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Bachelor of Agriculture (B-AGR)
Bachelors DegreeYear: 2024 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)
About this course
- Overview
- Entry and participation requirements
- Attributes, outcomes and skills
- Course structure
- Majors, minors and specialisations
- Further study
- Notes
Principal Coordinator
Ros Gall
Contact
Prospective students:
Currently enrolled students:
Coordinator:
Ros Gall rosgall@unimelb.edu.au
First Year Coordinator:
Sarah Frankland sarah.frankland@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Award title | Bachelor of Agriculture |
---|---|
Year & campus | 2024 — Parkville |
CRICOS code | 037228G |
Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
Study level & type | Undergraduate Coursework |
AQF level | 7 |
Credit points | 300 credit points |
Duration | 36 months full-time or 72 months part-time |
The Bachelor of Agriculture provides students with a sound understanding of the structure and operation of agricultural production industries of Australia, as well as an understanding of Australia’s role in global food and fibre production.
Students will develop an understanding of fundamental scientific concepts, and will learn to apply this understanding to a range of agricultural contexts, including precision farming.
Through core studies at each year level, students will develop an integrated and multidisciplinary understanding of agricultural science, and of the social, political, and economic drivers of resource management, agricultural development and sustainability.
At the same time, depth of understanding in a chosen major in Plant and Soil Science, Production Animal Science or Agricultural Economics, will equip students with the knowledge, skills and aptitudes required to assess and improve performance in agricultural industries, to ensure long term sustainability, and to contribute as leaders in agricultural industries and communities.
Students will be involved in study at both the Dookie and Parkville campuses (with the option of a full time program of study at the Dookie campus in Semester 2 of second year). Students will also have an opportunity to undertake industry placements.
Entry requirements
- In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed: one of
(a) the Victorian Certificate of Education including:
- VCE Units 3 and 4 – either a study score of at least 25 in one of English, English Language or Literature or a study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language, and
- VCE Units 3 and 4 – either a study score of at least 25 in one of Mathematical Methods (CAS) or Specialist Mathematics, or a study score of at least 30 in Further Mathematics;
(b) the International Baccalaureate Diploma including
- at least Grade 4 in English or English B (Standard Level or Higher Level), and
- at least Grade 5 in Applications and Interpretations (SL) or at least Grade 4 in either Applications and interpretations (HL), Analysis and approaches (SL), or Analysis and approaches (HL);
(c) a senior secondary program, foundation studies program or equivalent approved by the Academic Board including appropriate English language and Mathematics studies.
Except for applicants eligible for Access Melbourne, minimum ATAR or equivalent overall performance rankings apply http://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/admissions/access_melbourne_and_equity_programs/access-melbourne).
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
- Prior academic performance
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 (http://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/admissions/entry-requirements/language-requirements) must be met.
Note. For applications through the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre, “middle-band” selection adjustments are made only on the basis of eligibility for Access Melbourne.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. Undertaking this course requires completion of subjects where students will be required to actively and safely contribute to field excursions and laboratory activities. Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Q Fever Vaccination
A core participation requirement of this course is that students agree to be vaccinated against 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. A number of subjects offered in this course may place students at risk of exposure to Q Fever.
Q Fever screening and vaccination can be arranged through the University Health Service. The cost of the vaccination program is separate to tuition fees.
