Ag.Sc. (New Course) DEGREE OF

SCHEDULE III: SCHEDULE III: THE HONOURS DEGREE

B. Ag.Sc. (New Course) DEGREE OF

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (NEW

AGRICULTURAL couRSE)

SYLLABUSES

Text-books:

The lists of the text-books were correct at the time that this Volume went to ^press. It is possible however that amendments to these lists will be made before the start of lectures;

and,

if

so, students attending classes

will

be notified appropriately

by

the lecturer concerned.

In general, students are expected to have thei¡ own copies of text-books; but they are advised to await ^advice from the lecturer concemed before buying any particular book.

Only the prescribed edition ofany text-book should be bought.

Reference books:

Although lists of books and journals lor reference purposes are regarded as important, details have not been included in this Volume. These will however be issued from time to time by the departments concerned.

It

is hoped that all books and journals set for reference will be available to be consulted

in

the Barr Smith Library and/or the Waite Institute Library.

Examinations:

For each subject students may obtain lrom the department concerned details

ol

the examination in that subject including the relative weights given to the components (e.g.

such olthe following as are relevant: assessments, term or mid-year tests, essays or other written or practical work, hnal written examinations, vlva voce examinations).

FIRST YEAR STUDIES.

The syllabuses for SZTl Biology I, SCO1 Chemistry I, QMTH Mathematics IH, _QATH Computer Science IH and QTTH Statistics IH are given elsewhere (see Contents-Table of Subjects).

EEIA Agricultural Economics IH.

No pre-requisite subjects.

A course ofone lecture a week and one tutorial a fortnight spread over three terÍns.

The course will cover basic microeconomics and its applicatìons to larm industries and agricultural policy. Topics covered

will

include the role ofagriculture in the Australian economy; buffer stock schemes and cobweb models; production and cost functions;

marketing olagricultural products; marketìng margins and middlemen; marketing boards and futures markets; Government agricultural policy and protection; rural ¡econstruc- tron.

Assessment: Details will be discussed with the class early in Term

l.

Text-book: Campbell, K. O., and Fisher, B. 5., Agricultural marketing and prices,2nd edition, 1982 (Longman Cheshire).

SGTH Geology IHW.

The course consists ofapproximately thirty-six lectures and five excursions spread over three terms.

It

is concerned with the aspects of ^geology with special relevance to agri- culture. The topics include: crystals, minerals and ^igneous and metamorphic rocks;

sediments, organisms, strata and time scales; minerals and the resources dilemmas.

Assessment: details will be discussed with the class early in Term

l.

Text-books: Ernst, W. G., Earth materials (Prentice-Hall); Press, F., and Siever, R., Eart h, 3rd edition ^(Freeman).

SECOND YEAR STUDIES.

WP82 Agricultural Microbiology.

Pre-requisite subject: SZTl Biology I.

The course consists ofapproximately l8 lectures and 36 hours practical work, all in one

term, and provides an introduction to micro-organisms and techniques used

in

their study; their morphology, physiology and general classification; microbial ecology in relation to Man, water, soil, plants, animals and air; microbes as pathogens; microbes and food; industrial applications of micro-organisms.

Assessment: Each student is required to submit a practical book and to sit a three-hour written examination at the end of first term and assessment ol laboratory work. Further details can be obtained from the Department ofPlant Pathology.

WY82 Biometry.

Pre-requisite: Students

will

be assumed

to

have

a

knowledge equivalent

to

_QTTI{

Statistics IH.

The cou¡se consists ol 54 hou¡s divided between lectures and tutorials extending over the first and second terms. The syllabus is designed to provide an introduction to advanced statistical methods and mathematical topics

of

importance

in

agricultural science:

probability and inference, discrete distributions (Poisson, binomial, negative binomia[, etc.), sampling methods (capture-recapture, stratification, etc.) statistical tests (normal theory, non-parametric), linear models, classical experimental design (analysis of variance and co-variance, block and treatment structures), probit analysis, computer prog¡ammlng.

Assessment: approximately 25o/o on the basis of continuous assessment of regular written assignments, and the rest on the ¡esults ofexaminations at the end

offirst

and second terms. Further details can be obøined from the Biometry Section, Waite Agricultural Research Institute.

