describe the biology and economic importance of the main pest groups.
- Recognise types of pest damage, identify the causal organisms and make recommendations for their control.
- Recommend methods for pest avoidance and control, and describe the principles of integrated pest management.

Indicative Module Content:

Topics include: The biology, classification and identification of animal pests in major taxonomic groups (Nematoda, Mollusca, Arthropoda, vertebrates); the recognition of the damage caused by pest species; the nature and incidence of pest outbreaks; methods for damage prevention; principles of pest control; integrated management of invertebrate pests in horticulture using cultural, physical, biological and chemical methods; pest management concepts for birds and mammals.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Laboratories

12

Specified Learning Activities

20

Autonomous Student Learning

60

Online Learning

20

Total

112

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The modules uses lectures and laboratory practicals to cover general pest biology and identification of the most important invertebrate taxa. Specialised lectures deal with pest problems in particular horticultural crops such as indoor/protected crops and woody species, as well as vertebrate pests. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

First year biology

Learning Exclusions:

This module (AESC 30210) and AESC 30100 Pests and Parasites ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE. Students who take AESC30100 cannot take this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
AESC20050 - Applied Zoology, AESC30100 - Pests, Parasites & Beneficials, AESC30150 - Forest Protection

Equivalents:
Plant Protection - Pests (ERM30040)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Assessment of in class and self-directed work Week 7 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

25

Continuous Assessment: Assessment of in class and self-directed work Week 10 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

25

Assignment: This is a creative assignment. Each student researches, creates and presents an animation, slide show, poster or similar media piece on a topic selected from a choice of topics Week 12 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

25

Continuous Assessment: Assessment of in class and self-directed work Week 4 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

25


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual and class feedback are provided on lab reports, in the form of annotated and graded worksheets submitted by students at the end of each practical.