BZ3520 - Agroecology

Credit points:	03
Year:	2012
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 demanding one. Agroecology, the ecology of food systems, is central to meeting this challenge. The subject is structured in three parts. First, we look at key ecological and human components of the food system. Second, we examine the performance in 'multiple dimensions' of the food system. Finally, we discuss agronomic, political, and social approaches to meeting the complex challenges mentioned above. Lectures within each subject section are interspersed with classes addressing specific cross-cutting issues of global importance. The subject has a strong emphasis on the developing world.

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

Learning Outcomes

• become aware of the concept of the food system and the challenges facing it;
• developed an awareness of the multidimensional nature of agricultural sustainability;
• gained an enhanced understanding of functioning of agroecosystems and other key components of the food system, particularly with regard to critical resources and processes;
• developed an informed opinion on current food-related problems of global significance and how to approach them.

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.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:

AG3005 AG5005 BZ5520

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 22-Mar-2012
Coordinator:	Mr Gary Wilson
Lecturers:	Mr Gary Wilson, Dr Tony Page.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 8 hours tutorials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); other exams (15%); assignments (35%).
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 22-Mar-2012
Coordinator:	Mr Gary Wilson
Lecturers:	Mr Gary Wilson, Dr Tony Page.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 8 hours tutorials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); other exams (15%); assignments (35%).

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.