Outline

Overview

This unit is designed to provide students with training in the professional skills required to practice agronomy. The unit principally builds on theoretical and applied knowledge gained in third year agronomy (AGRO3004). In this unit students will integrate their knowledge of plant physiology, soil science, experimental design, and biometry to address applied problems in agronomy, namely the issue of sustainability. Students will develop their ability to establish conclusions towards making recommendations for long term sustainability of crop and pasture systems. By implementing and managing a major field and/or glasshouse experiment(s) students will develop their research and inquiry skills. Team work is strongly encouraged in this unit and the integration and reporting of research findings will facilitate critical thinking and development of written communication skills. After completing this unit, students should be able to confidently design and manage a glasshouse/field experiment, and interpret and communicate their findings, by integrating knowledge from across disciplinary boundaries.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Daniel Tan, daniel.tan@sydney.edu.au
Demonstrator(s)	Adriana Hoxha, adriana.hoxha@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	David Guest, david.guest@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Written report on field experiment(s) Written report	33%	Week 07 Due date: 10 Apr 2020 at 23:00 Closing date: 17 Apr 2020	3000-4000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Seminar Video Seminar Video	33%	Week 11 Due date: 13 May 2020 at 23:00	12 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay on sustainable agriculture Essay on sustainable agriculture	34%	Week 13 Due date: 27 May 2020 at 23:00 Closing date: 03 Jun 2020	4000-5000 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Able to write a coherent and flowing report in good English. Using a variety of viewpoints to argue the process for identifying the problem. Excellent discussion of management strategies to manage this problem. References are used wisely and the student shows an ability to critique the literature. Sources included at least three refereed journal articles and these were presented in the correct format in the reference list and using the correct in text citation.
Distinction	75 - 84	Able to write a coherent report in good English. Presented at least two points of view to argue the process for identifying the problem. Good discussion of management strategies to manage this problem. Sources included at least three refereed journal articles and these were presented in the correct format in the reference list and using the correct in text citation.
Credit	65 - 74	Presented a report in good English. Presented at least two points of view to argue the process for identifying the problem. Reasonable discussion of management strategies to manage this problem. Sources included at least two refereed journal articles and these were presented in the correct format in the reference list and using the correct in text citation.
Pass	50 - 64	Presented and report in good English that defined the problem and came to a recommendation. Sources included two refereed journal articles, in a reference list.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard. Presented a report that did not address the problem or was poorly constructed and grammatically incorrect. Did not provide any recommendations. Did not use any refereed journal papers.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Introductions; 2. What is sustainable agriculture?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Discussion on experimental design and data collection	Practical (1 hr)
Week 02	1. Visit to aquaponics facility; 2. Sorghum experiment	Field trip (5 hr)
Week 03	Climatic change	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Food security	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Water security/peak phosphorus	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Data analysis for sorghum experiment	Practical (1 hr)
Week 05	Energy security and peak oil	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Sustainable diets and land degradation	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Project week 1	Individual study (4 hr)
Week 07	Project week 2	Individual study (4 hr)
Week 08	Project week 3	Individual study (4 hr)
Week 09	Sustainability and plant disease	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Project week 4	Individual study (4 hr)
Week 11	1. Brief discussion on debate; 2. Student seminars	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Student seminars	Practical (3 hr)
Week 12	Project week 5	Individual study (4 hr)
Week 13	Debate on sustainability	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Referencing: For all written assignments, students must follow the style guidelines used by the journal Crop and Pasture Science for referencing of cited literature. Recent papers in the journal can be used as a guide (see http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/40.htm).

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Confidently design and manage an agronomic experiment and then interpret and communicate the results
LO2. Integrate knowledge from across disciplines to successfully advocate for a sustainable future for Australian, indigenous and global farming systems.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Closed shoes should be worn during field site visits. Hat and sunscreen should be used.

Work, health and safety

Completion of the Canvas module “Zoonosis Awareness” is compulsory.

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

AGRO4004: Sustainable Farming Systems

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect