Plant Science and Research Courses

Learn the chemistry of the plants at home

• Foundation course for anyone working with plants: from gardeners to research assistants
• Improve your understanding of what makes plants grow
• Improve your job prospects in horticultural, environmental, agricultural and other industries

Student Comment: 'Having not finished high school myself and never studied biochemistry my confidence is a little low but the encouragement I am receiving from Honor [tutor] is a tremendous help and making it easier for me as I go. [The course] is helping me realize what I am actually capable of and that I am smarter than I thought. Thank you for making it possible for me to study my passion while still being able to work.' Melissa Smith, Australia, Biochemistry 1 (Diploma in Horticulture).

Lessons cover: Biochemical substances and terms, carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, metabolism, the nitrogen cycle, photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, acidity and alkalinity, nutrition, hormones, chemical analysis and biochemical applications in industry.

Some secondary school chemistry will be helpful though it is not essential.

Catalyse your career with Biochemistry II.

Who Should do this Course?

• Anyone who works or wants to work with animal or plant technologies
• People working with Agricultural Chemicals
• Students of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal, Health or Plant Sciences
• Anyone with a passion for understanding life and life sciences 

This informative course focuses on the important building blocks of life such as: amino acids, proteins, sugars, polysaccharides, lipids, enzymes, vitamins, hormones, RNA and DNA.  There is an emphasis on biochemical molecules which will help prepare you for Biochemistry III (Biochemical Processes) for which this course is also a prerequisite.

Biochemistry has its roots in medicine, nutrition, agriculture, and natural products chemistry. It covers many other areas as well, but today it is mostly is concerned with the chemistry of molecules found in and associated with living systems, especially the chemistry of these molecules. Biochemists are always trying to break processes down in order to understand how these work, how molecules are created or destroyed and how they relate and affect each other. With the advent of modern computing and technology, biochemists also study intact systems and how each system functions and the other structures or processes that may be affected.

Prerequisite: Plant or Animal Biochemistry I or equivalent.

Deepen your knowledge of Plant Biochemistry

This is an advanced course in biochemistry that will give you a deep understanding on how life processes work, where living organism obtain their energy and nutrients and how these are processed to renew and develop new living materials.  A great course of horticulturalists and those interested in plant biochemical processes.

Lessons cover: glycolysis, electron transport, oxidative  phosphorylation, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, photosynthesis, nucleotide metabolism, enzymes, reproductive processes, hormones and more.

Prerequisite: Biochemistry I and II or equivalent knowledge.

Distance Learning Course -Botanical Science

• Botany provides a foundation for identifying plants easier and more accurately
• When you know the physical structure of a plant, you will notice and remember distinguishing characteristics with more ease.
• Botany provides insights into what makes plants grow, get sick, or die -and that knowledge helps farmers and horticulturists to greater success.
• Advance your career, improve your job prospects, and develop a better appreciation for the environment.

An introduction to plant physiology and taxonomy, including general botany; morphology and anatomy. 

Botany is a foundation study for anyone who works with plants, from teachers and research scientists to farmers and gardeners. Without a proper understanding of botanical science, it can be difficult to properly learn and apply yourself to growing and managing plants in any situation..

The Science of Plant Growth

Learn the principles and practices of plant physiology for a deeper insight into how plants function,  their growth, factors that promote development and which hinder growth.

This course is for people that work or wish to work with plants or as a scientist (e.g. for nursery personnel, technicians and researchers and science students wishing to further their knowledge in plant physiology).

BE PREPARED FOR A CAREER IN SCIENCES

An essential foundation course for all people interested in plant or biological sciences. The cell is the basic unit of life. Its knowledge is most essential to understand how life works for higher animals and plants.

Learn to Understand Chemicals in the Environment...

• This course has been developed by professionals in both Australia and the UK, with the aim of being relevant throughout the world.
• This is a module in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture

Distance Education Course -Professional Development for Horticulture

• advance your ability to conduct Horticultural Research
• for Horticulturists, Technicians and Managers
• investigate social, technological, environmental and economic issues that impact on horticulture today.

Microbiology Course

Microbiology is an increasingly important area of science; not only because of its obvious significance to human health, but also its significance to environmental management, veterinary care, farming and horticulture.

• Microbes have the potential to have a much greater impact upon cleaning up otherwise troublesome pollutants: everything from oil spills to plastics in the environment.
• Microbes can change the nature of soils, improving their ability to grow certain plants.
• Microbes can combat diseases in humans, animals and plants.
  
  

Learn the Science of Physics 

Physics is a science that underpins our understanding of energy and movement, from light to electricity and magnetism.

Physics is fundamental to working with machinery, tools and equipment, heating and cooling systems, construction and lots more.

• Take it as a stand alone course to expand and deepen your perspective on how the world around you works.
• Take it as a module within a certificate or diploma in horticulture, environmental management or science

Learn how to beat the bugs - a course designed for the professional horticulturist.
Plant pathology (also known as phytopathology) is the study of plant disease - it is a combination of science knowledge and science application.

This course develops your understanding of all types of plant diseases (fungal, viral, bacterial, non-infectious); their life cycles, and ways they can be controlled both with and without chemicals.

It is a must for horticulturalists who want to boost their plant health and prevent damage by pests and diseases.

Learn how the chemical dynamics within soils and water work.

Understand how managing the chemistry of soils and water can heavily impact upon the environment and all living things within the environment.

Learn Statistics online

Learn Vertebrate Zoology

A foundation for anyone who works with animals whether pets, pests, wildlife or livestock

Develop your capacity to identify, select and apply knowledge and skills to appropriate perform workplace tasks in any industry. Through a PBL (problem-based learning) study program this and other workshop projects will develop a "real world" relevance in your overall learning experience.

These Workshop modules/courses provide the same outcomes as would normally be achieved by attending face to face or residential workshops. By utilising a PBL approach to learning which has been tried and proven over many years, we have been able to refine this module to create a very effective program that can relate to any discipline in a specific and very practical way. In short, it works and it can be undertaken from anywhere in the world, with the student working in one to one liaison with an academic member of our staff.

What is PBL?    Problem-based learning has been defined as: “A learning method based on using problems as a starting point for acquisition and integration of new knowledge.”