Further information: https://science.unimelb.edu.au/students/plan-your-study/q-fever-vaccinations
Intended learning outcomes
Key learning objectives of the course are to develop in our students:
- Abilities to critically evaluate options, and formulate plans that will ensure long term industry and environmental sustainability
- 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 location, environmental impact, sustainability, profitability and international trade competitiveness
- An understanding of how agriculture and other land uses (including agro-forestry) influence the landscape
- Breadth and depth of knowledge relevant to agriculture, and the ability to critically evaluate knowledge gained from a range of scientific, economic and social sources
- Skills to effectively analyse, and scientifically evaluate agricultural and environmental problems and reach appropriate solutions
- The ability to communicate and discuss scientific and industry information with relevant stakeholders
- Effective communication skills in a variety of media and settings
- The capacity for initiating and maintaining cooperative relationships with colleagues, employers and clients
- Effective team collaboration and leadership skills
- The ability to collect, analyse and interpret agricultural and environmental data for appropriate decision making
- An understanding of the research methodologies necessary to design, conduct and interpret small scientific research projects
- A commitment to the highest standards of academic and intellectual integrity, and an acceptance of the community responsibilities of citizenship befitting their professional standing
Generic skills
The Bachelor of Agriculture aims to provide students with:
- The capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning and research
- An ability to derive, interpret and analyse ecological, biological, social, technical or economic information from primary sources
- Highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
- 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 of the Bachelor of Agriculture will be:
- Scientists equipped with the knowledge and skills to contribute to the agricultural sector and the profession of agricultural science as soil scientists, agronomists and plant scientists, animal scientists, agricultural economists or social scientists
- Confident in their ability to solve problems, create new knowledge, and apply knowledge and skills to create solutions
- Flexible and energetic team players who can communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
- Aware of their role as leaders locally, nationally and globally in ensuring sustainable agricultural production outcomes
Course structure
The Bachelor of Agriculture requires the successful completion of 300 credit points.
- 150 credit points of Compulsory subjects including
- 100 credit points of Level 1 compulsory subjects
- 37.5 credit points of Level 2 compulsory subjects
- 12.5 credit points of Level 3 compulsory subjects
- 150 credit points of remaining Discipline subjects, including
- Completion of one prescribed major (totalling 37.5 credit points of Level 3 discipline subjects)
- A minimum of 112.5 credit points of discipline electives
Additional Rules
- A maximum of 25 credit points of Level 1 discipline electives
- A minimum of 62.5 credit points of Level 3 Discipline subjects (major core subjects and electives)
Progression Rules
- Completion of at least 50 points of Level 1 study before proceeding to the next subject year level.
- Students must also complete the Agriculture Discovery subject at Dookie campus within Year 1 of the degree (first 100 credit points).
- Completion of at least 50 points of Level 2 study before proceeding to the next subject year level.
- The exception to this is AGRI30041 / Industry Internship, which students in the Bachelor of Agriculture are permitted to undertake after the completion of Year 1.
Subject Options
Compulsory subjects
Level 1 compulsory subjects
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI10045 | Foundations of Agricultural Sciences 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI10046 | Foundations of Agricultural Sciences 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI10047 | Agriculture in Australia | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI10048 | Plant Production Systems | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI10049 | Animal Production Systems | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI10050 | Agricultural Systems Biology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI10051 | Genetics for Agriculture | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ENVS10001 | Natural Environments | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI10053 | Agriculture Discovery | February (On Campus - Dookie) |
0 |
Level 2 compulsory subjects
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI20038 | Principles of Soil Science |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
AGRI20043 | Biochemistry in Agricultural Systems | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI20042 | Agricultural Economics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Level 3 compulsory subject
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI30038 | Professional Practice for Agriculture |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie)
|
12.5 |
Electives
NB. Some of these subjects have prerequisites.
