Precision livestock farming for sustainable production

Additional course evaluations for TN0356

TN0356 Precision livestock farming for sustainable production, 7.5 Credits

Precisionsdjurhållning för hållbar animalieproduktion

Syllabus approved

2020-02-14

Subjects

Agricultural science Technology

Education cycle

Master’s level

Advanced study in the main field

Second cycle, only first-cycle courses as entry requirements(A1N)

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits at basic level, of which 30 credits Technology or Agricultural science or Animal science.

Knowledge equivalent to English 6/English B from a Swedish upper secondary school.

Objectives

The course aims to provide knowledge about precision technology for Livestock production (Precision Livestock Farming, PLF) including its principles and frameworks, design and evaluation with a focus on end-user perspective and commercialisation.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
- describe how PLF could be used to monitor, manage and control livestock production within its various branches and discuss the role of PLF in modern livestock production,
- analyze PLF based on biological conditions, the use of sensors, signal interpretation and processing and models for information extraction,
- describe and apply the principles for evaluation and validation of various PLF applications,
- discuss and analyse the integration of PLF applications in modern agriculture with a focus on livestock production, and further emphasis on the interaction between human and technology from a sustainability perspective,
- explain and evaluate different PLF applications from the end-user perspective including different potential users,
- describe the development of the PLF application from beginning to end (R&D cycle including product deployment and infrastructure maintenance) and its role in the digital transformation of smart farming.

Content

Implementation:
- Distance learning technologies will be used
- The students’ work will include individual assignments as well as forum diskussions/group work through Canvas virtual room to provide constant exchange of information and prompt feedback
- Problem-based learning approach for critical thinking will be applied
- The course is divided into three sub-units, to fit a life-long learning context

Contents
The course deals with the practical applicability and integration of precision farming technology (PLF) into modern livestock production including the general theory behind PLF (the connection between individual responses of livestock to short- and long-term changes in the environment and the way sensors could measure/monitor this). This includes the transformation and visualisation of sensory and management data into information that supports decision-making and implementation of precision management routines through multi-level data analysis. The course includes the principles of work with inter- as well as multidisciplinary communication aimed at product development and market integration. The course gives economic perspectives and examples on the potential commercialization of PLF applications.
The course includes lectures on video, web-based exercises and seminars with student activity and virtual study visits.
Compulsory components exist in the form of exercises, case studies, seminars, group work and study visits.
In the course, the student will practice the following general competencies: oral and written presentation, problem-solving with reality-based cases.

Formats and requirements for examination

Approved written examinations, project work and exercises, written and oral presentation of literature assignments and compulsory attendance of certain activities (net meetings).

• If the student fails a test, the examiner may give the student a supplementary assignment, provided this is possible and there is reason to do so.
• If the student has been granted special educational support because of a disability, the examiner has the right to offer the student an adapted test, or provide an alternative assessment.
• If changes are made to this course syllabus, or if the course is closed, SLU shall decide on transitional rules for examination of students admitted under this syllabus but who have not yet passed the course.
• For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline. For more information on this, please refer to the regulations for education at Bachelor's and Master's level.

Other information

• The right to take part in teaching and/or supervision only applies to the course date to which the student has been admitted and registered on.
• If there are special reasons, the student may take part in course components that require compulsory attendance at a later date. For more information on this, please refer to the regulations for education at Bachelor's and Master's level.

Additional information

This course is a distance course aimed at professionals in the agricultural, technology and construction sectors and to regular students on advanced level. The course can be used as an optional course for many of SLU’s program students, for example, Agricultural and Rural Management, Animal agronomists, master’s students in Animal science; as well as engineering students at other universities. The teaching in the course is entirely done by distance learning with virtual meetings, which should enable the course to be combined with work and being available for remote located participants. The course is part time.

Responsible department

Department of Biosystems and Technology

Further information

There are no Grading criteria posted for this course