Key facts
UNE unit code: PA335
*You are viewing the 2025 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - On Campus
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- 6
Unit information
Hone the skills and knowledge you need to solve complex agricultural problems, with an advanced introduction to the field of Precision Agriculture (PA) in both production and research contexts.
Studying this unit you will develop an invaluable theoretical understanding of how PA technologies work. You will also explore contemporary economics and adoption challenges of PA.
Topics covered include understanding spatial and temporal variability in agricultural systems, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and machine guidance systems, farm mapping and Geographical Information Systems (GIS), soil sensors and management, yield monitoring technology and systems, satellite, airborne and proximal plant sensing technologies, variable rate fertiliser and site-specific management, pasture and rangeland biomass monitoring technologies, and precision livestock systems.
Practical activities will give you experience in the use and application of various PA systems.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 1 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 April 2025 | 08 April 2025 | 2 days | Mandatory Intensive School | Trimester 1, Online | The Intensive School is mandatory for online students. |
Enrolment rules
Notes
Students are advised that this unit requires access to good internet connectivity as there are numerous video recordings of lectures and practical sessions along with a number of exercises undertaken using cloud based technologies;
The School of Environmental and Rural Science considers all practical/laboratory/tutorial activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all practical/laboratory/tutorial classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate a broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge of key concepts of precision agricultural technologies;
- apply knowledge and skills to independently use simple precision agriculture tools to develop recommendations for producers;
- demonstrate ability to identify and explain the physical and economic factors driving adoption of precision agricultural tools;
- demonstrate a sound knowledge of, and the ability to explain, the objectives and specific applications of precision agriculture for various farming systems; and
- independently assess suitable sources of data for precision agriculture and evaluate a given system of precision agriculture in the form of a technical report.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 x Online Quizzes | Yes | 20% | All offerings | No. Words: 500 |
| Assignment 1 | Yes | 30% | All offerings | Essay No. Words: 2000 |
| Practical | Yes | All offerings | The School of Environmental and Rural Science considers all practical/laboratory/tutorial activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all practical/laboratory/tutorial classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence. | |
| Final Examination | Yes | 50% | All offerings | There is a supervised exam at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled. The exam will be offered online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology. Coordinated by UNE Exams Unit. |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Precision Viticulture CD
ISBN: 10087
Proffit, T., Bramley, R., Lamb, D. and Winter, E., Winetitles Pty Ltd CD
Text refers to: All offerings
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