Bachelor of Agricultural Science

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Overview

The Bachelor of Agricultural Science is designed to produce graduates that are capable of addressing complex problems in the Agricultural industry. Students will integrate elements of biological, environmental, social, cultural, ethical, management and communication theories and will formulate innovative solutions in line with defined goals and values using a client/advisor approach. The course uses the scientific method as the principal philosophical approach to problem solving, with a particular focus on the production of primary and secondary products of plant and animal origin. Teaching in this course will be grounded in a combination of traditional fundamental sciences and theories as well as current in applications using a “research led teaching” strategy. It aims to supply the industry with graduates that have a strong understanding of contemporary issues in Agriculture and are able to evaluate and adopt new technologies and practices. Finally, it aims to produce graduates that will contribute positively to the Australian society by displaying strong ethical, social, cultural and communication skills.

The Pass stream aims to produce graduates that have some experience in applying their knowledge and skills in solving a range of agricultural problems in a professional environment. The inclusion of majors enables students to align their studies with their agricultural career aspirations.

Admission and Credit

Minimum ATAR required65

Admission

Entry Requirement

A completed High School Certificate with minimum ATAR required (including adjustment factors) or equivalent.
OR

A completed Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) with an equivalent ranking to the currently listed ATAR

OR
A completed AQF Certificate III or higher level qualification.
OR

50% completion of an AQF Diploma level qualification.
OR

A completed Tertiary Preparation Course from an Australian University or an accredited provider demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies.
OR

Successful completion of two university level subjects (AQF level Associate Degree or higher) demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies.

Other graduation requirements

This course contains workplace learning components requiring students to spend time on a farm and/or agricultural businesses (AGS120, PSC221, AGS300 and AGS407). Additional workplace learning may be required depending on restricted elective selection.

Language requirements

Standard

Structure

Associate Degree in Farm Production128 Credit Points

Bachelor of Agriculture192 Credit Points

Bachelor of Agricultural Science256 Credit Points

Essential set256 Credit Points

Core subject168 Credit Points

Students complete all subjects undertaking the course

AGB110

8 CPs

Agricultural Economics

AGB310

8 CPs

Agricultural Marketing

AGR130

8 CPs

Biology in Agriculture

AGR202

8 CPs

Food Environment and Culture

AGR203

8 CPs

Production Analysis and Optimisation

Livestock Production Systems

AGS107

8 CPs

Precision Agriculture and Data Handling

AGS120

8 CPs

Managing Contemporary Farm Systems

AGS160

8 CPs

Plant Production Systems

AGS203

8 CPs

Agricultural Biotechnology

Contemporary Issues in Agriculture

AHT101

8 CPs

Professional skills in Agriculture and Horticulture

AHT231

8 CPs

Agricultural Finance and Business Management

CHM108

8 CPs

Chemical Fundamentals

IKC101

8 CPs

First Nations Foundations: Knowing, Relating and Understanding Country

MCR101

8 CPs

Introduction to Microbiology

Fundamentals of Plant Protection

PSC415

8 CPs

Soil Management

Compulsory 24 Credit Points

Major64 Credit Points

Students select a major sequence from the following options.

Note: if intending to continue studies in the Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours), students will complete a minor (first four subjects of a major) and a research project in one of the following areas. Refer to 4510AS01 Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours) for subject selection.

Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours)256 Credit Points

Enrolment pattern

SESSION 1 (30) INTAKEFULL TIME STUDY PATTERN Students follow the enrolment pattern of the Bachelor of Agriculture until Year 2 - Session 1. Students choose a Major in Year 2 - Session 2: Agronomy, Digital Agriculture, Horticulture, Livestock Production or Mixed Farm Business. The Major comprises 64 points (8 subjects) … For more content click the Read More button below. Year 2 - Session 2 (60)PSC104 Soil ScienceAGR202 Food, Environment and CulturePSC221 Fundamentals of Plant ProtectionAndAgronomy/Digital Agriculture/Horticulture majors: AGS300 Livestock ManagementLivestock Production/Mixed Farm Business majors: ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology Year 3 - Session 1 (30)AGR203 Production Analysis and OptimisationAGR220 ExtensionPSC415 Soil ManagementAndAgronomy major: PSC202 Crop and Pasture ScienceDigital Agriculture major: SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science FoundationsHorticulture major: PSC215 Plant PhysiologyLivestock Production major: ASC261 Animal ReproductionMixed Farm Business major: AGB450 Agricultural Business Risk and Investment Year 3 - Session 2 (60)AGS422 Contemporary Issues in AgricultureAndAgronomy major: PSC271 Crop Agronomy, PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands and PSC424 Advanced Plant Protection Digital Agriculture major: ITC114 Introduction to Database Systems, SPA308 GIS Applications and one Restricted Elective Horticulture major: IRR200 Principles of Irrigation, PSC424 Advanced Plant Protection and one Restricted Elective Livestock Production major: AGS300 Livestock Management, ASC273 Animal Nutrition and PSC360 Pastures and RangelandsMixed Farm Business major: AGS300 Livestock Management, PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands and one Restricted Elective Year 3 - Session 3 (90)Agronomy major: PSC406 Summer Cropping Systems [recommended Restricted Elective] Year 4 - Session 1 (30)AGS405 Consultancy for Farm SystemsAGS407 Agricultural Industry Internship (16)*AndAgronomy/Mixed Farm Business majors: one Restricted ElectiveDigital Agriculture major**: SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment and AHT423 Digital Agriculture in PracticeHorticulture major: HRT301 Plant Propagation or HRT312 Nursery ProductionLivestock Production major: ASC350 Animal Health Year 4 - Session 2 (60)Agronomy major: two Restricted Electives if PSC406 completed or three Restricted Electives if PSC406 not completedDigital Agriculture major: two Restricted ElectivesHorticulture/Livestock Production/Mixed Farm Business majors: three Restricted Electives * Students may enrol in AGS407 in Year 3 - Session 3 (online) if better suited to the industry/activities of the Internship. ** Students completing the Digital Agriculture major will need to enrol in 40 points of subjects in Year 4 - Session 1. SESSION 1 (30) INTAKEPART TIME STUDY PATTERN Students follow the enrolment pattern of the Bachelor of Agriculture until Year 5 - Session 1. Students choose a Major in Year 5 - Session 2: Agronomy, Digital Agriculture, Horticulture, Livestock Production or Mixed Farm Business. The Major comprises 64 points (8 subjects) of compulsory and restricted elective subjects as listed in the Course Structure. Students need to consider their individual needs with respect to the timing of their Internship (AGS407) and Major subjects. Year 5 - Session 2 (60)AGS422 Contemporary Issues in AgricultureAndAgronomy major: PSC360 Pastures and RangelandsDigital Agriculture major: ITC114 Introduction to Database SystemsHorticulture major: IRR200 Principles of IrrigationLivestock Production/Mixed Farm Business majors: ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology Year 6 - Session 1 (30)PSC415 Soil ManagementAndAgronomy major: PSC202 Crop and Pasture ScienceDigital Agriculture major: SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science FoundationsHorticulture major: PSC215 Plant PhysiologyLivestock Production major: ASC261 Animal ReproductionMixed Farm Business major: AGB450 Agricultural Business Risk and Investment Year 6 - Session 2 (60)Agronomy major: PSC271 Crop Agronomy and PSC424 Advanced Plant ProtectionDigital Agriculture major: SPA308 GIS Applications and one Restricted ElectiveHorticulture major: PSC424 Advanced Plant Protection and one Restricted ElectiveLivestock Production major: ASC273 Animal Nutrition and PSC360 Pastures and RangelandsMixed Farm Business major: PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands and one Restricted Elective Year 7 - Session 1 (30)Agronomy/Mixed Farm Business majors: two Restricted ElectivesDigital Agriculture major: SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment and AHT423 Digital Agriculture in PracticeHorticulture major: HRT301 Plant Propagation or HRT312 Nursery Production, and one Restricted ElectiveLivestock Production major: ASC350 Animal Health and one Restricted Elective Year 7 - Session 2 (60)Agronomy major: one Restricted Electives if completing PSC406 or two Restricted Electives if not completing PSC406Digital Agriculture/Horticulture/Livestock Production/Mixed Farm Business majors: two Restricted Electives Year 7 - Session 3 (90)Agronomy major: PSC406 Summer Cropping Systems [recommended Restricted Elective] Year 8 - Session 1 (30)*AGS405 Consultancy for Farm SystemsAGS407 Agricultural Industry Internship (16)** * All students will need to enrol in 24 points of subjects in Year 8 - Session 1.** Students may enrol in AGS407 in Year 7 - Session 3 if better suited to the industry/activities of the Internship. SESSION 2 (60) INTAKEFULL TIME STUDY PATTERN Students follow the enrolment pattern for Year 1-2 of the Bachelor of Agriculture. Students choose a Major in Year 3 - Session 2: Agronomy, Digital Agriculture, Horticulture, Livestock Production or Mixed Farm Business. The Major comprises 64 points (8 subjects) of compulsory and restricted elective subjects as listed in the Course Structure. Students need to consider their individual needs with respect to the timing of their Internship (AGS407) and Major subjects. A full enrolment pattern is available upon request to the Course Team. SESSION 2 (60) INTAKEPART TIME STUDY PATTERN Students follow the enrolment pattern for Year 1-4 of the Bachelor of Agriculture. Students choose a Major in Year 5 - Session 2: Agronomy, Digital Agriculture, Horticulture, Livestock Production or Mixed Farm Business. The Major comprises 64 points (8 subjects) of compulsory and restricted elective subjects as listed in the Course Structure. Students need to consider their individual needs with respect to the timing of their Internship (AGS407) and Major subjects. A full enrolment pattern is available upon request to the Course Team.

