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Agricultural Production Systems 2 (AGRI10048)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
April
Overview
Availability | April |
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This subject is the second of a suite of three first year subjects that are core to the Bachelor of Agriculture. (Agricultural Production Systems 1-3). These subjects introduce students to the major Australian agricultural production systems (plant and animal) and to the social and business principles that underpin them. Using examples that provide a concrete overview of the workings of each production system, students will develop an understanding of the range of drivers of that system- economics and market drivers; sustainability, including resource, financial and environmental sustainability; the structure of agricultural communities and the farming context; environmental and welfare issues; and the policy and political issues that underpin decision making in agricultural production industries.
In this subject, students will explore Australian plant production industries, including pastures, cereal crops, and annual and perennial horticulture. Topics will include appraisal of the plant production enterprises in Australia - their location, scale and their contribution to the national economy, as well as the biological and environmental constraints that limit productivity - climate and growing season, weeds and diseases, and water and nutrient availability;
Students will be introduced to examples of how landholders manage their resources to balance ecological, environmental and social demands, and the strategies that are employed to produce high quality crop products.
Intended learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this subject are to extend the students’ ability to
- Understand the structure and operation of agricultural production industries of Australia, as well as Australia’s role in global food and fibre production
- Understand the principal factors that determine location, environmental impact, sustainability, profitability and international trade competitiveness in cropping and horticulture systems
- Identify the ecological principles underpinning crop and pasture production systems
- Identify the role and place of selected crops and pasture species in production systems
- Describe the prospects and challenges of dry-land and irrigated crop and pasture production within farm systems
Generic skills
A student who satisfactorily completes this subject should be able to:
- Explain their understanding of agricultural production systems lucidly, both in writing and orally
- Review and evaluate readings relating to global food issues and agricultural production
- Participate as an effective member of a group in tutorial discussions, and study groups, and in working as part of a team to complete a group assignment
- Think independently and analytically, and direct his or her own learning
- Manage time effectively in order to be prepared for regular tutorial classes, tests and the examination
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
This subject assumes little background knowledge in science. Reading of rural press (eg newspapers and journals) will provide valuable background knowledge of Australian agricultural production systems.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- 2-hour written examination paper due at the end-of-semester examination period (50%)
- Group assignment of not more than 1000 words due in week 12 (20%)
- 1-hour intra-semester in-class test due in week 10 (30%)
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum 90% of scheduled workshops/practical classes
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- April
Principal coordinator Michael Santhanam-Martin Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Approximately 58 hours: 5 hours of lectures and 2 hours of workshops each week over 6 weeks, including a two day field trip. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 10 April 2017 to 26 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 19 April 2017 Census date 28 April 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 May 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 April contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject is taught over the last six weeks of semester one
This subject includes a compulsory residential field trip to the University's Dookie campus. Students will require appropriate clothing and footwear, including work boots (indicative cost $60 per pair).
Students are also required to contribute to the cost of accommodation and meals at the Dookie campus - indicative cost $50 per day. Further information about intensives at Dookie can be found at: http://students.fvas.unimelb.edu.au/fvas-programs/intensive-subjects-at-dookie#Dookie-intensives.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Bachelor of Agriculture - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 3 November 2022