PLANT SC 7245WT - Plant Health A

Waite Campus - Semester 1 - 2016

This course covers the biology, ecology and management of a variety of pests in agricultural ecosystems, especially arthropods, plant pathogens and weeds. It considers what organisms and abiotic stresses cause disease or reduced growth, and the economic, environmental and social implications of disease and stress. Cultural, biological, physical, and chemical pest suppression practices are considered within the framework of the principles of integrated pest management (IPM). Practical sessions provide an opportunity to learn techniques and approaches to plant protection. The key concepts of the course are integrated in a series of case studies, and students enhance their ability to apply them to novel situations in problem-solving sessions.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PLANT SC 7245WT
    Course Plant Health A
    Coordinating Unit School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s Waite Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 7 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible PLANT SC 7131WT
    Assumed Knowledge BIOLOGY 1202 and OENOLOGY 2501WT or PLANT SC 2500WT
    Course Description This course covers the biology, ecology and management of a variety of pests in agricultural ecosystems, especially arthropods, plant pathogens and weeds. It considers what organisms and abiotic stresses cause disease or reduced growth, and the economic, environmental and social implications of disease and stress. Cultural, biological, physical, and chemical pest suppression practices are considered within the framework of the principles of integrated pest management (IPM). Practical sessions provide an opportunity to learn techniques and approaches to plant protection. The key concepts of the course are integrated in a series of case studies, and students enhance their ability to apply them to novel situations in problem-solving sessions.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Maryam Yazdani

    Name Role Building/Room Email
    A/Prof Michael Keller Course Coordinator Waite/GN05 mike.keller@adelaide.edu.au
    A/Prof Amanda Able Lecturer Waite/GN12 amanda.able@adelaide.edu.au
    Prof Eileen Scott Lecturer Waite/N106 eileen.scott@adelaide.edu.au
    A/Prof Christopher Preston Lecturer Waite/GN08 christopher.preston@adelaide.edu.au
    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    Successful students will be able to:

    1. Diagnose causes of plant damage, especially by pests, and describe the biological characteristics of damaging pests.

    2. Explain the influence of biological and ecological processes on (a) pest populations and (b) the outcomes of pest management practices and programs.

    3. Explain how a variety of practices are used to manage insects, diseases and weeds and apply this knowledge to pest management.

    4. Explain the benefits and limitations of various practices that are used to manage pests.

    5. Sample pest populations and use sampling data to make informed decisions about pest management practices.

    6. Evaluate economic factors that constrain pest management practices and explain economic optimisation of pest management.

    7. Explain the benefits of an integrated approach to pest management, and compare and contrast integrated approaches to those based on one or two main pest suppression practices.

    8. Critically evaluate a pest management program.

    9. Use a spreadsheet to construct a simple mathematical model.

    10. Clearly communicate their thoughts and understanding orally and in writing.
    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, 6, 7, 8,9
    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, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9
    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
    2, 3, 4, 7, 9,10
    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, 8, 9
    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
    3, 5, 7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    All course materials are available online through the University’s MyUni portal. These include the course handbook, lecture and practical notes, recorded lectures, and example of a past examination paper, and lists of readings. Each week students must complete an online quiz to prepare for the scheduled practical session.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures are supported by assigned readings that build student’s knowledge in the area of pest biology and management. The hands-on learning approach in the practicals helps to develop deeper understanding of these topics and assists students in their development of practical skills such as diagnosis, robust sampling and resistance management.
    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
    There is a series of lectures that cover the influence of damaging microorganisms, invertebrates and weeds on plant health, and the means to manage plant health in a cost effective and sustainable manner. Practical sessions consider diagnosis, quantification and management of organisms that damage crops in the field and after harvest.
    Specific Course Requirements
    1. Attendance at lectures is optional, but strongly encouraged.
    2. Attendance at practicals is required, and all practical sessions are assessed.   For some practical sessions students must complete a pre-class online quiz.
  • 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 No Approximate Timing of Assessment Learning Outcome being assessed/achieved
    Practical exercises (in-class) Formative & Summative

