| Semester 2, 2023 Toowoomba On-campus | |
| Units : | 1 |
| School or Department : | School of Agriculture and Environmental Science |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
| Course fee schedule : | /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules |
Staffing
Course Coordinator:
Overview
A knowledge of agricultural systems is important to professionals in earth and biological science, arts, agriculture and environmental engineering. This is an introductory course in agricultural plant morphology and physiology, grazing and cropping systems, animal production systems, integrated pest management, production economics and agricultural systems management. It also discusses the physical, economic and social constraints to land use and agricultural production, the processes of land degradation, and the principles of property management planning and sustainable farming system management.
Course learning outcomes
The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. On completion of this course, students should be able to:
- Describe the major agricultural production systems in Australia and the cultural, environmental and global contexts in which they fit.
- Develop an understanding of the agricultural supply chain, and how it is affected by global social, political and economic factors.
- Identify major challenges facing agricultural systems today and how innovative technologies and systems, can meet global food security and environmental challenges.
- Develop an appreciation for the principles of sustainable agricultural management and land use.
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Introduction to cropping systems | 30.00 |
| 2. | Introduction to animal production systems | 30.00 |
| 3. | The agricultural supply chain | 20.00 |
| 4. | Sustainable agricultural systems and innovation. | 20.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
Student workload expectations
To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.
Assessment details
| Description | Group Assessment |
Weighting (%) | Course learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literature review | No | 10 | 1,2,3 |
| Presentation (ind, grp, mltmd) | No | 30 | 1,2,3,6 |
| Report 1 | No | 40 | 1,2,3 |
| Report 2 | No | 20 | 1,2,3,4 |