PLANT SC 3530WT - Food Production in a Future Climate III

Waite Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

Students will develop an appreciation for the complexity of natural resource management issues and their impact on agricultural production and societal change. This will be achieved by providing an in-depth understanding of the impacts of global climate change on plant growth with specific focus on how climate change is likely to affect food production. Crops and agricultural systems of particular importance to Australian agricultural and horticultural production will be closely examined. The course will highlight the importance of understanding the mechanisms by which a changing climate will affect plant performance and food production. Changing phenology, plant species range shifts, changing pest pressure and variation in yield will be explored in the context of climate change. This course integrates concepts of physiology, biochemistry, genetics, agronomy, and pest management gained by students in previous courses thus developing an in-depth understanding of the drivers of climate change and how future prediction models are generated. Students will develop skills in critical analysis of data and literature to enable them to make informed decisions relating to future food production.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PLANT SC 3530WT
    Course Food Production in a Future Climate III
    Coordinating Unit Agricultural Science
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s Waite Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites (CHEM 1100 or CHEM 1101 or CHEM 1611), (PLANT SC 2510WT or ENV BIOL 2500)
    Incompatible AGRIC 3510WT
    Assumed Knowledge 6 units of Level I Biology
    Course Description Students will develop an appreciation for the complexity of natural resource management issues and their impact on agricultural production and societal change. This will be achieved by providing an in-depth understanding of the impacts of global climate change on plant growth with specific focus on how climate change is likely to affect food production. Crops and agricultural systems of particular importance to Australian agricultural and horticultural production will be closely examined. The course will highlight the importance of understanding the mechanisms by which a changing climate will affect plant performance and food production. Changing phenology, plant species range shifts, changing pest pressure and variation in yield will be explored in the context of climate change. This course integrates concepts of physiology, biochemistry, genetics, agronomy, and pest management gained by students in previous courses thus developing an in-depth understanding of the drivers of climate change and how future prediction models are generated. Students will develop skills in critical analysis of data and literature to enable them to make informed decisions relating to future food production.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Beth Loveys

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students should be able to:
    1. Describe the natural and anthropogenic causes for climate variation and the impacts on key plant processes such as phenology, photosynthesis, respiration and growth.
    2. Understand the concepts and limitations in the global climate models that are used to predict future climate scenarios.
    3. Understand the implications of changing climate on plant production in a range of cropping systems.
    4. Apply knowledge about the response of plants to climate change to specific agricultural and horticultural species and predict the production outcomes or the locations best suited for production systems in future climate scenarios.
    5. Source and critically analyse relevant peer reviewed literature.
    6. Communicate aspects of climate change science to their peers in accessible language.
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-6

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    4-6

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    6

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    n/a

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    2

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    6
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes


    The course will be delivered internally and will be offered on a single day. Each day will consist of:

    1. Lecture composed of 2 presentations of 1 hour each- the first two weeks of lectures will provide basic background information. The lectures in the following ten weeks will be delivered by AFW academics and also 2-4 guest lecturers from our co-located partners.

    2. Workshop of 2 hours- the focus of workshops will be extending concepts introduced in lectures

    3. Practical session of 2 hours- practicals will be supported by interactive, online modules to prepare students for practical classes. Practicals will allow students to manipulate and observe plant responses to a variable climate.
    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
    The lectures, workshops and practicals in this course aim to provide students with an advanced understanding of the theory and evidence of climate change and the broad impacts that climate change will have on plant production systems. Examples specific to the Australian plant production context will be of central importance but as climate change is an issue that impacts globally international examples and experiences will also be used. The lectures will provide students with core and current knowledge delivered by experts in their respective fields. Consistency of delivery will be provided by UofA academic staff but experts from partner institutions will also contribute. Workshops are designed to extend concepts introduced in lectures. Practical sessions will allow students to manipulate plant systems experimentally and using techniques and instruments commonly used by researchers in fields of plant science students will measure the response of plants to environmental variables. Practicals will give students’ first-hand, applied experience of the scientific research process required to assess the impacts of climate change on plant production systems.
    Specific Course Requirements
    None
  • 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 Type of assessment Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes Hurdle Yes or Not Outcomes being assessed/achieved Approximate Timing of Assessment
    Literature Review and Workshop Participation Formative and Summative 20% No 1,4 and 6 Week 7 / Post day 13
    Annotated Bibliography Formative 10% No 1.4 and 6 Continual
    Practical report or poster Summative 20% No 3,4 Week 9 / Post day 13
    Online Pre-prac activities Formative and Summative 15% No 1,5 Week 4,6,10
    Correlation activity and popular press article Formative and summative 15% No 2,3 Week 7
    Final exam Summative 20% No 1-7 Exam period
    Assessment Detail
    Literature review and workshop participation (20%) The workshops will provide scaffolding of student’s ability and skill to find, interpret and critically evaluate scientific literature. Students will select a topic on which to focus their literature review (2500 words) with the help of staff.
    Annotated Bibliography (10%)
    Students will collect papers, webpages, books and other literature relevant to their chosen topic for their literature review. Students will submit the bibliography in weeks 3, 6, 9 and 12. The mark will be assigned in week 12.

    Practical report/presentation (20%)
    A written report or poster (student choice) in the style of the results and discussion scientific paper on the Module 4 practical session will be submitted as a Turnitin assignment in week 9 of semester. The related practical work will be completed between week 3-6 of semester.

    Online quizzes (15%) The quizzes consist of MCQ and short answer responses to test knowledge gained in lectures, workshops and pracs.

    Correlation activity and popular press article (15%) Using large freely accessible climate data students will build a simple model and create a graph to display the results of their model. A popular press-style article will be written.

    Final exam (20%)
    A two hour open book exam on all material covered in the course. The question style will be varied, multiple choice, short answer and data interpretation.
    Submission
    Late submission:


    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 the assignment 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 late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.

    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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    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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