Land Water & Food Economy

Subject 207-209 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2008.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 48 hours contact. 2 lectures and 2 hours tutorials/practical classes per week.
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Bill Malcolm
Subject Overview:

This subject introduces students to the issues associated with using and managing Australia's land and water resources to produce food. It covers the key scientific and economic principles of production at farm level, and beyond farm to the operation of market systems and implications for the natural environment. In so doing, it draws out the links between resources requirements for profitable food production systems and the geographic distribution of Australia's food industries, and the links between market forces and agricultural practices. Excursions to agricultural regions and businesses are an integral part of the subject.

On completion of this subject, students will have gained:

  • knowledge of the technical, economic and risk challenges associated with using natural resources to produce food and fibre
  • the ability to explain why agricultural industries are located where they are in Australia;
  • and understanding of how different systems of agricultural production operate;the ability to analyse the operation of farm businesses in terms of their resource requirements and usage, enterprise choices and management, and their profitability;
  • an appreciation of the nature of interactions between agricultural production systems and the natural environment, and implications of this for natural resource management in Australia
Assessment: A 3 hour final examination at the end of semester worth 60% of the final marks; a 1000 word essay worth 10% of final marks; a one hour mid-semester test worth 10% of final marks; and a field trip report worth 20% of final marks.
Prescribed Texts: Agriculture in Australia: An Introduction by Bill Malcolm, Peter Sale and Adrian Egan, Oxford University Press
Breadth Options: This subject is a level 2 or level 3 subject and is not available to new generation degree students as a breadth option in 2008.
This subject or an equivalent will be available as breadth in the future.
Breadth subjects are currently being developed and these existing subject details can be used as guide to the type of options that might be available.
2009 subjects to be offered as breadth will be finalised before re-enrolment for 2009 starts in early October.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Tutorials and practicals will involve the use of a computer laboratory
Notes:

This subject is core for students taking the major in Agricultural Science. It is also available as a breadth subject in the B Sc.

Related Course(s): Bachelor of Agriculture

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