Master of Agricultural Science
Course code/s: SMASR - Melbourne
For admission to the Master of Agricultural Science (MAgrSc) program, candidates must normally hold a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (pass or Honours) degree or an Honours degree in another discipline. The MAgrSc is also available to candidates with a three year pass degree who have completed the Honours year in Agricultural Science (AGR4PGB). The course is available on a full-time basis over two to three years or on a part-time basis over two to four years.
The Department of Agricultural Sciences has ongoing research in the following general areas and specific programs:
Nutrition
- nutrition and immunity of calves
- nutritional requirements and digestive physiology of wild and domestic animals and birds
- vitamins and mineral nutrition
- regulation of feed conversion efficiency in production animals including poultry, pigs, cattle and sheep
- obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and diabetes
- nutrition and fertility in dairy cattle
- protein and energy metabolism
- gene–nutrient interactions.
Microbiology/biochemistry
- bacterial virulence and spoilage
- bacterial iron metabolism
- bacterial resistance to copper and zinc.
Parasitology
- analysis of parasite proteins involved in host invasion and their potential as targets for new control agents
- development of diagnostic assays for parasitic diseases
- processes of establishment of ectoparasitic infections on animal skin
- immune responses active against parasites, analysis and potential use in vaccine development.
Crop and pasture nutrition
- crop and pasture agronomy
- nutrition
- water use efficiency and fertiliser effectiveness
- soil/plant relationships in saline and non-saline environments.
Soil science
- role of organic matter in the improvement of soil fertility
- dynamics of soil aggregation
- management of soil acidity, salinity and subsoil constraints
- rhizosphere dynamics, role of root exudates in nutrient mobilisation
- adaptation of plants to problem soils
Viticultural science
- soil management
- water relations and salinity tolerance
- flowering, fertilisation and fruit development
- potassium and quality of grape juice
Endocrinology, developmental biology and neurobiology
- endocrinology of hatching and birth
- developmental genetics of hypothalamic neuron differentiation
- developmental endocrinology of stress and coping with stress
- hormones and foetal programming
- hormonal control of appetite
Further information about areas of research, applications, fees and scholarships is available from the Department of Agricultural Sciences on (03) 9479 2190. Before lodging an application, prospective candidates should discuss their research interests with the head of the relevant area to ensure that a supervisor is available.