Course coordinator
Associate Professor Jaquie Mitchell
Please contact me by email to make an appointment.
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- External
- Attendance mode
- Online
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Gatton
- Coordinating unit
- Agriculture and Food Sustainability School
This course will examine the importance and application of physiology and agronomy in crop production systems. In both a classroom and field setting, this will include exploration of the influence of environment and management on crop growth in sustainable farming systems. This course will cover topics such as farming systems, fertiliser management, crop modelling and climate change, optimising productivity under water stress, integrated pest and weed management, managing herbicide resistance and drivers of yield.
This course will last be offered in external mode in 2025. Please contact the School if you have any questions regarding the external mode.
This course is intended to provide students with an interest in crop production with an understanding of the agronomy and crop physiology factors driving sustainable yield and farm productivity. Where possible, these relationships will be explored in a farming systems framework to give students an understanding of the "big picture" decisions that govern the output of these systems. The course will introduce underlying mechanisms driving the productivity of these systems as well as how these "levers or cogs" interact in a larger farming system environment. This will include paddock management issues such as water management, pathogens andﾠherbicide resistance,ﾠthat drive long term sustainability and the ability of farmers to increase global food production under both current and future climate challenges. Practical sessions and assignments will provide opportunities to develop skills and understanding on key factors driving agronomic management and transferring knowledge into real-world application. Key concepts covered in this course are crop nutrition and fertiliser management, pathogens and IPM, weed management and herbicide resistance.ﾠA number of leading industry experts have been invited to deliver into this course, sharing their industry experience. This will also provide you with invaluable networking opportunities, particularly for those of you wanting to get into the industry next year.
This is a key course in the Agronomyﾠmajor usually undertaken in the third year of full-time Bachelor of Agricultural Science program, and contributes to the skills and knowledge necessary for graduate agronomists to commence their careers. It is also extremely useful for agribusiness and animal science students to gain a more thorough understanding of factors driving crop and feed productionﾠin mixed farming systems.
At the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, we are committed to creating an inclusive and empowering learning environment for all students. We value and respect the diverse range of experiences our students bring to their education, and we believe that this diversity is crucial for fostering a rich culture of knowledge-sharing and meaningful exploration. We hold students and staff accountable for actively contributing to establishing a respectful and supportive learning environment.
Bullying, harassment, and discrimination in any form are strictly against our principles and againstﾠUQ Policy,ﾠand will not be tolerated. If you have any concerns about your experience in this course, we encourage you to tell a member of the course teaching team. Your well-being and a positive learning atmosphere are of utmost importance to us.
Course requirements
Assumed background
It would be very useful for students undertaking this course to have knowledge of biology,ﾠbasic plant production and soil principles, i.e, having completed AGRC2040 would be ideal.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
AGRC2040 and AGRC2048
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PLNT3003, AGRC3022
Jointly taught details
This course is jointly-taught with:
- Another instance of the same course
This course is jointly taught with the Internal mode. Lectures are delivered in person and recorded. Practical session attendance is only required of Internal mode.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Jaquie Mitchell
Guest lecturer
Dr Javier Fernandez
Dr Jhoana Opena
Dr Shona Wood
Timetable
Additional timetable information
There is no expectation that external students attend campus. Alternative online resources are provided via the blackboard site (combined BB site with internal and external students).
Aims and outcomes
The aim of this course is to build on and integrate concepts and principles developed in earlier courses to enable students to analyse the effects of agronomic inputs on crop production.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Discuss the application of crop physiology and agronomic principles to grain production in farming systems.
LO2.
Discuss the role of biotic stress (pathogens and pests)and herbicide resistance risk in farming systems.
LO3.
Discuss the interacting agronomic factors that drive decision-making in sustainable crop production for a changing climate.
LO4.
Reflect critically on recently conducted practical activities.
LO5.
Communicate effectively in both written and oral format to non-scientific and scientific audiences.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation |
Agronomists report on impact of climate change
|
25% |
7/10/2025 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Reflection |
Journal of field/meeting notes
|
25% |
28/10/2025 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final (End of Semester) Examination
|
50% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
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
Agronomists report on impact of climate change
- Online
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
7/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L05
Task description
Agronomist’s Report on Impact of Climate change and variability on crop productivity
Type: Presentation
Maximum length: 10 minutes
This assessment is delivered as a pre-recorded presentation as if contributing to a virtual “Conference”.
The presentation should be a maximum of 10 minutes.
