KOCAELI UNIVERSITY
ARSLANBEY VOCATIONAL SCHOOL (KOU-AVS)
KOU-AVS,
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THE RIGHT PLACE FOR EDUCATION
A small college like vocational school of a comprehensive public university
Founded in 2001
A campus environment in Arslanbey, vocational schools and college town with
extensive intellectual, cultural, and sports opportunities.
Located 10 km east of Kocaeli City. 15 km away from the sea of Marmara and 25 km
away to Lake Sapanca, and only 1 hr to reach city of Istanbul.
KOU-AVS, THE RIGHT PROGRAM FOR EDUCATION
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Technical programs offered at Associate degree level in a wide range of disciplines of
agronomy and agriculture:
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Plant Protection
Organic Farming
Agricultural Production and Marketing
Sapling and Seedling Production
Landscape Architecture
Greenhouse Production
Postharvest Technology
Mushroom Production
Experienced faculties actively engaged in teaching, research and scholarship.
Programs preparing students for their academic and professional futures
Students of all ages enriching programs with their life experiences, and international
students are welcome.
ARSLANBEY VOCATIONAL SCHOOL (KOU-AVS)
2007-2008 Erasmus Course Plan
 Principles of Organic Farming
Introduction to organic agriculture; the aim of organic agriculture, control and certification of
organic agriculture, basis of organic agriculture, starting organic agriculture, soil properties
for organic production, planting, irrigation and fertilization of organic plants, harvest and
marketing.
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Sustainable Agriculture
Definition of sustainable agriculture, its development and sub-topics, environmental
sustainability, farm as an ecosystem; energy cycle, water cycle, mineral cycle, bio-diversity,
economical sustainability, social sustainability, application of principles; soil fertility
management, animal manures, cover plants and compost usage, minimum soil tillage
practices, soil and water conservation, crop rotation, ecological aspects of weeds, insect
control and crop protection, sustainable pasture management, integrated farming systems.
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The Nature and Properties of Soils
Definition of soils. Soil elements and minerals, rocks which form soil, formation of soil ,
morphology of soil and horizons, physical properties of soil, organic matter of soil, chemical
properties of soil, soil organisms, soil erosion and protection of soil. Soil usage, soilenvironment relations.
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Plant Nutrition and Fertilizers
Plant nutrition elements; macro and micro plant nutrition elements, their effects on plants,
shortage symptoms, fertilizer types which are used on garden plants production. Introduce of
organic and inorganic fertilizers, their properties and effects on soil. Fertilizer methods,
fertilizer time, new fertilizer techniques. Irrigation water and fertilization systems (fertigation)
and properties.
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Physiology of Horticultural Crops
Growing, vegetative and generative growing, photosynthesis, respiration, mechanism of water
absorption and transport, nutrient absorption and transport, endogenous and exogenous factors
effecting of growth and development, dormancy, germination, sprouting and rooting, apical
dominancy, sterility and incompatibility, parthenocarpy and apomicsis, abscission of flower
and fruit, ripening, senescence, movement of growth, resistance of droughty and frost.
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Postharvest Physiology
Biochemical changes of fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants during pre-and post-harvest
period (water, mineral substance, carbohydrates, nitrogenous substances, lipids, vitamins,
color substances), physiological development and changes (respiration, factors effecting
respiration, methods for reduces of respiration, water loss and factors effecting water loss,
methods for reduces of water loss), sources of postharvest loss (physical, physiological and
pathological) and control.
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Storage of Vegetables
Introduction and definition of vegetables, classification of vegetables for postharvest
specialty, the concepts of harvest maturity and ripening, harvest criteria, harvest systems
(hand and machinery harvest), effect of harvest on quality of vegetables, harvest, pre-cooling,
storage, packaging, transportation, important diseases and disorders of vegetables species
(tomato, pepper, eggplant, cucumber, melon, watermelon, carrot, cabbage, celery, radish etc.)
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Fundamentals of Storage
Introduction of storage, phsical, chemical and biological storage methods, biological structure
of agricultural product, respiration, water exchange, packaging and transportatior of
agricultural products.
 Entomology
Position of insects in systematic classification of animal organisms, morphological,
physological and ecological characteristics of insects, introduction of useful and harmful
groups in agriculture, general control principles.
 Pests of Vegetable Crops
Introduction, life cycles, symptoms, their economic importance, infection, transportation ways
of pests and protection methods of intects, mites, nematods, snail etc.
 Pest of Horticultural and Vineyard Crops
Introduction, living mechanisms, symptoms, their economic importance, infection,
transportation ways of pests and protection methods of intects, mites, nematods, snail etc.
peculiar to fruit ( subtropical fruits, pome fruits, stone fruits, nut fruits) and vine yards.
 Integrated Pest Management
Introduction to Integrated Pest Management Systems against diseases, insects, mites, weeds in
agricultural facilities, Principles of Integrated Pest Management, Primarily works for
Integrated Pest Managements. Integrated Pest Management for apple, citrus, vineyard,
chickpea, cotton, potatoes, peach, olives, cheery, protected vegetable cultivation and the other
cultured plants.