Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Sciences (GC-AGSC)

Overview

Entry requirements

The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to pursue the course successfully using the following criteria:

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed: either

• an undergraduate degree in any discipline, or equivalent; or
• a minimum of six years documented relevant professional work experience

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and, if relevant
• professional experience.

3. The Selection committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board Rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the University’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Notes.

• Successful applicants whose undergraduate degree is in a cognate discipline may receive up to 50 points credit towards the Masters
• Successful applicants with an honours degree in a cognate discipline may receive up to 100 points credit towards the Masters
• Successful applicants with completed graduate level subjects in a cognate discipline may receive credit towards the Masters, up to 100 points.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences (FVAS) welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Faculty policy to take reasonable steps to make reasonable adjustments so as to enable the student’s participation in the Faculty's programs. FVAS contributes to the New Generation degrees and offers a broad range of programs across undergraduate and post-graduate levels many of which adopt a multi-disciplinary approach.

Students of the Faculty's courses must possess intellectual, ethical, and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the School. Candidates must have abilities and skills in observation; motor in relevant areas; communication; in conceptual, integrative, and quantitative dimensions; and in behavioural and social dimensions.

Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability, however students need to be able to participate in the program in an independent manner and with regard to their safety and the safety of others.

I. Observation: In some contexts, the student must be able to observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic and applied sciences. More broadly, observation requires reading text, diagrams, maps, drawings and numerical data. The candidate should be able to observe details at a number of scales and record useful observations in discipline dependant contexts.

II. Communication: A candidate should be able to communicate with fellow students, professional and academic staff, members of relevant professions and the public. A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively. Communication includes not only speech but also reading and writing.

III. Motor: Candidates should have sufficient motor function necessary for participation in the inherent discipline-related activities. The practical work, design work, field work, diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests, require varying motor movement abilities. Off campus investigations may include visits to construction sites, urban, rural and/or remote environments.

IV. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of professionals in land and environment industries, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the candidate should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.

V. Behavioural and Social Attributes: A candidate must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from meeting the above academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit.

Course structure

The program comprises of one core subject (12.5 credit points), one specialisation core subject (12.5 credit points) and two elective subjects (25 credit points)

Subject options

Specialisations

If you are considering continuing onto the Master of Agricultural Sciences, you should note that there are five specialisations

• Agribusiness
• Animal Science
• Crop Science
• Food Sustainability
• Agricultural Innovation and Extension

You should determine which specialisation you wish to undertake, especially if you are considering progressing to further study as some subjects could be a pre-requisite for other subjects within the Masters. Choose your specialisation core subject and elective subjects to suit your chosen specialisation.

Core Subject

All students are required to take this core subject;

Discipline Core Subjects

Students must select ONE discipline core subject. The following subjects are recommended for specific disciplines:

• Agribusiness - Choose AGRI90013 Financial Management for Agribusiness (Please note that AGRI90013 is a pre-requisite subject for AGRI90016 Managing Risk at Masters level)
• Animal Science - Choose ANSC90004 Monogastric Science
• Crop Science - Choose AGRI90066 Soil Science and Management
• Food Sustainability- Choose AGRI90057 Climate Change: Agric. Impacts & Adaptation
• Agricultural Innovation and Extension - Choose AGRI90092 Agricultural Advisory Practice and Theory

Elective Subjects

Students should choose their remaining 25 credit points from the following elective subject choices:

Further study

Students are able to progress to the GD-AGSC Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Sciences or the MC-AGSC Master of Agricultural Sciences.

In accordance with the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326), Examiners may offer reassessment (as a second attempt at passing a subject for a borderline failure in a single subject) to a student enrolled in this course. A borderline failure is defined as a mark of 45% or more.

Last updated: 18 December 2020