This unit allows students to discuss Australian rural production and the Australian environment, their interrelation, the issues agriculture and the environment face for the future and the context in which this takes place. It is a core unit for students in BScAgr and BAnVetBioSc and is the main introductory unit for further studies in the Faculty. For studies in the area of Agriculture and Natural Resources, it is important to be able to identify and describe common domestic animals, crops and weeds, broad acre production systems, key environmental issues and to be able to discuss their significance. Students completing this unit of study will be able to relate the Australian environment to opportunities and limitations for agronomy, animal husbandry and native animal and plant species, partly through problem based learning (PBL) in relation to a topical rural issue. In addition students will practice the identification of economic plant species and explore the ecology of pests and weeds and related integrated management practices. Through the problem based activities, students will learn valuable research skills and how to critically assess sources of information through library and database research. Through the production of reports and essays, students can demonstrate academic writing and recognise the importance of academic honesty.

This unit will explore the management of animals in natural and man-made environments. At the end of this unit of study, students will understand: the characteristics of the management systems of the major domestic species used for production in Australia and in a world wide context; the characteristics and principles underpinning sustainable management of native animals in natural and man-made environments; an appreciation of the dependence of living organisms upon their environment; an appreciation of the husbandry practices and innovations that have been adopted by the production industries to retain their competitive advantage; a demonstrated capability in handling and husbandry of the major domestic production animal species, and an appreciation of the application of these skills to non-domestic species; a demonstrated understanding of the importance of high standards of animal welfare practice in the management of animals.

Concepts in Biology is an introduction to the major themes of modern biology. The unit emphasizes how biologists carry out scientific investigations, from the cellular/molecular level to the level of ecosystems. Topics covered in lectures and practicals include: introductory cell biology, with particular emphasis on how cells obtain and use energy; the diversity and biology of microorganisms; an introduction to molecular biology through the role of DNA in protein synthesis, including current developments in DNA technology; genetics or organisms; theories of evolution and phylogenetic analysis, and how they are used to interpret the origins of the diversity of modern organisms; and interactions between organisms in biological communities, with emphasis on Australian ecology.

Living Systems deals with the biology of organisms as individuals, within populations and as part of communities and ecosystems. A broad range of taxa are covered,, from bacteria to large plants and animalss, and emphasises is placed upon understanding the ways in which they can live in a range of habitats. Behaviour is discussed as a key process linking organismal-level processes to population and community dynamics. . The importance of energy in living systems, and how elements are used and recycled in biological communities, are introduced as the basis of ecosystems. The unit of study includes lectures and laboratory classes on the physiology and behaviour of animals and plants, the ways in which organisms control and integrate their activities and the processes controlling dynamics of populations and community. These themes are revisited within applied contexts to discuss issues such as management and conservation.

This unit of study will cover generally the same topics as BIOL1002 but material will be discussed in greater detail. Roughly 50% of the material in lectures and practicals will be different from BIOL1002. Students enrolled in BIOL1902 will have separate lectures and practical sessions from BIOL1002.

Concepts in Biology (Advanced) builds on the main themes introduced in HSC Biology, with emphasis on current research in biology. Topics covered in lectures and practicals include: cell biology, with particular emphasis on how cells obtain and use energy; the diversity and biology of microorganisms; current developments in molecular biology, including recombinant DNA technology and the human genome project; inheritance, genetics and the origins of diversity of modern organisms; and interactions between organisms in biological communities, with emphasis on Australian ecology. Research-based lectures will expand on the general lecture topics and include current investigations of such diverse topic areas as cancer therapies, metabolic malfunction, anarchy in beehives, evolutionary studies of snake reproductive strategies, plant phylogeny and global environmental change.

The aim of the unit of study is to provide those students whose chemical background is weak (or non-existent) with a good grounding in fundamental chemical principles together with an overview of the relevance of chemistry. There is no prerequisite or assumed knowledge for entry to this unit of study. Lectures: A series of 39 lectures, three per week throughout the semester.

CHEM1002 builds on CHEM1001 to provide a sound coverage of inorganic and organic chemistry. Lectures: A series of 39 lectures, three per week throughout the semester.

Chemistry 1A is built on a satisfactory prior knowledge of the HSC Chemistry course. Chemistry 1A covers chemical theory and physical chemistry. Lectures: A series of 39 lectures, three per week throughout the semester.

Chemistry 1B is built on a satisfactory prior knowledge of Chemistry 1A and covers inorganic and organic chemistry. Successful completion of Chemistry 1B is an acceptable prerequisite for entry into Intermediate Chemistry units of study. Lectures: A series of 39 lectures, three per week throughout the semester.

This is a core first year unit for the BEnvSys, BScAgr and BAnVetBioSc degrees. It provides the foundation quantitative skills that are needed in other units in the degrees and for further study in applied statistics. In the first half of the unit the emphasis is on statistics, topics covered include: describing biological data and variability, sampling and estimation, framing biological hypotheses; estimating a single treatment mean via a confidence interval and testing for a particular mean via a z-test or t-test; estimating or testing the difference between two treatment means. In the second half of the unit the focus is on single variable calculus, the topics being differentiation and integration, with an emphasis on linear and non-linear functions that can be used for modelling biological and environmental data. In the practicals the emphasis is on applying theory to analysing real datasets using the spreadsheet package Excel and the statistical package Genstat.

In this unit the study of the molecular biology of the cell is extended to include gene expression, recombinant DNA technology, membrane structure and function, cell cycle, cell differentiation and cancer. Clinical material is used to illustrate normal structure and function.

