This course will provide students with broad underpinning knowledge of practices and systems of the Australian agricultural sector. This course is intended to provide breadth of systems knowledge to allow students of a range of knowledge domains to come together and apply their knowledge in an agricultural context. It will focus on the interface between domain knowledge relevant to the modern agricultural system.  Students will gain an understanding of the complex ecological and biophysical processes and interactions between climate, soils, crop plants, livestock, and management systems. A range of land management issues are examined, with students developing the skills to design and implement improved farming systems to address these issues in the context of barriers to adoption, and key enablers of practice change.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Apply an understanding of key concepts to the modern agricultural system.
2. Integrate knowledge of production systems to view Australian agrifood as a system.
3. Critically review literature and 'real life' examples of agricultural production in context as a system.
4. Effectively interpret and critique agricultural data using standard analytical and communication techniques, and communicate key information about agri systems to a range of audiences.
5. Apply holistic thinking on course topics, in the context of real-world challenges.

Research-Led Teaching

This course will use current research and real-world projects topics to introduce students to interesting concepts and challenges facing agriculture. The lecturers and tutors of this course are academic researchers or industry professionals.This course is designed and delivered using best pedagogical pracice and education research to enhance the learning experience and outcomes for students.

Field Trips

This course will be taught intensively and involve multiple field trips to farms and properties in the ACT and surrounding region. This year there will be no overnight field trips. Students will be transported to/from field trips in university vehicles.

For more information, please see the College of Science – Field trip page.

Additional Course Costs

Some optional experiences may have small additional costs payable by the student.

Examination Material or equipment

It is recommended students bring a non-programmable calculator for quiz assessment tasks.

Required Resources

Other than appropriate clothing for field trips, all equipment and resources will be provided throughout the course.

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	The first week will include a range of lectures, workshops, practicals and field trip activities.	Quiz AStakeholder Communications (Pitch)
2	The second week will include a range of lectures, workshops, practicals and field trip activities.	Quiz BPractical Exercises (Soil Assessment)Stakeholder Communications (Seminar)
3	Self directed research on assessments	Stakeholder Communications (Media Article)Field Trip Reports (Evaluation of a Farm System, Reflective Exercise)

Tutorial Registration

N/A

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Quiz	20 %	28/06/2024	1,2
Practical Exercises	20 %	08/07/2024	1,2,3
Stakeholder Communications Exercise	20 %	17/07/2024	2,3,4
Field Trip Engagement and Report	40 %	17/07/2024	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Examination(s)

There is no exam for this subject.

Assessment Task 1

Quiz

This assessment item will involve two online quizzes, conducted in-person in class (on 21 and 28 June). The quizzes are designed to prompt students to revise the material covered in the course and will cover topic knowledge and basic scientific skills. Marks from both quizzes count towards the total quiz mark; each individual quiz is worth 10% of the overall mark for the course (total 20%). Quizzes will be administered through Wattle, will be available only during the allocated quiz time and cannot be taken after it has closed. Therefore, failure to complete any of the quizzes within the allotted time, without prior permission from the convenor, will result in a zero grade for that quiz. Each quiz allows only one attempt. The format is open-book, so students may make use of course materials and textbooks while taking the quiz. Calculators are also permitted. Work not generated by the student may not be submitted. . Students must complete each quiz as individual work.

Due Date: 21 and 28 June

Value: 20%

Assessment Task 2

Practical Exercises

This assessment item will be comprised of two tasks

1.     Soil Evaluation (10%)

2.     Workshop exercises (10%)

1. Soil Evaluation

Students will apply the skills learned through workshops and field trips to assess the properties of a soil sample and apply this to its use and management.

Due Date: This will be conducted in class during the second week of the intensive teaching period.

Value: 10%

 

2. Workshop exercises

Throughout the course students will undertake a range of workshop exercises. They will select, from a list, two of the topics covered in these workshops and respond to the post on this topic. The aim of this task is to allow students to demonstrate their understanding and application of the content covered throughout the course. Students must complete this task as individual work.

Due Date: 8 July

Submission: This assessment should be submitted via the discussion forums on the Wattle site.

Word limit: Dependent on the topics chosen, this will be defined on the Wattle site.

Value: 10%

Assessment Task 3

Stakeholder Communications Exercise

In this assessment item students will work in groups to research and present on a topical issue facing Australian agriculture. This will be informed by an interview with an industry professional or researcher with expertise in this field. Students will then individually write up a media communication piece to present the issue to a general audience.

The components of this assessment task are:

1.      Pitch (0% - pass/fail hurdle) – Group task

Groups will be allocated a theme or agricultural sector and must work together to identify a topical issue important for that sector. The group will present a 5-minute pitch to one of their lecturers on their topic outlining the:

-       Background/reasoning for the issue they have chosen, supported by appropriate evidence including relevance of this issue to their sector and agriculture more widely

-       The questions they will ask the industry professional to help inform their views on this issue

After successfully completing the pitch, groups will have the opportunity to interview (30 mins) their allocated industry professional or researcher.

2.      Presentation (10%) – Group task

Drawing on their background research and information from their interview groups will present their topical issue to the group as an oral presentation. The 12-minute (+3 min questions) presentation should give listeners a background to the issue, current impacts on agriculture and the relevance of the issue to society more widely, and potential innovative solutions.

3.      Written Media Article (10%) – Individual task

Students will also write (individually) a news article communicating their chosen issue and suggested solutions to a general audience.

 

Pitch

Due Date: 21 June

Submission: Discussion with lecturer

Word/time limit: 5 minutes

Value: 0% (hurdle)

Presentation

Due Date: 28 June

Submission: Oral presentation to class group

Word/time limit: 10 minutes (+questions)

Value: 10%

Media Article

Due Date: 17 July

Submission: Written task, online via Turnitin link on Wattle site.

Word/time limit: 1000 words

Value: 10%

Assessment Task 4

Field Trip Engagement and Report

This assessment item will be comprised of two tasks

1.      Evaluation of a Farm System (25%)

2.      Future Issues Reflective Exercise (15%)

 

Evaluation of a Farm System

Students will select one of the farms visited during the course field trips and evaluate the factors that contribute to the choice of enterprise and management practices being used in that farm system. The aim of this task is to allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the content covered throughout the course and how multiple aspects of the system are integrated. Students must complete this task as individual work. In their evaluation, students will need to:

·      Provide an overview of the current production system

·      Consider the biophysical, climatic and social factors affecting the choice of enterprise/s and how the integration of these factors in the farm system

·      Suggest alternative enterprises that may be suitable for this location and compare with the current choice of enterprise

Due Date: 17 July

Submission: This assessment should be submitted via Turnitin using the link on the course Wattle site.

Word limit: up to 2000 words not including references and appendices

Value: 25%

 

Big Issues Reflective Exercise

In this activity, students will reflect on their understanding gained throughout the course, discuss cross-sectoral issues facing future agriculture, and the role of multidisciplinary approaches in successfully addressing these, including a reflection on the role of their cognate discipline. It will be written in the reflective style, more guidance on which will be provided on the course Wattle site. Students will complete this task as individual work.

Due Date: 17 July

Submission: This assessment task should be submitted via Turnitin using the link on the course Wattle site.

Word limit: up to 1500 words

Value: 15%

 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted for timed and in-person assessment tasks. If submission of assessment tasks without a previously approved extension is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission of written tasks. Late submission of assessment tasks without a previously approved extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Feedback on assignments will be provided via the Wattle site submission or email, and results will be posted up on the Wattle gradebook.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assignments is not permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students