Key facts
UNE unit code: AGRO200
*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - On Campus
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Trimester 3 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- 6
Unit information

Without green plants we would neither breathe nor eat. Of the billions of tons of food the world consumes each year, most comes from agricultural plants, which synthesise it out of air and soil with the help of sunlight. The remainder comes from animal products, which in turn are derived from plants.
In this unit you will become familiar with the recognition, ecology and physiology of growth and development of a wide range of agriculturally important plants, including pasture, crop and weed species. In particular, you will learn how to identify these plants and to understand key plant processes for production and adaptation to soils and the climatic environment.
Enhance your knowledge of agriculture and future proof your farming skills.
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 |
| Trimester 3 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | 3 days | Mandatory Intensive School | Trimester 3, Online | The intensive school is mandatory for online students. |
| TBA | TBA | 3 days | Mandatory Intensive School | Trimester 1, Online | The intensive school is mandatory for online students. |
Enrolment rules
Notes
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:
- recognise, name and describe the uses and impacts of a range of agriculturally important crop, pasture and weed species;
- demonstrate a broad understanding of the ecology of agriculturally important plant species and the regions to which they are adapted across Australia;
- evaluate opportunities that exist for crop and pasture improvement in Australia based on a knowledge of genetic differences between plants;
- explain the processes driving plant growth from germination to flowering and seed and fruit development;
- demonstrate an understanding of the key physiological processes of photosynthesis, nutrition and water use in agricultural plants important for production and adaptation to soils and climate; and
- demonstrate a range of observational, identification, manipulative, measurement, interpretive, and written and graphical communication skills.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final Exam - Assurance Task | 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. No. Words: 2400 To pass this unit, you must achieve a minimum cumulative total of 50% across Practical Identification Test - Assurance Task, and Final Exam - Assurance Task, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. |
| Online Quizzes | Yes | 10% | All offerings | A sequence of online quizzes relating to lecture topics. |
| 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. | |
| Practical Identification Test - Assurance Task | Yes | 25% | All offerings | In class practical test for plant identification and key knowledge components. To pass this unit, you must achieve a minimum cumulative total of 50% across Practical Identification Test - Assurance Task, and Final Exam - Assurance Task, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. |
| Practical Report | Yes | 15% | All offerings | Practical report based on class activities. |
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.
Textbook information will be displayed approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
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