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.

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 ground solutions.

The course consists of a combination of lectures including active participation and evaluation, practical exercises and demonstrations, as well as a larger project task. The spring semester is made up of both lectures and exercises, one week of the June block is reserved for project work. At the end of that week, the students are to present their project assignment for assessment (present it to the students and the external examiner). If allowed by the schedule, two weeks of the June block will be reserved for the project.

The course responsible is available for academic supervision in periods which are specified. He can also be reached by e-mail for questions and support. Technical staff at the department will contribute to the course in some execursions. Additionally,a few quest lechtures will be held by selected external experts and topics.

JORD160 - Soil Science and GEO100 - Geology, or equivalent.

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.

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

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.

Approx. 300 hours.

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

Lectures (including active participation) with exercises and homework, approx. 180 hours. Project work, approx. 120 hours.

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.