Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Module Identifier
RD11110
Module Title
AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY
Academic Year
2012/2013
Co-ordinator
Dr Iwan G Owen
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 2 x 1 hour lectures per week
Seminars / Tutorials 2 x 3 hour seminars during semester
Practical 4 x 3 hour demonstrations/practicals during semester
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Assignment  Farm Technology Evaluation and Presentation - the role and development of specific technology on farm  Outcomes 1-6  60%
Semester Exam 1.5 Hours   Short-answer question paper  Outcomes 1-6  40%
Supplementary Assessment 1.5 Hours   Examination 40%; Assignment 60%  Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module.  Outcomes 1-6  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Outline the role of power on farm and describe the historical development of power units and power unit selection

2. Describe a range of cultivation, crop protection and harvesting equipment and systems and their development

3. Identify the key principles of building and structural technology and building design for a range of uses

4. Identify the roles of Information technology on farm

5. Recognise the role of precision farming and explain the key principles involved

6. Describe and evaluate the adoption of `green technology? on farm

Brief description

This module describes the principles and practices underpinning the extensive range of technologies that are increasingly being developed for and adopted by the agricultural industry. Six themes will be the focus of teaching and learning.

  • Power
  • Equipment/Machinery - soil preparation, crop protection, harvesting and processing, transport
  • The environment and its manipulation - housing/storage/processing including wastes
  • Information technology - principles of GPS in the field, GIS, field records, yield mapping
  • Precision farming
  • Green technology and resource management

Content

The module considers the development, adoption and implementation of technology in agriculture and consists of a series of lectures and demonstrations:

1. Power: the function and development of the agricultural tractor/power unit. Design, technology, power unit selection.
2. Equipment: cultivation, crop protection and harvesting equipment and systems and their development.
3. Building and structural technology: building design for livestock housing/handling; crop treatment/storage and storage and treatment of farm waste
4. Information technology on farm: the expanding role of information technology; farm and field records/data handling; livestock identification.
5. Precision farming: precision technology and its application: auto-steer/active steering; robotics.
6. Green technology: resource management and protection; water, soil; and the role of alternative fuels and power sources, such as bio-fuels, wind and water on-farm.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Arithmetic calculations will be integral components of the assignment
Communication The assignment will demand clear and well presented written and oral communication
Improving own Learning and Performance
Information Technology Information technology will be integral to the teaching assignment work in the module
Personal Development and Career planning
Problem solving The Farm Technology Evaluation assignment will involve defining and outlining a range of solutions for a farm based technology.
Research skills The assignment will involve researching technological/scientific and trade literature
Subject Specific Skills
Team work

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4