About this course

Working principles and design of machinery for planting, establishment, fertilization, liming, soil and soil structure improvements, aeriation, conservation, cutting, removal of weeds and unwanted vegetation, cleaning and treatment of waste, transport, removal of snow and maintenance of roads. Good management. Workplace design and ergonomics. Machinery cooperation and organisation, purchasing, maintenance and care for machinery. Demonstrations and exercises. Drainage and irrigation are part of other courses.

Learning outcome

Having completed the course, students will have acquired knowledge about methods and equipment for parks, sporting grounds, greens and cultural and recreational landscape in general. The students should be able to identify and suggest suitable mechanisation, care and maintenance schemes for parks and greens. The student is qualified to act as manager for mechanisation in this field, and be able to suggest and plan environmentally sustainable mangement solutions.

  • Learning activities

    The course is structured as a combination of lectures with active participation from the students and their own reflection, ongoing mandatory assignments in connection with these, mandatory exercises and demonstrations, and a larger project assignment. Lectures and exercises alternate throughout the spring semester. At the end of the semester, the students present the project assignment for final assessment (presented to the other students and to an external examiner).

  • Teaching support

    The responsible teacher does most of the teaching and is otherwise available via email for questions and advice.

    Technical staff at the institute participate in exercises, and guest lecturers are also invited to give presentations within their relevant areas.

  • Syllabus

    Compendium: TMPA220 Park and green areas, new construction and maintenance, 315 pages (2014). Author: Nils Bjugstad.

    Handout material. Internet.

    Lecture notes and exercise material.

    Presentations from guest lecturers.

  • Prerequisites

    No prior knowledge required, but agronomic insight is an advantage.

    Relevant background topics areJ ORD160 - Soil Science and GEO100 - Geology, or equivalent knowledge.

  • Recommended prerequisites

    Having good general knowledge about factors affecting growth and agronomy (water, plants, soil, nutrients, climate) is an advantage. Some experience with machinery is also recommended.

  • Assessment method

    Students are assessed on basis of a project report which is presented and discussed in plenary in the presence of the students, the teacher(s) and the examiner. The assessment is based on the the presentation and the quality of the report. 2-3 students may work together on one project. The external examiner will ask each student questions based on the projects and exercises to best assess each student. The student will finally receive a pass or fail grade.

    Portfolio Karakterregel: Passed / Not Passed

  • About use of AI

    K2 - Specified use of AI.

    AI only for evaluating large amounts of data, such as when using drones and image processing.

    Not used when writing a project paper.

    Descriptions of AI-category codes.

  • Examiner scheme

    The external examiner participates in discussions about goals, plans and content of the course with the course responsible as part of the quality assurance for the course. Assessment of the candidates is carried out on basis of a set of criteria and demands. A standardised form which explains the criteria and procedures for assessment follows the exam protocol.

  • Mandatory activity

    The course contains a specified number of compulsory exercises, group work and demonstrations with reports/journals.

  • Notes

    The course is especially suited for Landscape Engineers, Landscape Architects as well as students in Plant Science. Other groups such as technology students and students with a special interest in this area will also benefit from the course.

    Minimum 10 students

  • Teaching hours

    Lectures (including active participation) with exercises and homework, approx. 160 hours. Project work, approx. 90 hours.

  • Admission requirements

    Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse)