HORTICULTURAL EDUCATION AT MASSEY UNIVERSITY

University education in horticultural science has always been highly regarded in New Zealand, and many graduates have rewarding positions and are playing senior roles in industry development. Horticulture has been taught at Massey University at the bachelor and sub degree Diploma levels for 50 years.

In 1987, in the midst of major industry growth, there was a re-assessment of degree and diploma programmes. Several major changes occurred in structure and content. The degree programme now consists of three majors (science, technology, and business). Instead of demanding a heavy science workload in the first year, science is taught on a need to know basis. Thus business majors take courses with minimal science content. Science majors on the other hand receive a major science input throughout their programme, but conversely may have little business information presented. Technology majors include some business and science papers with their technology papers.

However it is the philosophy behind these changes which is of much more importance than the nuts and bolts of the curriculum changes. Changes were made to introduce flexibility of choice to students and to provide opportunities to study subjects that they considered important for their future careers. A major objective is to develop skills in communication, literacy, numeracy and to learn how to source information and critically evaluate it for problem solving.

Another innovation has been to make both the degree and the diploma programmes available for second chance education making courses available in the extramural (distance education) mode. A post graduate Diploma in Rural Studies is available extramurally for mature students (post-experience and mid-life retraining) comprising a selection of degree level papers.

An active postgraduate training programme is also available building off the 4 year undergraduate degree. One year postgraduate Diplomas in Horticultural Science, 1–2 year Masterates, and 3–4 year PhD courses of study are available in a wide range of horticultural and related subjects.

Degree structures and curricula content are under continuous review at Massey University; this is essential to ensure that graduates receive the appropriate education for a rapidly changing world.

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