18 September 1998 Broad range of qualifications and experience characterise horticultural education at Lincoln

Range is the operative word in describing the horticultural qualifications available at Lincoln University. As Academic Co-ordinator for Horticulture Mike Morley-Bunker says, “School-leavers or others considering a career in horticulture can look at Lincoln and weigh up whether they want to take a commerce approach, a science approach, a diploma approach as opposed to a degree, or even do something within one sector of horticulture such as a qualification in viticulture and oenology."

The first level of degrees and diplomas Lincoln offers within horticulture are Bachelor of Horticulture, Bachelor of Horticultural Science, Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture), Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology, and Diploma in Horticultural Management. The next level up is advanced study either for Honours, Masters or Doctoral degrees or a Postgraduate Diploma in Horticultural Science.

"However, horticulture at Lincoln University is not just a road to qualifications," says Mr Morley-Bunker, "students have the opportunity to study and familiarise themselves with a full range of horticultural activities and practices covering everything from apples to zucchinis.

"And that broad range is reflected in the research interests of the teaching staff – for example there's the work of myself and Dr David McNeil on fruit ... David again on nuts ... George Hill and Dr Bruce McKenzie on vegetables ... Dr Mike Thomas on nursery crops ... and Roy Edwards on trees and amenity plants.

"Lincoln's teaching has always been based on a sound track record of research and investigation. We are practitioners in an enquiring and analytical sense," says Mr Morley-Bunker.

Lincoln has been offering horticultural courses since 1945 and to support its teaching a substantial Horticultural Research Area has been developed over the years which includes orchard, vineyard, and amenity plant areas plus a biological husbandry plot.

The campus grounds too form part of the teaching backdrop to horticulture with the presence of many remarkable tree and plant specimens which generations of horticulture students have used for study purposes.

Horticulture staff at Lincoln are always enthusiastic about exploring new ways of teaching and today a number of the University's horticulture and horticultural management papers can now be accessed by Lincoln students from web sites.

As is well known, most of the Lincoln horticultural qualifications have a compulsory practical work component. Recently this practical work aspect has been revised making the reporting requirements more specific and focused on essential skills and knowledge.

For full information on horticultural courses at Lincoln University the contacts are Academic Co-ordinator Mike Morley-Bunker phone (03) 3252811 ext. 8006 and for the Practical Work Co-ordinator Caroline Duncan (03) 3252811 ext. 8428.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand