INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
AGR1AAS
2017
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.
School: School of Life Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Bert De Groef
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 1 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: AGR1SYS, AGR1ANS
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | An Introduction to Zoo Biology and Management. | Recommended | For students taking the animal option: Rees PA 2011 | WILEY-BLACKWELL, CHICHESTER. |
| Readings | For students taking the agriculture option: Agriculture in Australia. An Introduction | Recommended | For students taking the agriculture option: Malcolm B, Sale P, Leury B and Barlow S 2009 | 2ND EDN, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, MELBOURNE |
| Readings | Introduction to Animal Science. | Recommended | Pond WG & Pond KR 2000 | JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. |
| Readings | Introduction to Animal Science. Global, Biological, Social, and Industry Perspectives | Recommended | Damron WS 2009 | 4TH ED. PRENTICE HALL |
| Readings | Scientific Farm Animal Production. An Introduction to Animal Science | Recommended | Field TG & Taylor RE 2012 | 10TH ED PRENTICE HALL |
| Readings | Zoo Animals. Behaviour, Management, and Welfare. | Recommended | For students taking the animal option only: Hosey G, Melfi V & Pankhurst S 2009 | OXFORD 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 case study started with) and quantitative literacy (e.g. interpreting graphs, calculating data).
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
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 online quizzes.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
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, respectively, 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.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Albury-Wodonga, 2017, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Susan Lawler
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.
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
Three 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three online quizzes (equivalent to 1100 words) | 30 | 01, 02 | |
| Online study exercises (equivalent to 850 words) | 10 | 01, 02 | |
| Option-specific assignments (online quizzes, exercises, reports) (equivalent to 2200 words) | 60 | 01, 02, 03 |
Bendigo, 2017, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Sabine Wilkens
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.
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
Three 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three online quizzes (equivalent to 1100 words) | 30 | 01, 02 | |
| Online study exercises (equivalent to 850 words) | 10 | 01, 02 | |
| Option-specific assignments (online quizzes, exercises, reports) (equivalent to 2200 words) | 60 | 01, 02, 03 |
Melbourne, 2017, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Bert De Groef
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
Three 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.
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.
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.
"Animal Option: wet labs and computer exercise
Agriculture Option: Prograze"
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three online quizzes (equivalent to 1100 words) | 30 | 01, 02 | |
| Online study exercises (equivalent to 850 words) | 10 | 01, 02 | |
| Option-specific assignments (online quizzes, exercises, reports) (equivalent to 2200 words) | 60 | 01, 02, 03 |
Mildura, 2017, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Bert De Groef
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
Three 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.
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.
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.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three online quizzes (equivalent to 1100 words) | 30 | 01, 02 | |
| Online study exercises (equivalent to 850 words) | 10 | 01, 02 | |
| Option-specific assignments (online quizzes, exercises, reports) (equivalent to 2200 words) | 60 | 01, 02, 03 |
Shepparton, 2017, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Bert De Groef
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
Three 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.
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.
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.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three online quizzes (equivalent to 1100 words) | 30 | 01, 02 | |
| Online study exercises (equivalent to 850 words) | 10 | 01, 02 | |
| Option-specific assignments (online quizzes, exercises, reports) (equivalent to 2200 words) | 60 | 01, 02, 03 |