Recommended Study Sequence

Students studying at Campbelltown campus should refer to 300543 - Cell Biology. The cell is the basic unit of life and some basic processes, such as membrane function and the reactions involving DNA, occur in cells of all living organisms. This unit introduces the important biological chemicals involved in those processes and the study of the processes themselves. The unit also examines phenomena such as cell replication, sex cell formation, inheritance, and cell metabolism that are shared by all eukaryotes (animals, protistans, fungi and plants). The biochemical capture of the sun's energy (photosynthesis) is also studied. The evolutionary links between these cellular processes form a framework for the unit, and students consider the origin of life and their own evolution. In addition, students are introduced to the immense potential of recombinant DNA technology.

This unit is designed to provide students with academic and generic skills required for successful completion of their science-related undergraduate studies and for professional practice. Activities allow students to learn, develop and utilise various academic and interpersonal skills within the wider context of applied scientific principles in society. Activities encourage development of self-confidence, creative thinking, problem solving, group process, communication and peer support. Academic skills include aspects of scientific reading and writing, assignment preparation, gathering scientific information, research and library skills, oral presentation, group work, taking tests and exams, effective personal and class-based learning strategies, peer assessment and online learning.

This unit overviews farming systems, primary production industries and enterprises. It introduces ethical issues relating to primary production and their associated industries and investigates many principles and techniques of agricultural and horticultural production. A major feature of this unit is the opportunity to develop practical production management skills through the production of selected crops in the field.

The aims of this unit are to relate chemical principles to everyday life. Laboratory skills will be introduced in a systematic way that helps students apply the concepts they will be learning concurrently within the unit. The usefulness of chemistry will be emphasised by giving examples relevant to the students' areas of professional interest (eg food technology, environmental sciences, biology or horticulture), while ensuring that the following fundamental topics are covered: matter, energy, chemical bonds, states of matter, chemical reactions and rates, equilibrium, introduction to organic compounds and nuclear chemistry.

This unit provides a broad introduction to the fundamental principles common to all branches of chemistry. The unit is intended to serve the needs not only of chemistry majors, but also those intending to specialise in other related disciplines. The unit focuses on scientific notation, nomenclature, chemical equations, stoichiometry, the mole concept, atomic structure, periodicity, electronic configuration, structure and bonding, states of matter, intermolecular forces, properties of solutions, chemical thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, and electrochemistry.

Students studying at Campbelltown campus should refer to 300539 - Biodiversity. This unit examines the diversity of living organisms, how these organisms are classified, and how evolutionary processes resulted in such diversity. The unit also addresses the role of cells, tissues and organs in the structure and function of living whole organisms, how these organisms acquire and assimilate the resources necessary for growth, and how they excrete waste, maintain function and coordinate growth and reproduction. The role of ecosystems in maintaining life is also studied. Students conduct basic investigations using techniques such as microscopy, sectioning, staining and dissection.

This unit introduces students to various statistical techniques necessary in scientific endeavours. Presentation of the content will emphasize the correct principles and procedures for collecting and analysing scientific data, using a ‘hands-on’ approach. Topics include effective methods of gathering data, statistical principles of designing experiments, error analysis, describing different sets of data, probability distributions, statistical inference, non-parametric methods, and simple linear regression and correlation.

This unit will provide students with an understanding of comparative physiological and anatomical concepts of a range of mammalian and avian species. Students will develop the skills to apply these concepts in practical situations through the use of field observations and the relationship of these to functional anatomy and physiology of production animals. In addition students will develop many of the principles and concepts employed in animal production. Concepts discussed in lectures are reinforced by practical classes held in the laboratory and on the outdoor laboratories.

This unit provides students with a basic understanding of soil formation and erosion processes, soil physical, chemical and biological properties, and the diversity and classification of soils in the Australian landscape. These basic principles are explored in relation to the sustainable management of soils for horticultural and agricultural production and for environmental management under other land uses. The practical sessions are designed to reinforce the lecture material and include field description and analysis of soil profiles and properties, soil sampling principles and practice, laboratory measurement of soil physical and chemical properties essential/important for plant growth, and an introduction to soil biology.

Microorganisms are important in all aspects of our lives. In this unit students will explore the diversity of microorganisms and their significance in the environment, in foods and industry as well as in health and disease. Students will be introduced to the structure, reproduction, classification, cultivation and enumeration of bacteria, viruses and fungi. The conditions required for growth and survival of microorganisms will be studied as well as physical and chemical methods of control. Students will conduct laboratory exercises designed to develop their skills in culturing and observing microorganisms.

This unit aims to give students a good understanding of nutrient requirements of different types of animals and the nutrient composition of common feeds so that they can evaluate and formulate rations to meet a range of animal requirements at different stages of growth, reproduction, lactation and production.

Students will study key processes that drive agricultural production (energetics and nutrient cycling) and the importance of maintaining natural vegetation, within-agroecosystem biodiversity and ecological processes to obtain sustainable production benefits. Students will create an inventory of natural resources on the Hawkesbury Campus, which will be analysed to determine production capabilities and environmental limitations. Students will gain a basic understanding of selected ecological issues in Australian agriculture, and of current strategies and initiatives to address these issues, including management of feral plants and animals, use of genetically modified organisms, and management of greenhouse gas emissions, carbon cycling and carbon credits.

This unit aims to provide students with a sound understanding of reproduction of both domestic and non domestic animals so that they can design and manage a breeding program for a species of choice. Topics will include anatomy and physiology of male and female reproductive tracts; hormonal control of reproduction; fertilisation, pregnancy, parturition and lactation; artificial reproductive techniques.

This unit introduces students to the study of the mechanisms by which plants function and provides an understanding of these mechanisms. The unit covers the basic concepts of plant physiology, photosynthesis, respiration, photomorphogenesis, phytohormones, mineral nutrition, water relations and the regulation of plant growth and development. This unit is designed to provide a basic knowledge of the scientific principles that underpin horticulture.

This unit aims to develop an understanding of the major animal production systems used for food and fibre in Australia (beef, dairy, pigs, poultry and sheep) and to apply this knowledge to improving problematic issues and understanding topical issues. Topics will focus on the applications of animal production principles to these production systems.

This unit aims to enable students to develop a sound understanding of the broad principles involved in the production and management of crops and pastures, identification of plant species, linking crop/pasture growth to animal production, and interacting with researchers, community workers and industry professionals in understanding broader and specific issues related to agronomy. Topics include basic crop and pasture botany, seed physiology, crop/pasture establishment, growth, development, adaptation, grazing management and plant protection. Students manage a crop in the field and a pot trial in the glasshouse. The practical sessions enable students to apply the management principles and become familiar with various measuring techniques.

Focusing on a variety of wildlife and companion animal species, his unit will teach and demonstrate to students the many areas of animal behaviour and the importance of understanding these behaviours in animal management. Students will observe and work with groups of animals on the UWS campus as well as witnessing and participating in events with industry that highlight the importance of knowledge and acceptance of animal behaviour.

This unit aims to build plant protection skills for students wishing to learn a detailed understanding of arthropods causing plant damage, their characteristics, physiology and behaviour, ecology and taxonomy.

This unit aims to provide students with professional exposure to current state-of-the-art approaches to the science of Agronomy. It focuses on future trends in Agronomy in the contexts of current research, extension and commercial practice, with particular emphasis on the environmental and socio-economic sustainability of agronomic production systems. Students will gain valuable experiences in the applications of selected agronomic models/tools to farm and environmental decision making, as well as evaluating the usefulness of these models/tools as discussion support systems in the contexts of agriculture, horticulture, food and environmental risk and opportunity management.