CQUniversity Unit Profile

AGRI11007 - Plant and Livestock Breeding Strategies

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All details in this unit profile for AGRI11007 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.

General Information

Overview

In this unit, you will be provided with a framework for the development and application of agricultural breeding strategies, and application of modern genetic selection tools. You will be introduced to a broad overview of genetic selection tools, whilst learning how to select, monitor and evaluate a breeding program. Finally, you will consider the ethical and social implications of genetic modification and how this might influence management decisions.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate

Unit Level: Level 1

Credit Points: 6

Student Contribution Band: 7

Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2026

Bundaberg

Emerald

Mixed Mode

Rockhampton

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Website

This unit has a website, within the Moodle system, which is available two weeks before the start of term. It is important that you visit your Moodle site throughout the term. Please visit Moodle for more information.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Regional Campuses

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville

Metropolitan Campuses

Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)

Weighting: 20%

2. Presentation and Written Assessment

Weighting: 50%

3. Portfolio

Weighting: 30%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

CQUniversity Policies

All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.

You may wish to view these policies:

Grades and Results Policy
Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
Review of Grade Procedure
Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure

Feedback

The residential school was really interesting and a great way to connect with other students

Recommendation

Continue offering research and industry relevant residential schools

Unit Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

Select appropriate tools for a genetic improvement plan
Develop a breeding program based on heritability and economic returns
Monitor and evaluate a breeding program
Critique the social and ethical implications of genetic modification.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes

N/A Level

Introductory Level

Intermediate Level

Graduate Level

Professional Level

Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks	Learning Outcomes
	1	2	3	4
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20%
2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 50%
3 - Portfolio - 30%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes	Learning Outcomes
	1	2	3	4
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - First Nations Knowledges
11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks	Graduate Attributes
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20%
2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 50%
3 - Portfolio - 30%

Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:

CQUniversity Student Email
Internet
Unit Website (Moodle)
Microsoft Office
PowerPoint
Video and Audio recording equipment.

Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts

Karen Harper Unit Coordinator
k.harper@cqu.edu.au

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 Online quiz A Closes Friday 10 April 2026 5:00 pm AEST

Week 6 - Genetic modification

Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026

Module/Topic

Genetic modification

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week

Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title

Assessment 1 Online quizzes

Task Description

There are two (2) quizzes:

QUIZ A (10%): Assessment of content delivered during lectures and tutorials from Week 1 through to Week 4, specifically the terminology used. Due date: Week 5 Friday 10 April 2026 5:00 pm AEST
QUIZ B (10%): Assessment of content delivered during lectures and tutorials up to Week 10. Due date: Week 10 Friday 22 May 2026 5:00 pm AEST

Quizzes will be undertaken on Moodle, consist of multiple choice, true/false, match type questions and will open on Monday of the corresponding week at 00:00h for 5 days. You will have 1 hour to complete each quiz once started. Only one attempt is allowed.

Level of GenAI use allowed.

Level 1: You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.

The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.

Number of Quizzes

Frequency of Quizzes

Other

Assessment Due Date

Quiz A due Week 5 Friday 10 April 2026 5:00 pm AEST; Quiz B due Week 10 Friday 22 May 2026 5:00 pm AEST

Return Date to Students

Grades will be returned within 10 working days of submission.

Weighting

20%

Assessment Criteria

Marks will be awarded based on correct responses to quiz questions.

Referencing Style

Harvard (author-date)

Submission

Online

Submission Instructions

All parts of this assessment are due on Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed

Monitor and evaluate a breeding program
Critique the social and ethical implications of genetic modification.

Graduate Attributes

Problem Solving
Information Technology Competence

2 Presentation and Written Assessment

Assessment Title

Assessment 2 Development of a breeding program plan

Task Description

This assessment, “Development of a breeding program plan” compromises of two (2) parts and accounts for 50% of your final mark:

PART A - Report (40%):

Choose one (1) of the four (4) case studies provided. Develop a breeding program plan based on sound scientific background and economic returns in the form of a written report. In this report include:

Introduction - Outline the scenario and outline breeding objectives for your chosen case study
Breeding strategy - Describe and discuss what breeding strategy will be implemented
Genetic tools - Describe genetic tools (up to three tools) that are suitable in your scenario
Evaluation of strategy - Outline how you will monitor and evaluate the success of the breeding strategy both in relation to heritability and economic returns

This assessment will be in the format of an essay (1000-1200 words) and must include the above focus headings, conclusion and references. References are not included in the word limit. Figures are welcome.

PART B - Short presentation (10%):

You will be required to pre-record a 3 minute presentation briefly describing a selected genetic tool to be applied within the breeding program of your selected case study. Your presentation should discuss the following aspects:

Introduce your chosen genetic tool that is relevant to your scenario.
Outline and discuss at least one positive and one negative aspect of the selected genetic tool

The marking rubrics will be available on Moodle.

Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.

Assessment Due Date

PART A due Week 12 Tuesday 2 June 2026 by 5PM AEST; PART B due Week 12, Friday 5 June 2026 by 5PM AEST

Return Date to Students

Grades will be returned within 14 working days of submission.

Weighting

50%

Minimum mark or grade

50%

Assessment Criteria

Marks are awarded for:

Communication and presentation skills
Introduction and addressing the topic
Knowledge, content and structure
Analysis of information
Discussion of how the breeding strategy will be implemented
Evaluation of the success of the breeding strategy
The clarity of English expression, spelling and grammar
Use of references and accuracy of referencing
Appropriate length (Part A) and timeframe (Part B)

Detailed marking rubrics will be available on Moodle.

Referencing Style

Harvard (author-date)

Submission

Offline Online

Submission Instructions

All parts of this assessment are due on Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed

Select appropriate tools for a genetic improvement plan
Develop a breeding program based on heritability and economic returns

Graduate Attributes

Communication
Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Information Literacy
Information Technology Competence

3 Portfolio

Assessment Title

Assessment 3 Practical Portfolio

Task Description

The practical portfolio relates to the residential school, where you will be required to complete a series of activities or short response questions. A copy of the practical portfolio will be available on Moodle including specific details for each activity.

Level of GenAI use allowed.

Level 1: You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.

Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Friday (29 May 2026) 5:00 pm AEST

Return Date to Students

Grades will be returned within 14 days of submission.

Weighting

30%

Minimum mark or grade

50%

Assessment Criteria

Marks are awarded for attendance, participation, completion, correct responses to questions and submission of required practical activities at the residential school.

Referencing Style

Harvard (author-date)

Submission

Offline Online

Submission Instructions

All parts of this assessment are due on Moodle or a hard copy can be handed in at the conclusion of the residential school

Learning Outcomes Assessed

Monitor and evaluate a breeding program
Critique the social and ethical implications of genetic modification.

Graduate Attributes

Communication
Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Information Literacy
Team Work
Information Technology Competence
Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.