FdSc Sportsturf (On-line) (Online)

FdSc Sportsturf (On-line)

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

Click to Apply: FdSc Sportsturf (On-line)

Course Description:

The Foundation Degree in Sportsturf (on-line) is designed to enable students to achieve a vocational Higher Education qualification through part-time study at a distance from Myerscough College. For those employed in the sportsturf industry traditional modes of attendance are not possible and this qualification will help to overcome this barrier and enable sportsturf professionals to take that next step in their career. If you are seeking to develop your skills and knowledge in sportsturf provision and management and want to progress to more senior positions at the many prestigious sporting venues around the world this is the course for you.

Year 1

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.

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.

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.

Year 2

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.

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.

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.

Year 3

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.

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.

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 fully 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:

Access to broadband internet and a computer

Learning Environment:

Students will be expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support lectures, seminars and assessments. The course will be delivered via Myerscough's virtual learning environment.

Other Opportunities:

Successful graduates have gained employment as Head Greenkeepers, Course Managers, Grounds and Stadia Managers, Construction Contractors Technical Assistants, College and University Lecturers, Sales Representatives in Britain, America, Europe and the Far East.

Additional Information:

The College has a close working relationship with a large number of industry bodies and sports clubs.

Work Experience:

There is no formal industrial placement on this course.

What do students think about this course?

Students value the opportunities that the course gives them to develop skills and knowledge to enable them to secure employment within the industry.

They appreciate the enviable reputation that Myerscough College has which allows them to develop international contacts with high profile sporting venues.

The industry experience and expertise of the teaching staff is recognised as a real strength of the course.

Innovative teaching practices and award winning staff enable each student to reach their potential and realise their goals and ambitions within the industry.

What are our graduates doing now?

Recent graduates have been employed at the following organisations:

• All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon


• Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI)


• The Belfry


• Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club


• Queenwood Golf Course


• Royal Ostend, Belgium


• Royal Hong Kong Golf Club


• Chelsea FC


• Fleetwood Town FC


• Worchester County Cricket Club

There are a large number of golf courses and sports pitches across the country that have employed Myerscough graduates.

What international opportunities are available?

Previous graduates have successfully secured employment at a range of golf courses and sports grounds in Europe, USA, Africa and Asia.

Students regularly elect to complete the OHIO State University programme to gain experience working on elite US golf courses.

Progression:

Upon successful completion of the BSc (Hons) Sportsturf Science and Management, students may apply for the MA Sustainable Golf Course Management course at Myerscough, or other post-graduate courses.

Careers:

The course aims to provide a programme of Sportsturf related education which will enable degree holders to analyse key academic themes in the subject area and critically evaluate the wide range of management issues within different sectors of the industry, which will therefore prepare them for a successful career in the UK or overseas. The course is designed with the intention that its graduates will be able to function effectively at a managerial level within the Sportsturf industry. Modular content emphasises the importance of career development and planning throughout.

Examples of possible careers include:

• Sportsturf Agronomist/Consultant


• Head Groundsman


• Head Greenkeeper


• Golf Course Manager


• Local Authority Grounds Manager


• Lecturer/Researcher


• Industry Sales & Marketing Professional

You can now APPLY ONLINE using the links on the right

How To Apply

To apply for this course please select the coloured tab, relating to the centre you wish to study at, on the right hand side of this screen. You can save your progress if you prefer to do it in stages but you must complete all sections of the form.

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.