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Ecology and Grazing Management (AGRI20036)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Pastures and grasslands comprise the dominant vegetation cover across the Australian continent. The way pastures and grasslands are managed is therefore central to the sustainable use of natural resources such as soil and water, as well as the economic development of the pasture-based livestock industries (meat and wool sheep, beef cattle, and dairy).
This subject will include:
- An overview of Australia's pasture and grassland resources
- The population biology of pasture plants, including the growth cycles of annual and perennial plants, and pathways of plant survival
- The major pasture plant species and pasture types, their agronomic and adaptive characteristics and management requirements
- Pasture improvement principles and practices
- Plant and pasture growth processes influencing the accumulation of yield in pastures, and implications for management
- The feeding and nutritive value of pastures and factors affecting animal intake
- The principles and practices of grazing management
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students will:
- Demonstrate an understanding of basic ecology and agronomy of pasture and grassland communities and the factors that influence yield of a grazed pasture
- Analyse the different principles underlying efficient pasture and grazing management, and the practices required for sustainable production from grazing systems
- Define and articulate the importance of seasonality in pasture production, and its consequences for the management of grazing systems
- Demonstrate knowledge in the application of practical tools and skills required for the efficient management of grazing systems
- Critically evaluate data and techniques that help identify solutions in the management of grazing systems
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed their:
- Problem solving and analytical skills
- Capacity to tackle unfamiliar problems
- Ability to think systemically and integrate knowledge from different disciplines
- Communication skills, through written and oral presentations
- Quantitative analysis skills
- Sense of intellectual curiosity
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI10050 | Agricultural Systems Biology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10008 | Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10010 | Introductory Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10011 | Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10004 Biology of Cells and Organisms
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
AGRI30029 Ecology and Management of Grazing 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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
2 x assignments due approximately in weeks 5 and 12
| From Week 5 to Week 12 | 40% |
4 x practical worksheets due approximately in weeks 2, 4, 6 and 8
| From Week 2 to Week 8 | 10% |
Examination
| End of semester | 50% |
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum 80% of scheduled workshops/practical classes | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Brendan Cullen Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 60 hours. 2 hours of online lectures and 3 hours of practicals/tutorial sessions per week plus one fieldwork trip during week 4 of semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject includes one field trip that may involve overnight accommodation at Dookie for students also undertaking AGRI20038 Principles of Soil Science. Students are required to contribute to the cost of accommodation and meals at the Dookie campus - indicative cost $50 per day.
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 Major Production Animal Science Major Plant and Soil Science Major Agricultural Economics - 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022