AD3HCT: Horticultural Crop Technology

Module code: AD3HCT

Module provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Luke Bell , email: luke.bell@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Paul Hadley, email: p.hadley@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides students with an understanding and knowledge of specific aspects of horticultural crop technology. Several advanced technical and scientific aspects of horticultural production systems in temperate areas are also covered to illustrate the relationship between plant physiology and genetics, and the development of new horticultural technologies. Crop technologists in the horticulture industry are required to be innovative and to design new technologies to improve production efficiency. This module will enable students to research technologies and appraise their potential critically. Interactive lectures will allow the students to gain experience in evaluating scientific research critically. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of specific aspects of horticultural crop technology and appraise and critically assess the scientific information that supports this knowledge.  
2. Summarise and explain specific aspects of horticultural crop technology and production systems from assembled scientific information. 
3. Enhance their presentation and communication skills via a presentation to other students on a topic of their choice.  
4. Conduct independent self-learning through researching a topic of their choice. 

Module content

• Horticultural robotics 
• Genetic modification technology 
• Postharvest storage of horticultural crops 
• Field based imaging technology 
• Disease & pest management technologies 
• Hydroponic growing systems 
• Precision irrigation technology 
• Improvements in vegetable seed technology 
• Development of novel horticultural crops 
• Vertical & urban farming 
• Waste reduction & valorisation of horticultural crops 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Content will be delivered via lectures and online screencasts via the Yuja platform, as well as a field trip. Students will prepare a presentation on a crop production technology of their choice for assessment, as well as an essay researched through independent study.

Study hours

At least 44 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

In-class Kahoot quizzes for lecture topics. 

Reassessment

Additional costs