BZ5520 - Agroecology

Credit points:	03
Year:	2011
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:	School of Marine & Tropical Biology

Available to postgraduate students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate of Science, Graduate Diploma of Science, Graduate Diploma of Research Methods, Master of Applied Science or Bachelor of Science (Advanced).

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. Agroecology, the ecology of agroecosystems and food systems, is central to meeting this challenge. We begin by exploring the multiple dimensions of sustainability. Subsequently, we look at the nature and vulnerabilities of key components of food systems - both social and ecological. We then examine a series of central issues in agroecology, including climate change, land degradation, the food crisis, and others. Finally, we consider 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.

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

Learning Outcomes

• enhanced understanding of agroecosystem functioning, particularly with regard to critical resources and processes;
• knowledge of key issues and approaches to attaining sustainability;
• skills in field observation, data collection and scientific literacy;
• appreciation of the multidimensional nature of agricultural 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 an undergraduate degree in plant or agricultural science, ecology, environmental science or allied fields, or have acquired equivalent knowledge through other studies.
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	AG3005 AG5005 BZ3520

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 24-Mar-2011
Coordinator:	Dr Jonathan Cornelius
Lecturers:	Dr Joseph Holtum, Dr Tony Page, Dr Kamaljit Kaur.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 6 hours tutorials 6 hours practicals 24 hours fieldwork
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); assignments (50%).
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 24-Mar-2011
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.