No text-book is recommended. A list of reference books will be available beforehand and

will also be provided at the first lectu¡e.

SO82 Chemistry IIA.

Pre-requisite: A páss in SCO1 Chemistry I.

This course consists of one lecture a week in first term, two a week in second and three a week in third term, plus practical ^periods in second and third terms.

The

lectures cover

the

chemistry

of the

major classes

of

aliphatic and aromatic compounds; a classified treatment of isomerism, with particular emphasis on stereo- isomerism; application

of

infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry in organic chemistry. A section on compounds of particular biological interest, aminoacids, peptides and proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids precedes lectures covering the structure and function

of

bacteria,

plant

and animal cells, viruses; intermediary metabolism

of

carbohydrates, fermentation, gluconeogenesis; aspects

of lipid

and aminoacid metabolism, regulation; genetic engineering with examples from agriculture.

4s6

Agricultural

Science

B.Ag.Sc. (New

Course) Text-books: Kice, J. L., and Marvetl, E. N., Modern principles of organic chemistrl',

(Collier-Macmillan); OiR Applequist, D., DePuy, C. H., and Rinehart,

K.L.,

Introduc- tion to organic chemistry,3rd edition (Wiley Intemational); Conn, E. E., and Stumpf, P.

K., Outlines of biochemistry, 4th edition (Wiley).

SB82 Botany IIA.

Pre-requisite: A pass at Division I or higher standard in SZ7

I

Biology I. SCOl Chemistry I is not a lormal pre-requisite but a knowledge equivalent to it wìll be assumed.

The course consists of one lecture a week in first term, and three lectures a week in second and thi¡d terms, plus seven practical periods in trst term and two perweek in second and third terms.

Assessment: Class exercises, projects and practical reports. Examinations at the end of

each term.

A.

TlxoNoruv or Pl,tNrs tN Rel-,qrtoNl

ro

Acnlculrur.e.

Lectures

will

deal with natural selection and speciation and the principles

of

plant taxonomy. Practicals

will

cover the anatomical leatures ^used

to

classify plants, an introduction to the use

ol

^keys and examples

ol

plants

of

particular significance in agriculture.

Fortherestofthisentry,i.e

sectionsBandCcoveringsecondandthirdterms,seeentry under SB02 Botany

ll

in the Faculty ofScience.

SJ6H ^Genetics IHW.

There will be one lecture and a tutorial/practical class each week throughout the year.

Mendelian genetics. Application olstatistical tests to genetic data. Cytogenetics. Genetic linkage. Biochemical genetics. Population genetics and evolution. Genetic polymorphism and selection. Mutation. Inbreeding and outbreeding. Genetic studies of twins. Genetics of quantitative characters.

Assessment: Examinations at the end of each term; class exercises.

Text-book: Bodmer, W. tr., and Cavalli-Slorza,

L. L.,

Genetics, evolution and ntan' (Freeman).

WS82 Physical

Resources

in Agriculture.

Pre-requisite: Students will be assumed to have a knowledge equivalent to SGTH Geology IHW and QMTH Mathematics IH. This subject may be taken only concurrently with or after completion of SP82 Agricultural Physics.

The subject involves twenty-six lectures, eight tutoriaìs, and twenty-four hours of practical work including two one-day weekend held trips.

The major topics considered are:

Cr-rlr¡.rolocv,q.No Met¡o*ol-ocv:

Global ci¡culation, atmospheric and oceanic;

Insolation and radiation balance;

Evaporation, cloud lormation and precipitatìon;

Micrometeorology, wind and turbulence;

Climate of plants and crops.

Hvonolocv:

Water resources;

Hydrologic cycle in a catchment-influence of agriculture;

G¡ound water, soil water;

Water quality and salinity.

L¡.Nosc¡.pEs ¡,No Sorr-s:

Relations between geology, geomorphology, landscapes and soils;

Iand systems, classification, capability. Soils and land use, limitations;

Soil materials, composition and properties of the organic and inorganic components of soils.

Assessment is by written examination at the end of the term and assessment of practical work throughout the term. Further details can be obtained lrom the Department of Soil Science.

Text-books: Australia, C.S.I.R.O., The Australian environment; Stephens, C. G., Manual of Australian solls; Dept. Mines, S.4., groundwater handbook; Dept. National Resource, A.V/.R.C., Review of Australia's water resources 1975.