SESSION 1 (30) INTAKE
FULL TIME STUDY PATTERN

Students follow the enrolment pattern of the Bachelor of Agriculture until Year 2 - Session 1. Students choose a Major in Year 2 - Session 2: Agronomy, Digital Agriculture, Horticulture, Livestock Production or Mixed Farm Business. The Major comprises 64 points (8 subjects) of compulsory and restricted elective subjects as listed in the Course Structure. Students need to consider their individual needs with respect to the timing of their Internship (AGS407) and Major subjects.

Year 2 - Session 2 (60)
PSC104 Soil Science
AGR202 Food, Environment and Culture
PSC221 Fundamentals of Plant Protection
And
Agronomy/Digital Agriculture/Horticulture majors: AGS300 Livestock Management
Livestock Production/Mixed Farm Business majors: ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology

Year 3 - Session 1 (30)
AGR203 Production Analysis and Optimisation
AGR220 Extension
PSC415 Soil Management
And
Agronomy major: PSC202 Crop and Pasture Science
Digital Agriculture major: SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science Foundations
Horticulture major: PSC215 Plant Physiology
Livestock Production major: ASC261 Animal Reproduction
Mixed Farm Business major: AGB450 Agricultural Business Risk and Investment

Year 3 - Session 2 (60)
AGS422 Contemporary Issues in Agriculture
And
Agronomy major: PSC271 Crop Agronomy, PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands and PSC424 Advanced Plant Protection
Digital Agriculture major: ITC114 Introduction to Database Systems, SPA308 GIS Applications and one Restricted Elective
Horticulture major: IRR200 Principles of Irrigation, PSC424 Advanced Plant Protection and one Restricted Elective
Livestock Production major: AGS300 Livestock Management, ASC273 Animal Nutrition and PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands
Mixed Farm Business major: AGS300 Livestock Management, PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands and one Restricted Elective

Year 3 - Session 3 (90)
Agronomy major: PSC406 Summer Cropping Systems [recommended Restricted Elective]

Year 4 - Session 1 (30)
AGS405 Consultancy for Farm Systems
AGS407 Agricultural Industry Internship (16)*
And
Agronomy/Mixed Farm Business majors: one Restricted Elective
Digital Agriculture major**: SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment and AHT423 Digital Agriculture in Practice
Horticulture major: HRT301 Plant Propagation or HRT312 Nursery Production
Livestock Production major: ASC350 Animal Health

Year 4 - Session 2 (60)
Agronomy major: two Restricted Electives if PSC406 completed or three Restricted Electives if PSC406 not completed
Digital Agriculture major: two Restricted Electives
Horticulture/Livestock Production/Mixed Farm Business majors: three Restricted Electives

* Students may enrol in AGS407 in Year 3 - Session 3 (online) if better suited to the industry/activities of the Internship.
** Students completing the Digital Agriculture major will need to enrol in 40 points of subjects in Year 4 - Session 1.

SESSION 1 (30) INTAKE
PART TIME STUDY PATTERN

Students follow the enrolment pattern of the Bachelor of Agriculture until Year 5 - Session 1. Students choose a Major in Year 5 - Session 2: Agronomy, Digital Agriculture, Horticulture, Livestock Production or Mixed Farm Business. The Major comprises 64 points (8 subjects) of compulsory and restricted elective subjects as listed in the Course Structure. Students need to consider their individual needs with respect to the timing of their Internship (AGS407) and Major subjects.

