Course coordinator
Dr Nicole Robinson
Please email to arrange a suitable time to meet in person or via zoom
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- Gatton
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Gatton
- Coordinating unit
- Agriculture and Food Sustainability School
Crop physiology provides a framework to allow you to analyse when, where and which crops to grow and how to maximise the productivity for the environmental constraints that exist. We need to understand how crops are limited by any type of stress, and what types of plant traits (characteristics) allow adaptation to that stress through agronomy and breeding. The basis of new scientific tools like crop simulation models and automated phenotyping (using robots and drones) are taught in this course, showing how crop physiology underlies research areas ranging from managing production risk through to modelling the effect of climate change on future production.
Crop Physiology is the study of how crops respond to environment and management, and how they utilise the resources of radiation, water and nutrients to develop, grow and produce marketable products. A good understanding of crop physiology is essential to agronomists, breeders and other crop specialists so that they can assess whether crops are being affected by limitations in their environment, and to undertake research on how to improve adaptation and quality of crop products through both agronomy and breeding.
This course provides skills in the understanding of crop physiology and the principles, methods and instrumentation are used to understand ‘how crops grow’. Crop physiology provides the link between the basics of plant science (photosynthesis, respiration, water and nutrient uptake and transport) and its application to communities of field plants growing in agronomy and breeding. It extends the concepts of ‘growth analysis’ (crop growth rate etc) to consider how crop growth (phenology, resource capture by leaves and roots, allocation of carbon to grain) can be understood in terms of the dynamic response to environmental drivers. Crops are populations of plants that are managed together in the field, typically as monocultures (although the same principles of crop physiology also help in the study of intercropping). In the first instance, crops are limited by the environmental conditions of radiation, temperature and water supply (influenced by rainfall, soil type). These conditions constrain when and where different crops can be profitably grown. Where available, irrigation and fertiliser can augment production, but how do we best use these amendments?
This course provides students with the ability to design experiments to monitor and interpret crop growth as influenced by environment, and how to use instrumentation and models to extend that understanding in applications in agronomy careers.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Crop physiology assumes an understanding of:
- weather patterns and climate and how these influence where and how crops grow
- soil physical and chemical characteristics that interact with root systems
- plant physiology (internal processes that influence resource (light, water and nutrient) capture, photosynthesis, transpiration, translocation of sugars and nutrients)
- the functions of plant organs (leaves, stems, flowers, grains, roots etc)ﾠﾠ
- crop agronomy – the practices used in the cultivation of crops and how to apply best practice
- crop breeding - how genetics allows the development of varieties with improved adaptation
** PLEASE NOTE: You may enrol in both AGRC3002 and AGRC3040. In AGRC3040, we teach the crop physiology that underlies many of the principles of field agronomy.
Recommended companion or co-requisite courses
We recommend completing the following courses at the same time:
AGRC3002
Course contact
Course coordinator
Professor Scott Chapman
Please email me to arrange a consultation.
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Javier Fernandez
Guest lecturer
Dr Vijaya Singh
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Course timetable details as per MyTimetable. Lectures will be recorded using Echo360, and will be available through the course Blackboard site.
This course is co-taught with AGRC7034
Aims and outcomes
The aim of this course is to provide a framework of crop physiological understanding which students can apply to research and production applications in agronomy and breeding.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Apply crop physiology frameworks in the design and interpretation of field crop trials
LO2.
Describe how crop species vary in their physiology and how this impacts on their adaptation and yield as limited by the physical environments of soil, climate (including frost, heat and drought) and nitrogen management
LO3.
Use a farming systems model (APSIM) to run simulations that vary for agronomic or genetic factors and interpret the results of these simulations
LO4.
Demonstrate how crop phenology is affected by species, genotype, location and time of sowing and how this information can be used to optimise management for yield and quality
LO5.
Explain how resource capture (canopy leaf area and root systems) varies with species, genotype and management factors and how these dynamics affect crop growth and yield
LO6.
Explain how carbon and nitrogen partitioning processes determine crop growth and yield
LO7.
Select and operate physiological instruments and interpret results affecting crop attributes (leaf area, light interception, canopy temperature, nitrogen status)
LO8.