To give students an overview of the structure, viability and importance of the agricultural sector in the Australian economy. It is a core unit of study in the BScAgr, BHortSc and BAnVetBioSc degrees. It is designed to give an understanding of the basic economic principles and how they relate to Australian agriculture. Students will look at basic economic theory and concepts and then apply these concepts to solve simplified versions of real problems faced by the agriculture and resource sectors. Students will look at the relationship between these concepts and the concepts learnt within their science related courses. Students will be able to analyse economic concepts and apply these concepts to real world scenarios. They will be able to synthesis and comprehend the relationship between the economic and science disciplines. The students will gain skills through workshop based tasks, information literacy and communication skills through the presentation of the workshop reports and discussion throughout the workshop.

This introductory unit of study consists of aspects of chemistry relevant in studies of basic and applied biological sciences including agriculture, food and the rural environment. Lecture topics include an introduction to quantitative aspects of bio-analytical chemistry; the principles of basic analytical methods such as spectroscopy, chromatography and electrochemistry; environmental aspects of water and its behaviour as a solvent of hydrophobic solutes, surfactants, neutral hydrophilic solutes, salts and other electrolytes, and gases. A component of the unit will be devoted to basic biological chemistry and enzymology having particular emphasis on biochemical processes in animals. Six laboratory sessions will demonstrate aspects of analytical chemistry including: elemental analysis of foods and natural waters, spectrophotometry, chromatographic techniques, preparation of buffers, fundamentals of pH measurement. A further five laboratory sessions will involve experiments in the preparation and/or properties of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and DNA. One session will examine some fundamental properties of enzymes.

This unit will cover the identification, anatomy, and physiology of Australia's unique native birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. The course also details the threatening processes that are impacting Australia's environment and ecosystems. Processes discussed include climate change, urbanisation, drought, agricultural practices, bush fires, invasive animal species, and disease. The third major focus of the course covers various aspects of in situ, and ex situ conservation, ethical issues related to wildlife conservation, and working with the media. The unit provides an introduction to wildlife and conservation genetics. Assignments will build on the knowledge gained in lectures and practical classes and allow students to investigate topics related to this unit that may be of special interest to them as individuals and a group.

Animal Structure and Function A will develop an understanding of the role of the body systems in maintaining homeostasis in an animal's internal environment. In ASFA the structure and function of the cardiovascular, respiratory, central nervous and urinary systems of the body are explored in depth particularly with reference to the maintenance of homeostasis and an animal's perception of, and response to, its environment. The developed understanding of the normal functioning of these systems allows identification of the impact on the animal of abnormal function of these systems. A study of the structure and function of muscle will include its role in movement and as meat in a production setting. The overall goals of the Unit are (i) to enable students to develop a rich understanding of the relationships between body systems and structures (to be continued in ASFB). (ii) to develop generic skills particularly in oral presentation,(iii) to develop an appreciation of the links between structure and function and their relevance to animal disease and production that will be further developed in Veterinary Pathogenesis as well as in advanced, applied studies in Behaviour in third year and in 4th year Animal Production.

In this Unit students will complete the study of the structure and function of organ systems in animals started in ANSC3103. The role of hormones and the immune systems will be investigated in relation to maintenance of internal homeostasis. An introduction to digestion and male and female reproductive anatomy and physiology will form the basis for further applied studies in these areas in third year Units of Study in Animal Nutrition and Animal Reproduction. There will be development of the generic skills of critically reading and writing.

The overarching theme for this unit of study is the concept of the interaction between the host (or the animal), the agent of disease (genetics, physical, chemical and infectious agents) and environmental factors. In disease states, the host responds to the aetiological agent of disease and the environment through one of the basic five pathological processes that occur in tissues. These include inflammation and repair, degeneration and necrosis, circulatory disturbances, tissue deposits and pigments, and disorders of growth. A case based approach will be used whenever possible to illustrate these principles and enable the student to develop a problem solving approach and the skills of critical thinking.

This unit of study is a core 2nd year unit for students in the BEnvSys, BScAgr and BAnVetBioSc degrees. It consists of three parts. In the first part students will investigate how to use an ANOVA to analyse experiments with more than 2 treatment levels, multiple factors and different blocking designs. In the second part an introduction to a branch of mathematics called linear algebra is given with an emphasis on the applications to statistics and modelling. In the final part students will learn to model relationships between response and predictor variables using regression. During the practicals two software packages; Genstat and Excel, will be used to analyse real datasets. At the end of this unit, students will have learnt how to analyse data using ANOVA and regression, the basic methods needed for their future studies and careers. The students will gain research and inquiry skills through completion of weekly computer assignments. Information literacy and communication skills will be developed through weekly computer work.

This lecture and practical unit of study provides an introduction to the genetics and breeding of plants and animals. It provides an understanding for parallel and following courses. Lectures cover the basics of gene transmission and interaction, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, population and quantitative genetics, as well as the more applied aspects of plant and animal breeding and biotechnology. Practicals emphasise, with agricultural examples, the procedures of genetic and cytogenetic analysis, and the use of computers in simulation procedures in population genetics, quantitative inheritance and selection programs, and provide exposure to current plant and animal breeding and biotechnology.

