LEARNER GUIDE

SCHOOL NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES

QUALIFICATION DIPLOMA IN AGRICULTURE

QUALIFICATION CODE

MODULE AGRICULTURAL CALCULATIONS

MODULE CODE NAGC51110

COMPILED BY DR THABO MORETLO

TIMETABLE
Lecturer name (s) Dr Thabo Moretlo
Module code &Name Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
NAGC51110
AGRICULTURAL
CALCULATIONS
1. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1. Welcome and Introduction

On behalf of Sol Plaatje University, we welcome you to the Diploma in Agriculture
program.
The purpose of this module is to assist students in understanding basic calculations in
agricultural crop and animal production. The students will be able to demonstrate skills to
summarize data using basic mathematical functions in order to improve or implement farm
best management practices. Also, be able to demonstrate the ability to apply mathematical
tools in decision-making and improve efficiencies in the farming business.
This module demands a fair level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.

The purpose of this Learner Guide is to provide you with written guidelines as to what to
expect of the University and what the University in turn expects of you, with regard to this
module.

 You are given administrative details of the Department as well as the contact details
of the lecturer teaching this module. The responsibilities of the students with regard to
participation and attendance are stated and an overview is provided of the learning
and teaching approach. Comprehensive assessment details for the module are given
in this section as well as details of the materials that will be used, e.g. text books.
 Full details of the assessment criteria and moderation are provided, as well as the exit
level and critical cross-field outcomes for the module.
 The modules and specific outcomes are shown and the work schedule provides a
detailed weekly work plan for the year.

1.2. Course description

This is a first-year course that is taken by students to understand basic calculations in
agricultural crop and animal production through the use of pocket calculators. It covers
fractions, decimals, formulae, exponents, ratios, length, circumference, area, volume, mass,
time, percentages and graphs.
1.3. Course objectives
Upon completion of this module the students should be able to:
 demonstrate skills to summarize data using basic mathematical functions in order to
improve or implement farm best management practices

 demonstrate the ability to apply mathematical tools in decision-making and improve

efficiencies in the farming business.

1.4. Contact Information

Name E-mail address Consultation
Lecturer Dr Thabo Moretlo Thabo.moretlo@spu.ac.za Online: Email/MsTeams
Office door: C006,
Office 333
Internal Moderator Dr Dimpho Mothibi

1.5 General Module Information

Credit Value NQF Level Field Sub-Field
10 Credits 5 Agricultural Sciences

Formal Contact Time – attendance at all classes is compulsory

Theory 4 x 45 minutes periods per week
Practical
s
Tutorials 2 x 45 minutes period per week

1.6 Non-Contact Time

Notional Activity Code Hours

Learning Hours Lectures L 4

Tutorials T 3

Practical Work PW
 Laboratory Work LW

Independent self-study of standard texts and IS1 2

references (study guides, books, journal articles)

Independent self-study of specially prepared materials IS2

(case studies, Assignments, etc.)

Assessments (Summative & Formative) A 3

ICT (e.g. Moodle, Communications Lab, etc.) ICT 2

Presentations (by students) P

Research R

Service Learning SL

Other (explain) O

Total 14

Experiential Training/Service Learning/Work Integrated Learning (WIL)

There is currently no WIL component in this Module.

1.7 Advice on online /face to face/blended Learning

All lectures must be attended punctually and regularly, registers will be taken at all classes
and filed for future reference.
Participation is an important part of the class sessions. Participation means both attendance
and engagement. Learners are expected to attend and fully participate in all the scheduled
classes, group learning opportunities, discussion sessions and tutorials. Students are expected
to be on time and ready to begin at the stated time on the timetable.
1.8 Rules for acceptable class (online /face to face/blended) behavior
 Arrive on time.
 Turn your cell phone off.
 Use laptops only for legitimate class activities (note-taking, assigned tasks)
 Ask questions if necessary.

1.9. Roles, Responsibilities and Attendance Requirements

According to University Policy all lectures must be attended punctually and regularly.
Attendance at all classes is especially important for Students studying this module.
Knowledge and skills are augmented with the listening to lectures and interaction with peers.
Class activities also reinforce knowledge acquired during own reading. Registers will be
taken at all classes and filed for future reference.

Participation is an important part of the class sessions. Participation means both attendance
and engagement. Students are expected to attend and fully participate in all the scheduled
classes, group learning opportunities, discussion sessions and practical sessions. In addition,
punctuality is important.

Students are expected to be on time and ready to begin at the stated time on the timetable.

Students who are not able to attend a formal contact session must provide the lecturer with a
written note explaining their non-attendance. These notes will be kept in the Module file in
case queries regarding a student’s poor performance are raised.

