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Course Description
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Course Name
Agricultural Systems in the Tropics
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Host University
University of Reading
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Location
Reading, England
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Area of Study
Agriculture
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Language Level
Taught In English
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Course Level Recommendations
Upper
ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.
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ECTS Credits
5 -
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits3
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Recommended U.S. Quarter Units4
Hours & Credits
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Overview
Module Provider: AgricultureNumber of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]Level:6Terms in which taught: Autumn term modulePre-requisites:Non-modular pre-requisites:Co-requisites:Modules excluded:Module version for: 2014/5Module Convenor: Dr Alistair MurdochEmail: a.j.murdoch@reading.ac.ukSummary module description:This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the agricultural systems of tropical and sub-tropical regions. Emphasis is on the major components of agricultural systems including crops, livestock, soils and climates and their interactions. Current issues for agriculture in developing countries such as the Green Revolution and the use of pesticides will be discussed.Aims:This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the agricultural systems of tropical and sub-tropical regions. Emphasis is on the major components of agricultural systems and their interactions. Students will be encouraged to critically review current issues for agriculture in developing countries such as the Green Revolution and use of pesticides.Assessable learning outcomes:By the end of the module it is expected that the student will have: * A knowledge of the broad characteristics of tropical agriculture and of the problems facing tropical agriculturalists. * An understanding of tropical agriculture in relation to its natural environment. * As a result, students will have the ability to develop approaches to agricultural development in the tropics through an understanding of different agricultural systems.Additional outcomes:Students will further their understanding of tropical agricultural systems through assessed case studies of two agricultural systems of a country/ region of their choice.Outline content:The module will emphasise the broad characteristics of tropical agriculture and of some of the issues facing tropical agriculturalists, by presenting tropical agriculture in relation to its natural environment. The module includes:# General features of the tropical environment (Solar radiation, temperature, rainfall, soils, weeds, pests and diseases);# Classification of tropical farming systems;# Systems of crop and animal production in the tropicsSpecific topics explore different aspects of tropical agriculture:-# Tropical farming systems# Soils - nutrient use and management.# Pests and diseases - strategies for crop protection, integrated pest management.# Animal production systems# Crop production systems.# Agricultural production for export# Case studies provide examples of the agricultural systems of different tropical environments.Brief description of teaching and learning methods:Contact hours:AutumnLectures 18Tutorials 2Guided independent study 80Total hours by term 100.00Total hours for module 100.00Summative Assessment Methods:Method PercentageWritten exam 50Report 50Other information on summative assessment:CourseworkCase studies of the agricultural systems of a region/country within the tropics or sub-tropics which aims to identify the constraints to agricultural production, and present potential areas for the development of the system (50%). This will be assessed by the module convenor.Formative assessment methods:Students will be required to undertake a critical review of two related article.Penalties for late submission:The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.Length of examination:A two hour examination requiring the answers to two questions from five.Requirements for a pass:A mark of 40% overallReassessment arrangements:By Re-examination in August/SeptemberLast updated: 8 October 2014
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