| Semester 2, 2023 Online | |
| Units : | 1 |
| School or Department : | School of Agriculture and Environmental Science |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
| Course fee schedule : | /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules |
Staffing
Course Coordinator:
Overview
Given the rising global human population, increasing competition from alternative land uses, limitations to available water and the challenges of maintaining soil fertility and plant health worldwide, commercial agriculture across the globe is seeking to increase productivity through technological innovation and practice change. A broad understanding of the nature of these new technologies and their potential to contribute to food security and sustainable agricultural landscapes is essential for professionals in rural industries.
The course begins by considering the historical effects of technological change on agriculture and on rural communities and the flow on effects to society as a whole. The contribution made to technological innovation by advances in our fundamental understanding of biological and physical sciences is discussed. Innovations arising from advances in genetics, crop protection, soil science; agricultural engineering and robotics, data collection and analysis, computer technologies and other fields will be surveyed. Students will have the opportunity to prepare two case studies of their choice.
Course learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course students should be able to:
- Reflect on the historical role of innovation in advancing agricultural practice and in driving social change
- Apply new knowledge and technological innovation in driving advances in crop and animal productivity
- Assess the application of engineering and computing technologies in improving the productivity of farming systems
- Develop the ability to research, critically evaluate and present a case study of technological innovation in agriculture
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Historical perspective on innovation in agriculture | 15.00 |
| 2. | The relationship of fundamental research and technological innovation | 10.00 |
| 3. | Innovation in breeding, nutrition, and crop and livestock protection | 20.00 |
| 4. | Innovation in engineering, robotics, remote sensing and computing | 20.00 |
| 5. | Farming systems (incl. irrigation) | 25.00 |
| 6. | Future agricultural industries | 10.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
Student workload expectations
To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.
Assessment details
| Description | Group Assessment |
Weighting (%) | Course learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation (ind, grp, mltmd) A1 of 4 | No | 10 | 1,2,3,4 |
| Presentation (ind, grp, mltmd) A2 of 4 | No | 10 | 1,2,3,4 |
| Case Study 1 | No | 30 | 1,2,3,4 |
| Presentation (ind, grp, mltmd) A3 of 4 | No | 10 | 1,2,3,4 |
| Case Study 2 | No | 30 | 1,2,3,4 |
| Presentation (ind, grp, mltmd) A4 of 4 | No | 10 | 1,2,3,4 |