This Unit of Study builds upon principles discussed in AVBS1002 Concepts of Animal Management. The Unit is broadly divided into four sections, namely: estimating the nutritive characteristics of feeds; defining the nutrient requirements of animals; diet formulation; errors in feeding. The focus is on coming to an understanding of the assessment of nutritional adequacy and the avoidance and solving of nutritional problems, with a particular emphasis on animals used in agricultural production systems and wildlife. The principles discussed in this course will be expanded in the following year, in which species-specific systems will be described. The basis of successful feeding management is an understanding of the following: the composition of feeds; the digestibility and efficiency of utilisation of nutrients by the animal; the nutrient requirements of the animal; interactions between nutrients that influence health and production. And following from this, students will have the ability to formulate diets to meet animal requirements for a variety of purposes and under a variety of constraints; identify deficiencies, excesses and imbalances in diets and so avoid a decline in productive efficiency and/or a decline in health.

This unit of study provides a comprehensive programme on basic and applied aspects of male and female reproductive biology, with particular emphasis on livestock and domestic animals. The fundamental topics include reproductive cycles, sexual differentiation, gametogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, gestation and parturition. An understanding of the applications of advanced reproductive technologies is developed through lectures, tutorials and the assignments. In addition, practical instruction is given on semen collection and processing, manipulation of the reproductive cycle, artificial insemination, and pregnancy diagnosis in sheep and pigs. Classes are held at the Camperdown Campus in Sydney and at the Camden Campus Animal Reproduction Unit and Mayfarm piggery.

The unit of Study explores in detail genetic aspects of commercial animal populations and investigates options for the practical application of genetics to improve animal productivity. It is designed to provide the background material, fundamental concepts and data analysis methods for breeding strategies in each of the animal industries. The unit of study develops basic principles of population and quantitative genetics from Agricultural Genetics. It provides essential background and context to the molecular principles expanded in Animal Biotechnology. Animal Genetics provides the justification for the application for advanced reproductive technologies presented in Animal Reproduction.
At the end of this Unit of Study, students will demonstrate an understanding of: the principles of population genetics and the concepts of relationship and inbreeding, and adverse effects of this inbreeding; the principles of quantitative genetics including the concepts of genetic variance, heritability and repeatability, and methods for the identification and selection of superior livestock; the use of multitrait selection procedures to increase the overall economic value of populations of animals; the constraints to production gains using genetic selection programmes and advantages obtained through crossbreeding; the practical application of selection and crossing in animals; the genetical implications of reproductive technology such as embryo sexing, splitting and cloning, artificial insemination and MOET.

Students are required to undertake professional development in University vacations as an integral and essential part of their overall training in the degree of Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience. Students will complete 60 days of professional work experience throughout their program by the commencement of fourth year, including a minimum of 20 days spent on commercial animal production enterprises and one faculty professional development field trip. Students will visit at least three different farming enterprises in the major and emerging animal production industries. The remaining 40 days will include at least one placement with an animal-related business or service provider, and experience in either a scientific research organisation or short scientific volunteer position. Students will undertake additional placements at relevant animal or animal-related businesses, farms or organisations as required to complete 60 days. A professional consultant-style report must be submitted after each placement. Seminars to promote awareness of career options and current issues in animal science will be provided on a regular basis by past graduates and other professionals working in the animal industries. Students are encouraged to attend as many of these as possible throughout their degree program, and are required to submit four case studies based on material presented in these seminars. Attendance at seminars is compulsory during third year. Students will also submit an essay on a current issue in the animal science area of their choice.

This unit of study aims to give students an understanding of the properties of food constituents, and the interactions between these constituents during food processing, storage and digestion. The unit will develop an understanding of the relationship between form and functionality of constituents and the concept of fitness-for-purpose (ie, quality) in converting agricultural products into foods. Students will gain an appreciation of the relationship between chemical composition and properties of macroconstituents (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids) and microconstituents (vitamins, minerals, flavour and antinutritional chemicals) and their functions in plant and animal based foods. The material presented in lectures and practical classes will enable students to develop research and inquiry skills and an analytical approach in understanding the biochemistry of foods, food processing and storage. On completing this unit, students will be able to describe the chemical and biochemical properties of major food constituents, and demonstrate an understanding of the functionality of these constituents in food processing and nutrition. Students will have gained experience in laboratory techniques used in industry for the analysis of some food products, and information literacy and communication skills from the preparation of practical reports.

This course provides fundamentals of land and water ecochemistry. The chemical components of soil and water are investigated in relation to their ecological functions and sustainable management. AGCH3032 is an elective unit suitable for the BSc, BScAgr, BEnvSys, BResEc and BAnVetBioSc degrees, building on intermediate units in chemistry and biology. It will promote knowledge and professional skills related to key chemical processes in ecosystems causing risks to soil and water resources, the quality of agricultural produce and to ecological biodiversity. Topics that will be covered in the lectures include the impact of UV-B, ozone and climate change on agricultural and natural systems, the cycling of nutrients and their effect on soil and water resources, and the behaviour of heavy metals, pesticides, and nanoparticles in the environment. Laboratory classes will complement lectures through structured exercises in relevant analyses of soil and water chemistry using gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), and total organic carbon analyses (TOC analyser). During the one-day field trip, students will make measurements in the field and take plant and soil samples for further analyses in the laboratory to construct a carbon budget in two contrasting ecosystems. Students will be asked to prepare and give a PowerPoint presentation about a specific environmental issue to further enhance their skills in problem definition, assessing sources of information, and effectively communicating a balanced view of an environmental problem.

