AGRONOMY 3012RW - Agronomy III

Roseworthy Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

This course aims to provide students with an understanding of some of the important physiological principles to crop and pasture production and how these principles can be applied to agricultural systems. The course has two modules: (a) physiological bases of crop and pasture growth and resource utilisation; (b) impact of management practices on productivity, resource utilization, weed management and soil health. Specific topics covered include water use and water use efficiency, dry matter production and partitioning, the dynamics of water and nitrogen balances in agricultural systems, dual purpose cropping, canopy management, role of precision agriculture in improving resource use efficiency, effect of tillage systems on soil health and weed behaviour as well as factors affecting herbicide activity in the environment.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code AGRONOMY 3012RW
    Course Agronomy III
    Coordinating Unit School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s Roseworthy Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible AGRONOMY 3016RW
    Assumed Knowledge AGRIC 2505RW
    Course Description This course aims to provide students with an understanding of some of the important physiological principles to crop and pasture production and how these principles can be applied to agricultural systems. The course has two modules: (a) physiological bases of crop and pasture growth and resource utilisation; (b) impact of management practices on productivity, resource utilization, weed management and soil health. Specific topics covered include water use and water use efficiency, dry matter production and partitioning, the dynamics of water and nitrogen balances in agricultural systems, dual purpose cropping, canopy management, role of precision agriculture in improving resource use efficiency, effect of tillage systems on soil health and weed behaviour as well as factors affecting herbicide activity in the environment.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Gurjeet Gill

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Describe the role of physiological processes controlling plant growth and development.
    2 Understand the effect of environment and management on crop growth, rate of development, water and nutrient use efficiency
    3 Describe the impact of latest crop management practices on crop productivity and resource use efficiency
    4 Undertake sampling of plants and soils for routine analysis of crop growth and development
    5 Interpret results of research on crop growth and development, crop water use and water use efficiency
    6 6. Undertake research collaboratively in small teams and effectively communicate their findings.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-6
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1,2,3,5,6
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3,6
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 5,6
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 2,3
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Lecture handouts will be posted to the relevant area of MyUni before each class. There will be no provision of printed lecture handouts.
    Recommended Resources
    Tow, Cooper, Partridge and Birch (2011) Rainfed Farming Systems (Online access available through UA library)
    Loomis, RS and Connor, DJ (1992) Crop Ecology: Productivity and management in agricultural systems. Cambridge University Press
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course material is taught by a combination of lectures and practical classes, with formative assessment exercises in the form of practical write-ups, and summative assessment in the form of one examination. The lectures are organised into three streams. The first of these are lectures that cover major principles related to crop physiology. The second stream covers impact of technological interventions on resource use efficiency. The third stream addresses the role of herbicides and management of herbicide resistance. Lecture modes used are based primarily on traditional classroom paradigms of lecturer-student interactions, using PowerPoint or similar presentation techniques.

    Practical classes are designed and timetabled such that as far as possible, the topics co-ordinate with those being taught at that time within the lecture stream. There are two major practicals in this course. One of them deals with techniques and skills related to quantifying crop growth and development and its relationship with radiation and water use. Data collected by students in small working groups are submitted as a brief research paper. The second practical exercise is also based on group work in which students develop their own research proposal and then record measurement on crop growth and development during the semester to investigate a research problem. Each student group gives an oral presentation to the class at the end of the semester. Each group also submits a brief research paper for assessment. Both practical exercise promote group work and foster an ability to develop research questions and methodology to investigate the topic.

    Feedback is provided on all assessed work.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).
    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

    Small Group Discovery Experience
    All students work in small teams to undertake a research project. Each group identifies a research problem and then develops a proposal to undertake research on that problem. Group size varies from 3 to 4 students per group.

    Data collected during the semester is analysed and presented for assessment as a research paper. All groups also present their findings orally in a seminar.

    Small group research project is worth 20% of the total course assessment.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Small group research project Summative

    Week 4 - literature review
    Week 12 - Research paper and seminar

    20% 1,2,4,5,6
    Water and radiation use efficiency of field crops Summative Week 6 - literature review
    Week 11 - Research paper
    20% 1,2,4,5,6
    Practical Report – seeding depth x pre-emergence herbicides Summative Week 8 10% 1-6
    Exam Summative 50% 1-6
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    Assignments should be submitted with a cover sheet available from MyUni. Feedback will be provided within two weeks after the submission date.

    Late submission of assessments
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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