Farm Trees & Agroforestry (FRST90033)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 2
Associate Professor Christopher Weston
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject covers the principles and practices of integrating trees into the rural agricultural landscape for both conservation and profit. The farming community require trees and shrubs for shade and shelter, soil conservation, salinity control and aesthetics. Farmers can also produce commercial tree products such as timber, fuel, fodder, essential oils and food. Because farmers manage the majority of the Australian landscape governments, community groups and industry are increasingly working in partnership with them to grow trees for environmental services including carbon sequestration, biodiversity and downstream water quality.
Intended learning outcomes
By the end of the subject students should:
- Have a working knowledge of farm planning and agroforestry diagnosis and design as tools for developing farm re-vegetation plans;
- Have an understanding of the role of trees in providing for landowner, community and industry needs and aspirations;
- Be able to develop technical design criteria for effective re-vegetation for resource conservation, agricultural production and commercial purposes;
- Be able to measure and monitor the growth, productivity and environmental impact of forests on farms;
- Be familiar with extension and development approaches for promotion of re-vegetation and forest management on farms;
- Have an understanding of multipurpose tree research methodologies and economic evaluation; and,
- Recognise the potential for trees on farms, both in Australia and overseas, to contribute to international development goals such as poverty elimination, human health, environmental protection and mitigating climate change.
Generic skills
In addition to learning specific skills that will assist students in their future careers in science, they will have the opportunity to develop generic skills that will assist them in any future career path. These include:
- Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning and research
- An ability to derive, interpret and analyse social, technical or economic information from primary and other sources
- Capacity for creativity and innovation through the application of skills and knowledge
- Ability to integrate information across a relevant discipline to solve problems in applied situations
- Highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
- Ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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 |
|---|---|---|
Exam (take home test)
| During the examination period | 40% |
Communication exercise - due week after semester break
| Second half of the teaching period | 20% |
Assignment
| End of lecture period | 40% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Christopher Weston Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours lectures delivered during semester and 24 hours practical work in a 4 day overnight field work excursion. 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
Associate Professor Christopher Weston
Time commitment details
122 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.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Ecosystem Management and Conservation Course Graduate Diploma in Urban Horticulture Course Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Sciences Course Master of Urban Horticulture Course Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Sciences Informal specialisation Landscape Management - 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025