SP82 Agricultural Physics.

Two lectures, one tutorial and two hours ofpractical work per week in first term only.

Newtonian mechanics,

fluid

mechanics, surface physics, t¡ansmission through mem- branes.

Thermal physics, temperature, first law ofthermodynamics, ¡adiation, electricity, electric circuits.

Assessment is based mainly on written examinations at the end of h¡st term but includes assessment ol practical work.

WN82 AgriculturalZoology.

Pre-requisite: A pass in SZ71 Biology I.

This course consists of two lectures and one practical period a week plus occasional tutorials,

in

first term only, and deals with the roles of animals in agriculture. Topics covered include the taxonomy ofthe animal kingdom with ^{special reference} to phyla that have particular agricultural significance and the general characteristics ofthose phyla; the comparative and functional anatomy

of

vertebrates and invertebrates

with

special reference to those ofagricultural significance; and an int¡oduction to animal ecology with emphasis on how numbers fluctuate in animal populations, the construction of lifetables from data on birth, death and growth, and the influence ofthe environment on such data.

Assessment is by written examination at the end of first term and on practical work throughout the term.

THIRD AND

FOURTH YEAR STUDIES

AGRICULTURAL BIOCHEMISTRY.

WB13 Agricultural Biochemistry III.

Pre-requisite: A pass in SO82 Chemistry IIA.

A course oftwo hours lectures and five hours practical wo¡k a week for three terms.

Aims of the Course: The course is designed to give students a knowledge ofbiochemistry, which is fundamental to all branches ofbiological science, and to illustrate the application of biochemist¡y to agriculture ^generally.

458

Agricultural

Science

B.Ag.Sc. (New

Course) T¡xtu I: BIocn¡lrtsrnv oF THE BIoSYNTHESIS AND urtLIzATIoN oF FooD IN PLANTS AND

ANIMALS.

The properties and role of key regulatory ^enzymes. Integration of metabolic pathways

in

different parts

ol

the cell and shuttle systems for transport of metabolites across membranes. Inter-conversion between carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids' Topics include: muscle biochemistry; ketone body formation

in

the liver; biochemistry of digestive ^processes and metabolic changes

in

the rumen; interrelationship ^between photosynthesis and photo-respiration; role of vitamins and trace elements

in

enzyme reactlons.

T¡nt',r II: Asppcrs oF MICRoBIAL BIocHEMISTRY.

Intermediary metabolism of inorganic nitrogen and sulphur compounds in microorgan- isms and plants to include fixation of dinitrogen, nitrification, assimilation ^and denitri- fication of nitrate; assimilation and dissimilation of sulphate and oxidation of sulphides to sulphur and sulphate. Regulation mechanisms. Aspects of biotechnology, including recombinant

DNA

techniques and the use

ol

photosynthetic bacteria

for

hydrogen production.

Tsnv III: DrvnnsIrY oF METABOLISM AND ITS IMPAcT oN AGRIcULTURE.

Identification of major classes of metabolites and examination of their functions ^and uses. Ecological biochemistry

ol

plants; allelopathy; factors involved

in

resistance to invading organisms.

Artifrcial control of ^plant

^growth; mechanism

ol

action of chemicals in agriculture.

Assessment consists of three terminal examinations, two integrative ^essays (Terms I and

II)

and practical exercises, including a research project, over the three terms.

A lull

written ^statement on the current departmental assessment procedures will be issued to each student at the first lecture ofTerm I.

Text-books: Conn, E. E., and Stumpf, P.K., Outlines of biochemistry,4thedition (Wiley);

Lehninger, Ã. L., Short course in biochemistry (Worth); Lehninger, ^A'. L., Biochemistry, latest edition (Worth)-suitable also for Agricultural Biochemistry IV.

WB14 Agricultural Biochemistry IV.

Pre-requisite subject: A good pass in Vy'813 Agricultural Biochemistry III.

A course of two hours lectures, one hour tutorial and eight hours practical work a week (including a research project)

for

three terms, dealing with advanced aspects of the intermediary metabolism of microorganisms, plants and animals. The topics

will

be considered in three main sections:

l.

^{MnrHoos rN} Brocgnulc¡l R¡sanncu.