Apply a working knowledge of how new instrumentation and analytical methods (satellite imagery, UAVs, static sensors, machine learning, artificial intelligence) can be utilised in crop research and production
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/ Demonstration, Quiz |
Sequential Wk 2 APSIM Introduction
|
5% This is part of a practical sequential activity, worth 50% |
30/07/2024 - 5/08/2024 |
| Practical/ Demonstration, Quiz |
Sequential Wk 3 APSIM2 Flowering
|
5% This is part of a practical sequential activity, worth 50% |
6/08/2024 - 12/08/2024 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration |
Sequential Wk 5 Photosyn calc
|
5% This is part of a practical sequential activity, worth 50% |
20/08/2024 - 26/08/2024 |
| Practical/ Demonstration, Quiz |
Sequential Wk 11 APSIM3 Farm
|
5% This is part of a practical sequential activity, worth 50% |
8/10/2024 - 14/10/2024 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Sequential Leaf area, light interception and RUE
|
15% This is part of a practical sequential activity, worth 50% |
9/09/2024 2:00 pm |
| Quiz |
Course concepts
|
10% |
1/10/2024 - 8/10/2024 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Sequential Yield, grain number and grain size
|
15% This is part of a practical sequential activity, worth 50% |
21/10/2024 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final exam On Campus
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
Assessment details
Sequential Wk 2 APSIM Introduction
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration, Quiz
- Weight
- 5% This is part of a practical sequential activity, worth 50%
- Due date
30/07/2024 - 5/08/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L05
Task description
The exercise tests knowledge gained while learning to use APSIM and photosyn calc to understand how models work and how to interpret their outputs (weeks 2, 3, 5 and 11). The exercise opens in blackboard on the day of the Practical and students have until the due date to finish the 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
Computer-based assessments must be accessed and completed via Blackboard. Assessments must be completed within specified time frame.
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). See 6.1 Assessment Related Policies & Guidelines for links to the University Guidelines and Applications for Extensions.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item, or one grade per day if graded on the basis of 1-7, or equivalent penalty if an alternative grading approach is used, will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
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.
Sequential Wk 3 APSIM2 Flowering
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration, Quiz
- Weight
- 5% This is part of a practical sequential activity, worth 50%
- Due date
6/08/2024 - 12/08/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L05
Task description
The exercise tests knowledge gained while learning to use APSIM and photosyn calc to understand how models work and how to interpret their outputs (weeks 2, 3, 5 and 11). The exercise opens in blackboard on the day of the Practical and students have until the due date to finish the 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
Computer-based assessments must be accessed and completed via Blackboard. Assessments must be completed within specified time frame.
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). See 6.1 Assessment Related Policies & Guidelines for links to the University Guidelines and Applications for Extensions.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item, or one grade per day if graded on the basis of 1-7, or equivalent penalty if an alternative grading approach is used, will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
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.
Sequential Wk 5 Photosyn calc
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 5% This is part of a practical sequential activity, worth 50%
- Due date
20/08/2024 - 26/08/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L05, L06, L07
Task description
The exercise tests knowledge gained while learning to use APSIM and photosyn calc to understand how models work and how to interpret their outputs (weeks 2, 3, 5 and 11). The exercise opens in blackboard on the day of the Practical and students have until the due date to finish the 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
Computer-based assessments must be accessed and completed via Blackboard. Assessments must be completed within specified time frame.
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). See 6.1 Assessment Related Policies & Guidelines for links to the University Guidelines and Applications for Extensions.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item, or one grade per day if graded on the basis of 1-7, or equivalent penalty if an alternative grading approach is used, will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
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.
Sequential Wk 11 APSIM3 Farm
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration, Quiz
- Weight
- 5% This is part of a practical sequential activity, worth 50%
- Due date
8/10/2024 - 14/10/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
The quiz tests knowledge gained while learning to use APSIM and photosyn calc to understand how models work and how to interpret their outputs(weeks 2, 3, 5 and 11). The exercise opens in blackboard on the day of the Practical and students have until the due date to finish the 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
Computer-based assessments must be accessed and completed via Blackboard. Assessments must be completed within specified time frame.
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). See 6.1 Assessment Related Policies & Guidelines for links to the University Guidelines and Applications for Extensions.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item, or one grade per day if graded on the basis of 1-7, or equivalent penalty if an alternative grading approach is used, will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
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.
Sequential Leaf area, light interception and RUE
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 15% This is part of a practical sequential activity, worth 50%
- Due date
9/09/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L07
Task description
This is a scientific report on the measurement and calculation of leaf area, extinction coefficient and crop growth rate from field trials. It will use existing data from previous experiments.
Students will work through online modules to process data from the field measurements from different experiments and will need to be able to calculate leaf area and leaf and stem biomass from field samples. After processing, students will need to summarise data and independently write reports on the results, including tables and graphs of results and a discussion of treatments responses.
A detailed task description will be provided on the blackboard site and discussed in the tutorials (in practical session, recorded, zoom).
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
Students must submit their assessment task individually, in Blackboard, via the Turnitin link by the submission deadline. You should also retain an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.
When marks and feedback are available for this assessment item you will be notified via a blackboard announcement.
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 (http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct) 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). See 6.1 Assessment Related Policies & Guidelines for links to the University Guidelines and Applications for Extensions.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item, or one grade per day if graded on the basis of 1-7, or equivalent penalty if an alternative grading approach is used, will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
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.
Course concepts
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
1/10/2024 - 8/10/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
This online quiz will be comprised of mulitple choice questions to evalute understanding of course concepts presented in weekly lectures and tutorial discussions. The Quiz opens and closes on the dates and times listed. Once you commence the Quiz you must complete it within the duration.
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 quiz will be completed via the course blackboard site
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). See 6.1 Assessment Related Policies & Guidelines for links to the University Guidelines and Applications for Extensions.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item, or one grade per day if graded on the basis of 1-7, or equivalent penalty if an alternative grading approach is used, will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
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.
Sequential Yield, grain number and grain size
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 15% This is part of a practical sequential activity, worth 50%
- Due date
21/10/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
This report is based on field collected data with a focus on yield, grain number and grain size.
This scientific report will include topic background, data analysis, results presentation including tables and graphs and a thorough interpretation using the scientific literature. A detailed task description will be provided on the blackboard site and discussed in the tutorials (in practical session, recorded, zoom).
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
Students must submit their assessment task individually, in Blackboard, via the Turnitin link by the submission deadline. You should also retain an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.
When marks and feedback are available for this assessment item you will be notified via a blackboard announcement.
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 (http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct) 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). See 6.1 Assessment Related Policies & Guidelines for links to the University Guidelines and Applications for Extensions.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item, or one grade per day if graded on the basis of 1-7, or equivalent penalty if an alternative grading approach is used, will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
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 exam On Campus
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08
Task description
Closed book, two-hour exam covering all aspects of the course.
The final exam will comprise short and extended answer questions as well as solving problems (calculations around estimation of crop growth). The answers to the exam questions are based on the content in this course, including all lectures, readings and practicals.
The exam will be an on-campus exam. Have your UQ student ID card available for all your exams.
Students enrolled in Internal delivery must attend the exam in-person.
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.
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Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series or UQ approved , labelled calculator only |
| 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 | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | <p>0</p> - |
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 Rules and Assessment Hurdles:
To achieve a grade of 4 or higher for this course you must achieve a cumulative mark for all assessment greater than 50% and a passing mark for theﾠfinal exam.
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 in the final 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.
Additional assessment information
Please note the following when writing your assignments
You must not re-use past work from previous assessments in your assignments. ﾠ TurnItIn AssignmentsTurnItIn 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.ﾠIf 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.
Results Unless specifically indicated by the lecturer involved, every attempt will be made to have the 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 for progressive assessment will be announced via the course Blackboard site. ﾠ Re-mark Applications – refer to theﾠUniversity's Re-mark Policyﾠto check your eligibilityBefore applying for a remark, students should consider the following:
- You have consulted the course coordinator for feedback
- Your academic grounds for remark have been discussed and are valid
- Wanting a higher grade is not grounds for a remark. A remark can decrease your grade.
Remark applicationsﾠwill notﾠbe considered without first having contacted your course Co-ordinator.ﾠ
Deferred and Supplementary assessment (including Deferred Mid-Semester 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 |
|---|---|---|
| AGRC3040 Blackboard Site | Blackboard is the main method of communication. Information on the writing of scientific papers and the development and delivery of seminars will be made available on Blackboard throughout the semester. http://learn.uq.edu.au | |
| AGRC3040 Course Profile |
Additional learning resources information
As this course has field-based experiments, it is essential that students comply with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements and therefore have covered footwear in field and labs as well as using hats and sunscreen in the field. During the months of July and August, the crops will frequently have heavy dew until about 10 am, so for comfort it may be preferable to wear waterproof pants and shoes, as well as warm clothing on colder days.
Students will need to complete all relevant inductions for UQ.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
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| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Lecture |
W11 Crop design and modelling GxExM Crop Design - Modelling GxExM and understanding historical changes in yield and anticipating climate change Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L06 |
|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Practical |
Field trial visit & tutorial Visit to field, PPE required (sunscreen, hat, closed shoes). Principles of field trials & biomass harvest. Introductory tutorial outlining discussion formats, online agricultural data modules linked to reports and report assessments achievement criteria Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L07 |
Lecture |
W1 Introduction Overview - Grain yield - working forwards and backwards Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Practical |
Introduction to APSIM Introduction to APSIM. Running a model, weather and soil data inputs. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Lecture |
W2 Crop models - the library of crop physiology Applications in farming systems, climate change, breeding Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Practical |
APSIM2 - response to temperature, photoperiod Phenology examples Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Lecture |
W3 Phenology - response to temperature and photoperiod Lecture 1 Phenology - response to temperature, photoperiod. Lecture 2 Importance to adaptation - matching water supply, minimising risk of frost, heat GUEST: Dr Bangyou Zheng, CSIRO Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Practical |
Field sampling Leaf area/interception practical. Measurement of light interception in field and photosynthesis. Learning outcomes: L01, L07 |
Lecture |
W4 Leaf area and light interception Lecture 1 Leaf area development, basics of light interception Lecture 2 Leaf development models, tillering etc, crop type contrasts. GUEST: Dr Karine Chenu, UQ QAAFI Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Practical |
Photosyn calc model Photosynthesis - simulation prac with Dr Alex Wu and computations based on data collected in field Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L06, L07 |
Lecture |
W5 Biomass accumulation -Radiation and Temperature Lecture 1 Radiation and temperature limited biomass accumulation, canopy structure and RUE Lecture 2 Scaling photosynthesis and RUE GUEST: Dr Alex Wu, UQ QAAFI Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05, L06 |
|
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Practical |
Report 1 data analysis workshop Online module 1- agricultural data and spreadsheet manipulation Approaches to data analysis and visualisation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05 |
Lecture |
W6 The root system Lecture 1: The root system - structure and function in water and nutrient utilisation Lecture 2: Investigating variation in root systems GUEST: Dr Vijaya Singh, UQ Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05, L06 |
|
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Practical |
Field sampling Collecting quadrat samples & phenology staging Learning outcomes: L01, L07, L08 |
Lecture |
W7 Biomass accumulation Lecture 1: Transpiration limitations on biomass accumulation Lecture 2: Influences of VPD and soil water. GUEST: Dr Erik van Oosterom, UQ QAAFI Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05, L06 |
|
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Lecture |
W8 Assimilate partitioning to yield Lecture 1: Assimilate partitioning Lecture 2: Grain set and grain filling - dynamics and influences GUEST: Dr Fernanda Dreccer, CSIRO Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Practical |
Report 2 data analysis workshop Module 2 Data analysis Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L06 |
Lecture |
W9 Nitrogen uptake and dynamics Lecture 1: N Dr Javier Fernandez, NUE, N dilution and nitrogen nutrition index Lecture 2: N dynamics - Specific leaf nitrogen; GUEST: Dr Erik van Oosterum, UQ QAAFI Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05, L06 |
|
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Lecture |
W10 Crop stresses and effects Frost, heat, drought effects on vegetative and reproductive growth Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Practical |
APSIM3 practical APSIM 3 practical- farm rotations Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05 |
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Lecture |
W12 New horizons in crop physiology Lecture 1: New horizons in crop physiology - Lecture 2: Phenotyping and instruments to measure crop growth; UAVs, machine learning and AI GUEST: Assoc Prof Andries Potgieter, UQ QAAFI Learning outcomes: L01, L07, L08 |
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Lecture |
W13 Revision and discussion Revision |
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.