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Unit outline_

ANSC3100: Aquaculture and Poultry Production

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camden, Sydney

Animal production industries play important roles in global food security and they are facing ongoing challenges due to increased demand for affordable high quality, environmentally-friendly dietary protein for humans. This unit of study will explore Aquaculture and Poultry Production, the two most efficient animal protein industries in terms of feed conversion efficiency and least greenhouse gas emission. The aquaculture module will introduce the husbandry of broodstock and larval and juvenile culture techniques of finfish, molluscs and crustaceans, the biological principles of aquaculture including aquatic animal physiology, species selection, hatchery breeding and rearing and grow-out practices and aquaculture farming systems. The poultry module will explore chicken-meat and egg production in Australia and overseas, poultry nutrition, feed technology, management of hatchery, breeder and broiler flocks, poultry meat processing. Both aquaculture and poultry modules will focus on animal health, welfare, disease and environmental impact and how these considerations determine current on-farm practice. By the end of this unit, you will be able to: evaluate the benefits of different production systems in aquaculture and poultry with consideration in animal welfare and sustainability; understand profits and pitfalls when managing production and provide potential solutions to on-farm problems.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
6 credit points from (AVBS1002 or BIOL1XXX) and 6 credit points from (AVBS2XXX or BIOL2XXX)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
AVBS3008 or AVBS4008 or AVBS3009 or AVBS4009
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sonia Liu, sonia.liu@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
2 hours closed-book exam
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment group assignment Aquaculture infographic or poster
One page infographic or a poster on the production of an aquaculture specie
15% Week 05
Due date: 01 Sep 2023 at 23:59
one page
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Assignment Critical review
Written report focused on identifying and critiquing scientific literature
15% Week 07
Due date: 15 Sep 2023 at 23:59
800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Feed formulation case study
Case study students need to produce a feed mill batch sheet
15% Week 09
Due date: 06 Oct 2023 at 23:59
2 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO6
Assignment Manager report
A performance report for a virtual farm or plant
15% Week 11
Due date: 20 Oct 2023 at 23:59
2 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

There are five assessments in this unit including the final exam (40%). The four in-semester assessments include:

  • Aquaculture infographic or poster on the production of an acquaculture species (group work and 15%)
  • Written report focussed on identifying and critiquing scientific literature  (15%) 
  • Case study students need to produce a feed mill batch sheet (15%)  
  • A performance report for a virtual far m or plant  (15%).

The final exam assessment is compulsory and failure to attend, attempt, or submit will result in the award of an AF grade.  If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam).  The alternative assessment will meet the same learning outcomes as the original exam.  The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the unit coordinator.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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

This work shows excellent understanding of the topic and clear evidence of independent
critical thought. It may contain blemishes, but these are compensated for by signs of high
intellectual quality, especially clear, well-organised and forceful argument; reading and
understanding beyond the set literature; and originality of approach.

Distinction

75 - 84

This work shows a very good understanding of the relevant content; the essay reflects
independent thought; significantly it attempts to develop evaluative and critical arguments.
Such arguments may be second-hand and/or they may be flawed, but a serious and
sustained attempt at criticism has been made.

Credit

65 - 74

This work shows a clear understanding of the relevant material; it contains only small gaps
or minor errors; reading has obviously gone beyond lecture material; there are signs of
independent thought, and some attempt is made to evaluate arguments or develop critical
arguments.

Pass

50 - 64

This work shows evidence of a satisfactory level of understanding of the relevant material; it
may contain gaps, errors or other kinds of blemishes, but it is obvious that the student has
read and digested material from lectures and/or set literature. The essay, however, is largely
derivative – it simply reports the views of others - and little or no criticism or evaluation of
arguments is attempted.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard. There may be a significant amount of ‘parroting’ of material from lectures or tutorials or set
reading, but this work shows little or no evidence of satisfactory understanding of the
relevant content; it may contain either serious errors or major gaps in what is considered
essential information.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Penalties of 5% per day will apply for late submissions as per University Policy.

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Aquaculture Lecture 1 to 4 Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Aquaculture Tutorial 1 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 02 Aquaculture Lecture 5-8 Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Aquaculture practical Practical (7 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 04 Aquaculture Lecture 9-12 Lecture (4 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Aquaculture Tutorial 2 Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Aquaculture Lecture 13-15 Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Aquaculture Tutorial 3 Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Aquaculture Lecture 16-18 Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Aquaculture Tutorial 4 Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Poultry Lecture 1-4 Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Poultry Tutorial 1 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 08 Poultry Lecture 5-7 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Poultry Tutorial 2 Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Poultry Lecture 8-10 Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Poultry Tutorial 3 Tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Poultry Lecture 11-13 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Poultry Tutorial 4 Tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Poultry Lecture 14-16 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Poultry Tutorial 5 Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 12 Poultry Lecture 17-19 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Poultry Tutorial 6 Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Combined exam review and assignment feedback Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Poultry Lecture 20-22 Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

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 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.

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

  • LO1. Describe structure and production systems in aquaculture and poultry industries in Australia and overseas
  • LO2. Apply the principles of animal husbandry (including areas of animal biology, health, nutrition, reproduction, genetics and growth) to management of the welfare and productivity of aquaculture species and poultry
  • LO3. Critique different types of aquaculture and poultry production models that are commonly used in Australia and overseas
  • LO4. Integrate knowledge and skills as individuals and in groups to provide potential solutions to production problems
  • LO5. Appraise the management of an aquaculture or poultry facility and formulate strategies to improve production
  • LO6. Conduct work independently and in teams to locate, critically evaluate and analyse scientific literature and communicate effectively in a variety of ways to a variety of audiences

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

This is a new unit and the development has gone through consultation within the AVBS theme.

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.