Plant Production Systems (AGRI10048)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
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 processes that underpin productivity and sustainability - 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 industries in 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: 4 March 2025
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Written examination paper
| During the examination period | 50% |
Group assignment of not more than 1500 words
| Week 10 | 20% |
Intra-semester test
| Week 6 | 30% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum 80% of scheduled workshops/practical classes | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Mohan Singh Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total of 56 hours: 24 hours of lectures (2 x 1 hours per week for 12 weeks), 24 hours of workshop (1 x 2 hours per week for 12 weeks). There will also be a one-off field trip (8 hours) to Dookie campus in week 6 of semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
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: https://fvas.unimelb.edu.au/students/experience/intensive-subjects-at-dookie
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
- 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 4 March 2025