Misunderstandings about Module content or failure to understand a topic can often be cleared
up in one-on-one sessions with the lecturer and Students are urged to consult their lecturers if
they have any queries, etc. It is also important for a lecturer to be aware of any personal
problems which may affect a student’s performance.

Grievance procedures
Students who have grievances should first discuss the matter with the lecturer concerned. If
not satisfied with the outcome, or the matter not resolved by the lecturer, the student may
report it to the class representative, who will in turn take it to the SRC, who will then inform
the Head of School who will then take the matter to the Registrar (in that order).
Academic dishonesty will NOT be tolerated in any form whatsoever. This includes cheating
during any test, submitting someone else’s work as your own (plagiarism) and copying
someone else’s program. Students caught cheating during a test (whether official or class
test), will have their answer book/paper taken away, and will be handed a new answer
book/paper to continue with. A committee consisting of the subject lecturers will then
discuss the situation and make recommendations to the Programme Head. Where two or
more students handed-in programs seem undeniably to be identical copies of each other, ALL
the students involved will receive a mark of ZERO.

Students with special needs

SPU is keen to accommodate students with special needs. These needs are catered for
without influencing academic standards. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to inform
the lecturer in good time of any special needs to ensure effective communication in this
regard. Students are requested to make appointments to meet with lecturers during the
available consultation times. As this will not always be possible, however, lecturers will
endeavour to make time to meet with Students in ‘emergency’ situations.

Lecturers are expected to attend all scheduled contact classes. If possible, notice will be given
if a lecturer cannot attend a class and arrangements will be made by the lecturer to cover the
work missed. Students are advised to check the department notice board daily for any
information pertaining to their Module, classes, etc.

1.10. Learning and Teaching Strategies

The University has adopted a smart based student-centered, interactive teaching and
assessment strategy applicable to the future career towards which this programme of study is
directed.

Learning/teaching approach Details

Lecture slides and other
relevant learning resources
 Live streaming through All lectures will be face to face
Microsoft Teams
 Face2face
  Blended learning

Reading assignments

 Online discussion Chat

rooms or forums
 Face to face group
chat/discussion
 Group project work
Practical Work
Independent self-study
1.11. Assessment
Formative Assessment
This type of assessment will be used to inform both the student and the lecturer and will not
be allocated a mark. It will be used to allow the student and lecturer to monitor his/her
progress in achieving the Module goals and specific module outcomes. It will take the form
of self-review, peer review and lecturer review and should be seen by the student as a
valuable learning aid. It will also be used to provide valuable feedback to the lecturer
regarding his/her instruction techniques, topics that require revision or additional attention,
etc. Students will be asked to provide comprehensive evaluations of the Module and lecturer
at least once during the Module cycle.

Summative Assessment
This type of assessment is used to formally measure the learning of skills, knowledge and
understanding and is associated with a recorded mark. All summative assessments will count
towards the Semester mark as indicated in the table below:

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT
Assessment instrument What to submit Weight Date
Assignment Answer scripts 15%
 Class Test 1 Answer scripts 20%
Class Test 2 Answer scripts 25%
Semester Test Answer scripts 40%
TOTAL 100%

Please Note: A student must score at least 50% for the final mark (calculated as shown
above) to pass the Module.
A medical certificate must be provided regarding missed tests and/or assignments, etc. this
must be submitted to the lecturer or site department secretary within 5 working days of the
test date or due date. Medical certificates not received within 4 days will not be considered –
unless the student was hospitalized. If a medical certificate is accepted, an assessment would
be prepared for the student. Complaints or queries about assessment marks must be raised
with the lecturer concerned within 7 days of the assessment being returned to the students.

Examination
There will be a 3-hour written examination at the end of the semester.
However, there will be a subminimum of 40% required to pass an examination. If a student
scores below 40% in the examination, he/she does not qualify for a final mark and does not
pass the Module.

Final Mark Calculation

Semester Mark 60%
Examination 40%
Total 100%
A student must score at least 50% for the final mark (calculated as shown above) to pass the
Module. Refer to the University Examination Rules in the General Rules and Information
Handbook 2021 for guidelines on missed and failed examinations.

Final Mark Calculation

The final mark will be the continuous assessment mark.
1.12. Learning Materials and Stationery Requirements
Prescribed Textbook(s)
 Bart Gietema. 2006. Basic Calculations in Agriculture, Irrigation and Animal
Production. Digigrafi, Wageningen, The Netherlands

Library Services
https://www.spu.ac.za/index.php/library-services-all/

Software and Other Resources

Plagiarism
Plagiarism should be always avoided, whenever a student uses an author’s work without
recognizing it and /or cutting and pasting it (not stating facts/thought in own words).
Plagiarized work will not be accepted for marking and students may be subjected to
disciplinary action.

