Bachelor of Agriculture (Degree with Honours) (BH-AGR)

You’re currently viewing the 2022 version of this course

Overview

Award title	Bachelor of Agriculture (Degree with Honours)
Year & campus	2022 — Parkville
CRICOS code	037229G
Fees information	Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date
Study level & type	Undergraduate Coursework
AQF level	8
Credit points	100 credit points
Duration	12 months full-time

The honours year in Bachelor of Agriculture comprises advanced coursework, and an individual research project designed to extend students' knowledge and skills in solving research problems. Completion of an honours year further prepares students for employment, or for a research higher degree (Doctor of Philosophy or Masters by Research).

The honours year programs are undertaken on a full-time basis and commence at the start of the year only.

On completion of the fourth (honours) year, the School determines the award of honours degrees on the basis of average mark of the weighted average of all fourth-year subjects. The resulting figure is the 'Honours Score'.

https://fvas.unimelb.edu.au/study/honours

Entry requirements

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

within the last 10 years a Bachelor of Agriculture with a weighted average mark of at least H3 (65%), or equivalent, with a major relevant to the discipline stream within the Bachelor of Agriculture (Degree with Honours) that they seek to enter.

Meeting this requirement does not guarantee selection

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

prior academic performance; and
the availability of supervision and resources in suitable project areas.

Quotas may be applied to the degree as a whole or to individual discipline streams and preference may be given to applicants with evidence of appropriate preparation or potential to undertake research.

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. For applicants who have not completed the Victorian Certificate of Education or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, the undergraduate English language requirements must be met.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

It is University and degree policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the degree.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Student Equity and Disability Support Team: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Students enrolling in the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences are advised that some courses of study may put them at an increased risk of contracting Q Fever. Q Fever is a relatively common, preventable condition which while rarely fatal, can cause a severe acute illness and can result in damage to heart valves and chronic fatigue. It is recommended that students consider undertaking screening and vaccination for Q Fever prior to commencement of study. Students may be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to undertaking some coursework. Vaccine costs for students are not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), Medicare, or by the University. Some students with full private health coverage (which has hospital and ancillary cover) may receive partial reimbursement for vaccine costs.

More information: https://fvas.unimelb.edu.au/students/admin/q-fever

Intended learning outcomes

Students who have completed this course should have acquired:

A systems-thinking approach to agricultural production and land management, including an understanding of the structures of agriculture-related industries; the principal factors that determine their location, environmental impact, sustainability, profitability and international trade competitiveness; and the biophysical, economic and social factors that affect production systems
Appropriate knowledge and the ability to critically evaluate knowledge gained from a range of scientific, economic and social sources;
The ability to disseminate scientific and industry information
Skills to effectively analyse, and scientifically evaluate agricultural problems and reach appropriate solutions
Effective communication skills in a variety of media
The ability to collect and interpret agricultural data
An understanding of the research methodologies necessary to design and interpret experiments
A commitment to the highest standards of academic and intellectual integrity befitting their professional standing

Generic skills

Students who complete this course should have:

A profound respect for truth, intellectual and professional integrity, and the ethics of scholarship
A capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning
An ability to derive, interpret and analyse ecological, biological, social, technical or economic information from primary sources
An awareness of, and ability to utilize appropriate communication technology and methods for the storage, management and analysis of data
A capacity for creativity and innovation, through the application of skills and knowledge
An ability to integrate information across a broad range of disciplines to solve problems in applied situations
Highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
Highly developed oral communication skills to allow informed dialogue and liaison with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
An appreciation of social and cultural diversity from a regional to a global context
An ability to participate effectively as part of a team
An ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects

Graduate attributes

Graduates will be expected to:

Have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
Have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
Reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
Be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
Be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies
Be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
Accept social and civic responsibilities
Be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
Have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics

Course structure

BH-AGR is a 100 point honours year for students who have completed an undergraduate Bachelor of Agriculture.

The honours course is comprised of coursework subjects and a research project. The coursework subjects will enable students to gain an understanding of the principles of research. Students will also be expected to attend Faculty research seminars throughout the year.

Subject options

Research Component

Students will select a project from a list formulated by supervisors through the Honours Research Project subject coordinator. Some of these projects may be offered in collaboration with industry, and collaborating institutions. Project proposals detailing the experimental plan and a literature review will be presented before the Honours Panel for discussion and approval prior to commencing experimental work. Students will be required to present seminars on both their project proposal and the outcomes of their research. The expected length of the thesis (including references) will normally be limited to 20,000 words.

Students enrol into both of the following subjects:

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
AGRI40017	Agric.Science Research Project Part 1	Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)	25
AGRI40018	Agric.Science Research Project Part 2	Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	50

Coursework Component

Students must complete the following subject:

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
SCIE40001	Critical Thinking in Research	Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)	12.5

Selective Component

Students enrol into one of the following subjects (as directed by the student's research project supervisor). Students must seek approval from their research project supervisor prior to enrolling in the subject.

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
AGRI90075	Research Methods For Life Sciences	Semester 1 (Online)	12.5
MAST90072	Data and Decision Making	Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)	12.5

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
BIOL90002	Biometry	July (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)	12.5

Further study

After successfully completing the program, students will be prepared either to enter the workforce and pursue a career or to pursue further research study through a masters or doctor of philosophy degree.

https://fvas.unimelb.edu.au/research/graduate-research

Last updated: 10 November 2023