Level 1 electives
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI10039 | Australia in the Wine World |
February (On Campus - Dookie)
July (On Campus - Dookie)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
UNIB10009 | Food for a Healthy Planet | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
FOOD10001 | Beer Styles and Sensory Analysis | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ANSC10001 | Animals & Society 1: Animals & Our World | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Level 2 electives
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI20003 | Sustainable Food Systems | Winter Term (On Campus - Dookie) |
12.5 |
AGRI20027 | Vine to Wine |
February (On Campus - Dookie)
February (On Campus - Dookie)
|
12.5 |
AGRI20037 | Crop Production and Management | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI20036 | Ecology and Grazing Management |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie)
|
12.5 |
AGRI20035 | Applied Crop Production and Horticulture | Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie) |
12.5 |
AGRI20026 | Plant Growth Processes | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI20040 | Enterprise Management | Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie) |
12.5 |
AGRI20041 | Principles of Farm Practice Change | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ANSC20001 | Animal Physiology and Growth | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ANSC20002 | Comparative Nutrition and Digestion | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ANSC20005 | Companion Animal Biology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ANSC20003 | Topics in Animal Health | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ANSC20004 | Animals & Society 2: Human-Animal Bond | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
FOOD20007 | Principles of Brewing | Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Dookie) |
12.5 |
AGRI20044 | Microbiology in Agriculture | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI20045 | Wine & Spirits:An Australian Perspective |
July (On Campus - Dookie)
September (On Campus - Dookie)
|
12.5 |
FOOD20003 | Intro to Food Science & Human Nutrition | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Note:
- A student’s choice of Level 2 electives is informed by prerequisites for selected Level 3 subjects, including the required subjects in the selected major
- In Year 2 students should select Level 2 subjects as per course progression rules.
Level 3 electives
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI30011 | Innovation Change & Knowledge Transfer | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI30016 | Irrigation and Water Management | June (On Campus - Dookie) |
12.5 |
AGRI30030 | No longer available | ||
AGRI30033 | Farm Management Economics | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI30037 | Soil Management | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI30040 | Agribusiness Marketing & Value Chains | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI30041 | Industry Internship |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
AGRI30042 | Plant Pathology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI30043 | Resource Management Economics | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI30045 | Applications in Precision Agriculture | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI30046 | Agronomy |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie)
|
12.5 |
AGRI30047 | Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
AGRI30048 | Plant Breeding and Genetics | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ANSC30003 | Applied Animal Behaviour | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ANSC30004 | Applied Animal Reproduction & Genetics |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie)
|
12.5 |
ANSC30005 | Animal Welfare and Ethics | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ANSC30006 | Production Animal Health | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ANSC30008 | Production Animal Physiology |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
AGRI30006 | Industry Project | Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie) |
25 |
Dookie campus option
Students who select to undertake studies in semester 2, Year 2 at the Dookie Campus enrol in 50 credit points of prescribed subjects. One of these subjects is a compulsory subject (AGRI20038 Principles of Soil Science). The remaining three (AGRI20035, AGRI20036, AGRI20040) are approved Level 2 electives.
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI20035 | Applied Crop Production and Horticulture | Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie) |
12.5 |
AGRI20036 | Ecology and Grazing Management |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie)
|
12.5 |
AGRI20038 | Principles of Soil Science |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
AGRI20040 | Enterprise Management | Semester 2 (On Campus - Dookie) |
12.5 |
Students undertaking the Dookie Campus option are expected to enrol in all four subjects. Completion of the Dookie Campus option does not preclude a student from undertaking any of the majors in the course.
Additional costs (transport/accommodation) apply for students undertaking the Dookie Campus option.
Majors, minors & specialisations
Majors
Each major is comprised of 37.5 credit points of Level 3 subjects. The combination of subjects available within each major differentiate it from other majors. Students will need to complete Level 2 prerequisites prior to enrolment in the Level 3 subjects of the major.
Name | Credit Points |
---|---|
Agricultural Economics | 37.5 |
Plant and Soil Science | 37.5 |
Production Animal Science | 37.5 |
Further study
Students may wish to continue their undergraduate studies and undertake their Honours year.
The Faculty offers excellent opportunities for students to pursue postgraduate studies. Programs available include Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Masters (by coursework), Masters (by research) and Doctoral degrees. Refer to the Faculty website for more information: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/study-with-us/graduate-courses/science
Q Fever
A core participation requirement of this course is that students agree to be vaccinated against 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. A number of subjects offered in this course may place students at risk of exposure to Q Fever.
Q Fever screening and vaccination can be arranged through the University Health Service. The cost of the vaccination program is separate to tuition fees.
Further information: https://science.unimelb.edu.au/students/plan-your-study/q-fever-vaccinations
Reassessment
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: 28 March 2024