In this case study assume you are working as an agronomist. You are interested in developing agronomic systems that are well adapted to climate change that are likely to take place or is already taking place in your region. You need to consider which aspects of climate change (eg, increased temperature, increased frequency of drought, increased sea level causing salinity problem etc.) are an issue in the region. The key issues to be addressed in this assignment are, for a location of your choice, to describe climatic variability and climate change and discuss their likely overall impact as well as the specific effect of a particular aspect of climate change (eg flood occurrence) on crop productivity under the current cropping system, and possible agronomic modifications to maintain or even enhance crop productivity.
Your presentation should contain sections on:
- Quantification of climatic variability and likely climate change for a selected location,
- The potential impact on crop productivity under the existing agronomic practice of a main cropping system for the location and
- Modified agronomic methods for the location including at least 3 of the following items for the existing main cropping system or alternative cropping system; crop calendar, cultivation method, variety, fertilizer, plant population and weed control.
Your report will be assessed based on the content for each of the tasks mentioned above.
The assessment guidelines and marking criteria sheet can be found on the course blackboard site: Agronomists Report-Pre-recorded Presentation & Marking Criteria
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. The use of AI or MT must be referenced appropriately.
Please see assessment guidelines in blackboard course site for specific instructions.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your Assessment task, in Blackboard, via the Turnitin link by the submission deadline. 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 UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism 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.
Journal of field/meeting notes
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Reflection
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
28/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L04
Task description
Students will write up a report that is based on the observations and reflections in the various field and practical activities.
As an agronomist it is critical to keep a good diary/records of field visits, observations and what issues or concerns may have been raised by farmers, extension officers or experts in a particular field. This assessment task is designed to encourage you to start making notes on field observations and or points that may be useful to reflect on at a later date. Photos are also an excellent way to get snapshots and records of what was observed for reference at a later date but these should always be accompanied by some notes. For the purpose of this activity no photos are required just notes and a summary of data to remind you what you were observing. Eg. 1/8/2019 Plant establishment counts in wheat were X% lower in the rainfed environment compared to the irrigated environment…..
The journal should include notes compiled from each of 4 practical session conducted throughout semester, field walks, shed meetings, entomology practical and reflections on any discussions had in practical sessions.
Your compiled journal should consist of a maximum of one A4 (300 words) page per day/field visit (typed). Each days entries will be weighted equally. Compiled notes need to make logical sense when read in terms of flow of record keeping but doesn’t necessarily have to be all in sentence structure, ie dot points are acceptable for certain parts, but they must make sense to the reader as a summary of the observations/activities for the day. As a minimum entries should include: date, time, location, weather conditions (eg. cloudy, sunny, hot and dry), crop and crop status/development, observations, if an experimental site record whether treatment effects are apparent and what/how these appear. Writing should describe observations clearly and neatly. Descriptions should be unambiguous such that a person returning to the site could find the patterns described in your journal using your notes. Reflections need to briefly summarise material delivered, identify what was interesting and what you gained from the session (max 400 words/session).
Marking criteria will be provided on blackboard.
For internal students, there are Practical Classes scheduled. The practicals run for approximately 3 hours and are a combination of laboratory-based and shed/field-based activities.
To obtain a passing grade for the practical classes (Journal of field/meeting notes assessment item) students must complete a reflection exercise on four of the practical sessions.
Internal students who cannot attend an in-person prac for legitimate reasons should contact the course coordinator as soon as they know they will not be able to attend, even if on the same day/morning of a scheduled prac activity.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, observational skills and knowledge. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. The use of AI or MT must be referenced appropriately.
Please see assessment guidelines in blackboard course site for specific instructions.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your Assessment task, in Blackboard, via the Turnitin link by the submission deadline. 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 UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism 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.
Final (End of Semester) Examination
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05
Task description
Exam Structure
Students will complete an invigilated (paper based) exam during end-of-semester exam period which will cover all lecture and practical material covered in the course. All questions will require a short essay type response integrating content and knowledge. In addition, students will be required to respond to scenario based questions.
Exam Details
The exam will be an on-campus exam. Have your UQ student ID card available for all your exams.
Students enrolled in External delivery must attend the exam in-person, either on campus OR at an approved off-campus venue as organized with UQ Examinations. Students who live within a 200km radius of the campus will be expected to attend campus for the exam.
