Certificate in Sportsturf Science - South East Technological University

***Please note - entry to this L7 Cert requires applicants to have at least a full L6 Award in Horticulture. Please see the 'Entry' tab for more information on suitable qualifications accepted for entry***

If you are interested in applying for this course please email [email protected] or application details and we can deal with individual queries then

This certificate*** will develop your understanding of the construction and maintenance of turf and artificial surfaces used for sports. The Certificate in Sportsturf Science will be of benefit to candidates who seek to increase their scientific knowledge of the turf-based surfaces they establish and maintain. It would be of great benefit to greenkeepers, irrigation and lighting specialists, stadium managers, and landscape contractors already working in the area, or indeed to candidates who have specialised in other areas of Horticulture but seek work in the sportsturf industry.

On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:

Determine and specify appropriate soil types and root zones for specific sportsturf construction.
Interpret the principles of drainage and irrigation and describe appropriate methods for sportsturf.
Distinguish the main turf grass species and a range of pests, diseases and weeds associated with turfgrass.
Explore the factors influencing pests of turfgrass and propose appropriate IPM control methods in response to turfgrass pests, diseases and weeds.
Explore maintenance techniques and equipment required for turfgrass maintenance.
Demonstrate a range of turfgrass maintenance techniques.
Produce a plan of appropriate maintenance techniques for a range of sportsturf constructions

Delivery

In-person attendance required

Cost

€650

Areas covered will include the following

Turfgrass science: soils for sportsurf, drainage and irrigation for sportsturf, grass morphology and physiology, turfgrass pathology and entomology, sportsturf weeds and control
Turfgrass maintenance: turfgrass mowing, management of organic matter, nutrition of turfgrass, aeration and compaction relief of turfgrass, renovation and repair of turfgrass, topdressing and materials, growth regulation, and other maintenance techniques.
Construction and maintenance of a range of sportsturf facilities: sports pitches, bowling greens, cricket grounds, lawn tennis courts, equestrian sports and artificial surfaces.

PRIOR QUALIFICATIONS

Students will be required to have formal horticultural education prior to admission. Evidence of such qualifications will be assessed by SETU Waterford prior to admission. The following table gives a list of horticultural qualifications to gain entry to these awards. Students presenting with suitable qualifications examined in English will be deemed to have demonstrated proficiency in English.

Title: FETAC Award in Horticulture 5M2586 and level 6 award 6M4334

Duration: 2 years

Programme: Any recognised FETAC provider of horticultural programme

Title: Teagasc – Certificate in Horticulture

Duration: 1 year full-time programme

Programme: Students must have attended a Teagasc Horticultural College – Kildalton College, Warrenstown or National Botanic Gardens. This original Certificate in Horticulture programme was more extensive than the current FETAC Award in horticulture 5M2586.

Title: Teagasc – Advanced Certificate in Hortitculture

Duration: An add on year to the Certificate in Horticulture

Programme: Students must have attended a Teagasc Horticultural College – Kildalton College, Warrenstown or National Botanic Gardens. 6.

Title: ACOT/Teagasc/FETAC Diploma in Horticulture

Duration: 3 year programme

Programme: Students must have attended an ACOT or Teagasc Horticultural programme

Title: Dept of Agriculture/ACOT Senior Certificate in Horticulture

Duration: 2 years

Programme: Department of Agriculture / ACOT Horticulture programme

Other horticultural qualifications, which meet or exceed the above standards e.g. the BSc. in Horticulture will be accepted and others such as those from Greenmount College NI or other UK, European Horticultural colleges, or foreign institutions will be considered and evaluated by SETU Waterford as to their appropriateness.

Progression, Employment, Transfer of Certificate Graduates

Students who subsequently choose to apply and enter into Year 1 of the BSc in Horticulture will receive exemptions for modules they have successfully passed at the appropriate year.

Students who wish to enter the BSc in Horticulture as transfer students into either Year 2 or Year 3 must meet the entry requirements as set out in the existing established transfer mechanism. Exemptions for modules students have successfully completed will be granted. Students wishing to transfer into Year 3, an award year, will be advised as to the appropriateness of accepting a record of educational achievement rather than a certificate.

These minor awards offer structured continuous professional development opportunities to those already working in the industry.

This minor award offers structured continuous professional development opportunities to those already working in the horticulture industry. Successfully completing this course will upskills candidates and will allow candidates who may have been out of formal horticulture education for some time to seek work in the sportsturf industry. In addition, completing this level 7 certificate in Sportsturf Science will allow faster progression to supervisory and management roles in the sportsturf industry.