Use and application of stable isotopes (GC/MS), radioisotopes, separation techniques for biological compounds, enzyme purification, assays and bioassays. Literature search facilities and data presentation.

2. R¡coùrsrNnwr DNA TncnNoI-ocv.

Basis ofcurrent techniques and their application to agriculture.

3.

INrencrrlul¡n

CouuuNIc¡.TIoN AND R¡cuI-¡.rIoN or

C¡rlul,tn Acuvltv

It¡

EurenvotEs.

The forms and types of communication and interaction between cells and the mechan- isms of enzyme regulation and control of metabolic ^pathways in eukaryotes.

Assessment: A full written statement on the current departmental assessment procedures will be issued to each student at the first lecture ofTerm I.

Assessment will consist olthree terminal examinations, plus written and verbaI presenta- tions olone review essay, practical exercises to include a research project. In cases where doubt exists as to the candidate's level of achievement, an oral examination

will

be requested.

Text-books: Kornberg,

^., ^DNA

replication and supplement (Freeman); Lehninger, 4,. L., Biochemistry, latest edition (Worth).

A reading list witl be given in the lectures.

HONOURS DEGREE.

WB79 HonoursAgriculturalBiochemistry.

Pre-requisite: A credit or higher standard in WB l3 Agricultural Biochemistry III.

Co-requisite subject: WBl4 Agricultural Biochemistry IV.

Students wishing to take the Honours degree in Agricultural Biochemistry should consult the Chairman of the Department ol Agricultural Biochemistry during the third term of their third ^year olthe B.Ag.Sc. Ordinary degree.

Assessment:

A lull

written statement on the current departmental procedures

will

be issued to each student at the beginning ofthe course.

After consultation, each candidate

will

be assigned a ^research project, which

will

be carried out under supervision. The results will be presented in a dissertation at the end of the course. A candidate may also be required to prepare a seminar. Candidates will begin studies on

I

^February.

AGRICULTURE.

WX73 Agricultural Production.

The course consists olapproximately three hours a week over three terms (actual times may be varied lrom term to term); requirements also include completion of and reporls on two tours as indicated below.

Course Work

A series ollectures, seminars and excursions covering the following areas:

LlNo

Rssouncs M.cNnc¡ù4ENr: The native vegetation of Australia and its clearance for agriculture; the main agricultural land use zones of southern Australia-the arid and semi-arid pastoral zones, the cereal-livestock zones, the higher rainlall zones and irrigated agricultural zones.

Cnop Inousru¡s: Production and processing ofcereals, grain legumes, oil seed crops, lruits and vegetables; crop protection.

ANItr,tnl INousrnl¡s: Production and processing of livestock and livestock products with emphasis on sheep, beef, dairy cattle, pig and poultry industries; animal diseases and pests.

Tours

Each student will be expected to attend and provide satisfactory reports on the following tours; one of the South East region, normally in the period immediately following the final examination ofthe second year; one ofthe Northern districts, normally during the vacation between second and third terms of third year.

FvIher

information on these requirements can be obtained lrom the Offrce of the Dean.

Assessment will be by written examinations and a project report. Full details of assess-

ment procedures will be issued to students at the first lecture of Term I.

460

Agricultural

Science

B.Ag.Sc. (New

Course)

WX14 Agricultural Practice and Policy.

Pre-requisite: A pass in WX73 Agricultural Production.

The course consists of approximately three hours a week over three terms; requirements also include completion ofand reports on a tour and on-farm and industry experience as

indicated below.

Counse Wonr IN Founru Yu¡.n:

A

series ol invited lectures, seminars and essays on selected topics of current interest, including agricultural extension, loreign agriculture, government policies and agriculture, support schemes, new crops and animals for agriculture, energy use in agriculture.

Pn¡.c'uc,c.L ExpenleNce IN

Acntculrun¡:

As stated in Schedule II, clause 8, a requirement ofthis subject is a report on practical experience gained throughout the degree course. The objective ofthis requirement is to provide the student with hrst-hand experience, knowledge and understanding of the complex operation of modem farming and of agricultural and related industries. The student will be expected to gain practical expe¡ience with a wide range offarm operations, first-hand appreciation ofthe interaction ofthe physical, biological, economic and social lactors in on-farm decision making, and understanding ofthe industrial and governmental infrastructure that services primary industry.

