Analytical Techniques In Agriculture
- Agricultural Sciences
- 500 level
- 2 credit units
- 143 pages
- 31 units
This course introduces students to analytical techniques in agriculture, emphasizing their importance in solving scientific problems. It covers principles governing basic analytical procedures, including safety, quality, precision, and accuracy. Students will learn about sample analysis for animal feed, plants, and soil, as well as the use of various instruments like microscopy, spectrophotometers, and chromatography techniques. The course also addresses sample conservation and preservation methods, equipping students with essential skills for agricultural research and analysis.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 170 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical
- Practical work
- Yes
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Geology
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of AGR503, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1 MICROSCOPYPage 58
- UNIT 2 PRINCIPLES AND OPERATION OF ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROPHOTOMETER (AAS)Page 67
- MODULE 3Page 68
- MODULE 3Page 70
- MODULE 3Page 72
- MODULE 3: Automated Instruments and Sample ChangersPage 74
- UNIT 3 HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY (HPLC)Page 76
- MODULE 3Page 78
- UNIT 4 THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY (TLC)Page 86
- MODULE 3Page 90
- UNIT 5: GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY (GC)Page 95
- MODULE 3Page 98
- UNIT 6 POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR)Page 104
- MODULE 3Page 112
- UNIT 7 GEL ELECTROPHORESISPage 114
- MODULE 3Page 116
- MODULE 3Page 118
- UNIT 8 HEMATOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRYPage 123
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
AGR503 · UNIT 1 PRINCIPLE OF SAFETY
Laboratory is not a place of playing or carrying out any careless activity therefore, the principle of safety is key. Anyone entering laboratory should be very careful and be conscious of what he/she has gone there to do. However, rules pertaining to safety can be extensive, different categories of concerns have been noted (Rashid, et al., 2007).
What you should be able to do
- Apply safety principles in agricultural laboratories
- Perform quality control procedures in analytical techniques
- Prepare samples for analysis in soil, plant and animal science
- Operate basic laboratory equipment such as spectrophotometers and microscopes
- Interpret results from chromatography and electrophoresis techniques
What it prepares you for
- Agricultural Scientist
- Laboratory Technician
- Quality Control Analyst
- Research Assistant
- Animal Nutritionist
- Agricultural Research
- Food Science
- Environmental Monitoring
- Pharmaceuticals
- Biotechnology
- Microscopy
- Spectrophotometry
- Chromatography
- PCR
- Electrophoresis
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Use of Instruments, Equipments and Machines
Unit 3: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
High-performance liquid chromatography requires understanding of complex chemical interactions and advanced instrumentation skills.
- Module 3: Use of Instruments, Equipments and Machines
Unit 6: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Polymerase Chain Reaction requires precise primer design and careful optimization of reaction conditions.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 68 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Principles Governing Basic Analytical Procedures
Unit 1: Principle of Safety · 4 hours
Read Unit 1: Understand the importance of safety in the laboratory.. Familiarize yourself with safety measures and equipment.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 1..
- Week 2Module 1: Principles Governing Basic Analytical Procedures
Unit 2: Principle of Quality · 4 hours
Study Unit 2: Understand the principles of quality management, assurance, and control.. Review Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidelines.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 2..
- Week 3Module 1: Principles Governing Basic Analytical Procedures
Unit 3: Principle of Precision and Accuracy · 4 hours
Study Unit 3: Differentiate between precision and accuracy.. Understand sources of errors and detection limits.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 3..
- Week 4Module 1: Principles Governing Basic Analytical Procedures
Unit 4: Calibration and Use of Blanks in Analytical Procedures · 4 hours
Study Unit 4: Learn about calibration graphs and their construction.. Understand the use of blanks in analytical procedures.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 4..
- Week 5Module 2: Animal, Crop and Soil Samples Analysis
Unit 1: Animal Feed Sample Analysis · 4 hours
Study Unit 1: Learn about different methods of analysis used for animal feed.. Understand the importance of proximate analyses.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 1..
