PLANT SC 7023EX - Biosecurity Plant Pests: Weeds

External - Semester 1 - 2017

This course will consider: Weed ecology, and the invasion biology of plant species. The biology, ecology of weeds, including "sleeper weeds". Weed surveillance strategies. Weed identification. Weed eradication and containment. Successful and unsuccessful weed eradication programs. Weed management principles and weed control strategies in relation to eradication and containment of invasive weeds. The course will be delivered in external mode.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PLANT SC 7023EX
    Course Biosecurity Plant Pests: Weeds
    Coordinating Unit School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s External
    Units 3
    Contact External
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Course Description This course will consider: Weed ecology, and the invasion biology of plant species. The biology, ecology of weeds, including "sleeper weeds". Weed surveillance strategies. Weed identification. Weed eradication and containment. Successful and unsuccessful weed eradication programs. Weed management principles and weed control strategies in relation to eradication and containment of invasive weeds. The course will be delivered in external mode.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Christopher Preston

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    The anticipated knowledge, skills and attitude to be developed by the student are:

    1 An ability to explain the main attributes of plant species that facillitate them being invasive in a new environment and apply this to the assessment of potential invasiveness in plant species.
    2 An ability to describe weed import pathways and discuss their relative importance in facilitating weed invasion
    3 An ability to discuss the roles of weed surveillence, weed identification, eradication and containment in management of invasive species.
    4 An ability to discuss the factors that contribute to successful eradication of a weed species and critique a weed eradication program.
    5 An ability to understand the factors that contribute to range expansion of sleeper weeds and develop a management plan for a sleeper weed.
    6 An ability to apply their knoweldge to practical problems in the management of invasive plant species
    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    4, 5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1, 5, 6
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1, 2, 3, 6
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1, 5, 6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    All resources required for this course are available via MyUni.
    Recommended Resources
    All recommended resources for this course are available via MyUni.
    Online Learning
    All material required to complete this course will be available via MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will be delivered online in a series of modules. Each module will comprise a major reading, associated supporting materials, and a list of selected papers.

    Students will have an opportunity to communicate with the lecturer and other students in an online discussion and via email.

    Workload

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

    This course is self-paced. The workload for the course is estimated to be 146 hours.
    Learning Activities Summary
    LECTURE LIST:

    Module 1: Why Worry About Weeds?
    Lecture 1-1: Defining weeds
    Lecture 1-2: Economic and other impacts of weeds

    Module 2: Weed Ecology
    Lecture 2-1: Weed life history traits
    Lecture 2-2: Characteristics of invasive plant species
    Lecture 2-3: Weed population dynamics
    Lecture 2-4: Interference and competition

    Module 3: Weed invasiveness in different ecosystems
    Lecture 3-1: Factors influencing weed invasion
    Lecture 3-2: Types of disturbance and their impact on weed invasion

    Module 4: Introduction Pathways for plant propagules
    Lecture 4-1: Understanding introduction pathways
    Lecture 4-2: Legislation and management of introduction pathways
    Lecture 4-3: Weed risk assessment of new plant imports

    Module 5: Recognising and identifying weed invaders
    Lecture 5-1: Identifying weed species
    Lecture 5-2: Weed surveillance strategies
    Lecture 5-3: Eradication and containment of weeds
    Lecture 5-4: Case studies: Successful and unsuccessful weed eradication

    Module 6: Biology and ecology of sleeper weeds
    Lecture 6-1: Introduction to sleeper weeds
    Lecture 6-2: Range increase of sleeper weeds
    Lecture 6-3: Strategies to identify and manage sleeper weeds

    Module 7: Weed management principles
    Lecture 7-1: Introduction to weed management principles
    Lecture 7-2: Weed control tactics
    Lecture 7-3: Biological control of weeds
    Lecture 7-4: Case Studies: Integrated weed management
  • 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
    Assignment 1: Weed Ecology Summative

    Week 4

    25%
    Assignment 2: Weed Risk Assessment  Summative Week 8 25%
    Project: Plant Invasion management Summative Week 12 45%
    Quizzes Summative Complete with each module 5%
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    Assignments must be delivered via the MyUni website.
    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.

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  • Policies & Guidelines
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