Water, Agriculture and Irrigation

University of Reading

Course Description

  • Course Name

    Water, Agriculture and Irrigation

  • Host University

    University of Reading

  • Location

    Reading, England

  • Area of Study

    Agriculture

  • Language Level

    Taught In English

  • Course Level Recommendations

    Upper

    ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.

    Hours & Credits

  • ECTS Credits

    5
  • Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
    3
  • Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
    4

  • Overview

    Module Provider: Agriculture
    Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
    Level:6
    Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
    Pre-requisites:
    Non-modular pre-requisites:
    Co-requisites:
    Modules excluded:
    Module version for: 2014/5
    Module Convenor: Dr Gillian Rose
    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.
    To investigate different irrigation systems and the circumstances in which they are best used.
    Assessable learning outcomes:
    By the end of the module students will be able to:
    ? Explain the role of water in agriculture and development, and articulate environmental concerns about agricultural water use and irrigation.
    ? Calculate evapo-transpiration using the Penman-Monteith equation and understand how soil and atmospheric factors affect evapo-transpiration
    ? Understand the relation between crop growth and yield and water use, and how to use water efficiently
    ? Describe different irrigation systems and explain how and where they are commonly used
    Additional outcomes:
    Students will learn how to use the Aquacrop computer programme to plan and schedule irrigation.
    Transferable skills covered Specialist skills covered
    Written communication Aquacrop computer software skills
    Problem-solving
    Outline content:
    Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
    Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
    This module consists of 8 lectures and one computer practical class. Lectures will cover:
    # Water, the environment and development; the impact of agriculture; future concerns
    # Soil water-plant-atmosphere-continuum. Factors affecting movement and supply of water in soil; factors affecting demand - potential evapotranspiration, Penman-Monteith
    # Water management for crop production. i. making most efficient use of rainfall; ii. Irrigation: aims and methods/systems, irrigation scheduling.
    - Practical class and assignments in the use of the Penman-Monteith to calculate evapo-transpiration and Aquacrop software for calculation of crop water requirements, and irrigation planning.
    Contact hours:
    Autumn
    Lectures 16
    Practicals classes and workshops 4
    Guided independent study 80
    Total hours by term 100.00
    Total hours for module 100.00
    Summative Assessment Methods:
    Method Percentage
    Written exam 50
    Written assignment including essay 15
    Set exercise 35
    Other information on summative assessment:
    i) Penman-Monteith calculation (10%)
    (ii) Irrigation scheduling exercise (25%)
    (iii) Review/analysis/interpretation of published article(s) (15%)
    Formative assessment methods:
    Penalties for late submission:
    The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.
    where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
    where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
    You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
    Length of examination:
    A one and a half hour examination paper during the Summer term requiring the answers to 2 from 5 questions provided.
    Requirements for a pass:
    A mark of 40% overall.
    Reassessment arrangements:
    By re-examination in August/September only.
    Last updated: 8 October 2014

Course Disclaimer

Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.

Some courses may require additional fees.

Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.

ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits are converted to semester credits/quarter units differently among U.S. universities. Students should confirm the conversion scale used at their home university when determining credit transfer.

Please reference fall and spring course lists as not all courses are taught during both semesters.

Please note that some courses with locals have recommended prerequisite courses. It is the student's responsibility to consult any recommended prerequisites prior to enrolling in their course.

X

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. Some are essential to make our site work; others help us improve the user experience. By using the site, you consent to the placement of these cookies.

Read our Privacy Policy to learn more.

Confirm