- Week 6Module 2: Animal, Crop and Soil Samples Analysis
Unit 2: Plant Sampling and Sample Preparation for Analysis · 4 hours
Study Unit 2: Understand crop sampling techniques and sample preparation.. Learn about precautions during sampling and preparation.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 2..
- Week 7Module 2: Animal, Crop and Soil Samples Analysis
Unit 3: Soil Sampling and Sample Preparation · 4 hours
Study Unit 3: Learn about soil sampling methods and techniques.. Understand sample preparation and storage.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 3..
- Week 8Module 3: Use of Instruments, Equipments and Machines
Unit 1: Microscopy · 4 hours
Study Unit 1: Understand the principles of microscopy.. Learn about different types of microscopes and their applications.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 1..
- Week 9Module 3: Use of Instruments, Equipments and Machines
Unit 2: Principles and Operation of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) · 4 hours
Study Unit 2: Learn about the principles and operation of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).. Understand the components of AAS.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 2..
- Week 10Module 3: Use of Instruments, Equipments and Machines
Unit 3: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) · 6 hours
Study Units 3 and 4: Understand the principles and applications of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC).. Understand the components of HPLC and TLC.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignments 3 and 4..
Unit 4: Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) · 6 hours
Study Units 3 and 4: Understand the principles and applications of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC).. Understand the components of HPLC and TLC.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignments 3 and 4..
- Week 11Module 3: Use of Instruments, Equipments and Machines
Unit 5: Gas Chromatography · 4 hours
Study Unit 5: Learn about the principles and applications of Gas Chromatography (GC).. Understand the components of GC.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 5..
- Week 12Module 3: Use of Instruments, Equipments and Machines
Unit 6: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) · 4 hours
Study Unit 6: Understand the principles and applications of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).. Learn about the stages of PCR.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 6..
- Week 13Module 3: Use of Instruments, Equipments and Machines
Unit 7: Gel Electrophoresis · 6 hours
Study Units 7 and 8: Understand the principles and applications of Gel Electrophoresis, Hematology, and Serum Biochemistry.. Review all TMAs and course materials.. Prepare for final examination..
Unit 8: Hematology and Serum Biochemistry · 6 hours
Study Units 7 and 8: Understand the principles and applications of Gel Electrophoresis, Hematology, and Serum Biochemistry.. Review all TMAs and course materials.. Prepare for final examination..
Preparing for the exam
- Create flashcards for key analytical techniques and their principles (Units 1-4 Module 1).
- Practice sample preparation protocols for soil, plant, and animal feed (Units 1-3 Module 2).
- Draw diagrams of instrument setups (AAS, HPLC, GC) and label components (Units 1-6 Module 3).
- Review past TMAs and focus on areas where you struggled.
- Form study groups to discuss complex concepts and practice problem-solving.
- Allocate specific time slots for each subject area to ensure balanced coverage.
- Prioritize understanding the underlying principles over memorizing facts.
- Use online resources and videos to supplement your understanding of laboratory techniques.
- Practice interpreting data and results from analytical techniques.
- Get enough sleep and maintain a healthy diet during the exam period.
Questions students ask about this course
What is AGR503 about?
This course introduces students to analytical techniques in agriculture, emphasizing their importance in solving scientific problems. It covers principles governing basic analytical procedures, including safety, quality, precision, and accuracy. Students will learn about sample analysis for animal feed, plants, and soil, as well as the use of various instruments like microscopy, spectrophotometers, and chromatography techniques. The course also addresses sample conservation and preservation methods, equipping students with essential skills for agricultural research and analysis.
How many units does AGR503 have?
AGR503, Analytical Techniques In Agriculture, has 31 units across 4 modules, over 143 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is AGR503?
AGR503 carries 2 credit units, at 500 level in Agricultural Sciences.
Is AGR503 hard?
AGR503 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and practical work, and it has a practical component.
How long does AGR503 take to study?
About 170 hours of study, spread across its 31 units.
How is AGR503 assessed?
AGR503 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What do I need before starting AGR503?
Biology Chemistry Biochemistry Geology
What can I do with AGR503?
Agricultural Scientist, Laboratory Technician, Quality Control Analyst, Research Assistant and Animal Nutritionist.