Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences
Course code/s: Melbourne (SBAG)
This course was previously titled Bachelor of Agricultural Science (SVAS).
This course provides a basic understanding of the relationships between soils, plants, animals, economics, and the environment. It is about the science that underpins plant and animal production and not a training to become a farmer. The learning occurs through the prism of sustainable land management, and with the consideration for animal welfare. The course therefore addresses the challenge of how we can increase food production under a changing climate, and to do so sustainably and profitably into the long term.
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 integrating case studies on agricultural production and its impact on the environment and on the well being of animals. The optional Honours year provides a training and understanding in research methodology.
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 360 credit points over three years of full-time or equivalent part-time study. This is a fixed content course, apart from the elective in the first year.
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 | Chemistry Foundations | CHE1CHF | 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 and Animal Sciences | AGR2BAA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Animal Nutrition | AGR2AN | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Animal Physiology | ZOO2AP | 15 |
Third year (120 credit points)
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-S | Commodity Risk Management | AGR3CRM | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Agricultural Management Economics | AGR3AME | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Animal Health | AGR3AH | 30 |
| 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 |
Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences with Honours (SHARS)
Honours degree students are selected based on their performance in the final year of the pass degree course. Students must obtain a minimum average of 60% across all of their third year subjects and obtain at least 65% in subjects germane to the Honours discipline to the value of 60 credit points.
Honours 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 |
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.