Module Information
Module Identifier
RD11110
Module Title
Agricultural Technology
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Practical | 2 x 3 Hour Practicals |
| Workshop | 1 x 3 Hour Workshop |
| Field Trip | 1 x 3 Hour Field Trip |
| Lecture | 11 x 2 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Farm technology evaluation. The role and development of specific technology on farm. | 45% |
| Semester Assessment | Practical test. | 15% |
| Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours Short-answer question paper. | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 60% |
| Supplementary Exam | 1.5 Hours Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 40% |
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.
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