Handbook home
Plant and Soil Science
Bachelor of AgricultureMajorYear: 2017
Plant and Soil Science
Overview
This major will provide graduates with a depth and breadth of understanding in plant and soil science in the context of agricultural production systems. Students of this major will study subjects in soil biology and management, and plant health for growth and production. Students will also gain a detailed understanding of the drivers of plant industries and how management strategies can optimise yield and product quality.
This major will be available to students who commenced the B-AGR from 2016 onwards. The subjects comprising the third year of this new major are subject to review in 2017, and may be altered for 2018.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this major, students will have:
- A strong understanding of the determinants of soil and plant health
- An understanding of the structure and function of plant production industries in Australia and around the world, including the determinants of production and their implications for land management
- The ability to critically evaluate options, and formulate plans that will ensure long term industry and environmental sustainability
- An understanding of current issues facing plant production systems
- The skills to effectively analyse, and scientifically evaluate problems relating to plant production industries
- The ability to communicate and discuss scientific and industry information with relevant stakeholders
Last updated: 30 January 2024
Structure
150 credit points
The Plant & Soil Science major is undertaken across Years 2 and 3 of the Bachelor of Agriculture.
At Year 2 the major for Plant & Soil Science consists of Level 2 subjects:
- 25 credit points of core subjects for the Bachelor of Agriculture degree
- 50 credit points of core subjects for the major
- 25 credit points of elective subject
In Year 2, students also have the option of undertaking a semester of study (Semester 2) at Dookie Campus. Students who study this semester at Dookie would normally expected to complete all four subjects offered at Dookie Campus. Two of these subjects, AGRI20040 Enterprise Management and AGRI20036 Ecology & Grazing Management will count as electives. A student completing the semester of study at Dookie will be eligible to progress to Year 3 of the Plant and Soil Science major.
At Year 3 the major for Plant & Soil Science consists of Level 3 subjects:
- 25 credit points of core subjects for the Bachelor of Agriculture degree
- 50 credit points of core subjects for the major
- 25 credit points of elective subjects
Subject Options
Core for Year 2 - Parkville Option
All students who choose to study the entire second year of the Bachelor of Agriculture year at Parkville will be required to complete the following core subjects in Year 2 for the Plant & Soil Science major:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ECON20012 | Agricultural Economics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BCMB20006 | Biochemistry in Agricultural Systems | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI20026 | Plant Growth Processes | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MIIM20004 | No longer available | ||
AGRI20038 | Principles of Soil Science |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
AGRI20037 | Crop Production and Management | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Electives for Year 2 - Parkville Option
Students studying the entire year at Parkville have the option to take 25 points of elective subjects at Year 2.
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI20036 | Ecology and Grazing Management |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
DASC20012 | Comparative Nutrition and Digestion | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI20003 | Sustainable Food Systems | June (On Campus - Dookie) |
12.5 |
Year 2 - Dookie Option
Students who select to study the second semester at the Dookie Campus would normally be required to study the following eight subjects:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ECON20012 | Agricultural Economics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BCMB20006 | Biochemistry in Agricultural Systems | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MIIM20004 | No longer available | ||
AGRI20036 | Ecology and Grazing Management |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
AGRI20040 | Enterprise Management | Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie) |
12.5 |
AGRI20038 | Principles of Soil Science |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
AGRI20035 | Applied Crop Production and Horticulture | Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie) |
12.5 |
DASC20010 | Animal Physiology and Growth | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Year Three
The Plant and Soil Science major will be further refined for 2018 and incorporate the following Level 3 subjects:
Core to Major:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI30016 | Irrigation and Water Management | June (On Campus - Dookie) |
12.5 |
AGRI30032 | Plant Health and Improvement | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Electives:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI30037 | No longer available | ||
DASC30005 | Applied Animal Behaviour | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
DASC30015 | Animal Welfare and Ethics | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
DASC30016 | No longer available |
The course coordinator may approve enrolment into additional elective subjects at Level 2 or 3 where it is demonstrated that the selected subject is cognate and relevant to the major.
Last updated: 30 January 2024