Science, Technology and Engineering

School of Life Sciences

Department of Environmental Management & Ecology

Agriculture Science degree pathway available at La Trobe Albury-Wodonga

Media release, November 2010

The Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering at La Trobe University is focused on creating tertiary study options for students in the regions.

The Faculty has extended opportunities for prospective students planning to commence their studies in 2011 by establishing a pathway from the Bachelor of Biological Science at the Albury-Wodonga campus to the Bachelor of Agricultural Science.

The first year would be completed at the Albury-Wodonga campus and the following years at the main Melbourne campus.

The sustainable management of natural resources and agricultural production systems are critical activities requiring skilled graduates with a broad knowledge in science and business. This pathway will provide prospective students from the regions with an opportunity to graduate as a professional agricultural scientist.

The La Trobe degree in Agricultural Science is one of the broadest agricultural science degrees available and focuses on sustainable land, plant and animal management.

It has developed unique problem-solving approaches for students in their final years and provides students with a hands-on blend of science skills, agricultural production systems, and business outcomes.

La Trobe Agricultural Science graduates have embarked on a diverse range of interesting and relevant careers in Australia 's $35 billion food and fibre industry, in the agricultural and environmental sciences, or in the associated service industries.

“There is a huge need for professional agricultural science graduates today. Estimates of five jobs for every graduate clearly indicate the shortage and the need. In addition, there are major problems ahead for agriculture - due to climate change and food insecurity. So enthusiastic graduates with a broad knowledge base and problem-solving skills, will be required to address and solve these problems,” stated Associate Professor Peter Sale, Course Coordinator of Agricultural Science at La Trobe University.

Greg Toomey, Senior Agronomist, Landmark, affirms the growing demand for highly skilled agricultural positions and the qualified graduates to fill them.

“It is an understatement to say that there is an abundance of jobs in the regions for graduates. Graduate opportunities extend well beyond traditional agriculture, and include technological investigation and consultancy in agriculture; conservation, environmental protection and resource management, applied research, agribusiness, agronomy, and the development and application of biotechnology in agriculture and related industries. An underlying assumption is the ready supply of suitably qualified Agricultural scientists.”

AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience, recently established at the Melbourne campus will be one of Australia 's premier research facilities. La Trobe students will have access to the 'AgriBio option' on completion of their undergraduate studies.

From 2012, honours and postgraduate students will have the opportunity to train in a first-rate facility, one of the best biosciences facilities in the world, and collaborate with world-leading scientists. Key features of the postgraduate programs include industry placements, case-study teaching, and international experience.

The research undertaken at AgriBio will contribute significantly to the protection of agriculture from disease threats, improve primary industries' competitiveness and sustainability, and focus efforts on addressing current challenges, including climate change and drought. It also develops the scientific and economic understanding that underpins primary production, resource management and agribusiness.

Planning is underway to develop a formal pathway that allows students to enrol directly in the Bachelor of Agricultural Science with the first year offered at the Albury-Wodonga campus, and the remaining three years of the degree being delivered at the Melbourne campus. We expect this formal pathway will be in place for students commencing their studies in 2012.

For more information, contact Mrs Rachel Gorman, 0260249885.