Course coordinator
Associate Professor Brett Ferguson
Consultation is by appointment.ﾠTo make an appointment to see me, please email b.ferguson1@uq.edu.au
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- Gatton
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Gatton
- Coordinating unit
- Agriculture and Food Sustainability School
The course addresses a pertinent challenge of humankind: how to feed 12 billion people while maintaining the integrity and function of our planet. It challenges participants with contrasting viewpoints for a nuanced understanding of the multidimensional aspects of food production and consumption. Course participants explore the food debate as consumers and scholars, with focus on the science behind innovation of food and food systems, locally and globally. Course participants map the future of food and agriculture with view of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
This course was last offered in external mode in 2024.
Food is central to life. There are many ways to satisfy our nutritional needs and we should make decisions with our health in mind. We also have
to consider environmental health - how much land, water and other resources are used? How do our dietary choices affect the footprint of food
production?
The course addresses the formidable challenges posed by our rapidly growing global family, diminishing resources, global change and conflict of land use.
Which production systems, crops and animals, are sustainable? How can agricultural and natural ecosystems co-exist? What are the challenges and
which innovation can address them?
In AGRC1040, we examine food production and consumption to gain insight into the many facets of food and agriculture. With a view of the big picture,
and with local and global examples, students will learn from experts from university, industry and government in the weekly lecture-discussion session.
Course requirements
Assumed background
None
Jointly taught details
This course is jointly-taught with:
- Another instance of the same course
This course shares content and activities with AGRC1040 In Person St Lucia and there are minimal differences between offerings.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Guest lecturer
Professor Ben Hayes
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
If you have any concerns regarding your official timetable or course allocations, or there are no suitable class times available, contact Faculty of Science Timetable science.mytimetable@uq.edu.au for advice.
If you have any questions about missing class activities, please contact your course coordinator.
Aims and outcomes
This course will provide an introduction to food consumption and production. Students will:
- appreciate the links between human nutrition, agriculture and sustainability,
- critically analyse dietary trends and food choices,
- come to understand the science underpinning plant and animal food production,
- develop effective oral science communication skills,
- advance competence for efficient collaboration with peers and internationally renown experts from university, industry and government,
- identify pathways for future studies and careers.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Explain the impacts of agriculture in the context of human and environmental health.
LO2.
Illustrate the processes involved in food consumption and food production.
LO3.
Collaborate effectively with peers and experts.
LO4.
Collate, critically evaluate and communicate scientific knowledge.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Tutorial 1 - Presentation Style and Preparation
|
5% |
20/03/2025 3:00 pm
In class submission, via a QR code provided during class-time. |
| Presentation |
Oral Group Presentation
|
35% |
2/05/2025 2:00 pm |
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Tutorial 2 - Structuring an exam response
|
5% |
22/05/2025 3:00 pm
In class submission, via a QR code provided during class-time. |
| Examination |
Final semester exam
|
55% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Tutorial 1 - Presentation Style and Preparation
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 5%
- Due date
20/03/2025 3:00 pm
In class submission, via a QR code provided during class-time.
- Learning outcomes
- L03
Task description
Students will attend and participate in a tutorial session covering presentation skills, presentation style, and preparation of presentations. Students will complete an in-class exercise.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
In class submission, via a QR code provided during class-time.
Legal Declaration:
By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy (https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=149) and understand its implications.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed online through your My Requests tab via my.UQ Dashboard before the due date of the assessment item.
Oral Group Presentation
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
2/05/2025 2:00 pm
Task description
Students will be provided with a list of topics on blackboard from which they will choose one to sign up to. Each topic will allow 3-5 members to enrol, and once full, will no longer be available for selection. We encourage groups of 4 which can consist of students across campuses and enrolment mode. Topics must be confirmed by the end of week 3. A tutorial session to assist in group work and creating good presentations will be conducted in week 4.
The group will research the topic using the information provided in the topic outline (on blackboard), and record a presentation, which will be submitted. Presentations are to be between 12 - 16 minutes in duration. For presentations greater than 16 minutes, only the first 16 minutes of content will be marked. For equitability for all submissions, student groups are expected to adhere to the presentation timing requirements for this assessment.
