Harper Adams University Postgraduate Prospectus

OUR GREEN CAMPUS IT resources Postgradute students have 24-hour access to a number of PCs all year round, so you can work at times that suit you. • There are a large number of networked PCs across campus including the library and Postgraduate Centre. • A wide range of the latest software is available for word-processing, spreadsheet analysis and presentations, database work, e-learning and statistical analysis. • Specialised software is available for agricultural, engineering, science, business and educational studies, and also statistical and commercial software. • Wi-fi access for laptops and other mobile devices is available in the library and at a growing number of additional locations across the campus. Wired access is available in halls of residence on campus. • Advice and IT assistance is available in person from the IT service desk throughout the day and until late evening, and there is a 24/7 telephone support line available for all our registered users. • Registered students can buy equipment and software from leading manufacturers at reduced rates. • All new students are offered basic training to use our computer systems. • The virtual learning environment (VLE), provides course materials, text and video materials, interactive exercises and other aids to make learning more flexible. The VLE also allows ready access to the library catalogue and online journals and supports the detection of plagiarism. • The Microsoft IT Academy Programme is one of several commercially recognised IT training programmes available to students. harper.ac.uk/itdept Crop and Environment Research Centre (CERC) CERC is Harper Adams’ specialist centre for teaching and research into crop production, working with horticultural, agricultural and non-food crops. CERC assists teaching staff in all aspects of crop production, from soils testing through cultivation, plant breeding, fertiliser management, water management, disease control, harvest, postharvest, biology and crop quality assessment. The underpinning aim is to maintain high levels of sustainable crop yield methods that are compatible with the environment. CERC carries out major contracts for government, farmer-funded bodies and private clients, and facilitates crop demonstrations for postgraduate, undergraduate and Continuing Professional Development training. The centre also houses a nematology research laboratory. harper.ac.uk/cerc Sustainability is a local and global issue close to our hearts, and informs both teaching and developments on campus. We have won many awards for our approach to sustainable development and for our environmentally friendly campus and farm. Environmentally friendly farming The University Farm aims to create a sustainable farming system through the adoption of integrated farming techniques. Conservation is crucial and numerous initiatives are ongoing to improve and create wildlife habitats, such as the establishment of ponds and hedgerows. There is also a walk around the estate, which encompasses these developments, as well as bird hides and countryside interpretation materials. Great care is taken to avoid pollution and harm to wildlife. We are pleased to be part of the Countryside Stewardship scheme. Sustainable development and renewable energy As a winner of the Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development, Harper Adams is one of the ‘greenest’ higher education institutions. We are, for instance, carrying out research into a technique known as pyrolysis that creates fuel from farm, food and local authority green waste. Other renewable technologies on campus include a photovoltaic solar cell system providing renewable energy, and the sustainable building design of the Bamford Library, and the Jean Jackson Entomology Building. The different renewable technologies sited on the campus are used as working demonstration models to teach students and to show the advantages and disadvantages to visiting farmers and landowners as well as local communities. High levels of recycling are achieved. Renewable electricity is used to charge two electric utility vehicles which are small and slim enough to move easily around the different buildings on campus. Biodiesel is made from waste vegetable oil from the university’s kitchens and is used to fuel a number of our minibuses. 35