PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE

From IPEC Brazil - http://www.ecocentro.org/en/ecoversidade_pdc.html

The Permaculture course is a 72-hour course, based on the methodology that Bill Mollison outlines, and as extended by many teachers and designers from around the world. It includes theoretical classes and practicum and all students are required to complete a design at the end of the course.

The course can be taken anywhere in the world. Here in Chile you can do the PDC in one of two ways;

Residential - the traditional type of PDC where you live onsite for a two week intensive period.

Modular - a newer type of PDC where you attend a 8 weekend workshops over an eight month period. 

Modules

1- Principles of Ecology
In order to understand most of Permaculture, it is necessary to understand the relationship between humans and the ecosystems within which we live. This is an introductory study of energy flows, cycle of materials, and different types of resources.
Energy flow within a system and cycling of materials.
Types of resources
Ethical use of resources

2- Design Methods/ Zones and Sectors
Concept of Permaculture Design - function
Different methods of design.
Analysis
Zones and Sector analysis
Establishment of a system
Practicum:
Analyze the needs and yields of components in small groups.
Analyze energy and water flows within a system in small groups.
Connect different elements analyzed. Relative location.

Patterns
Patterns that exist in nature.
Traditional use of patterns.
Flows, order, scale.
Edge effects.
Uses of imitating patterns.

Soils
Introductory study of soil, components of soil, and the relationship of soil to all life. 
Components of soil and types of soil.
Soil pH.
Regeneration of soil.
Practicum: Simple soil tests, compost and its ingredients, worms

Zones 0 and 1
Components of Zone 0
Sustainable gardens - Role of Food Gardens.
Small animal use
Practicum:  Create either a sheet mulch garden, no-dig garden, and mandala garden. Organic pesticides, and fertilizers: uses and ingredients, application methods and control.

Water
Role of water in a Permaculture system
Water cycle, pollution, and biological cleansing
Water collection strategies - Water tanks
Water in de landscape, keyline design, swales, dams and irrigation
Water formed landscapes, wind shaped landscapes
Practicum: Make a swale

Climate and microclimates
Climatic factors as determinants - landforms and ecosystems
Strategies to minimize risk of catastrophe
Microclimates - Strategies to modify climate extremes
Wind and windbreaks
Solar access and protection

Forests
Relationship of trees and life on Earth.
Permaculture as a perennial system with emphasis on trees.
Young forests versus old forests.
Uses of trees, designing and planting forests
Practicum: tree planting

Architecture and Natural Building
Sitting and orientating a house.
Construction materials and insulation.
Climate considerations for housing
Natural building techniques
Practicum: Work with low impact building technique - super adobe

Permaculture in the household
Definition of nutrition, malnutrition, and hunger
GM foods, bio-terrorism, monocultures, and the shopping centre culture
Practicum: Make an herb spiral and/or making soap from recycled vegetable oil

Aquaculture
Definition of aquaculture
Aquaculture systems
Strategies for using water systems

Economic Strategies
History of world economies
State of world economy
Formal versus non-formal economy
Examples of non-formal economies

Design
As permaculture is a design system, it is necessary that the students complete a design. This unit includes design practice, practical work and design presentation and evaluation. Students who complete the program become Certified Permaculture Apprentices, able to receive a Diploma of Permaculture Design after 2 years of applied work.

ALSO SEE: DIPLOMA OF PERMACULTURE DESIGN