AGRICULTURE

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr I E Edwards

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above on BSc Agriculture or permission of Head of School.

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.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Agricultural work experience report (60%): field course report (40%).
Resit: as first attempt

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr H Galbraith

Pre-requisites

BI 20A1 or 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.

Structure

6 week course - 5 one-hour lectures per week, 3 one-hour seminars/tutorials every 2 weeks. Slots A and E; weeks 12-17.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (75%) and feed rationing test (25%).
Resit: as first attempt

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Price

Pre-requisites

An appropriate level 2 Biology course. Other students may be admitted with permission of Head of School.

Overview

Introduction - Methods of plant breeding and their genetic basis, potential and limitations - contribution to crop yield, quality improvements; Breeding objectives - schemes and systems, crop evaluation and evolution; new technologies and genome mapping, gene sequences, arrays and mutations. Biotechnology and its application to Agriculture; Vector systems in plants - Ti plasmid; Modification of Ti - plasmid for expression of foreign genes; GM crops and specific targets in crop plants - cereal crops, photosynthesis; Plant Cell Culture - secondary metabolites. Generating new varations - somaclonal and protoplast culture, fusion; Improving Biological Nitrogen fixation; Biocontrol - Crop Production and Protection; GEMs, GM crops-release and risk assessment.

A Practical to provide experiance in genome sequence database analysis will be carried out and a practical report must be submitted and will count as in-course assessment.

Structure

1 two-hour written examination 6 week course – no more than 8 hours of teaching per week, Slots B and C. Weeks 18-23.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Written Paper (75%), in-course assessment: essay, seminar presentation and practical (25%).

Resit: Written paper (75%), in-course assessment: essay seminar presentation and practical (25%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr T Stuchbury

Pre-requisites

LM 2503 or BI 25A4

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.

Structure

6 week course - 6 hours of lectures per week. Slots A + E, weeks 18-23.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (70%): in-course essay (30%).

Resit: as first attempt

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr I E Edwards

Pre-requisites

LM 2505

Overview

The Principles of marketing management including strategic planning, the marketing evironment, market research and information, and the 'marketing mix'. The application of these principles in the food industry through deskbased and real life case studies. Agriculture marketing systems and agriculture commodity studies in the UK and other countries, plus desk-based case studies of agriculture marketing in developing countries.

Structure

12 week course - 4 hours per week plus field trip.

Assessment

1 two-hour examination.

Resit: As per 1st attempt.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D Smith

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.

Structure

6 week course - 2 one-and-half hour and 2 one-hour lectures per week. 2 three-hour seminars in the whole course. Slots A and E. Weeks 30-35.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (75%) and in-course assessment (25%).

Resit: as first attempt

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D Smith

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.

Structure

6 hours of lectures per week. Slots E and F. Weeks 36-37, 41-44.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (70%) and one 3000 word essay (30%).

Resit: as first attempt

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr E J Allan

Pre-requisites

BI 25P1, BI 1508 or BI 2505 or appropriate Level 2 Biology. Other students may be admitted to the course at the discretion of the Head of School.

Overview

This course will begin with an Introduction to Plant Pathology (causes/symptoms of disease; pathogens and pathogenesis, historical background, significance and impact of disease; pathogen structure and function, spread and survival). It will then discuss the following topics: Molecular methods in plant pathology (application of molecular techniques to detect and understand the biology of plant pathogens in managed ecosystems, the advantages and limitations of the methods); Host-Pathogen-Environment Interactions (Plant stresses and disease susceptibility; host-pathogen interactions in managed ecosystems); Plant defence mechanisms and disease control (Resistance Genes; Plant defence mechanisms including induced resistance, Nematode disease control; Microbial biocontrol; Biological crop protection for control of insect pests; General principals of crop management); Potato Pathogens: Understanding their interactions. The final week of the course will consist of lectures from specialists who work at the research and farmer level (both in-house and with visiting speakers) on the wide array of potato diseases to provide in-depth information nd concomitantly show how a broad understanding of the host, the pathogen/pest and their environments is required in order to control disease.

Structure

6 week course: 6 one-hour lectures per week, 2-3 hours from Visiting Speakers, 3 tutorials per course in-course assessment.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (70%); continuous assessment (30%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (70%); continuous assessment (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.

Structure

12 week course - 27 hours of lectures and 6 hours of seminars; 12 hours of case studies. Slot D. Weeks 12-23.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (50%), assessment of case studies (50%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

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.

Structure

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. Weeks 12-23. Assessed jointly with AG 4504.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (33.3%), 5 case studies (33.3%) and final case study (33.3%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

45

Course Coordinator

Dr H Galbraith

Pre-requisites

BI 3007 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.

Structure

Individual supervision will vary depending on the project.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Dissertation (67%), project proposal (11%), poster (11%) and seminar (11%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr E J Allan

Pre-requisites

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

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. Students will have a tutor who will act in an advisor role. There are no face to face lectures.

Structure

12 hours staff contact time in whole course.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Dissertation (80%) and seminar (20%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr I E Edwards

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.

Structure

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, weeks 18-23.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (60%) and 2 case studies (20% each).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D Hovell

Pre-requisites

BI 15A1 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.

Structure

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. Weeks 18-23.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination paper (75%), in-course assessment: essays (25%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

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.

Structure

12 week course - 2 two-hour seminars and 27 lectures in total. 3 afternoons of field visits. Slot F. Weeks 30-37, 41-44.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Assessed jointly with AG 4007. 1 two-hour examination (33.3%), 5 case studies (33.3%) and final case study (33.3%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D Houell

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.

Structure

12 week course - 25 two-hour seminars plus a 2-day visit to Edinburgh.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (80%) and in-course assessment (20%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr E J Allan

Pre-requisites

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

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. Students will have a tutor who will act in an advisor role. There are no face to face lectures.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Dissertation (80%) and seminar (20%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.