| Semester 2, 2020 Online | |
| Short Description: | Critical Issues in Agriculture |
| Units : | 1 |
| Faculty or Section : | Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences |
| School or Department : | School of Sciences |
| Student contribution band : | Band 2 |
| ASCED code : | 050101 - Agricultural Science |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
Staffing
Examiner:
Rationale
The pressures of an expanding world population, limited natural resources, a constantly changing climate and ongoing advances in science and technology bring about a range of issues which impact on agricultural production. Agriculturists of the future will need to have an appreciation of the ways in which agricultural production impacts on the environment and on society, an awareness of how political and social factors influence agriculture, and will also need to have an understanding of the forces impacting on agricultural production moving into the future.
Synopsis
This course provides an overview of a broad range of environmental, political, social and scientific issues which can impact on agricultural production. The course commences with an analysis of historical case studies surrounding agricultural production before introducing a number of issues which have the potential for conflict in contemporary agriculture systems. Topics covered will include land availability and alternate land use, water quality and availability, pollution management, agricultural imports and exports, biotechnological advances in agricultural production and other emerging issues. Students are required to prepare case studies on two critical issues, drawing on perspectives gained during the program.
Objectives
On completion of this course students should be able to demonstrate:
- a sound appreciation of some key historical agricultural issues
- an understanding of the major factors which significantly influence agricultural production
- an understanding of how agricultural production may impact on surrounding natural and human environments
- the ability to carry out rigorous research investigation into a major issue in agriculture
- advanced skills in presenting their investigation findings research to a peer group
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | A historical perspective on agricultural issues | 20.00 |
| 2. | Agriculture鈥榮 impact on the environment | 25.00 |
| 3. | Sustainable Agriculture | 25.00 |
| 4. | Agriculture and Society | 30.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2020&sem=02&subject1=AGR8003)
Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)
Reference materials
(Available as e Book, covers mainstream and other agricultural systems).
(Readily available and not expensive).
Student workload expectations
| Activity | Hours |
|---|---|
| Assessments | 60.00 |
| Online Lectures | 13.00 |
| Online Tutorials | 13.00 |
| Private 精东传媒app | 89.00 |
Assessment details
| Description | Marks out of | Wtg (%) | Due Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CASE STUDY A | 30 | 30 | 27 Aug 2020 | |
| CASE STUDY B | 50 | 50 | 15 Oct 2020 | |
| PRESENTATION | 20 | 20 | 15 Oct 2020 |
Important assessment information
-
Attendance requirements:
There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students鈥� responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. -
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item. -
Penalties for late submission of required work:
Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4) -
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course. -
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative items for the course. -
Examination information:
NO EXAM: There is no examination in this course. -
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
NO EXAM: There is no examination in this course, there will be no deferred or supplementary examinations. -
精东传媒app Student Policies:
Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene 精东传媒app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .
Evaluation and benchmarking
In meeting the 精东传媒app鈥檚 aims to establish quality learning and teaching for all programs, this course monitors and ensures quality assurance and improvements in at least two ways. This course:
1. conforms to the USQ Policy on Evaluation of Teaching, Courses and Programs to ensure ongoing monitoring and systematic improvement.
2. forms part of the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Science (Agriculture) and is benchmarked against the [choose one or all of the following]
o internal USQ accreditation/reaccreditation processes which include (i) stringent standards in the independent accreditation of its academic programs, (ii) close integration between business and academic planning, and (iii) regular and rigorous review.