Bachelor of Agricultural Science
Course code/s: Melbourne (SVAS)
This course is designed to encourage a basic understanding of the relationships between soils, plants, animals, economics, and the environment. It should be emphasised that the degree is in agricultural science, not in farming. Agriculture is not only an important component of our environment; it reacts with and affects the non-agricultural components. The emphasis in the course is, therefore, on the sciences relevant to an understanding of primary production, resource management and on agribusiness.
The course concentrates on the sciences concerned with soil productivity, plant, and animal production and on agribusiness and marketing. These include soil science, plant and animal nutrition, physiology and biochemistry, plant and animal health, pest ecology and management, climate change, agribusiness, statistics and experimental design, and case studies in agricultural production and its impact on the environment.
The applied science and agribusiness studies, which are the foundations of the Bachelor of Agricultural Science, have a highly successful record in leading to a wide variety of careers in agricultural, industrial research and commercial organisations, for career advice see http://www.csu.edu.au/special/acda/careers. Professional recognition would apply for graduates, as they are eligible to become members of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology.
Industry experience
An essential requirement of the degree is twelve weeks of approved industry experience, taken during the vacations.
Course structure
The course requires the completion of 480 credit points over four years of full-time or equivalent part-time study. This is a fixed content course.
New course structure
For students in first and second year in 2012.
First year (120 credit points)
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Introduction to Animal and Agricultural Science | AGR1AAS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Organisation and Function of Cells and Organisms | BIO1OF | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Processes that Shape the Earth | GEO1PRO | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Genetics, Human Biology and Evolution | BIO1GEN | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Statistics for Life Sciences | STA1LS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Plant Science | BIO1PS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | First year level elective | 15 | |
| Choose one first-semester chemistry subject. Students who have passed VCE Chemistry, Units 3 and 4 or equivalent, must choose CHE1GEN | |||
| TE-SEM-1 | Basic Chemistry | CHE1BAS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | General Principles of Chemistry | CHE1GEN | 15 |
Second year (120 credit points)
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Plant Pests and Disease | AGR2PPD | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Inner Life of Plants | BOT2ILP | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Introduction to Land and Soil Management | AGR2ILS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Introductory Microbiology | MIC2MI | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Landscape Management with GIS and Remote Sensing | AGR2REM | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Biochemistry for Agricultural Sciences | AGR2BAA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Animal Nutrition | AGR2AN | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Animal Physiology | ZOO2AP | 15 |
Third year (120 credit points) - commencing in 2013
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Agricultural Management Economics | AGR3AME | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Animal Health | AGR3AH | 30 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Commodity Derivatives | FIN3DER | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Agricultural and Animal Science Case Studies | AGR3CS | 30 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Land and Soil Management | AGR3LS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Agricultural Biotechnology | BOT3ABT | 15 |
Fourth year (120 credit points)
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Honours Agriculture A | AGR4HA | 60 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Honours Agriculture B | AGR4HB | 60 |
Existing course structure
For students who commenced prior to 2012.
Third year (120 credit points) - Transition year for 2012 ONLY
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Agricultural Management Economics | AGR3AME | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Animal Health | AGR3ANI | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Commodity Derivatives | FIN3DER | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Plant Pests and Diseases | AGR2PPD | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Agricultural and Animal Science Case Studies | AGR3CS | 30 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Animal Nutrition | AGR2AN | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Land and Soil Management | AGR3LS | 15 |
Fourth year (120 credit points) - Transition year for 2012 ONLY
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Agricultural Case Studies | AGR4ACS | 20 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Advanced Experimental Design | AGR4AED | 10 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Communication and Critical Analysis | AGR4CCA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Commodity Derivatives | FIN3DER | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Research Project | AGR4RPR | 60 |
Please note: Some of these subjects may not be offered in the current year. For a full description of subjects, including the subject name, subject code, credit points, campus/location, teaching period and availability, subject coordinator, class requirements, assessment, prerequisites and readings, please click on the appropriate Subject Code or refer to the Subject Database at www.latrobe.edu.au/udb_public.