CQUniversity Unit Profile
AGRI12002 Weeds, Pests and Plant Diseases
Weeds, Pests and Plant Diseases
All details in this unit profile for AGRI12002 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

Sustainable management of pest animals, plant diseases and weeds is paramount to successfully managing agricultural and natural environments. This unit introduces you to the principles of plant protection and the relevant foundation disciplines of weed science, plant pathology (the science of plant diseases) and entomology (insect science). You will learn key aspects of biology and identification of weeds, pests and plant diseases. You will be introduced to ecological principles of their interactions with agricultural and natural environments. Guided by this fundamental knowledge you will understand, plan and evaluate protection strategies for a range of agricultural and natural environments.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 7
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite 48 Credit Points

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 2 - 2025

Bundaberg
Emerald
Online
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).

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 40%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from SUTE data

Feedback

Improve clarity of quizzes

Recommendation

It is recommended that quiz questions are continuously revised to ensure clarity, align with current lecture material, and minimise academic integrity issues.

Feedback from SUTE data

Feedback

Review amount of weekly content

Recommendation

It is recommended that weekly live workshops be held, encouraging discussions on content and assessment. Additionally, weekly updates on the current timetable and upcoming assessments should also be provided. Based on the student needs, additional workshops focused on specific assessments may also be considered.

Feedback from SUTE data

Feedback

Provide more real life examples relating to unit content

Recommendation

It is recommended that live tutorials will include more guests with research or industry backgrounds. This will provide students industry connections and current knowledge. Relevant researchers would provide students to potential research issues and innovative practices.

Feedback from Email

Feedback

Provide additional assessment feedback

Recommendation

It is recommended that more feedback will be provided on each assessment.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Identify major weeds, pests and plant diseases
  2. Explain the fundamental biology and ecology of weeds, pests and plant diseases
  3. Evaluate and propose protection strategies for agricultural and natural systems from weeds, pests and plant diseases.
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
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 40%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Written Assessment - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
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 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
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)
  • Zoom Capacity (microphone required, webcam preferred if possible)
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
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 14 Jul 2025

Module/Topic

Introduction   

Chapter

Background reading will be set through the Moodle site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 21 Jul 2025

Module/Topic

Fundamentals of weed science 1

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 28 Jul 2025

Module/Topic

Fundamentals of weed science 2

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 04 Aug 2025

Module/Topic

Animal pests 1 - introduction to agricultural entomology (insect science)

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 11 Aug 2025

Module/Topic

Animal pests 2 - including non-insect pest animals

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Quiz 1 

Close: Week 5 Friday 15 Aug. 2025 5:00 pm AEST.

Vacation Week Begin Date: 18 Aug 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 25 Aug 2025

Module/Topic

Plant pathology 1

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 01 Sep 2025

Module/Topic

Plant pathology 2

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 08 Sep 2025

Module/Topic

Weed management

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 15 Sep 2025

Module/Topic

Pest identification

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Quiz 2

Close: Week 9 Thursday 19 Sept. 2025 5:00 pm AEST.

Week 10 Begin Date: 22 Sep 2025

Module/Topic

Pest control and management

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

 

 


Assessment 2 Fact Sheet Due: Week 10 Friday (26 Sept 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 29 Sep 2025

Module/Topic

Plant disease control and management

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 06 Oct 2025

Module/Topic

Integration and revision

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Quiz 3

Close:  Week 12 Tuesday 7 Oct. 2025 5:00 pm AEST.

 


Assessment 3 Advisor's Report Due: Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 13 Oct 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 20 Oct 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Assessment 1 Online Quizzes

Task Description

Answer questions to test your knowledge of the foundation material you learned in lectures and tutorials. You can undertake the quiz within the time period specified, but you have only one attempt. Note that once you start an attempt you have to complete it in the allocated time. Make sure you are ready, have stable internet connection and are free from distractions during this period. Each quiz is worth 13.33% of the overall assessment marks.

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

3


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Online Quiz 1 Close: Week 5 Friday 15 Aug. 2025 5:00 pm AEST. Online Quiz 2 Close: Week 9 Friday 19 Sept. 2025 5:00 pm AEST. Online Quiz 3 Close: Week 12 Tuesday 7 Oct. 2025 5:00 pm AEST.


Return Date to Students

5 working days after due date


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

Quiz questions about material delivered in readings, lectures and tutorials must be answered correctly.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Identify major weeds, pests and plant diseases
  • Explain the fundamental biology and ecology of weeds, pests and plant diseases

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assessment 2 Fact Sheet

Task Description

You will be supplied with materials relevant to a crop protection issue that you will need to identify. You will put yourself in the position of a land management officer responsible for issuing fact sheets about the issue you have selected. This information will provide land and farm managers with relevant information about the issue in the format of a fact sheet. The fact sheet must be concise and clear, contain relevant and correct information, and include a list of authoritative resources used to compile the information. The fact sheet should have clear and easily readable layout and style, contain at least one image, and all content must be accommodated into one-A4 page, 12 pt font. The overall word limit, excluding titles, references, figure legends etc. for the fact sheet is 350 words. Further information will be made available on the Unit's Moodle site.

The marking rubric 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

Week 10 Friday (26 Sept 2025) 5:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Marks are awarded for:

1. Relevant and accurate information in the fact sheets (50%)

2. Professional format and presentation of the fact sheets (30%)

3. Appropriate sources correctly referenced (20%)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit as a .pdf or .docx file format

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Identify major weeds, pests and plant diseases
  • Evaluate and propose protection strategies for agricultural and natural systems from weeds, pests and plant diseases.

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assessment 3 Advisor's Report

Task Description

In this assessment you will be asked to assume the role of a farm advisor (agronomist, crop protection consultant or similar). You will be given a farm case study scenario with a specific weed, pest or disease problem. More details will be provided on the Moodle page. You will be asked to analyse and explain the problem and suggest management solutions in a written report to the farm manager. The word limit is 2000 words.

The marking rubric 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

Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025) 5:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

10 working days post due date


Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Marks are awarded for:

  1. Relevant and accurate background information provided (40%)
  2. Rationale for the suggested management directions and clarity of suggestions (20%)
  3. Professional impression including the clarity of English expression, spelling, grammar, consistent formatting incl. good use of figures and tables, and appropriate length (20%)
  4. Appropriate sources and correct referencing (20%)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit as a pdf or a .docx file format

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain the fundamental biology and ecology of weeds, pests and plant diseases
  • Evaluate and propose protection strategies for agricultural and natural systems from weeds, pests and plant diseases.

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.

What can you do to act with integrity?