Organic Farming

Code:

AGR214

Acronym:

AGR214

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Agrarian Sciences

Instance: 2016/2017 - 2S

Active?	Yes
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	1	Plano de Estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	5	-
L:F	0	Plano de estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	5	-
L:G	2	P.E - estudantes com 1ª matricula anterior a 09/10	3	-	5	-
		P.E - estudantes com 1ª matricula em 09/10	3	-	5	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The objective of this unit is to learn what is agriculture, their systems and production strategies, namely organic farming. At the end students will know the principles and tecnhiques of organic farming and the specific vocabulary.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of this unit, student will be able to explain what Organic farming is and what make the difference of this production strategy to others. Student will know the principles of organic farming and the main techniques as technical vocabulary.

Working method

Presencial

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

Not applicable

Program

1.   

1. What is “agriculture”, beginning and evolution, agriculture as a system, strategies of agriculture production
2. Organic farming: context in it’s beginning, definition, importance and predicable evolution
3. Main tasks for installation and management in organic farming
   • Soil, characteristics and techniques for preparation and management
   • Cultivating with seeds and plants
   • Plant propagation
   • Plant protection
   • Others management tasks

Others issues related with organic farming will be discussed namely seed legislation, the non-use of genetic modified organisms

Mandatory literature

Coyne Mark S. 1960-; Soil microbiology. ISBN: 0-8273-8434-3
Ferreira Jorge 340; As bases da agricultura biológica. ISBN: 978-972-99697-1-3

Teaching methods and learning activities

The unit will take place during all semester and includes lectures in classroom, field and laboratory workshops, distance lectures synchronous (chat) and distance discussion (asynchronous forum).  Students are helped in individual studding  and invited to participate in workshop tasks and distance debates.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	70,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	20,00
Estudo autónomo	39,00
Frequência das aulas	49,00
Total:	108,00

Eligibility for exams

All students can attempt exam

Calculation formula of final grade

The report (workshop report) and the assessment (paper) have to be submitted on-line before dead-line. The student that did not submit the assessment cannot participate in discussion forum and will have zero in that component. All students are admitted to final examination. Final classification is calculated according to the formula: CF=70% Exam + 30% Assessment and its discussion. We consider that student that participate in classes and workshops will better understand the contents. In the case that the exam mark is higher than the one obtained by the application of the formula, this one (the higher) will be published in exam-term. The same roles are applicate to the second exam.

Examinations or Special Assignments

not applicable

Internship work/project

not applicable

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

All students will be evaluated in the same way

Classification improvement

At second date exam with same rules.

Observations

The unit has page at moodleUP.