Study with the Department of Ecological, Plant and Animal Sciences
The Department of Ecological, Plant and Animal Sciences offers undergraduate and postgraduate education programs in Agriculture, Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Biological Sciences, Plant Sciences and Wildlife and Conservation Biology.
Our contemporary, evidence-based approach focuses on practical skills and on preparing students for careers that are professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling.
Students receive a balance of practical skills and theoretical knowledge so they can graduate with confidence.
We also offer Honours and Higher Degree by Research programs, where students can study specialisations including botany, crop science, ecology, genetics, plant biotechnology, agronomy, animal and soil science, zoology, or undertake research in a multidisciplinary field.
Courses
Student experience
Our students are taught by knowledgeable and caring academic staff. They learn in a supportive environment where they are encouraged to develop the practical skills and theoretical knowledge they need to graduate with confidence.
Our programs prepare students for careers in agronomy, soil science, biosecurity, conservation science and veterinary science.
Find out how we set our students up for success.
At La Trobe University, we have a longstanding commitment to diversity, inclusion and social justice; our students are amongst the most diverse of all Australian universities, and we are committed to providing a learning environment and workplace where all students and staff feel valued, respected and supported to achieve their full potential.
We care about building a connected community that actively champions diversity and inclusion to help people thrive. We achieve this by supporting our people, valuing diverse thinking as a key driver of innovation, and holding ourselves to account in delivering a culture where equity is a way of life.
La Trobe is committed to promoting equal opportunities and support for all students and staff, with a focus on six key pillars: cultural, disability, gender equality, Indigenous, LGBTIQA and life stages.
Find out more about our services and events.
Our goal is to give students an outstanding experience and produce graduates who are highly skilled, adaptable and ready to make a positive impact on any field they choose to pursue.
We meet regularly with our student representatives, ensuring we are receptive to what is happening and are committed to enhancing their experience with us.
Because we don’t have large class sizes, students have ready access to staff and our world-class teaching facilities.
Our students also have the opportunity to connect socially through the Agriculture Student Society, the Animal and Veterinary Student Society, or a range of other student associations.
Find out more about how we support students to excel at La Trobe.
Our students get the opportunity to interact with professionals in the sector – both through placement opportunities and industry workshops and lectures – gaining insights into industry practices, challenges and innovations.
This exposure to industry helps students to build professional networks that they can draw on long after they graduate.
Bachelor of Agriculture students engage in practical learning opportunities and industry experiences to further develop the skills acquired in La Trobe’s laboratories and field work trips.
Similarly, Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing students undertake placements in various industry settings, including hospitals, animal shelters and farms.
We recognise that our students will work in Australia and abroad, and they have the opportunity to broaden their horizons through a range of international experiences.
Students can study a full semester abroad or engage in one of our overseas short programs – such as the highly successful 'Vets in the Wild' initiative, a program that offers an exciting, hands-on, in-depth and educational experience, taking participants behind-the-scenes in Southern Africa.
Our academic staff also bring their international experience in research and industry to our curriculum, offering students a global understanding of animal, plant and soil sciences.
The result: Our students are well-equipped with the knowledge, skills and passion to address real world challenges related to sustainable food production, environmental conservation, and the wellbeing of humans and animals.
Find out more about our exchange programs.