This unit focuses on the nature of agricultural and resource commodity markets, market demand relationships, market supply relationships, price determination under alternative market structures, marketing margin relationships, derived demand for inputs, spatially and temporally related markets, market dynamics, price expectations, commodity futures markets and other pertinent topics. Applied examples from the agricultural and resource industries and the overall economy will be used throughout the semester as illustrations of the principles involved.
N.B. Available to 2nd year students in Faculty of Economics and Business.
Advised prerequisite: AGEC2105 or ECMT2110

This unit of study is designed to provide an introductory understanding of agribusiness marketing in a modern context. The unit will provide students in the Sciences degrees with an understanding of how the economic theory taught in first year in AGEC1006 can be treated in an applied context. For BAgrEc students, it is an intermediate level unit in the Agribusiness major.
Students will study the theory relating to the firm-level marketing mix and marketing strategy. The emphasis will be on the organisation and trends of agribusiness marketing including value-adding and market power in the supply chain, market efficiency and international marketing by agribusiness firms.
The unit content is analytical, and draws on applied microeconomics to demonstrate how marketing decisions are made along the marketing chain. At the end of this unit students will be able to use marketing theory to analyse the steps in the marketing chain and be aware of the forces for change within that chain.
By completing this unit, students should have improved their ability to master key theories, identify and frame problems, organise knowledge, carry out individual and group research, and synthesise information. They should also have improved their information literacy skills, and communication skills through group presentations and individual research.

This unit builds on microeconomic principles studied in first year and applies them to the analysis of firms' decisions. Emphasis is put on the formalization of the firm's problem and in the use of duality. The topics include: production functions (single and multi-output); distance functions and their use in the measurement of productivity; the decomposition of productivity and productivity changes; production under risk; cost and profit functions.
N.B. Available to 2nd year students in the Faculty of Economics and Business

This unit of study is designed to introduce decision making problems encountered by firms and agribusiness firms and general methods of solving microeconomic decision making problems. It is unit of study that builds on knowledge gained in junior units of study in particular AGEC1006, AGEC2103 and AGEC2102. Students will review production economics and activity analysis and show how budgeting methods can be used to relate them. They will extend these budgeting techniques to problems of time and risk, using capital and parametric budgeting. Students will also be introduced to linear programming and show how this tool is a practical method of solving decision making problems. Students will learn to consider methods for solving decision making problems where the outcomes are not known with certainty. The students will gain skills through workshop based tasks, an assignment, information literacy and communication skills through the presentation of the workshop reports and discussion throughout the workshop.

The most critical and interesting questions managers of natural resources face deal with the inherent complexity of agricultural systems. Long- and short-term interactions exist between physical (e.g. climate, soil) and biological (crops and other organisms) factors, and the agricultural management, among others. Understanding these interactions and their impacts on production and environmental outcomes in dryland agricultural systems is the overall aim of this unit. AGRO3004 is a core unit for BScAgr students and builds on knowledge and skills gained in the junior units AFNR1001, AFNR1002, AVBS1002, PLNT2003, SOIL2003, and BIOM1003. This unit investigates dryland agro-ecosystems, which can be defined as ecosystems modified for the purpose of producing crops in environments where water limits productivity during part of the year. During the semester, principles of crop and pasture production, integrated pest management, approaches to managing climate variability and precision agriculture are introduced. There will be a focus on understanding effects of climate and weather in dryland systems, especially on understanding crop-water relationships. Attention will be paid to biodiversity and the sustainability of agro-ecosystems. The unit provides an opportunity to develop key graduate attributes for agricultural scientists in information literacy, field experimentation, critical analysis, written expression, and team work.

Lectures, tutorials, laboratories (PCR, DNA sequencing and bioinformatics), seminars and supervised reading and directed learning instruction will cover the application of biotechnology to animal productivity, disease control, the development of new products from animals and the impact of altered micro-organisms and plants on animals. A firm foundation in molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology is provided, with an emphasis on relevance in animals. Regulation of gene expression in vivo and in expression systems, monitoring of gene expression including microarrays and proteomics, gene mapping, genomics, including nextgen sequencing, and gene discovery are all discussed in contexts relevant to domestic animals. Genetic modifications of animals including transgenesis and gene knockout, and methods for achieving these modifications including cloning by nuclear transfer are detailed. Basic skills in bioinformatics are developed to access and utilise the vast information resources available. Legal methods of protecting intellectual property are described. Finally animal biotechnology is reviewed from an ethical perspective. Animal Biotechnology explores alternative and complementary technologies to the breeding technologies covered in the core Animal Genetics unit of study.

Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science 3 builds on the understanding of animal form and operation that students have developed in prior Units. In Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science 3, the behavioural and physiological responses of mammals, birds and fish to stressors related to husbandry, housing, transport, slaughter, training and performance are explored in some detail. This Unit enables students to develop a three-dimensional appreciation of the responses of animals to common interventions that arise in the context of interacting with humans, including the domestication of livestock species and the management of wildlife. The principles of animal responses to stress are illustrated with production species as the main examples.
Contemporary approaches to the scientific measurement of animal stress and welfare, based on an appropriate selection of scientific disciplines including ethology, psychology, physiology and neuroscience, are assessed with an emphasis on livestock species. Genetic, environmental and evolutionary determinants of pain, stress and fear responses in animals are considered in the light of what is known about cognition and motivation in animals. Methods for assessing and enhancing animal environments and husbandry systems are examined and the impact on animal welfare of stockmanship is explored in the context of human-animal interactions. Finally, the design and conduct of scientific experiments are assessed with a focus on animal ethics and current welfare issues.
Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science 3 includes a compulsory library-based assignment that provides students with an opportunity to select one species on which they report a summary of scientific advances that may contribute to animal welfare.
Other assessment tasks involve the preparation of written or oral reports of the practical class activities. Students are expected to be familiar with press articles and scientific papers on the topic of animal welfare and to contribute to classroom discussions.