Year 5 - Session 2 (60)
AGS422 Contemporary Issues in Agriculture
And
Agronomy major: PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands
Digital Agriculture major: ITC114 Introduction to Database Systems
Horticulture major: IRR200 Principles of Irrigation
Livestock Production/Mixed Farm Business majors: ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology

Year 6 - Session 1 (30)
PSC415 Soil Management
And
Agronomy major: PSC202 Crop and Pasture Science
Digital Agriculture major: SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science Foundations
Horticulture major: PSC215 Plant Physiology
Livestock Production major: ASC261 Animal Reproduction
Mixed Farm Business major: AGB450 Agricultural Business Risk and Investment

Year 6 - Session 2 (60)
Agronomy major: PSC271 Crop Agronomy and PSC424 Advanced Plant Protection
Digital Agriculture major: SPA308 GIS Applications and one Restricted Elective
Horticulture major: PSC424 Advanced Plant Protection and one Restricted Elective
Livestock Production major: ASC273 Animal Nutrition and PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands
Mixed Farm Business major: PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands and one Restricted Elective

Year 7 - Session 1 (30)
Agronomy/Mixed Farm Business majors: two Restricted Electives
Digital Agriculture major: SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment and AHT423 Digital Agriculture in Practice
Horticulture major: HRT301 Plant Propagation or HRT312 Nursery Production, and one Restricted Elective
Livestock Production major: ASC350 Animal Health and one Restricted Elective

Year 7 - Session 2 (60)
Agronomy major: one Restricted Electives if completing PSC406 or two Restricted Electives if not completing PSC406
Digital Agriculture/Horticulture/Livestock Production/Mixed Farm Business majors: two Restricted Electives

Year 7 - Session 3 (90)
Agronomy major: PSC406 Summer Cropping Systems [recommended Restricted Elective]

Year 8 - Session 1 (30)*
AGS405 Consultancy for Farm Systems
AGS407 Agricultural Industry Internship (16)**

* All students will need to enrol in 24 points of subjects in Year 8 - Session 1.
** Students may enrol in AGS407 in Year 7 - Session 3 if better suited to the industry/activities of the Internship.

SESSION 2 (60) INTAKE
FULL TIME STUDY PATTERN

Students follow the enrolment pattern for Year 1-2 of the Bachelor of Agriculture. Students choose a Major in Year 3 - Session 2: Agronomy, Digital Agriculture, Horticulture, Livestock Production or Mixed Farm Business. The Major comprises 64 points (8 subjects) of compulsory and restricted elective subjects as listed in the Course Structure. Students need to consider their individual needs with respect to the timing of their Internship (AGS407) and Major subjects.

A full enrolment pattern is available upon request to the Course Team.

SESSION 2 (60) INTAKE
PART TIME STUDY PATTERN

Students follow the enrolment pattern for Year 1-4 of the Bachelor of Agriculture. Students choose a Major in Year 5 - Session 2: Agronomy, Digital Agriculture, Horticulture, Livestock Production or Mixed Farm Business. The Major comprises 64 points (8 subjects) of compulsory and restricted elective subjects as listed in the Course Structure. Students need to consider their individual needs with respect to the timing of their Internship (AGS407) and Major subjects.

A full enrolment pattern is available upon request to the Course Team.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, graduates will be able to:

Recall major biological, environmental, social, ethical and management theories and relate them to Agricultural contexts.

Acquire and interpret biophysical information relating to an Agricultural problem and plan for appropriate solutions.

Apply a range of professional techniques relating to the production of plants and animals and reflect on the effectiveness of these techniques.

Compare and contrast information from a range of sources, critically interpret reputable literature and draw conclusions.

Apply a range of strategies to conduct group activities in a range of professional and social contexts.

Using a scientific approach, combine knowledge from biological, environmental, social, cultural, ethical and management disciplines with biophysical information to construct a solution to a complex agricultural problem for a range of hypothetical clients.

Design and implement a range of written, verbal and digital experiences to communicate technical, professional and basic research information to a range of audiences.

Combine knowledge from biological, environmental, social, cultural, ethical and management disciplines, with biophysical information to construct, plan and implement a solution to a complex agricultural problem in the workplace.

Critically reflect on their professional knowledge, skills, values and goals and plan for further self-development.

10.

Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge, skill and application in their chosen major.

Related courses

Exit Award

Integrated Honours

Alternative exit options

The Bachelor of Agricultural Science is part of an articulated set of courses and credit is given in each higher level course for the subjects completed in the lower. Students may elect to exit the course after the completion of the requirements for: 4420AG01 Bachelor of Agriculture 4220AG01 Associate Degree … For more content click the Read More button below.