2. MODULE INFORMATION
2.1 Admission Requirements and Pre-Requisites
Refer to University General Prospectus

2.2 Module Exit Level Outcomes

Upon completion of this module, students should be able to
 demonstrate skills to summarize data using basic mathematical functions in order to
improve or implement farm best management practices.

 demonstrate the ability to apply mathematical tools in decision-making and improve

efficiencies in the farming business.

2.2.1 Outcomes Assessment Criteria

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will demonstrate achievement of this
module outcome by being able to:
 Identify and creatively solve basic scientific problems within the context of each
project given. You can achieve this by:
o applying basic logic skills
o making informed and meaningful decisions
o thinking creatively
o considering alternative solutions
  Work effectively with others as a member of a team/group.
 Organize and manage yourself and your activities responsibly and effectively.
 Collect, analyze, organize and critically evaluate information.
 Communicate effectively using language skills in the modes of oral and/or written
persuasion.
 Use technology responsibly, effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards
the environment and health of others.

2.3 Moderation
All summative assessment question papers and memoranda are both internally moderated.

3. LEARNING COMPONENT

3.1 Topics and Specific Outcomes

Week Topic Sub-topics

1 Fractions Introduction, to add and subtract fractions, to reduce
fraction to the same denominator, to multiply and divide
fractions.

2 Percentages and Introduction, rules for counting with decimals

decimals

2&3 Averages, formulae, Introduction, striking out, rules for rounding off
equation and rounding
off
4& 5 Circumference, area, Introduction, volume, objects, map scales
volume, proportion
and scale

6 Graphs, tables, Introduction, making a graph, rules for counting time

diagrams, time and
specific weight
7 Irrigation Units, areas, irrigation depth, slopes of the canal

8 Crop growth Area, seed rate, thousand-grain weight, seed losses,

fertilizer calculation, use of pesticides, sprayers
9 Animal husbandry Livestock unit, feed conversion, killing out percentage,
(calculations) animal productivity, using calendars
 3.2 Work Schedule
Please note that this is a proposed work schedule which may change due to unforeseen
circumstances.
Practical Date
completed
WK SPECIFIC OUTCOME

1 Fractions: Introduction, to add and subtract fractions, 19 Feb – 23

to reduce fraction to the same denominator, to multiply Feb 2024
and divide fractions.

2&3 Percentages and decimals: Introduction, rules for 26 Feb - 08

counting with decimals March 2024

4&5 Averages, formulae, equation and rounding off: 11 March –

Introduction, striking out, rules for rounding off 22 March
2024
6 Circumference, area, volume, proportion and scale: . 25 March –
Introduction, volume, objects, map scales. 28 March
2024
7
UNIVERSITY BREAK ( 29 March – 09 April 2024)

8&9 Circumference, area, volume, proportion and scale: 10 April –

Introduction, volume, objects, map scales. 19 April
2024
10 Graphs, tables, diagrams, time and specific weight: 22 April –
Introduction, making a graph, rules for counting time. 26 April
2024
11 Irrigation: Units, areas, irrigation depth, slopes of the . 29 April –
canal 03 May
2024
12 Crop growth: Area, seed rate, thousand-grain weight, 06 May –
seed losses, fertilizer calculation, use of pesticides, 10 May
sprayers. 2024
13 Animal husbandry (calculations): Livestock unit, feed 13 May –
conversion, killing out percentage, animal productivity, 17 May
using calendars. 2024
14 20 May –
24 May
REVISION
2024
15, 16 27 May –
& 17 14 June
MAIN-EXAM FINAL Assessment
2024

4. STUDENT CONTRACT
Example
a) Class timetables will be published on Moodle (http://moodle.spu.ac.za)

b) Make sure you are registered as a student on Moodle for this subject.

c) A minimum mark of 50% is needed to pass this subject

d) Assignment due dates must be strictly adhered to.

e) A valid medical certificate must be handed in if absent from a test

f) Only ONE sick test will be written at the end of the year after the last test week.
g) Test mark queries will only be accommodated for one week after marks discussion.

h) Plagiarism is both unethical and illegal and may be regarded as a criminal offence.

i) Students are advised to attend all classes.

j) No games, distribution of pornography or hate speech allowed in classes & labs.
k) Academic dishonesty will NOT be tolerated in any form whatsoever.

l) Student must inform the lecturer in good time of any special needs.

This document is subject to revision. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure

that the latest version of this document is used.
—————— ✂ ——————

THIS SLIP SHOULD BE HANDED-IN

School: Natural and Applied Sciences

Programme:

Module Code:

Module Name:

Year:

Semester:

I ________________________ Student Number ______________________ have:

Received □ Read □ and
Understand □ the contents and information provided in -----------guide.

_______________________
Signature

_______________________
Date