The aim of this unit is to examine and appreciate the diversity of various disease causing agents (microbiological and parasitological) of significance to animal industries and the various strategies employed by those agents in the host-pathogen-environment interaction. This study is based on an understanding of the physical, chemical and genetic characteristics of infectious agents of disease and builds on the pathological and immunological processes taught in AVBS2001 Introductory Veterinary Pathogenesis. A scenario/case based approach will be used whenever possible to enable the students to develop problem solving approaches and skills in critical thinking. Cases selected will be those that best illustrate particular concepts and/or are of particular significance to the animal/veterinary industry. Research and industry focus activities will infuse the subject content and student learning outcomes of this unit. This unit is located at the Camperdown campus.

The aim of this unit is to develop an investigative approach and familiarity with laboratory techniques, ethics and safety in preparation for honours or postgraduate training in disease research or disease investigation. Students will work through actual disease research or investigation scenarios via directed and self-directed, individual and group tasks.

This unit explores the dynamics of ecological systems, and considers the interactions between individual organisms and populations, organisms and the environment, and ecological processes. Lectures are grouped around four dominant themes: Interactions, Evolutionary Ecology, The Nature of Communities, and Conservation and Management. Emphasis is placed throughout on the importance of quantitative methods in ecology, including sound planning and experimental designs, and on the role of ecological science in the conservation, management, exploitation and control of populations. Relevant case studies and examples of ecological processes are drawn from marine, freshwater and terrestrial systems, with plants, animals, fungi and other life forms considered as required. Students will have some opportunity to undertake short term ecological projects, and to take part in discussions of important and emerging ideas in the ecological literature.

This field course provides practical experience in terrestrial ecology suited to a broad range of careers in ecology, environmental consulting and wildlife management. Students learn a broad range of ecological sampling techniques and develop a detailed understanding of the logical requirements necessary for manipulative ecological field experiments. The field work incorporates survey techniques for plants, small mammals and invertebrates and thus provides a good background for ecological consulting work. Students attend a week-long field course and participate in a large-scale research project as well as conducting their own research project. Invited experts contribute to the lectures and discussions on issues relating to the ecology, conservation and management of Australia's terrestrial flora and fauna.

Australia has a unique terrestrial vertebrate fauna, but also has the worst record of recent mammalian extinctions. Because of Australia's unusual climate, landforms, and the rarity of many species, the management of our native wildlife presents special challenges for biologists, conservationists and land managers. This unit of study addresses the biogeography, ecology and management of Australia's terrestrial fauna. The subject comprises of a five-day field course at Mary River Park in the Northern Territory. During the course, students will learn how to carry out wildlife surveys, how to identify animals, how to track wildlife, and how to design and complete a field experiment. The field trip will be complemented by guest lectures from experts in the fields of evolution, ecology and wildlife management. A one day field trip to Litchfield National Park will be held on the last day of the field course.

This unit is an introduction to insects, the most abundant group of organisms. The course begins with insect external and internal anatomy, feeding modes, life cycles and behaviour. Real world examples are used to demonstrate the ecological roles insects play in natural and agricultural ecosystems (e.g. pollinators, herbivores, predators, parasitoids, disease vectors). This knowledge is then linked to aspects of applied entomology: insecticides, biological control, habitat manipulation, integrated pest management, medical entomology and insect conservation. Practical sessions focus on insect morphology and taxonomy, so that students learn to identify common insect orders and families. Students must make a representative insect collection. This course forms the basis of students' entomological knowledge for BScAgr and BHortSc degrees and lays the foundation for future study in entomology.

This unit of study covers topics in environmental law and ethics. The environmental law component provides an overview of laws in Australia pertaining to environmental matters and looks at a number of environmental issues at the various levels of analysis, policy making, implementation of policy, enforcement, and dispute resolution. It also provides a broad background to the political and economical issues as they relate to the legal issues involved. It also examines international environmental law, particularly examining how these influence and affect our local policies. The ethics component helps students develop thoughtful and informed positions on issues in environmental ethics using arguments derived from traditional ethics as well as environmentally specific theories. Ethical conflicts are often inevitable and difficult to resolve but using the resources of philosophical ethics and regular reference to case studies, students can learn to recognize the values and considerations at stake in such conflicts, acknowledge differing viewpoints and defend their own well considered positions.

This unit of study is composed of two components: environmental impact assessment and risk assessment. The former is generally concerned with issues related to environmental impact assessment and builds toward the process of producing an EIS/EIA. More specifically it seeks to establish a critical understanding of the theory and practice of environmental impact studies/statements (EIS) and environmental impact assessment processes (EIA) from both the positive (scientific) and normative (value) perspectives. Emphasis is placed on gaining skills in writing and producing an assessment report, which contains logically ordered and tightly structured argumentation that can stand rigorous scrutiny by political processes, the judiciary, the public and the media. The risk assessment component considers a more chemical approach to the assessment of risk and issues of safety with respect to chemicals, ecotoxicology and the environment. It draws on current environmental management practice to investigate what constitutes risk and to demonstrate how risk may be managed.

This unit of study is designed to introduce students to the analysis of data they may face in their future careers, in particular data that are not well behaved, they may be non-normal, there may be missing observations or they may be correlated in space and time. In the first part, students will learn how to analyse and design experiments based on the general linear model. In the second part, they will learn about the generalisation of the general linear model to accommodate non-normal data and data that is correlated in time. A major project will focus on the analysis of a dataset from an existing research project. At the end of this unit, students will have learnt a range of advanced statistical methods and be equipped to apply this knowledge to analyse data that they may encounter in their future studies and careers. The students will gain research and inquiry skills through completion of a major project. Information literacy and communication skills will be developed through weekly computer work.

