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Course Description

Our Master Gardener courses are online, independent study courses.  Students work at their own pace and have up to nine months, per course, to complete all assignments and quizzes. Students who are most successful with this approach to learning are those who are self-directed and self-disciplined.

 

The Science of Gardening is a web-based distance education course and is part of the Master Gardener Training Program. This is an exciting way of learning, giving you the opportunity to work at a pace that is convenient to you.  It will help you understand the relationship between the plants and their environment. Once you have grasped this, you will be able to modify conditions to better suit the plant and to anticipate problems based on the ecosystem. You will be much better prepared to garden sustainably.

Course Outline

This course will give you a comprehensive understanding of a plant's basic functions, its interaction with its surroundings and its responses to changes in its environment. It will lead to an understanding of the scientific basis for many of the principles and practices of gardening.

Topics include:

  • Soil systems
  • Plant physiology
  • Plant nutrition
  • Plant propagation

Marking Scheme

Quiz 1 - The Soil System 15
Assignment 1 - Soil Texture Test 10
Quiz 2 - Plant Physiology 15
Assignment 2 - Translocation 10
Quiz 3 - Plant Nutrition 15
Assignment 3 - Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms 10
Quiz 4 - Plant Propagation 15
Assignment 4 - Seed Germination and Transplanting 10
Total 100

 

Successful completion of the course requires a passing grade of 60% in each of the four sections. This is a combination of your grades from your tests and assignments. Students are required to complete all tests and assignments within the course.

Notes

Required Text: Botany for Gardeners by Brian Capon.  There are numerous editions in print, but all will serve our purposes. You may borrow the book from your local library or buy it locally or on-line.

Technical Requirements: Internet (High Speed preferred). Reliable computer/laptop.  Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word for submitting assignments. 

Course Dates: All courses open on October 1st, and close July 31st.

Number of Courses: Students are to take ONE course at a time, unless otherwise approved by Extended Learning.

Refunds: Course refunds are eligible up to two weeks after registering for your course. The refund amount will be adjusted to include a non-refundable administrative fee of $50.00 After that two-week period, there are no course refunds.

Prerequisites

It is recommended that the Master Gardener Program Courses be taken in the following order:

  1. The Science of Gardening
  2. Maintaining the Garden
  3. Plant ID and Use
  4. The Art of Gardening

Recommended For

Anyone who has a passion or interest in gardening in your backyard or community. 

Anyone interested in working towards becoming a Master Gardener within the Atlantic Master Gardener Association

Anyone looking to expand on their gardening knowledge.

Testimonials

"Gardening is my hobby and after taking this course, I feel I can apply what I have learned in the course to what I am doing in the garden saving me time and money.  I feel more confident in what I am doing.  I am excited to try out all the new things that I have learned.  This is why I would recommend this course to others who enjoy gardening"

"Yes I definitely would recommend the course.  There is so much to learn in this course and I find myself having to go back to reread what I had learned in earlier modules, this is not a complaint though.  I have enjoyed this  course very much"

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

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Enrol Now - Select a section to enrol in
Section Title
Science of Gardening- Atlantic
Type
Online - Self-Paced
Dates
Oct 01, 2024 to Jul 31, 2025
Total Learning Hours
65.0
Instruction Delivery Method(s)
Course Fee(s)
Tuition non-credit $469.00
Instructors
Section Notes

Registration deadline is January 31st, 2025!


Tuition is refunded if a course is cancelled by Extended Learning. Learners are also eligible for a refund if they formally withdraw within two weeks after registering for a course, by emailing Extended.Learning@dal.ca. The refund amount will be adjusted to include a non-refundable administrative fee of $50.00. After that two-week period, there are no course refunds.


You will receive a welcome email after registering for your course, with respect to your login information for OpenDal (our Learning Management System). All course materials, content and resources are housed in OpenDal. 


This course is considered a non-credit course. It does not qualify for a T2202 during tax time.

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