01. Describe and explain basic concepts in animal and agricultural sciences and apply this knowledge to real-world problems in Australian or global agricultural/animal industries.

Activities:

Students will be introduced to basic concepts in animal science by reverse teaching. Students (1) are given a real-world problem, then (2) independently study texts (given by the lecturer, or researched by the students themselves), (3) solve online exercises, (4) send in their questions/problems, and finally (5) participate in an interactive tutorial to clarify problems. The exercises embedded in the texts aim to develop the student's capabilities of inquiry (e.g. searching for information in a scientific paper), critical thinking (e.g. analysing and evaluating scientific information), creative problem solving (finding a solution to the problem the chapter started with) and quantitative literacy (e.g. interpreting graphs, calculating data).

02. Appraise issues associated with animal and/or agricultural production systems, including welfare issues, environmental issues, and food security.

Activities:

Based on information provided in lecture materials, students are encouraged to participate in discussions concerning these issues and to back up their viewpoints with arguments. Assessment via written anwsers in end-of-semester exam, written answers to open response questions in the online quizzes and laboratory related assignments.

03. Communicate the results of a laboratory experiment or literature search in a written report/paper.

Activities:

Students will conduct a genotyping and operant conditioning experiment in small teams or individually, respectivelty, collect and analyse the data, and write a paper or report about their results. Alternatively, students visit agricultural practices and use the knowledge obtained in situ to solve a real-world problem, written in a report.