This unit provides a broad understanding of the evolution, classification and diversity of terrestrial plants, and the principles of plant ecology in an Australian context. The major types of Australian vegetation are discussed across a range of temporal and spatial scales, and their current distribution related to their environment and origins. Selected contemporary issues in plant conservation from Australian natural and managed systems are explored. There is a strong emphasis on practical skills such as phylogenetic inference, plant identification and the collection and analysis of ecological data. The practical component of the unit of study uses examples taken from the Australian flora (including plants of horticultural significance) and major crop plants. Important elements of this unit are half-day field trips to the Royal National Park, and the construction of student herbaria. The practical sessions and interactions with staff encourage students to develop their own learning style and enhance a strong sense of self-reliance. Critical thinking, effective communication and other vocational and generic skills are emphasized. The content is well suited to students with interests in botany, plant science and ecology, and is often combined with units of study offered through the School of Biological Sciences and the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. This unit of study also complements a wide range of units of study from: science (e.g. plant science, earth and environmental science, animal science, bioinformatics, molecular and cell biology, genetics and biotechnology); agriculture (e.g. horticulture, land and water science, and natural resources); and broader disciplines (e.g. education, arts, and environmental law).

This unit of study investigates the structure of cells, tissues and organs of flowering plants and relates them to function. Topics include; how photosynthesis, translocation, water transport and nutrition relate to the structures that carry out these processes. Most of the information on plant structure will be provided in self-instructional audio-visual sessions augmented by small group discussions. This is integrated with experiments carried out in the laboratory or on field excursions to investigate the physiological aspects of plant structures. There is a focus on recent advances in plant molecular biology where they have been critical in enhancing our understanding of the form and function of plants. The physiological and anatomical responses of plants to extreme environments such as drought and salinity will also be addressed. Attention will be paid to the anatomy and physiology of crop, horticultural and Australian native plants. This unit of study complements Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Australian Flora: ecology and conservation and Cell Biology and leads onto senior units of study in plant sciences, including Plant Growth and Development. It is essential for those seeking a career in plant molecular biology.

This unit of study is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts within pedology, soil physics and soil chemistry. These concepts are part of the grounding principles that underpin crop and animal production, nutrient and water cycling, and environmental sustainability taught by other units of study in the Faculty. Students will participate in a two-day field excursion in the first week of semester to examine some common soils of the Sydney Basin, they will also learn to describe soil, and measure soil chemical and physical properties in the field. Referring to common soil profiles of the Sydney Basin, students will concentrate on factors affecting soil formation, the rudiments of soil description, and analysis of soil properties that are used in soil classification. Students will also develop knowledge of the physics of water and gas movement, soil strength, soil chemical properties, inorganic and organic components, nutrient cycles and soil acidity in an agricultural context. At the end of this unit students will become familiar with the factors that determine a soil's composition and behaviour, and will have an understanding of the most important soil physical and chemical properties. Students will develop communication skills through essay, report and practical exercises. The final report and laboratory exercise questions are designed to develop team work and collaborative efforts.

This Unit of Study extends your understanding of animal health from knowledge gained in units completed in earlier years, including AVBS2001 Introduction to Veterinary Pathogenesis and AVBS3001 Agents of disease. In particular we look at general aspects of animal health and disease in terms of epidemiology, exotic/emergency diseases of risk to Australia and principles of vaccines and vaccinations. Health and disease issues relevant to various species, including sheep, cattle, pigs, poultry, fish and wildlife are presented by experts in these fields. A range of management and interventional strategies that are currently in use to minimise the impact of disease are also discussed. After completing this Unit of Study, students will demonstrate an understanding of:
the principles of animal management that are implemented to optimise health and to reduce the incidence and severity of disease; the fundamental principles of disease in animal populations; specific infectious diseases of consequence for growth, reproduction and for the production of meat, wool, milk and eggs; approaches to their control and prevention through environmental and nutritional management, and interventional techniques such as vaccination programmes. These are considered in the context of commercial animal production and the health of wildlife animals. A two day field trip to Arthursleigh farm which focuses on the management of sheep, cattle and wildlife, and a visit to the research and development field station of an international animal health company reiterate many aspects of the unit of study.

This unit will explore the various aspects of dairy farming and the dairy industry from a scientific point of view. The lectures are a mix of the principles on which sound dairy farming is based and practical examples of how this operates in practice. Focus is placed on integrating knowledge to gain understanding on the system of production as a whole.
At the end of this unit of study, students will demonstrate a solid understanding of: the characteristics of the dairy industry in Australia and in a world wide context; the key components of pasture-based dairy systems; principles and practices of pasture and feeding management; the application of new technologies to improve efficiency and productivity (particularly automatic milking).
In addition, students will demonstrate an appreciation of key aspects of reproduction and lactation physiology; the integration of knowledge of genetics and reproduction into the type of herd improvement structure set up in the dairy industry; the application of ruminant physiology knowledge to developing feeding programs for dairy cows; the extension of basic reproductive physiology onto the dairy farm using case studies as examples; the economics of the dairy farm business. Practical classes include milking cows; grazing and feeding management of dairy cows; calf rearing; and visits to commercial farms ranging from small pasture-based dairy farms to a feed-lot operation milking over 2,000 cows.
Note 1: Pracs assessments marks will be a combination of assistance (0.4) and completion of short questionaries about the prac or the farm visit (0.6)
Note 2: the professional report is basically a dairy system planning exercise reported in a professional (non academic) style. Students will be given budgeting tools and full explanations to assist with this task at the beginning of the course. The report is individual although this may depend on number of students enrolled.

