Unit Outline

This unit will provide you with an understanding of biological, geological, chemical and physical processes, as they relate to agricultural production systems. Processes explored will include biogeochemical cycles, photosynthesis, respiration, energy flows and transfer of nutrients. You will learn about the roles and interactions of living organisms and non-living components of agricultural production systems. You will have the opportunity to explore agricultural production systems and processes through practical experiences, tutorials and workshops.

This unit incorporates learning through practice by exposing you to authentic learning experiences. These experiences are placed at the centre of learning and assessment to provide you with opportunities to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to respond to industry, community and/or global needs.

You will be introduced to:

· methods, practices and approaches relative to sustainable agricultural production,

· ways of understanding problems and developing solutions through a range of active learning experiences.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:

1	Define and describe key components and cycles of agricultural production systems
2	Explain the processes and interactions among the components of agricultural production systems
3	Analyse and evaluate practical management approaches for agricultural production systems
4	Evaluate and communicate practical application of key concepts to agricultural production systems

Requisites

REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	ZAB201

Alterations as a result of student feedback

To Be Determined.

Teaching arrangements

ATTENDANCE MODE	TEACHING TYPE	LEARNING ACTIVITY	CONTACT HOURS	FREQUENCY
Online	Tutorial (Online)	Tutorials are up to 90 minutes	1.50	Weekly
	Workshop (Online)	Online workshop	3	Study Period 1 time
	Fieldwork	1 to 2 optional Course wide field trips	8	Study Period 1 time

Attendance / engagement expectations

If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule

ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	AT1: Biogeochemical Cycle Report	Week 5	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	AT2: Industry Engagement Report	Week 10	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	AT3: Case Study Report	Week 14	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: AT1: Biogeochemical Cycle Report

Task Description:

Farm and property managers need to understand biogeochemical cycles and their relationships to agricultural production systems, to make informed decisions for production. You will produce a report that discusses the relationship between different biogeochemical cycles and the relationship between the cycles and agricultural production.

Task Length:

1000 words plus images/diagrams

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)

1	Illustrate and explain key components and processes of biogeochemical cycles	LO1
2	Explain and analyse relationships between different biogeochemical cycles	LO2
3	Explain and analyse relationships between biogeochemical cycles and agricultural production systems	LO2
4	Explain relationships between management decisions and biogeochemical cycles	LO3
5	Communicate practical application of key concepts to agricultural production	LO4

Assessment Task 2: AT2: Industry Engagement Report

Task Description:

You will engage with an agricultural enterprise to investigate the practical application of your learnings around key natural processes and cycles.
To do this you will select an existing agricultural production enterprise and undertake research to analyse the key components of the production system and the key natural processes that are operating and interacting in the system.

Task Length:

1200 words (for written report) OR 10-minute narrated presentation

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)

1	Explain key components of the agricultural production system	LO1
2	Explain key processes operating in the production system	LO1
3	Explain and analyse the interactions between different processes	LO2
4	Evaluate and communicate the practical application of key concepts to agricultural production systems	LO4

Assessment Task 3: AT3: Case Study Report

Task Description:

Using the same enterprise as Assignment 2 you will investigate an agricultural production enterprise. You will investigate details of the system including management approaches and factors that influence management decisions.
You will use insights and information from your research to prepare a report that explores and explains the implication of management and potential changes in production processes that could improve productivity and sustainability.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)

1	Explain key components of the agricultural production system.	LO1
2	Explain and analyse limitations and opportunities of natural cycles and processes in relation to productivity and sustainability	LO2
3	Analyse and evaluate management practices and strategies	LO3
4	Explain and justify management recommendations	LO3
5	Use evidence to support statements and conclusions relevant to real-world scenarios	LO4
6	Evaluate and communicate the practical application of key concepts to agricultural production systems	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.