Agronomy & Cropping Systems

This subject is not offered in 2013.

Eligibility for honours or postgraduate degree

It is University policy to take all 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. This course requires all students to enrol in subjects where they must actively and safely contribute to laboratory activities and field trips. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Disability Liaison Unit.

This subject will discuss material and energy balances under a range of modern Australian cropping systems as well as examples from Asian and European farming systems. The course will focus on the agronomic concepts essential to understand the impact of management on production and product quality of plant systems, and the impact of environmental, economic and social factors on both dryland and irrigated plant production. The objective of this subject is to understand how climate, water and nutrient availability affects the productivity and sustainability of plant production systems using lectures, practical examples, computer simulation exercises and field trips.

Information Not Available

Field course assignment (3000 words; 50%) – by week 9, 3 hour written examination (50%) – end of semester

Information Not Available

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• A profound respect for truth, intellectual and professional integrity, and the ethics of scholarship
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning and research
• An ability to derive, interpret and analyse social, technical or economic information from primary and other sources
• Awareness of and ability to utilise appropriate communication technology and methods for the storage, management and analysis of data
• Capacity for creativity and innovation, through the application of skills and knowledge
• Ability to integrate information across a relevant discipline to solve problems in applied situations
• Highly developed computer - based skills to allow for effective on-line learning and communication.
• Highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
• Highly developed oral communication skills to allow informed dialogue and liaison with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community.
• Appreciation of social and cultural diversity from a regional to a global context
• Ability to participate effectively as a member of a team
• Ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects