AGRICULTURE

Credit Points

5

Course Coordinator

Dr I E Edwards

Pre-requisites

Available only to candidates for the degree of BSc Agr, BSc degree programmes in Countryside & Environmental Management, Agriculture & Business Management, Crop and Soil Science, Organic Agriculture, Wildlife Management or MA degree programmes in Countryside and Environmental Management and Rural Development.

Overview

This residential field course of up to one weeks duration is compulsory for all students taking the above course. Based at the University’s Tarradale House students examine a wide range of Land Uses particularly Agriculture and Forestry in field visits, field exercises supplemented with lectures and seminars on land use, regulatory and other relevant organisations. Class exercises use information from the visits to gain experience in elementary management techniques.
Work in groups is monitored and a satisfactory standard is required to pass the course.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr T Stuchbury

Pre-requisites

LM 2503

Overview

An examination of the effects of principal components of crop production systems on the yield and quality of crops in the UK. The management of selected crops taking account of marketing.
12 week course - 4 one-hour lectures per week plus 4 field visits.
1 two-hour examination.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr I E Edwards

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above on BSc Agri, BSc Organic Agriculture or permission of Head of Department.

Overview

Completion of the Agricultural work experience listed in Regulation 6 (ii) and completion of the field course listed in Regulation 6 (i) b and report thereon.
Agricultural work experience report (60%): field course report (40%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr H Galbraith

Pre-requisites

BI 25A2 or BI 20A1or appropriate Level 2 Biology.

Overview

Identification of nutrient requirements for farm livestock. Determination of nutrient allowances according to productive state. Formulation of diets according to principles of scientific rationing and contemporary feeding systems for ruminant and non-ruminant animals.
Metabolism and utilisation of end-products of digestion to include: milk, meat (skeletal muscle), foetus (placental tissues), eggs and animal fibre.
6 week course - 5 one-hour lectures per week, 3 one-hour seminars/tutorials every 2 weeks.
1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr E J Allan

Pre-requisites

BI 20M2 or BI 20A1

Overview

This course will cover aspects of food quality with emphasis on microbial and biochemical quality of foods from the agricultural sector. Microbial and chemical spoilage will be discussed with respect to the chemical composition of the major food commodities. Types of food poisoning and the organisms involved will be discussed with respect to the whole food chain (ie farm to fork). The principles of preservation will be introduced. Quality aspects will be covered with respect to its assessment, focussing on the particular criteria used for major foods e.g. water, milk, meat and quality assurance.
6 week course - 6 one-hour lectures per week and one 1.5 hour tutorial per week. Slots B and C
1 two-hour written examination (80%) and continuous assessment (20%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr B Seddon

Pre-requisites

An appropriate level 2 Biology course.

Overview

Topics covered include genetics in crop production, crop evolution, breeding schemes and systems, genetic mapping, genome sequencing and array, mutant screening, cell cloning, protoplast and cell culture; genetic engineering for desirable characteristics such as herbicide resistance, disease resistance, improved photosynthetic ability and nitrogen fixation; biocontrol and crop protection; release and risk assessment of genetically modified organisms. The course will include seminar presentations to emphasis the potential exploitation of basic scientific principles, the research approach and biotechnological objectives within Agriculture and plant sciences.
6 week course – no more than 8 hours of teaching per week, Slots B and C.
1 two-hour written examination paper (75%), continuous assessment: essay, seminar presentation and practical (25%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor K J Thomson

Pre-requisites

LM 2504

Overview

The principles of marketing management including strategic planning, the marketing environment, market research and information, and the ‘marketing mix’. The application of these principles in the food industry through desk-based and real life case studies. Agricultural marketing systems and agricultural commodity studies in the UK and other countries, plus desk-based case studies of agricultural marketing in developing countries.
12 week course - Four hours per week plus field trip.
1 two-hour examination and continuous assessment.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D Miller

Pre-requisites

BI 20A1 or BI 20Z1

Overview

This course describes the physiology, reproduction, development and nutrition of horses. It relates these to the use and management of horses for the leisure industry. Aspects such as breeding, exercise physiology and welfare of horses are considered.
6 week course - 2 one-and-half hour and 2 one-hour lectures per week. 2 three-hour seminars in the whole course.
1 two-hour examination (75%) and continuous assessment (25%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J R Scaife

Pre-requisites

BI 20A1, BI 20Z1 or BI 2504

Overview

This course relates the physiology, development and nutrition of domestic animals to animal husbandry and care. It describes how this knowledge can be used to improve the management and welfare of domestic animals in the production and recreational environment.
6 hours of lectures per week.
1 two-hour written examination (70%) and one 3000 word essay (30%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr I E Edwards

Pre-requisites

LM 2003

Notes

Available only to students in programme year 4.

Overview

Application in case studies of farm business management techniques including use of appropriate computer tools, understanding of the decision process, consultancy report writing and oral presentation skills.
12 week course - 27 hours of lectures and 6 hours of seminars; 12 hours of case studies. Slot D
1 two-hour examination (50%), assessment of case studies (50%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr I E Edwards

Pre-requisites

LM 2003 or LM 2503 and LE 3007

Co-requisites

AG 4504

Overview

A series of practical field case studies, seminars, computer laboratory practicals and supporting lectures cover farm business analysis and the use of farm management techniques including the use of appropriate computer software.
12 week course - 24 lectures, 3 two-hour seminars, 12 one-hour tutorials, 3 laboratories of three to four hours in total and 3 field visits, each one afternoon. Slot D
Assessed jointly with AG 4504. 1 two-hour examination (33.3%), 5 case studies (33.3%) and final case study (33.3%).

Credit Points

45

Course Coordinator

Dr H Galbraith

Pre-requisites

LM3801 and acceptance for Honours in Agriculture or a related discipline.

Overview

The course will provide an opportunity for an in-depth study of a specific problem. Individual supervision will vary depending on the project.
Dissertation (80%) and poster (20%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr T Stuchbury

Pre-requisites

Acceptance for Honours in a Degree Programme administered by the Department of Agriculture & Forestry and permission of the Head of Department.

Overview

The course will consist of individually tailored, directed study on topics of relevance to the appropriate degree programme and leading to the presentation of a seminar and preparation of a dissertation.
12 hours staff contact time in whole course.
Continuous assessment - dissertation (80%) and seminar (20%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D W Miller

Pre-requisites

BI 20Z1

Overview

This course will include overview of reproductive biology and endocrinology, principles of pre-natal development, principles of breeding and selection, genetic and molecular aspects of reproduction and breeding, factors limiting reproduction, manipulation of reproduction and assessment of reproductive status.
6 week course - 3 two-hour lectures per week, one three-hour practical class in the whole course. Slots B and C
1 two-hour written examination (75%) and continuous assessment (25%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr H Galbraith

Pre-requisites

AG 3027 or ZO 3007

Overview

This course covers the management systems involved in the care of animals during growth, development and ageing. Particular emphasis will be placed on the impact of housing and environmental conditions on the animal’s health, welfare and performance.
6 week course – 2 one-hour lectures per week and 4 two-hour seminars to the entire class. 6 two-hour tutorials and 2 two-hour seminars presented by groups on their case study. Slots A and E
1 two-hour written examination (60%) and 2 case studies (20% each).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J R Scaife

Pre-requisites

BI 15A1 and BC 2003/2503 or BI 20Z1 or BI 25M1

Notes

Available only to students in programme year 4.

Overview

The course will examine the physiology and biochemistry of growth, development, lactation and ageing of a range of mammalian species. Particular emphasis will be placed on the biochemistry and physiology of muscle, adipose tissue, liver and the mammary gland in relation to factors controlling animal viability and performance.
6 week course - 6 one-hour lectures per week, 3 one-hour seminars every 1 to 2 weeks, 3 one-hour tutorials every 1 to 2 weeks. Slots B and C
1 two-hour written examination paper (80%), continuous assessment: essays (20%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr I E Edwards

Pre-requisites

LM 2003 or LM 2503 and LE 3007

Co-requisites

AG 4007

Overview

A series of advanced case studies develops further the skills learned in AG 4007. Lectures, and guest lectures deal with the role of the adviser and consultant in farm business management and decision making, the process of extension work in both developed and developing countries.


12 week course - 2 two-hour seminars and 27 lectures in total. 3 afternoons of field visits. Slot F
Assessed jointly with AG 4007. 1 two-hour examination (33.3%), 5 case studies (33.3%) and final case study (33.3%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

To be announced

Pre-requisites

LM 2503

Notes

Available only to students in programme year 4.

Overview

Recent advances in the sciences basic to animal production will be emphasised and diverse subject areas such as genetics, environment, nutrition, health and welfare will be integrated to provide a comprehensive understanding of animal production. This course includes seminars on world animal production.
12 week course - 25 two-hour seminars plus a 2-day visit to Edinburgh.
1 two-hour examination (80%) and continuous assessment (20%).