Courses & Units
Agricultural Landscape Systems KLA381
Hobart, Launceston
Introduction
This unit links your knowledge in agronomy, horticulture and business to the area of agricultural land resource assessment. We will develop your understanding and land management skills via practical experiences with SE Tasmanian soil and land resources. This unit will put it to practise your basic knowledge of soil chemistry, soil physics, physical geography and environmental sciences. We will also introduce you to GIS and geophysical methods in addition to field and online assessment of land resources.
Agricultural Landscape Systems KLA381 – KLA534 involves assessing land for sustainable and profitable production potential for a range of uses. It will involve desk-top (web searches), field (soil pits, geophysics) and minor laboratory based assessment of the soils, landforms, climate, hydrology, vegetation and geology on a small area in SE Tasmania. This information will be used by you to assess both land capability and suitability. You will be asked to report and justify your assessments in a seminar and via several written reports. Hobart campus based students will be working in pairs and will thus share their marks for assessment tasks undertaken together. Distance students (Launceston and interstate) can work alone or in pairs if possible, on a local property/farm following consultation with Dr Doyle.
The unit involves 5 - 6 days (practicals + out of class time) field work involving soil profile description, land use assessment, topographic evaluations (slope angle, aspect etc) followed by limited soil testing of soil samples in the laboratory. We also aim to undertaking some geophysical assessments i.e., EM (electromagnetic) and radiometric (Ur, Th and K) surveys on the same property.
Learning will be based on theory (lectures and your reading), fieldwork, laboratory work and some computer laboratory sessions. Your assessment tasks include both written and oral activities. The theory will cover soil survey, soil and land classifications, landform assessment, catchment hydrology and use of GIS software.
Summary
| Unit name | Agricultural Landscape Systems |
|---|---|
| Unit code | KLA381 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | College of Sciences and Engineering Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture |
| Discipline | Agriculture and Food Systems |
| Coordinator | Associate Professor Richard Doyle |
| Available as an elective? | |
| Delivered By | Delivered wholly by the provider |
| Level | Advanced |
Availability
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | On-Campus | International | Domestic | |
| Launceston | Semester 1 | Off-Campus | International | Domestic | |
Key
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Key Dates
| Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 22/2/2021 | 23/3/2021 | 12/4/2021 | 30/5/2021 |
* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).
Unit census dates currently displaying for 2021 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2021 will be available from the 1st October 2020. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).
Learning Outcomes
- Describe soil profiles in the field and map and classify them using the Australian standard systems.
- Collect, interpret and integrate soil, land, climate and crop information so as to make sustainable and productive land use assessments and evaluations.
- Be able to utilise basic GIS and online spatial information systems and portals.
- Communicate clearly and justify your land resource assessments via written and oral reporting.
Fee Information
| Field of Education | Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 | Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 | Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 | Domestic Full Fee 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 050101 | $493.00 | $493.00 | not applicable | $2,783.00 |
- Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
- HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
- FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4
1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.
If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.
Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.
Requisites
Prerequisites
(Admission into a Masters course) OR ((KLA213 - Soil Formation, Function and Fertility OR KEA101 - Understanding Earth Systems OR KEA102 - Earth Resources, Environments and Evolution))Teaching
| Teaching Pattern | 26 lectures, 13 x 3-hr practicals, several full-day field trips including on weekends |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Desktop Study (15%)|Oral Defence (20%)|Final report (35%)|Examination (30%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes. |
Links | Booktopia textbook finder |
|---|
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.