This unit of study focuses on the role and animal and veterinary biosciences in the field of wildlife management. The unit encourages an approach that spans management, wildlife biology and laboratory sciences. In recognition of the power of genetics as a tool in wildlife management and research, a large component of this course reviews fundamental genetic principals and their application in the disciplines of molecular, evolutionary and conservation genetics and focuses on how we use genetic theory and knowledge to better understand and conserve our wildlife.
At the end of this unit of study, students will demonstrate an understanding of: important issues in wildlife management in Australia and the Asia-pacific region; project management as it applies to multifaceted wildlife research and management issues; application of a range of genetic and physiological methods to the study of ecological issues; the use of appropriate analytical methods and molecular markers in wildlife conservation and management; the underlying genetic structural design of the natural world and how this reflects and influences evolutionary processes in healthy and diseased populations; the use of molecular information to test hypotheses about evolutionary, ecological and social structure of species; how to critically review the ways in which genetic principals are applied to the management and conservation of species; the use of appropriate analytical methods and molecular markers in wildlife conservation and management; how to conduct an investigation into a management problem in wildlife including project design and management recommendations.
Students are expected to immerse themselves into the field of conservation, evolutionary genetics and wildlife to develop the ability to critically evaluate the subject. There will be a substantial amount of reading required for the course. There is no formal text; students will be directed to a recommended reading list of both primary and secondary literature.

This Unit of Study focuses on the issues and practices in the animal industry relevant to food safety and zoonotic disease. This unit will cover general food safety issues, including risk assessment and hazard analysis of microbes and chemicals. Food-borne diseases of animal origin and their impact on public heath will be explored through the examination of zoonotic diseases in scenario-based learning activities. In these processes diagnostic and strategic methods of investigating, controlling and preventing food-borne disease outbreaks will be explored. Students will be introduced to national and international animal and human health policy pertaining to food safety regulations and surveillance initiatives and strategies that underpin these policies. Students in this unit will be introduced to the issues regarding emerging food-borne pathogens and current industry driven topics. By the end of the unit, students should have global and local perspective on the major food-borne diseases, surveillance and control programs. This unit is located at the Camden Campus.

Feed accounts for approximately 70% of the input costs associated with animal industries, including both monogastric (poultry and pigs, laboratory animals) ruminants (feedlot cattle and sheep) and caecal fermenters (horses, rabbits). The "feed industry" is described as the largest supporting industry for animal agriculture and is a major employer of graduates (undergraduate and postgraduate). Feed technology is a broad topic and includes aspects of feed ingredient characteristics, feed manufacturing, feed additive biotechnology and applied nutrition. The course will provide in-depth understanding of the feed industry, factors influencing ingredient variability and availability (physical and economic), methods and applications of processing of ingredients to increase nutritional value, assessment of digestibility, and feed additives and supplements. All facets of the production and regulation of feed production will be discussed relative to their importance in animal agriculture and food production. Expect applied practical information as well as fairly detailed nutritional biochemistry.

This unit of study is composed of two parts, a Poultry Production component and a Pig Production component. The course will provide students with a comprehensive overview of the production of eggs and poultry meat and pork. The individual components examine various aspects of the poultry and pig production systems important in maintaining efficiency and profitability. It investigates aspects of breeding, nutrition, housing, growth performance, heath, welfare, reproductive capability, waste management, marketing and current industry issues. This unit will expand on some aspects of previous year 3 units of study in animal structure and function, nutrition and reproduction. There is a broiler growth study which comprises a significant part of the practical work in the Poultry component. There is a strong emphasis on assessment being built into the course work as this is considered to be more relevant to learning in the final year. The poultry unit has a newly commissioned pelleting mill and this will provide a wider range of opportunities for students interested in nutrition and feed processing.

The Unit of Study explores in detail aspects of commercial aquaculture, including global trends in aquaculture development. Other topics include water quality, feeding, management, health and disease, genetics and reproduction, environmental impact and economic constraints to production. The unit of study emphasises methods to improve aquacultural productivity. It builds on basic principles of anatomy, physiology, nutrition, genetics and health and disease presented in other units of study in BAnVetBioSc. At the end of this Unit of Study, students will demonstrate an understanding of the principles of: the context of aquaculture in global food production; husbandry, management and welfare of aquaculture species; comparative aspects of husbandry in aquaria, domestic, commercial; health and disease relevant to aquaculture; nutrition of aquaculture species; reproduction and genetics of species in aquaculture; water quality and environmental impact of aquaculture; economics and marketing of aquaculture products.

This unit introduces the concepts of sheep (wool and meat) and beef cattle production in the Australian environment within the context of world food and fibre consumption and production. The key products as well as domestic and export markets for these are presented. The course provides an historical perspective of the basis for each of these industries and describes each of the production systems designed to meet the demand for these products.
Production in both the tropical and temperate regions of Australia will be covered and include the key elements of extensive grazing and intensive feedlot systems. Major issues will include breeds and breeding systems, basic nutrition and production practices and animal welfare issues as they affect the quality and quantity of product marketed.
The concepts of first stage processing of both meat and fibre products in abattoirs and top-making plants respectively will be presented. The major factors that influence the quality of product and therefore grading and market demand will be presented.
Lecture material will be supported with appropriate practical classes and a 5 day study tour to the Riverina to evaluate different commercial production systems. Students will also have an opportunity to compete in the annual Inter Collegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) competition as a member of the University of Sydney team. This competition involves teams from numerous universities throughout Australia as well as Japan and the USA.

