FdSc Sportsturf (FT)

FdSc Sportsturf

• Key Information
• Course Content
• Additional Information
• How to Apply

Course Description:

If you are seeking a career working outdoors and having the opportunity to work at world class sporting venues around the world then this is the course for you. Why not gain a qualification that will enable you to learn about surfaces for all outdoor sports and develop practical and technical skills to gain employment in an international industry constantly looking for self-motivated and enthusiastic people with the desire to succeed at the highest levels in sport and recreation provision.

This Foundation Degree Sportsturf is awarded by the University of Central Lancashire. Subjects studied include sports facility design, cultivation practices in sportsturf, pests, diseases and weeds, construction and drainage, business management, environmental management in sportsturf and sportsturf technology.

Year 1

Essential Plant Biology (half module)

This module aims to provide students with the essential knowledge of plant biology needed to allow successful management of their growth and development. Students will discover how plant form and function relates to their basic needs in terms of light, water, nutrients and reproduction.

Plant Cell Biology (half module)

Increasingly research into the biochemistry and intracellular functioning of plants is giving us insights into new management practices or allowing us to produce new and useful plant varieties. This module aims to give students a basic knowledge of plant biochemistry and cell function to allow them to start to interpret these new developments.

Essential Soil Science (half module)

The module provides the underpinning knowledge and understanding of soil science, sufficient for students to be able to recognise soil properties (in both soil samples and in the field) and their influence on plant growth and development.

Applied Soil Technology (half module)

This module promotes the progression of the student from an understanding of the essential principles of soil science to their application in soil management in a wide range of environments.

Cultural Practices in Sportsturf

This module will provide students with the underpinning knowledge and allow for the acquisition of skills necessary to achieve the outcome of an effective playing surface.

Sportsturf Mechanisation

This module aims to explore relationships between labour and mechanisation in sportsturf management. It allows you to evaluate machinery and energy sources, and appraise optimum utilisation of power and equipment.

Business Management

This module introduces key areas of management activity such as human resource management, leadership, marketing and finance to allow students to develop further knowledge and skills to improve future employability in land based industries.

Work Skills Development

This module provides students with first-hand experience where students will use their industry environment to develop practical and technical skills. Students will record and reflect on their own personal development during the module.

Year 2

Sports Surface Construction and Drainage

This module aims to give the student an understanding of the mode of action of different construction and drainage systems their related benefits and disadvantages and to introduce the management. The module will explore the design concepts between the range of sportsturf and golf construction and drainage systems currently available.

Pests, Diseases and Weeds

This module deals with important agents that can interfere with plant health and introduces principles of plant pathology. The module emphasises the importance of disease cycles in the development of control measures by the use of case-studies. The module will focus on current chronic and epidemic problems and potential solutions.

Work Project

This module applies the practical, technical and personal skills developed in the Work Skills Development module. It will utilise a structured work environment for students to identify a suitable project, develop and manage the project and report on the outcomes. Students will be encouraged to use the work project to develop professional working relationships and identify their chosen career options.

Environmental Management in Sportsturf

Golf courses and other sportsturf facilities cover extensive areas of land, frequently including woodland, semi-natural grasslands and water courses. This module explores effective management of this land to provide for first class sport and the development of “natural” areas which enhance local ecology. It also explores concepts of sustainability, resource efficiency and their practical application to the management of sportsturf surfaces.

Sportsturf Technology (half module)

This module explores the range of modern technologies including machinery, irrigation equipment and computer applications utilised in contemporary golf course/sports ground management. Analyses and evaluation of data produced when operating equipment and how this information influences management decisions is also considered.

Performance Testing for Sportsturf (half module)

The effective management of Sports surfaces requires a consistent, well planned approach. This module examines the development and use of surface performance measurements in the industry. Students will collect test data from a range of surfaces and consider scenario management of facilities based upon this data.

Research Methods (option module)

Experimental design and data analysis are core themes in this module. It will introduce concepts of statistical testing and further develop skills in presenting and interpreting results of scientific investigations. The module will give students vital skills in formulating research questions and designing an effective experiment.

OR

Sports Facility Design (option module)

This module will evaluate entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial process to develop students’ business planning skills. This includes marketing and finance in order to aid the formulation of sustainable and enterprising business plans.

Course Documents:

Student Handbook (2015 Entry)

Programme Specification and Handbook (2016 Entry)

Myerscough College Policies and Procedures

Assessment:

Students will face a variety of assessments including a combination of coursework and unseen examinations. The coursework assessment methods will include technical reports, portfolios, group and individual presentations, laboratory/practical reports and extended project work. The students may be required to produce work in a range of formats, such as the production of leaflets or research posters.

Links with Professional Body:

This course is endorsed by the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) and recognised as the qualification of choice for those seeking careers within the sportsturf industry such as Grounds and Stadium Managers.

Myerscough College is a Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC) approved centre and has a close working relationship with the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA).

Extra Costs:

Additional costs for items that are essential for this course include:

Additional costs for opportunities and items that are optional for the course:

Waterproofs and Safety Boots - £80

Learning Environment:

Learning activities on the course are diverse, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. Students will be expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support lectures, seminars and assessments. Group work and group presentations will form an important part of the course. Students will also have access to Myerscough's virtual learning environment.

Additional Information:

The College has a close working relationship with a number of industry bodies and sports clubs. The course utilises the College's sports facilities, 9 hole golf course, winter games pitches, warm up areas and full size third generation artificial football pitch for teaching, practical activities and scenario based exercises.

Work Experience:

The Work Skills Development and Work Project modules will use a relevant working environment to provide the opportunity for students to develop real practical and technical skills and help prepare them for employment in their chosen subject area. There is no formal industrial placement on this course.

Progression:

For students successfully completing the Foundation Degree the opportunity exists to apply to progress to the BSc (Hons) Sportsturf Science and Management in one further year of study.

What careers can you follow:

Possible careers include:

Head Groundsman

Head Greenkeeper

Golf Course Manager

Local Authority Grounds Manager

Industry Sales and Marketing Professional

Applications for all full-time undergraduate courses are made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). To apply, visit their website www.ucas.com/apply. The first UCAS deadline for receipt of applications is 15 January, for the following September.

Applications received after the first UCAS deadline will be considered by us for most courses. If you are applying after the 15 January, or if your pre-entry qualifications are different to those stated, you are advised to contact Course Enquiries on 01995 642211 for further advice. Myerscough College - general contact details Address: Myerscough College, St Michael's Road, Bilsborrow, Preston
Lancashire PR3 0RY
Telephone:01995 642222 Email: enquiries@myerscough.ac.uk Individual Learning Requirements Prospective students who have a learning difficulty or disability that may affect their studies should inform the College as soon as possible so that reasonable adjustments can be initiated, as appropriate. Where necessary students will be asked for evidence to help identify appropriate adjustments. If students wish to apply for a Disabled Student Allowance they need to seek advice from Student Finance England (or equivalent) which funds this provision for Higher Education Students. Please note that DSA funding is not available on all courses.

Please note that the information provided in this fact sheet was accurate at the date of publication. However, courses are continually being modified and information is therefore subject to change.