Fundamentals in Plant Protection

Learn more about this course:

What will I learn?

On this course you will learn about best practice in controlling biotic and abiotic stresses which affect plant health.

The content emphasises the practicalities in plant protection and understanding the difference between short term measures and more durable, sustainable control.

You will gain and understanding of the complex interaction between biotic agents and plants, thereby equipping you to be able to plan and design control strategies for local and global problems

How will I learn?

The course will be delivered primarily through case-study analysis, problem, solving exercises and simulation-based activities that are of relevance both now and to future plant health threats. Assignments and simulations will provide you with an opportunity to apply your learning to your own local and other real-world issues. This will be supported by a small number of pre-recorded short videos.

You will be supported to develop your analytical and creative skills, and will be guided to develop viable, holistic and sustainable solutions to real plant health problems. You will also be supported to develop your communication and interactivity skills, building relationships among and cooperating with their peers to generate solutions to problems

The course will be delivered online via our virtual learning environment, Moodle. You will work with simulation-based software while undertaking your course work

How will I be assessed?

You will be required to do three assessments to complete this course:

1. Produce an essay on the weed, pest and disease issues which challenge a major global crop;
2. Produce an essay evaluating the use of diagnostics and monitoring for plant health; and
   
   
3. Produce a video blog on a plant health issue local to you, outlining the issue, the cause, integrated control measures currently used and the scope to improve control in the future.

By the end of the course what will I be able to do?

• Predict the main impacts arising from agents affecting crop health and production; 
  
  
• Evaluate and design integrated control options for a range of crop types and production systems and determine their economic, environment and social benefits; 
  
  
• Critique detection and monitoring methods and the link between these and assessing crop health risk / impact and decision making; and
  
  
• Evaluate the components of an integrated pest management ‘toolbox’ such as genetics, pesticides, biological control, physical barriers, precision techniques and holistic whole systems approaches to managing plant health Interpret and evaluate plant protection options in a balanced and evidenced based manner.

How long does the course last for and how much time will I need to spend on it each week?

Course duration:

• The course is self-paced, allowing you to progress at your own speed. 
• You have 52 weeks from the time of enrolment to complete the course. 

Typical completion time: The course is generally designed to be completed in 12 weeks. 

Weekly time commitment: To complete a course in 12 weeks, expect to spend 3 hours per week on directed online learning activities and at least one day per week dedicated to independent learning and assessment work. 

Why is SRUC a good place to study this micro-credential?

• Expertise: Our staff have real world experience of working in the field of plant protection
  
  
• Theory and Application: Our courses will blend theory with practical examples and simulations to allow you to develop your design skills
  
  
• Student satisfaction: SRUC has experience in running Sustainable Plant health courses which had high approval ratings from learners.

Who will be teaching me?

Laura Edwards BA RVN TQFE AFHEA CertVNECC
Course Lecturer & Joint Content Creator

Laura qualified as a RVN after working as an Animal Care Assistant at Edinburgh University’s Royal (Dick) Hospital for Small Animals. Having worked as a Critical Care nurse for the last 6 years alongside the last 4 as a Veterinary Nursing lecturer for SRUC, Laura has moved at a fast pace to become a Veterinary Nursing advocate and educator.

Laura created and chairs the first Veterinary committee to be included within a human centred nursing association. The British Association of Critical Care Nurses (BACCN) started Laura’s journey into One Health and collaborative nursing for the improvement of patient care.

Organising cross disciplinary working between critical care veterinary nurses and human centred nurses. Veterinary tracheostomy care and maintenance emergency algorithm and check lists, webinars to address common ground in nursing care between sectors which continues to expand with the involvement of the British Veterinary Nursing association (BVNA)

Having completed her carbon literacy certificate. Laura was able to build on her existing relationships within the sector to start creating a series of qualifications that would aim to get veterinary nurses leading the way in creating a more sustainable and healthy future for all of us both human and animal.

 

Helen Ballantyne PG Dip BSC (Hons) RN RVN
Course Consultant & Joint Course Content Creator 

Helen graduated with a degree in Pharmacology in 2002, qualifying as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2005. She has worked nationally and internationally, gathering experience in referral medicine and surgery, charity practice, emergency nursing and exotics.

In 2013 she qualified as a human centred nurse, initially working in cardiothoracic intensive care. Currently she works as a Transplant Clinical Nurse Specialist. Day to day she supports living kidney donors through the process of donation. She also holds an on-call role, managing the logistics of matching, retrieving, and transplanting abdominal organs from deceased donors.

While her primary role is now within the NHS, Helen remains a RVN and has developed a strong interest in the principles of One Health. She regularly lectures and writes about concepts and ways of working that may be shared between the professions to support clinical and professional practice. Her first textbook, Veterinary Nursing Care Plans: Theory and Practice was published in 2018. She completed a MSc in Healthcare Management in 2021 and is currently working on her next book.