    10%

    No Weeks 1-12 (in class) 1-10
    Practical reports Formative & Summative 18% No Weeks 2,4 5 & 6 1,3,4,5
    Essay OR Consultant’s report Formative
    & Summative
    7% No Week 12 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10
    Practical exam Summative 15% No Weeks 2,3,4 & 5 8,9,10,11
    On-line quizzes Formative 0% No Weeks 1,2,4,7,9,11 & 12 1,2,3,4,5,6,9
    Final exam Summative 50% No Exam Period 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10
    Assessment Detail
    Practical exercises (in-class) – a total of 10% from in-class tasks are submitted at the end of each of 3 practical classes, with feedback given with two weeks, as follows:
    - Pest forecasting (4%)
       Students prepare a spreadsheet that includes a regression analysis and equations for a degree-day model to forecast the development of a selected insect pest.  Students are assessed on the precision and accuracy of their work, the extent to which their spreadsheet displays elements of best practice, and the quality and depth of answers to questions about the exercise. 
    - Biological control of insects (3%)
       Students prepare a brief written report (~4 pages, including graphs) on a small experiment and answer questions about observations made in the field and of live specimens that they view in the laboratory.  Students are assessed on their analysis and interpretation of experimental data, and quality and depth of answers to questions about their observations. 
    - Postharvest pest management (3%)
       Students work in groups to discover the elements of a chosen supply chain, determine the key pest control points and then apply their knowledge to develop a method that will maintain or improve the end product. This is then presented to the class as an informal hand-drawn poster/diagram. They choose a crop and product of interest to them (horticultural, agricultural or viticultural) the week before the practical to allow them time to identify resources (textbooks, websites journal articles) in preparation. Students will be assessed, as a group, with regards to the quality, reasoning and depth of the analysis and solutions presented and their ability to communicate their poster and ideas to the class.

    Practical reports – a total of 18% for 4 practicals as follows:
    - Sampling and decision making (5%)
       Students analyse and interpret an extensive class data set that is collected during a field excursion. Students are assessed on the precision and accuracy of their work, the extent to which their spreadsheet displays elements of best practice, and the quality and depth of answers to questions about the exercise. 
    - Pesticide chemistry and application (4%)
       Students prepare a three page report on the results of three short experiments. Students are assessed on their analysis and interpretation of experimental data, and quality and depth of answers to questions about their observations.
    - Pesticide resistance management (4%)
       Students prepare a four page report on the results of a computer simulation. Students are assessed on their ability to analyse and communicate the results of the simulation and the quality and depth of their answers to questions about the results of the simulation.
    - Case study (5%)
       Students choose one of the field excursions (Biology and management of pests of cereals OR protected crops) as the basis for an extended report (1200-1500 words).  Students are assessed on their description of the type of production enterprise, the pests that affect the crops, and a critical evaluation of pest management practices.

    Essay OR Consultant’sreport (7%)
    Postgraduate students of Plant Health must write an essay or consultant’s report on subject that is pertinent to plant health.
    ·    Students who choose this assignment must write a 2,000-word essay (range 1800-2200), excluding references. The essays must critically review and analyse the selected subject using original sources of information (not textbooks), which should be cited in the format of a scientific journal.  
    ·     Students who choose this assignment will critically review the state of IPM for a selected situation.   First select a target crop and a location (citrus and cotton are excluded). Describe current pest management practices used against the complex of
    pests that attacks the crop.    
     
    Practical exam (15%)
    Students examine a range of damage cause by plant pathogens, invertebrate pests and herbicides which they saw in the related practical sessions.  Students are assessed on their ability to assess the problem, identify the information required to make an informed judgement about the cause of the problem and possible remedial action, and to communicate that information.

    Online Quizzes (0%)
    For some practical sessions students must complete a pre-class online quiz. It tests student preparation and is based on the instructions and short videos on that particular topic. By completing the quiz, student can be sure that you are well-prepared for the practical session. Students may be excluded from a practical session if they do not successfully complete the practical
    quiz. However, there is no mark for quizzes and they are not assessed.

    Theory Exam (50%)
    The final theory exam examines all components of the course. It consists of short answer and long answer questions.
     
    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
  • Fraud Awareness

    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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