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GRNS500 Agronomy of Grains Production

Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 2 Off Campus A- Internet access required
Intensive School(s)
Start Finish Attendance Notes
N/A N/A Mandatory held in early September in Toowoomba, exact dates to be advised. For further details contact the unit coordinator, Mr Craig Birchall, on (02) 6773 2721
Supervised Exam There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions GRNS300
Notes None
Combined Units GRNS300 - Agronomy of Grains Production
Coordinator(s) Craig Birchall (craig.birchall@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit provides students with an understanding of the major agronomic aspects necessary for the sustainable production of grains crops in Australia, including cereals, pulses (legumes) and oilseeds. Topics include a grains industry overview, crop morphology and physiology, plant breeding and adaptation, plant nutrition, soil characterisation, health and management, tillage systems, water management and precision agriculture.
Materials No text required
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 25% 3000
Assessment Notes
Essay
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-3 GA: 1-5
Assignment 2 25%
Assessment Notes
Practical assignment
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 2-4 GA: 1, 5, 6
Assignment 3 20% 1500
Assessment Notes
Short answer assessment
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 2-4 GA: 1, 2, 5-7
Open Book Examination 30%
Assessment Notes
be held during the mandatory intensive school.
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1-3, 6, 7

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. explain the workings of the Australian grains industry and the constraints within which it operates;
  2. understand crop development, physiology and the technological and institutional factors affecting the breeding programs of major Australian grain crops;
  3. have an advanced understanding of plant nutrition and how that may be optimised for the major grain crops; and
  4. explain the role and importance of soil management, tillage systems, crop rotations and water management for the profitability of grain farming enterprises.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Students are taught knowledge of the discipline throughout the unit, and have to use this knowledge during assessment tasks. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
Students communications skills are practiced and assessed through a variety a assessment task formats. 		True True
3 Global Perspectives
The relationships between the Australian grains industry and the world grain industry are taught and assessed. 		True True
4 Information Literacy
Students are expected to demonstrate research capacity and to obtain information from a wide range of sources. 		True True
5 Life-Long Learning
Students practice and are assessed on learning skills which will be useful to them throughout their careers. 		True True True
6 Problem Solving
At least one assessment task in the unit involves problem solving using information taught in the unit. 		True True
7 Social Responsibility
The broader social and environmental effects of decisions involved in agricultural production are taught and discussed. 		True True
8 Team Work
 True
   

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