Examinations will contact students directly to confirm arrangements. Please ensure to check your UQ student email account regularly throughout semester as One reminder will be sent and students who fail to nominate an exam centre and will be automatically assigned to sit their exam on campus. Late nominations will not be accepted.
Please ensure you update your semester address in Si-net at the start of the semester to accurately reflect where you are residing.
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.
Hurdle requirements
Refer to Additional Course Grading Information: Course Grading Rules and Assessment Hurdles for details on the hurdle.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 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% |
| 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
COURSE GRADING AND ASSESSMENT HURDLES
Students must obtain a passing grade in the Final (End of Semester) Exam to pass this course.
If a student obtains an overall percentage greater than the cut-offs set to achieve a 4 or higher for the course based on marks from a combination of progressive assessment and the final exam and the student does NOT score a passing mark for the Final Exam, they are unable to achieve a grade higher than a 3 (failing grade) for the course.
For internal students, there are Practical Classes scheduled. For the practical classes (Journal of field/meeting notes assessment item) students must complete a reflection exercise on four of the practical sessions. For external students alternative resources have been provided that can be utilised for the reflection assessment.
You must address any additional assessment requirements identified in this Course Profile.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Assignment writing
You must not re-use past work from previous assessments in your assignments. You are encouraged to:
- read the instructions for assignments carefully and ensure that you address all the requirements,
- refer to references both in the readings and beyond, and cite references in the appropriate manner,
- reflect on your own experience and provide insight and critical thinking,
- write clearly and concisely.
All submitted written assessment must be your own work and all oral assessment (including presentations or narration) must use your own voice unless an alternative has been arranged as part of a Student Access Plan (SAP).
Turnitin Assignments
Assignments that are required to be submitted through Turnitin must only be uploaded to the assessment specific Turnitin link on the relevant course Blackboard site. If you submit any version of your assessment item to any other Turnitin link, this is considered cheating, and you will be held liable for this action.
Release of marks
Unless specifically indicated by the course coordinator, every attempt will be made to have the results for progressive assessment available within 3 weeks of submission. For items of assessment submitted in the last 2 weeks of the semester, the results will not be available until grades release day. Results and feedback availability will be advised to you by email or announced via the course Blackboard site.
Re-mark Applications – refer to the University's Re-mark Policy to check your eligibility.
Remark applications will not be considered without first having contacted your Course Co-ordinator.
Information for students can be found at : https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/querying-result
Deferred and Supplementary assessment (including Deferred Examinations)
Deferred and Supplementary information can be located on the my.UQ website.
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
Find the required and recommended resources for this course 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 |
|---|---|---|
| AGRC3002 Course Profile | Provides details of specifications, rationale, aims and structure of the course. It also informs you of the assessment for this course, including weightings and due dates. Other valuable information in the Course Profile includes the assignment details and a suggested timetable. | |
| AGRC3002 Agronomy 2 Blackboard Site | Blackboard is the main method of communication. Lectures, Course readings and Additional materials are made available through the Blackboard site. |
Additional learning resources information
Students are not expected to read all of these, but may find them useful in preparation of assignments and understanding topics.
Papers relevant to topics in this course from proceedings of the Australian Agronomy Conferences - please note that these proceedings areﾠ available online (www.agronomyaustraliaproceedings.org.au).
Students will also need to consult relevant literature sources, especially scientific journals. A number of useful references are listed below.
Useful references:
- Victor O. Sadras, Daniel F. Calderini, 2021 Crop Physiology Case Histories for Major Crops, Academic Press,
- Pratley and Kirkegaard 2019. Australian Agriculture in 2020: From conservation to automation Augronomy Australia
- Dang YP, Dalal RC, Menzies NW 2020. No-till farming systems for sustainable agriculture. Challenges and Opportunities. Springer
- Loomis, RS & Connor, DJ, Cassman KGﾠ2011, Crop ecology - Productivity and management in agricultural systems, Cambridge University Press
- Marschner, H 1995, Mineral nutrition of higher plants, 2nd edn, Academic Press, Sydney.
- Mengel, K & Kirkby, EA 1987, Principles of plant nutrition, 4th edn, International Potash Institute, Switzerland.
- Pratley, JE 2003, Principles of field crop production, 4th ed., Oxford University Press, South Melbourne.
- United nations Sustainable Development Goals https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Climate change:
- http://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/
- http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/change/
- https://www.csiro.au/en/research/environmental-impacts/climate-change/Climate-change-information
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
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 for 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:
- Laboratory Occupational Health and Safety