The appropriate experience may be spread over

all

four years of the degree course.

Satisfactory completion of the following requirements will be essential before the degree can be awarded.

Farm Experience

(a) Each student

will

choose, with the help of the Practical Experience Administrator early in the degree course, one farm for study. The student will be required, with the help of the farmer and his family, to ^gain a thorough knowledge of the nature and operation of this farm. This will necessitate several periods of work on the selected farm, in diffe¡ent years and at different seasons, plus other visits and correspondence. A minimum ofeight weeks ofworking experience will be expected. A full written repofi on experiences gained on this farm will be submitted during the final ^year ofthe degree course.

(b) During the cou¡se each student will be required to gain at least two weeks additional practical farm experience in each of two areas different lrom that in which the primary larm is located. Help in the choice olthese farms will be provided. Experience gained in this way will be used for contrast and comparison with that obtained on the primary farm and will be incorporated into the final report ^{(see (a)} above).

Industry Experience

(c) One week of practical experience will be spent in association with one or more of the industrial hrms, Govemment Departments ^and statutory bodies servicing agriculture.

It

is expected that mention ofthe relevance ofthis experience should also be incorporated in the final report ^(see (a) above).

Assessment

will

be based on essays and contributions to semina¡s, and on the reports referred

to

above. The major report ^(see (a) above)

will

form the primary basis for assessment ofthe practical experience. Full assessment details will be available at the time ofthe orientation camp (see Schedule

II,

clause

ll)

and from the Practical Experience Administrator ^{and the} coordinator for this subject thereafter.

Text-books: Reid, R.

L.

(ed.) (1981)

I

manual of Australian agriculture 4th edition (Heinemann); Williams, D. B. (ed.) (1982) Agrículture in the Australian economy(S.U.P.).

46t

AGRONOMY.

WA73 Agronomy

and

Plant Breeding III.

The course consists offive hours per week over three terms and provides an introduction to the principles and practices of agronomy and plant improvement, with reference to both crops and pastures.

Cnop BroLocv:

Seeds and seed quality;germination, emergence and establishment; sowing rates and plant density; vegetative growth, reproductive growth; harvesting and biological yield.

Cnop BornNv:

Origins of crop plants, major lamilies; agronomic attributes of cereals, coarse grains, grain legumes, root crops, oil crops, pasture and forage plants.

Cnop Pnooucrro¡q:

Cultivation and seed-bed preparation, weed control, herbicides, minimum tillage; ferti- lizers, nutrient status, response curves, dehciency, major and minor elements; rotations and soil fertility.

Cnops ¡.r.¡¡ E¡¡vrnoNurENr:

Adaptation, climatic requirements; crop geography; responses of crops to light, water, nutrients, temperâture and COr; modification of the environment.

G¡Neuc V¡.nr¡.slllrv oF CRop Ple¡lts:

Origin and genetic basis

of

variability; centres

of

diversity, preservation

of

genetic resources; importance for agricultural production, effects oluniformity, maintenance of diversity, influence ofbreeding system; ecotypes, clines, clones, somaclonal variation.

Breeding and Selection Procedures:

Outline of methods used with self- and cross-pollinated plants; genotype x environment interaction, cultivar testing and recommendations; impact of new high-yielding cultivars on agronomic practice and world food production.

WA54 ^Agronomy IV.

Pre-requisite: A pass in WA73 Agronomy and Plant Breeding III; WFO3 Crop Physiology is recommended.

The course consists of ten hours a week over three terms including project work and provides an analysis of agronomic systems, particularly those operative

in

southem Australia. Topics covered include:

AcnoNo¡r¿Ic Expe¡r utelte,rron :

Development

ol

a research project, formulation and testing of hypotheses, errors in experimentation, field plot variability and components of yield. Problems associated with field and glasshouse experiments and experiments under controlled conditions. Experi- ments that involve ^plants and grazing animals.

Cnop NurnrrroN:

Relationship betì/veen crop and pasture yield and plane ofnutrition; methods ofassessing soil fertility and fertiliser needs; soil and plant _analyses, critical levels; genotypic variation in nutrient requirements; nutritional effects on plant'ùiater relationships; nitrogen fixa- tion, and disease resistance.

462