APMA89-Water, Agriculture and Irrigation

Module Provider: Agriculture
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Email: g.rose@reading.ac.uk

Summary module description:

Aims:
To provide an understanding of the soil and plant processes which contribute to the management of water for crop production, and how these are used to schedule irrigation.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module students will be able to:
• Scrutinise the role of water in agriculture and development• Calculate evapo-transpiration using the Penman-Monteith equation and understand how soil and atmospheric factors affect evapo-transpiration
• Critically analyse the relation between crop growth and yield and water use, and how to use water efficiently
• Evaluate different irrigation systems
Additional outcomes:
Students will learn how to use the Aquacrop computer programme to plan and schedule irrigation.

Additional outcomes:
Students will learn how to use the Aquacrop computer programme to plan and schedule irrigation.

Outline content:
-Introduction water use in agriculture and development
-Analysis of irrigation systems and their design
-Penman-Monteith and crop evapotranspiration

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
This module will use a range of methods including lectures, team work, in-class discussions, and supportive material on Blackboard.

Other information on summative assessment:
Summative assessment for this module will consist of:
-An in-class test (50%)
-Multiple Choice tests (30%)
-Aquacrop irrigation scheduling assignment (20%)

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Length of examination:

Requirements for a pass:
Attainment of 50% mark overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
By written report in August/September only.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 21 December 2016