Outline

Overview

Developing the science to support sustainable food production is crucial for the long-term viability of Australian agriculture. This unit of study will equip Master of Agriculture and Environment students with an understanding of the environmental contexts in which agriculture operates and the key principles that underpin sustainable approaches to agriculture and horticulture. The course covers topics ranging from the principles and practices of regenerative agriculture, precision crop and livestock production systems and how our food systems are responding to growing environmental and social challenges.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	AGRI4001
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Brian Jones, brian.jones@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Andrew Merchant, andrew.merchant@sydney.edu.au
	Rosalind Deaker, rosalind.deaker@sydney.edu.au
	Kim-Yen Phan-Thien, kim-yen.phan-thien@sydney.edu.au
	Daniel Tan, daniel.tan@sydney.edu.au
	Thomas Roberts, thomas.roberts@sydney.edu.au
	Tina Bell, tina.bell@sydney.edu.au
	Brian Jones, brian.jones@sydney.edu.au
	Luciano Gonzalez, luciano.gonzalez@sydney.edu.au
	Brent Kaiser, brent.kaiser@sydney.edu.au
	Patrick Filippi, patrick.filippi@sydney.edu.au
	Rebecca Cross, r.cross@sydney.edu.au
	Farhad Masoomi-Aladizgeh, farhad.masoomi-aladizgeh@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Excursion report Field trip 1 excursion report	0%	Week 05 Due date: 05 Sep 2025 at 23:00	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Excursion report Field trip Assessment (Excursion): Discuss the challenges and opportunities for the adoption of sustainable agrifood practices.	30%	Week 11 Due date: 24 Oct 2025 at 23:00	1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Oral test ?	Oral interactive session Oral interactive session based on lecture material and provided literature.	30%	Week 13 Due date: 05 Nov 2025 at 10:00	20 minutes (oral)	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Synthesis report Farming and food systems synthesis report integrating information from the literature and two or more lectures.	40%	Week 13 Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 23:00	1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assessment Type	Assessment Title	Length/ duration	Assessment type description	Weight	Individual or Group?	Due date
Excursion report	Excursion report	500 words	Report	0	Individual	05/09/25 11.59pm
Excursion report	Excursion report	1000 words	Report	30	Individual	24/10/25 11.59pm
Viva voce	Oral exam	20 minutes	Viva Voce	30	Individual	05/11/25 10.00am
Food systems synthesis report	Synthesis report	1500 words	Report	40	Individual	07/11/25 11.59pm

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	This work shows excellent understanding of the topic and clear evidence of independent critical thought. It may contain blemishes, but these are compensated for by signs of high intellectual quality, especially clear, well-organised and forceful argument; reading and understanding beyond the set literature; and originality of approach.
Distinction	75 - 84	This work shows a very good understanding of the relevant content; the essay reflects independent thought; significantly it attempts to develop evaluative and critical arguments. Such arguments may be second-hand and/or they may be flawed, but a serious and sustained attempt at criticism has been made.
Credit	65 - 74	This work shows a clear understanding of the relevant material; it contains only small gaps or minor errors; reading has obviously gone beyond lecture material; there are signs of independent thought, and some attempt is made to evaluate arguments or develop critical arguments.
Pass	50 - 64	This work shows evidence of a satisfactory level of understanding of the relevant material; it may contain gaps, errors or other kinds of blemishes, but it is obvious that the student has read and digested material from lectures and/or set literature. The essay, however, is largely derivative – it simply reports the views of others - and little or no criticism or evaluation of arguments is attempted.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard. There may be a significant amount of ‘parroting’ of material from lectures or tutorials or set reading, but this work shows little or no evidence of satisfactory understanding of the relevant content; it may contain either serious errors or major gaps in what is considered essential information.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late submission In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction and realigning the Australian food system.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Increasing the sustainability of horticultural production. What are the possibilities?	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Integrating Plant Biotechnology into Sustainable Crop Production.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Australian native grains and agroecological approaches to agriculture.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Field excursion.	Field trip (6 hr)
Week 04	Food systems and Food safety	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Sustainable consumption.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	TBC	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Field excursion	Field trip (6 hr)
Week 07	Introduction to variable production systems and precision agriculture concepts.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Harnessing precision agriculture data to profitably, and sustainably manage farming systems.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	TBC	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	TBC	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Field excursion	Field trip (6 hr)
Week 11	TBC	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Sustainability in the livestock industries.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Summary workshop.	Workshop (2 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

To be added throughout the semester.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Understand regulations governing the use of alternative food production systems.
LO2. Know, understand and analyse the impact of agricultural practices.
LO3. Define and describe different sustainable agricultural and food systems.
LO4. Compare and contrast agricultural and food system technologies and their application.
LO5. Develop, use and apply concepts of sustainable approaches to food production.
LO6. Formulate ideas on the applications of agriculture and food technology to environmental sustainability.
LO7. Relate the structure of food systems to the functioning of our world.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

N/A as this is the 1st year the unit will be run.

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

To be provided in semester relevant to sites to be visited.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

AGRI5001: Sustainable Food Systems

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links