BZ3520 - Agroecology

Credit points:	03
Year:	2010
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:	School of Marine & Tropical Biology

The challenge of meeting increased demands for agricultural products under conditions of climatic change, while at the same time avoiding environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, is a strenuous one. In this subject, we begin by exploring the multiple dimensions of sustainability. Subsequently, we look at the nature and vulnerabilities of the key resources and processes - social and biophysical - that sustain agroecosystems. Finally, we critically examine specific practices and strategies - agricultural, social and policy-orientated - aimed at securing sustainable production. Throughout this subject, the concept of Agroecology as both science and practice is emphasised. Lectures and tutorials are supplemented by field trips and associated laboratory work.

There are additional charges for this subject; please contact the School for details.

Learning Outcomes

• skills in field observation, data collection and scientific literacy;
• an appreciation of the multidimensional nature of agricultural sustainability;
• enhanced understanding of agroecosystem functioning, particularly with regard to critical resources and processes;
• knowledge of key issues and approaches to attaining sustainability.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• The ability to reflect on and evaluate learning, and to learn independently in a self directed manner.

Assumed Knowledge:	Students enrolling in this subject should have a good understanding of level 2 plant science and/or terrestrial ecology, normally acquired through completion of 6 credit points of relevant level 2 BZ subjects.
Prerequisites:	BT1001 or BZ1003 and 6 credit points of level 2 BT or relevant BZ subjects
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	AG3005 AG5005 BZ5520

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 25-Mar-2010
Coordinator:	Dr Jonathan Cornelius
Lecturers:	Dr Tony Page, Dr Kamaljit Kaur, Dr Jonathan Cornelius.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 6 hours tutorials 6 hours practicals 24 hours fieldwork
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); quizzes or tests (12%); assignments (30%); laboratory and field reports (18%).
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 25-Mar-2010
Coordinator:	Dr Jonathan Cornelius
Lecturers:	Dr Tony Page, Dr Kamaljit Kaur, Dr Jonathan Cornelius.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 6 hours tutorials 6 hours practicals 24 hours fieldwork
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); quizzes or tests (12%); assignments (30%); laboratory and field reports (18%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.