Master of Animal Science

What is this course about?

CSU's Master of Animal Science aims to promote advanced critical reflection on professional practice in the animal industries, preparing graduates for leadership positions.

The Master of Animal Science aims to:

• provide opportunity to continue lifelong learning in keeping with the University's mission statement
• meet the educational needs of professionals working in the ever-evolving animal industries
• promote the acquisition of advanced analytical, problem solving skills and conceptual insights that will enable students to assume positions of leadership within the animal industries
• encourage excellence in scholarship and/or focused research within the candidate's discipline area.

The course is designed to:

• extend students' knowledge of the disciplines which form the basis of their profession
• provide the requirements for planning and implementing a small research project
• facilitate knowledge of methods for the analysis of data sets and their interpretation
• develop concepts in animal production to an advanced level of understanding of areas specific to the students' coursework
• develop skills in the presentation of material to practitioners within the animal industries ranging from those involved in research through to those working with farming communities.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Whole Farm Consultancy option

CSU's School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences is offering postgraduate training in Whole Farm Consultancy, particularly aimed at veterinarians and agricultural graduates who would like to offer consultancy services to their clients. The farm consultancy studies will be offered as a specific program within the postgraduate Animal Science courses. Successful participants will receive a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Animal Science depending upon the level of study undertaken.

Subjects

Enrolled students will need to complete the specific subjects set out below:

Postgraduate Certificate in Animal Science - 32 points

VSC501 Herd and Flock Consultancy
VSC502 Whole Farm Major Consultancy (16 points)
VSC503 Whole Farm Minor Consultancy 1, STA401 Postgraduate Scientific Statistics or an 8 point subject from those already offered in the Master of Animal Science
The student will choose two different topics to be investigated in the Whole Farm Consultancy subjects, and a further topic if Whole Farm Consultancy is chosen. On-farm consultancy work and techniques would be the major focus.

Postgraduate Diploma of Animal Science  - 64 points

VSC501 Herd and Flock Consultancy
VSC502 Whole Farm Major Consultancy (16 points)

VSC503 Whole Farm Minor Consultancy 1

STA401 Postgraduate Scientific Statistics

ASC516 Master's Research Project (16 points)

Students would also complete one 8 point subject from those already offered in the Master of Animal Science, which includes VSC504 Whole Farm Minor Consultancy 2.

This involves an additional on-farm investigation, plus a literature review and basic statistics which will assist with analysing the validity of scientific papers.

The Master has a strong on-farm consultancy focus but also allows students to undertake in-depth study in a particular area through a 32 point research subject, with two statistical subjects which are appropriate for this more in-depth work. Students also choose an additional subject in an area of interest to complete the Master. There is currently a choice of 15 subjects covering a broad range of Animal Science areas.

Master of Animal Science  - 96 points

VSC501 Herd and Flock Consultancy
VSC502 Whole Farm Major Consultancy (16 points)

VSC503 Whole Farm Minor Consultancy 1

STA401 Postgraduate Scientific Statistics

STA508 Postgraduate Experimental Design and Analysis
ASC532 Master's Research Dissertation (32 points)   

Students would also complete two 8 point subjects from those already offered in the Master of Animal Science, which includes VSC504 Whole Farm Minor Consultancy 2.

Admission requirements

Applicants to the Master of Animal Science must have completed an approved undergraduate degree or equivalent experience as determined by the Course Coordinator. Equivalent experience is defined as direct practical experience of at least two years in duration relating to the field within the animal industry which the candidate wishes to specialise in.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2