Research Project B is composed of 12 credit points and consists of units AVBS4013 (Research Project B1) and 4014 (Research project B2). AVBS4013 and AVBS4014 must be completed in separate semesters, and unit AVBS4013 must be completed prior to unit AVBS4014. In AVBS4013, students, after consultation with academic(s) and/or researcher(s) choose an area of research interest and investigate various sources of information to produce a written literature review in the chosen research area. Students will also be required to give an oral presentation on some aspect of the research area chosen. In most cases there will be strong alignment between this unit and the activities undertaken in unit AVBS4014.
At the end of this Unit of Study, students will:
identify a research area, define a problem that impacts on animals and analyse this problem using information from various sources; critically evaluate current research (experimental design, statistical analysis, technical limitations) and identify where the present knowledge is limiting for the chosen research topic; assimilate and manage information from within and across disciples to provide new concepts or understanding in the area of research; become familiar with scientific principles of research and the ethical use of animals in research; produce a written review, after effectively resourcing the appropriate information, that is clearly written and which abides to accepted principles of scientific writing; develop competency at structuring and delivering an oral presentation on some research topic; apply the range of interpersonal skills necessary to work with peers and researchers.

Research Project B is composed of 12 credit points and consists of units 4013 (Research Project B1) and 4014 (Research Project B2). AVBS4013 and AVBS4014 must be completed in separate semesters, and unit AVBS4013 must be completed prior to unit AVBS4014. In AVBS4014, students, after consultation with an academic(s) and/or researcher(s) choose to:
Undertake the evaluation and analysis of existing experimental data and produce a report (written/ oral);in conjunction with a student undertaking units of study in Research Project A, participate in a defined component of this project and produce a report (written/ oral); undertake a laboratory project or small project involving animal experimentation and produce a suitable report (written/ oral); produce a desktop review of an animal industry problem or issue; participate in a group project with other students undertaking Unit 4014 and produce a report (written/ /oral); undertake some other activity that meets the learning outcomes for this unit of study and produce a report (written/poster/oral). This activity will need to be sanctioned by the Program Coordinator and the year 4 coordinators of the BAnVetBioSc course as well as supervising academic(s)/researcher(s).

Research Project A is composed of 24 credit points and consists of units AVBS4015 (Research Project A1), AVBS4016 (Research Project A2), AVBS4017 (Research Project A3) and AVBS4018 (Research Project A4). The units need to be taken in chronological order, commencing with enrolment in unit AVBS4015, which must be completed in a semester prior to unit AVBS4018. All four units are connected to the overall completion of the research project. Prior to start of this unit of study, students after consultation with an academic(s) and/or researcher(s) choose an area of research interest and this will form the basis of the entire Research Project A program (24 credit points in total). In unit AVBS4015 students will be required to undertake assessment tasks and conduct research activities.
At the end of this Unit of Study, students will:
Identify a research area, define a problem that impacts on animals and analyse this problem using information from various sources; critically evaluate current research (experimental design, statistical analysis, technical limitations) and identify where the present knowledge limiting for the chosen research topic; assimilate and manage information from within and across disciples to provide new concepts or understanding in the area of research; become familiar with scientific principles of research and the ethical use of animals in research; undertake research related to the project; meet set assessment tasks designed to develop written and oral presentation skills; apply the range of interpersonal skills necessary to work with peers and other researchers; meet deadlines and maintain accurate records related to the project.

Students will actively work on the research projects identified at the start of unit AVBS4015. This is will include, where appropriate, undertaking animal and laboratory studies, collection and analysis of samples and data, recording of data, continue to evaluate information from various sources and meet set assessment deadlines.
See under AVBS4015 for further information.

See under AVBS4015 and AVBS4016.

See under AVBS4015 and AVBS4016. Students must complete unit AVBS4018 in a separate semester to unit AVBS4015, and AVBS4015 must be completed prior to AVBS4018.

A unit of study with lectures, practicals and tutorials on the application of recombinant DNA technology and the genetic manipulation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Lectures cover the applications of molecular genetics in biotechnology and consider the impact and implications of genetic engineering and genomics. Topics include biological sequence data and databases, comparative genomics, the cloning and expression of foreign genes in bacteria, yeast, animal and plant cells, novel human and animal therapeutics and vaccines, new diagnostic techniques for human and veterinary disease, the transformation of animal and plant cells, the genetic engineering of animals and plants, and the environmental release of genetically-modified (transgenic) organisms. Practical work may include nucleic acid isolation and manipulation, gene cloning and PCR amplification, DNA sequencing and bioinformatics, immunological detection of proteins, and the genetic transformation and assay of plants.

This is a final year elective in the two degrees, BScAgr, and BAnVetBiosci. Approximately a half of the face-to-face contact hours will be given as an intensive, and this section of the unit will be held during the mid-year break before semester 2. Lecture and practical work in cytogenetics, especially of plant and animal species of applied interest in plant agriculture, animal agriculture and other applied interest in animal genetics, such as companion, native and endangered species. The lecture component covers the molecular nature of chromosomes and their transmission, variation in chromosome behaviour, both normal and disease related. In addition, the uses of chromosome engineering to produce variation in plants and animals will also be covered. The practical component covers the technologies used to study chromosomes or both plants and animals, both mitotic and meiotic chromosomes, and molecular techniques such as in situ hybridisation, gene activity and chromosomal protein localisation. On completion, students will be able to apply cytogenetic knowledge and technologies to species of eukaryotes of economic significance, and know how cytogenetic processes have affected the development of these species.