If you are ill or exceptional circumstances intervene, contact the course coordinator. It is anticipated that in most cases the group presentation will continue with the other group members and be submitted by the due date and time, but in some cases an extension may be approved. Submission is via BB, instructions will be posted for you to follow. Only one member of the group needs to submit the presentation on behalf of the entire group.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
The online assessment is completed within Blackboard under the appropriate assessment title on your course Blackboard site. You should also retain an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.
Legal Declaration:
By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy (https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=149) and understand its implications.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed online through your My Requests tab via my.UQ Dashboard before the due date of the assessment item.
Tutorial 2 - Structuring an exam response
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 5%
- Due date
22/05/2025 3:00 pm
In class submission, via a QR code provided during class-time.
Task description
Students will attend and participate in a tutorial session covering exam writing and and preparation for exams. Students will complete an in-class exercise.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
In class submission, via a QR code provided during class-time.
Legal Declaration:
By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy (https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=149) and understand its implications.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed online through your My Requests tab via my.UQ Dashboard before the due date of the assessment item.
Final semester exam
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 55%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
Task description
The exam evaluates understanding of all course material. This exam is a closed book exam with no materials permitted.
The exam will be an on-campus exam. Have your UQ student ID card available for all your exams. Students enrolled in In Person delivery must attend the exam in person.
The exam will be a theory exam and past exam papers can be found on the UQ Library website:
https://www.library.uq.edu.au/exams/papers.php?
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
The examination will be conducted on campus during the examination period.
Hurdle requirements
Refer to Additional Course Grading InformationExam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 0 - 34% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 35% - 46% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: 47% - 49% OR failure to meet the identified assessment hurdle below. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 50% - 64% |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 65% - 74% |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 75% - 84% |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 85% - 100% |
Additional course grading information
- Students must pass the end of semester examination to pass this course.
If a student obtains an overall percentage greater than the cut-off for a 4 or higher on the cumulative results for all assessment items and the student does NOT score a passing mark for the end of semester exam, they are unable to achieve a grade higher than a 3 (failing grade) for the course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.
Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.
If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.
Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.
To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Please note the following when writing assignments
You must not re-use past work from previous assessments in your assignments.
TurnItIn Assignments
Assignments that are required to be submitted through TurnItIn, mustﾠonlyﾠbe uploaded to the assessment specific Turnitin link on the relevant course Blackboard site.ﾠ If you submit any version of your assessment item to any alternative Turnitin link, this is considered cheating and you will be held liable for this action.ﾠﾠ
Release of marks
Unless specifically indicated by the lecturer involved,ﾠevery attempt will be made to haveﾠthe results for progressive assessment tasks available within 3 weeks of submission. For items of assessment submitted in the last 2 weeks of the semester, the results will be available before the day of your end of semester examination in the course, unless otherwise indicated by the Course Coordinator. Results and feedback availability will be advised to you by email or announced via the course Blackboard site.
Feedback in this course
Feedback is welcome in this course as any information on how students find this learning experience is constructive.
Please use the evaluation form provided to you at the end of semester - or if you are enrolled internally, a course evaluation process will occur in the last few weeks of semester.
Re-mark Applications – refer to the University's Re-mark Policy to check your eligibility.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Course Profile | Provides details of specifications, rationale, aims and structure of the course. It also informs you of the assessment for this course, including weighting and due dates. | |
| Course Blackboard Site | Blackboard is the main method of communication for this course. |
Additional learning resources information
There are no set resources for this course. Content is drawn from relevant news and journal sources for current issues related to the topic.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Lecture Series Please refer to the full timetable in Blackboard Sub-activity: Food Productivity (Gidley, Turner, Hamilton-Williams); Animal Productivity (Preston, Barnes, Roura, Hayes); Plant Productivity (Mundree, Chapman, Ferguson) Course Introduction - what is food, where does it come from, how do we make more with less? (Ferguson) Course Summary - highlighting the many commonalities shared between food, animal and plant production. How can we improve food production and reduce the inputs and costs associated with it? (Ferguson) |
Multiple weeks From Week 4 To Week 12 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial Series Please refer to the full details in Blackboard Sub-activity: Tutorial 1 - course overview to date and how to make an effective oral presentation (Ferguson) Tutorial 2 - course overview to date and how to prepare for the final exam (Ferguson) |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course: