General Agriculture

Code:

AGR101

Acronym:

AGR101

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Agrarian Sciences

Instance: 2014/2015 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://webpages.icav.up.pt/pessoas/mccunha/
Responsible unit:	Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings
Course/CS Responsible:	First Degree in Engineering Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:AST	0	Plano de Estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	5	-
L:B	2	Plano de estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	5	-
L:F	0	Plano de estudos a partir de 2008	2	-	5	-
L:G	0	P.E - estudantes com 1ª matricula anterior a 09/10	3	-	5	-
		P.E - estudantes com 1ª matricula em 09/10	3	-	5	-
L:M	0	Plano de estudos a partir de 2009	3	-	5	-
L:Q	0	Plano de estudos Oficial	3	-	5	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Systematize the knowledge of basic sciences in crop production, introducing scientific and technical vocabulary. Support the integration of the general crop practices with the physical, ecological, social and economic constrains in different production systems.Develop an integrated view of agriculture and its multifunctionality

Learning outcomes and competences

 After attending the course, students should:

- Acquire an integrated view of agriculture

- Know the economic and social relevance of agriculture

- Systematize the knowledge of basic science in crop production, introducing scientific and technological vocabulary.

- Support the integration of the general crop practices with the physical, ecological, social and economic constrains in different production systems.

- Be able to design a crop system.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

n.a.

Program

1.Historical evolutionandorganization of agriculture
1.1.Generic conceptsaboutagricultureand agronomy
1.2.Multifunctionalityof agriculture
1.3.Historical perspectiveof agriculture
1.4.Operationalizationthe notion of ‘system ‘ inagriculture.
1.5.Basic descriptorsforcharacterization offarming systems
1.6.Agronomic  classifications: plants, cropsandPhytotechny.
1.7.Majoragricultural systemsinPortugal
2. Structural, economic andsocial indicators of agriculture
2.1.Agricultureat National,European and World levels
2.2.Main sourcesof information about agriculture
2.3.Importance of commoditiesinagrarian economy, external tradeand balance feed

3. Environmentof agricultural production
3.1.Notions ofedaphology
3.2.Climatology andagrimeteorology
4. Ecophysiologicalbasesof growth and development
5. Mechanized operationsand equipment
5.1.Topicsonfarm machinery
5.2.Efficient use ofagricultural equipment
6. Main techniquesof crop production
6.1. crop rotations and consociationsspecies
6.3. General operationsofculture
6.3.1Preparation andmaintenanceof soil
6.3.2. Sowing and planting
6.3.3. Basics ofsoil fertilization
6.3.4. Basics ofcrop protection
6.3.5. Basics ofirrigation and drainage
6.3.6. Harvesting operation
7. Seminarson topical issuesrelated tothe course

 Short program: Agronomy and Agriculture concepts. Society agriculture products and services needs. Agriculture production systems. Crop growth and development. Resources and agriculture: physical, ecological and economical constrains. Main practices, planning and optimization of agriculture production.

Mandatory literature

Loomis, R.S e Connor, D.J. ; Ecología de cultivos: productividad y manejo agrarios, Mundi Prensa,, 2002
Terrón, P; Fitotecnia: ingeniería de la producción vegetal, Mundi Prensa, 2002
Porta, J., Acevedo, M., Roquero, C; Edafología para la agricultura y el medio ambiente, Mundi Prensa, 1999
Mazoyer, M. e Roudart, L; Histoires des Agricultures du Monde, Editions du Seuil, França, 1997
Caldas, C.; A agricultura portuguesa através dos tempos, Instituto Nacional de Investigação Científica, 1991
Speding, R; An introduction to agricultural systems, Elsevier, Londres, 1988

Complementary Bibliography

Moreira, N.; Agronomia das Forragens e Pastagens, Sector editorial da UTAD, 2002. ISBN: 972-669-487-6

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures:presentation and discussion of the themes.

Practical classes: Fieldwork to allow students a first contact with plants, agricultural practices and production systems

- Case studies and exercises. Use of computers for: i) simulations of decision-making at the level of culture system. ii) consulting specialized databases.

- Field trips are planned

keywords

Natural sciences > Agrarian Sciences > Agronomics

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	68,00
Prova oral	5,00
Trabalho de campo	27,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

- Attending a minimum of 75% of the classes in the course(FCUP rules:https://sigarra.up.pt/up/LEGISLACAO_GERAL.ver_legislacao?p_nr=4025)

- Participating in group projects.

Calculation formula of final grade

Course evaluation is based in 4 components:

1 - Written exam (EE). Throughout the semester will be proposed three short- tests optatives. If the student opte for the short tests, the value of EE is obtained by averaging all short-tests, but none of which may be less than eight values. Obtaining a rating equal to or greater than 8 values in a given short-test, releases the student evaluation of the correspondent part of program in their final examination. In the final exam is only possible to repeat one of the short-tests.

2 - Practical work (TP1 and TP2) (see dossier UC)

3-Continuous assessment (CA) (see dossier UC)

4-Oral Exam (PO) about farm machinery

Examinations or Special Assignments

n.a.

Internship work/project

n.a.

Classification improvement

Improving theclassification can bedone independentlyon modules: EE, TPn and PO.

Observations

To facilitate communication with students, I prepared a web site to support the course: http://webpages.icav.up.pt/pessoas/mccunha.
Attendance of students outside the teaching periods: Fridays 13:30 to 15:30.