Course code TMPA210

TMPA210 Precision farming and sensor technology

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Showing course contents for the educational year 2019 - 2020 .

Course responsible: Nils Bjugstad
Teachers: Jon Glenn Omholt Gjevestad
ECTS credits: 5
Faculty: Faculty of Science and Technology
Teaching language: NO
(NO=norsk, EN=Engelsk)
Teaching exam periods:
This course starts in Spring parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Spring parallel.
Course frequency: Even years
First time: Study year 2007-2008
Preferential right:
Students taking Horticulture and Crop Science, Economics, Animal Sciences, Technology.
Course contents:
Precision farming. GNSS / GIS/ IoT. Agriculture 4.0. Digitalization  in agriculture. Automation. Use of sensors, drones and field robotics in Agricultural engineering. Soil cultivation, tillage and soil preservation. How to reduce soil compaction. Machinery for seeding and planting of crops. Distribution of fertilisers. Cultivation and handling of potatoes. Power and base machinery for agriculture. Chemical and alternative pest control. Inspection and certification of sprayers.Students may follow autorization course for proper handling av pesticide (license to use of pesticides). 
Learning outcome:
The students should gain knowledge about agrotechnical solutions and methods to ensure product quality and reduce environmental impact in agriculture, as well as an overview over important measures and their consequences.  The student shall  obtain a fully understanding of precision farming and how  this better can be implemented in Norwegian agriculture.The students should also be able to understand how agricultural machinery functions and interacts in a broader agronomic perspective. This means not just mechanical behaviour, but to a large degree how different types of machinery, tuning and utilisation must be adapted to farming structure, soil conditions, biological and climatic conditions etc.
Learning activities:
The course focuses on the most important topics due to environmental sustainability and food quality. The student may choose relevant topics to present for the other students during the lectures in order to initiate more active teaching and stimulate to common discussions. Additionally, there will be arranged technical exercises and also a visit to a farm dealing with precision farming.
Teaching support:
The course responsible is available for support and advice in working hours and by e-mail.
Syllabus:
A wide range of national and international digital and written literature within the topics will be available for the students.
Prerequisites:
JORD101 - Soil Science. PJH102 - Introduction to Horticulture and Crop Science, or equivalent. The student is recommended to a have a certain level of practical agricultural engineering. If missing, this may be compensated by self studies of offered relevant litterature.
Recommended prerequisites:
 Knowledge and experience from practical agriculture production will be an advantage.
Mandatory activity:

 An oral presentation of a free topic within agricultural engineering.

A one day excursion.

Assessment:
A written exam, 3 hours.
Nominal workload:
Project work and working out the student presentation approx. 40 h. Lectures including student lectures approx. 60 h. Demonstrations and excercises and homework approx. 40 h. Excursion 10 h.This may deviate due to number of students.
Entrance requirements:
Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse)
Type of course:
Project work and working out the student presentation approx. 40 h. Lectures including student lectures approx. 60 h. Demonstrations and excercises and homework approx. 30 h. Excursion 10 h.  This may deviate due to number of students.
Note:

The course is offered to all students at the university with an adequate basic knowledge and experience.  JORD101 Introduction in soil science and PJH102  Introduction in plant science are commended.

Minimum10 students. If this number is not reached, the course may be arranged to accomodate more independent study. 

Examiner:
The external and internal examiner jointly prepare the exam questions and the correction manual. The external examiner reviews the internal examiner's examination results by correcting a random sample of candidates exams as a calibration according to the Department's guidelines for examination markings.
Allowed examination aids: B1 Calculator handed out, no other aids
Examination details: One written exam: Passed / Failed