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Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Advanced

Former School/College

Former School of Environment, Science and Engineering

Pre-requisites

BIO00201 - Biology AND CHE00201 - Chemistry AND AGR00214 - Soil Processes

Unit aim

Explore crop production from the level of global food security down to soil microbiology. Learn about crop domestication and the various end-uses for different crop species. Discuss the best options for crop and soil management for sustainable crop production. Find out what makes a good choice of cultivar.

Unit content

Global food security and climate change

Crop economics

Crop species, quality and end-use

Crop domestication and breeding

Energy capture

Soils and water

Crop and soil management systems

Managing environmental impacts of crop production

Cultivar choice


Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 Apply the basic tenets of crop economics.
2 Demonstrate an understanding of the breadth of end-uses for crop plant species.
3 Describe the origin and the processes of domestication and breeding for at least one crop plant species.
4 Formulate evidence-based hypotheses on the limits to crop growth under specific field conditions.
5 Evaluate crop and soil management systems with regard to production goals and sustainability.
6 Critically evaluate the environmental impacts of a cropping system and methods to mitigate impacts.
7 Analyse information to select suitable crop cultivars.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Apply the basic tenets of crop economics.
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the breadth of end-uses for crop plant species.
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  3. Describe the origin and the processes of domestication and breeding for at least one crop plant species.
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  4. Formulate evidence-based hypotheses on the limits to crop growth under specific field conditions.
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  5. Evaluate crop and soil management systems with regard to production goals and sustainability.
    • GA1:
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
  6. Critically evaluate the environmental impacts of a cropping system and methods to mitigate impacts.
    • GA1:
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
  7. Analyse information to select suitable crop cultivars.
    • GA1:
    • GA4: