AP3A45-Agricultural Systems in the Tropics

Module Provider: Agriculture
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Alistair Murdoch

Email: a.j.murdoch@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary 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 tropics
Specific 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:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	18
Tutorials	2
Guided independent study:	80
Total hours by term		20
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Report	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:
A two hour examination requiring the answers to two questions from five.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Coursework
Case 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:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (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.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
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.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
By Re-examination in August/September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 8 April 2019