agr1aas animal

INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

AGR1AAS

2015

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

In the first part of this subject you will be introduced to key concepts in animal science, including animal breeding, biotechnology, nutrition, growth, reproduction, lactation and animal welfare, and major global issues such as food security and environmental impacts of animal agriculture through flip teaching (weeks 1 - 7). You will then follow a more applied module (weeks 8-12), which varies according to the course you are enrolled in. Students taking the Agriculture Option will analyse agricultural issues like sustainability, climate and environment, and sustainable cropping and grazing systems. Students taking the Animal Option will research issues related to companion animals, laboratory animals, zoo animals and wildlife management.

SchoolSchool of Life Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorBert De Groef

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 1 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

PrerequisitesN/A

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjects AGR1SYS, AGR1ANS

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsFSTE First Year Survival Guide (second edition)PrescribedFaculty of Science, Technology and EngineeringLA TROBE UNIVERSITY 2012
ReadingsAn Introduction to Zoo Biology and Management.RecommendedFor students taking the animal option: Rees PA 2011WILEY-BLACKWELL, CHICHESTER.
ReadingsFor students taking the agriculture option: Agriculture in Australia. An IntroductionRecommendedFor students taking the agriculture option: Malcolm B, Sale P, Leury B and Barlow S 20092ND EDN, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, MELBOURNE
ReadingsIntroduction to Animal Science.RecommendedPond WG & Pond KR 2000JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
ReadingsIntroduction to Animal Science. Global, Biological, Social, and Industry PerspectivesRecommendedDamron WS 20094TH ED. PRENTICE HALL
ReadingsScientific Farm Animal Production. An Introduction to Animal ScienceRecommendedField TG & Taylor RE 201210TH ED PRENTICE HALL
ReadingsZoo Animals. Behaviour, Management, and Welfare.RecommendedFor students taking the animal option only: Hosey G, Melfi V & Pankhurst S 2009OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, OXFORD.

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

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.

Subject options

Select to view your study options…

Start date between: and    Key dates

Albury-Wodonga, 2015, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorBert De Groef

Class requirements

Laboratory ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 4.0 hours laboratory class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Lecture/WorkshopWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours lecture/workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Scheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
Three 1.0 hours scheduled online class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
3 online quizzes (9% each)3001, 03
Online study exercises1001, 02
Option-specific assignments (in-semester)6001, 02

Bendigo, 2015, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorBert De Groef

Class requirements

Laboratory ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 4.0 hours laboratory class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Lecture/WorkshopWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours lecture/workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Scheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
Three 1.0 hours scheduled online class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
3 online quizzes (9% each)3001, 03
Online study exercises1001, 02
Option-specific assignments (in-semester)6001, 02

Melbourne, 2015, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorBert De Groef

Class requirements

Laboratory ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 4.0 hours laboratory class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Lecture/WorkshopWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours lecture/workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Scheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
Three 1.0 hours scheduled online class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
3 online quizzes (9% each)3001, 03
Online study exercises1001, 02
Option-specific assignments (in-semester)6001, 02