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Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Sciences (GD-AGSC)
Graduate DiplomaYear: 2024 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)
About this course
- Overview
- Entry and participation requirements
- Attributes, outcomes and skills
- Course structure
- Further study
- Notes
Principal Coordinator
Tony Weatherley
Contact
Prospective students:
Currently enrolled students:
Overview
Award title | Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Sciences |
---|---|
Year & campus | 2024 — Parkville |
CRICOS code | 085100D |
Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
AQF level | 8 |
Credit points | 100 credit points |
Duration | 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time |
Students will be introduced to many of the issues underpinning the advances in food and fibre production within the Australian and International Agriculture sectors. The subjects within the Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Sciences cover a range of plant and animal disciplines as well as a focus on current and emerging environmental agricultural and associated industry impacts.
Graduates will have a foundation in the scientific principles and analytical skills behind improved agricultural production systems and their sustainability. Students undertake interdisciplinary studies in the nature of agricultural crop, food and fibre production and markets at an advanced level. Knowledge and skills are developed in environmental, economic, social and ethical factors related to plant- and animal-derived food and fibre production in Australia and globally.
The Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Sciences is a pathway into the Master of Agricultural Sciences.
Links to further information
https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/graduate-diploma-in-agricultural-sciences/
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 with a weighted average mark of at least H3 (65%), 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 Science 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. The Faculty of Science 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 Faculty. Students 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. Students should be able to observe details at a number of scales and record useful observations in discipline dependant contexts.
II. Communication: Students must be able to communicate with fellow students, professional and academic staff, members of relevant professions and the public. Students should be able to communicate effectively and sensitively. Communication includes not only speech but also reading and writing.
III. Motor: Students 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 student should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.
V. Behavioural and Social Attributes: Students 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 Student Equity and Disability Support.
Intended learning outcomes
Completing this course will:
- Describe the interdisciplinary nature of agricultural crop, food and fibre production and markets at an advanced level
- Apply scientific principles and analytical skills to improve agricultural production systems and their sustainability
- Demonstrate familiarity with advanced research topics and practical applications within the disciplines of agricultural science
- Investigate innovative approaches to the contemporary management of commercial agricultural systems
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of environmental, economic, social and ethical factors related to plant and animal-derived food and fibre production in Australia and globally.
Generic skills
In this course, students will:
- Be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills in the interdisciplinary field of agricultural science
- Develop an understanding of problem solving and research methodologies and demonstrate personal accountability by applying solutions to diverse challenges facing agricultural systems, and
- Investigate and apply innovative approaches to the contemporary, interdisciplinary management of commercial agricultural systems.
Graduate attributes
Graduates from the Graduate Diploma program will possess attributes that will ensure they can either find employment in the public or private sectors related to a wide range of agricultural production, environmental, economics, bioresearch and service industries, and community organisations concerned with public good, or continue into further postgraduate programs of study.
Course structure
- Course core subjects (25 credit points)
- Discipline core subjects (37.5 points)
- Elective subjects (37.5 credit points)
Course Core
All students are required to complete the following two Course Core subjects:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI90057 | Climate Change:Agric.Impacts&Adaptation | July (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI90097 | Australian Agriculture | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Discipline Core Subjects
Choose three (37.5 points) subjects from any of the discipline core subjects. While you are able to select any of the subjects below, it is important if you wish to progress one of the Master of Agricultural Sciences specialisations that you select appropriate discipline core subjects, especially for the Agribusiness specialisation which has prerequisites within the Masters.
Agribusiness Discipline Core Subjects:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI90077 | Agribusiness 2 | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI90014 | Managing Markets | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI90012 | Agribusiness 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Animal Science Discipline Core Subjects:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ANSC90002 | Nutrition and Feed Science | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ANSC90004 | Monogastric Science | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ANSC90006 | Genetics and Animal Breeding | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Crop and Soil Sciences Discipline Core Subjects:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI90091 | Advanced Plant Breeding and Improvement | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
FOOD90034 | Sustainable Food Production | Semester 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
AGRI90066 | Soil Science and Management | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Food Sustainability Discipline Core Subjects:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
FOOD90033 | Sustainable Food: Policy and Practice | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
FOOD90034 | Sustainable Food Production | Semester 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
AGRI90092 | Agricultural Advisory Practice & Theory | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Agricultural Innovation and Extension Discipline Core Subjects:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI90092 | Agricultural Advisory Practice & Theory | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI90093 | Agricultural Extension | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
and one of:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI90088 | Leadership and Strategy for Agribusiness | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI90094 | Managing Innovation and Change | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Elective Subjects
You will need to choose three (37.5 points) elective subjects from the list below:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
FOOD90028 | Sensory Evaluation | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI90066 | Soil Science and Management | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ANSC90004 | Monogastric Science | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
FOOD90041 | The Politics of Food | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI90089 | Human Resource Management | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ANSC90005 | Behaviour of Farm & Companion Animals | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
FOOD90012 | Current Issues in Dairy Science | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ENST90032 | Sustainability and Behaviour Change |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
AGRI90014 | Managing Markets | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI90012 | Agribusiness 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
FOOD90040 | Nutrition Politics and Policy | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ANSC90009 | Dairy Systems | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ANSC90002 | Nutrition and Feed Science | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
FOOD90010 | Meat and Meat Products | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
NRMT90002 | Biosecurity: Managing Invasive Species | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
FOOD90033 | Sustainable Food: Policy and Practice | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
FRST90033 | Farm Trees & Agroforestry | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
FOOD90035 | Plant Food Products | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI90075 | Research Methods For Life Sciences | Semester 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
ANSC90007 | Animal Welfare | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
AGRI90092 | Agricultural Advisory Practice & Theory | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI90093 | Agricultural Extension | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI90096 | Advances in Crop Monitoring Methods | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI90077 | Agribusiness 2 | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI90088 | Leadership and Strategy for Agribusiness | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Further study
Students can progress to the 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: 30 January 2024