Bachelor of Agricultural Science

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Agricultural Science aims to provide graduates with the knowledge, skills and experience they require to be assets in the agricultural industries.

CSU's Bachelor of Agricultural Science is science-based, but focuses on the practical issues facing agriculture, producers, agribusiness and the environment. It provides training in the major disciplines that underpin our modern agricultural industries.

The course reflects the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences' emphasis and commitment to new agriculture, providing students with a variety of study options that maximise their potential and career.

The foundation in science gained will be drawn upon to build an understanding of management and integration of agricultural issues and allows you to develop a strong foundation in agricultural science and related disciplines.

The course offers flexible pathway options. At the end of third year, students can choose to graduate with a Bachelor of Agriculture or go on to fourth year to complete the Bachelor of Agricultural Science, choosing either a professional placement pathway or agricultural research (Honours) pathway.

What will I learn?

Year one provides a strong foundation in the basic sciences and their importance in agriculture with all students studying chemistry, botany, microbiology, soil science and animal physiology. Students are also introduced to basic concepts in agricultural systems, data analysis, agricultural business and economics.

Year two extends your studies in the agricultural sciences with even more agricultural application of the knowledge gained. Topics studied include crop and pasture science, pasture agronomy, animal nutrition and agribusiness. Students also learn essential skills in communication, in various forms, essential for all professions regardless of career path.

Year three studies take on a management focus within agricultural disciplines. Management of plant pests and diseases, crop production, soil fertility and grazing animals are key focuses.

In year four, students choose between the professional placement pathway or agricultural research (Honours) pathway. and has been designed for those wishing to undertake a career as a professional agriculturalist whilst the agricultural research (Honours) pathway is for those wishing to pursue a career in agricultural research.

Professional placement pathway

If you choose the professional placement pathway you will undertake a four-month industry practicum as well as complete coursework. You may choose an agricultural company such as a bank, agribusiness company, agronomic consultancy, corporate farm or other agricultural service provider. During this year you will gain insight and experience into the day to day workings of agricultural industry, which will assist you in making an easy transition from study to full-time employment. You will also have the advantage of being highly sought after by employers who will be looking for graduates with the practical experience to allow them to hit the ground running.

Agricultural research (Honours) pathway

Undertaking the agricultural research (Honours) pathway involves completion of a research project on a topic of interest to the student. Coursework conducted also equips students with valuable research skills such as experimental design and data interpretation, scientific communication, and literature inquiry and review.

Your course is recognised by industry

CSU's Bachelor of Agricultural Science has been developed in consultation with many of Australia's major agricultural companies to ensure that students  gain the relevant knowledge and skills required to fill professional vacancies in the industry.

CSU's Wagga Wagga Campus is co-located with the NSW government's Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute and the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation. The Bachelor of Agricultural Science benefits from this close association with industry incorporating the latest industry knowledge and cutting edge technology.

Graduates are eligible for membership in a variety of related professional bodies, such as the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology and the Australian Society of Soil Science Incorporated.

Credit

Students who have studied and successfully completed relevant subjects at other universities or TAFE may apply for credit for those subjects when applying to CSU's Bachelor of Agricultural Science. Credit will be granted for subjects which are equivalent in content and standard at the discretion of the Course Coordinator.

Learning facilities

CSU’s School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences is located in the heart of agriculture in some of the most productive regions of south-eastern Australia. As well as the rich resources in the region, students undertaking this course have access to some of Australia’s best agricultural teaching and research facilities for practical experience, including:

• extensive and diverse farming facilities on a 1300ha university farm incorporating precision agriculture technologies
• the most sophisticated underground root growth laboratory (drainage lysimeter) in the southern hemisphere
• access to a range of mixed farms and agricultural research institutions
• five state-of-the-art laboratories and modern glasshouse facilities
• access to the university sheep and cattle herds and animal handling facilities.
• extensive computer facilities
• working models of a full range of irrigation systems for teaching and research (linear move, overhead sprinklers, drip irrigation systems, furrows, beds, flood and paddy)
• strong links with the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute located on campus.

Course structure

All undergraduate courses in the School of Agriculture and Wine Sciences undertake 7 common core subjects. Each course has additional compulsory subjects that are course specific and may have restricted electives.

Core Subjects

AGB110 Agricultural Economics
AGB310 Agricultural Marketing
AGR202 Food, Environment and Culture
AGS107 Precision Agriculture and Data Handling
AHT101 Professional Skills in Agriculture and Horticulture
AHT231 Agricultural Finance and Business Management
PSC104 Soil Science

Compulsory Subjects

AGR220 Extension
AGR203 Production Analysis and Optimisation
AGS203 Agricultural Biotechnology
AGS301 Weed and Pesticide Sciences
CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals
PSC102 Botany
PSC201 Invertebrate Pests
PSC202 Crop and Pasture Science
PSC271 Crop Agronomy
PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands
PSC371 Plant Pathology
PSC415 Soil Management
ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
ASC261 Animal Reproduction
ASC273 Animal Nutrition
ASC370 Ruminant Production
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
SCI301 International Experience

4th Year Pass Stream Subjects

AGS401 Integrated Agriculture (16 points)
AGS400 Practicum (32 points)

4th Year Honours Stream Subjects

AGR402 Readings in Science and Agriculture
AGR501 Special Topics
AGR502 Special Topics 2
HRS408 Science/Honours Project Dissertation
HRS424 Science/Honours Project Dissertation (24 points)
STA404 Statistical Reasoning

Restricted Electives

Restricted electives can be chosen from any level 2 or above subjects with codes AGB, AGR, AGS, ASC, PSC, IRR or HRT as well as SCI301 International Experience. Other codes may be allowed if appropriate rationale is provided and accepted by the Courses Director.
 

Enrolment pattern

Common stream

Full-time

Session 1
AHT101 Professional Skills in Agriculture and Horticulture
AGB110 Agricultural Economics
CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals
PSC102 Botany

Session 2
AGS107 Precision Agriculture and Data Handling
PSC104 Soil Science
ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology

Session 3
AHT231 Agricultural Finance and Business Management
AGR203 Production Analysis and Optimisation
AGS203 Agricultural Biotechnology
PSC202 Crop and Pasture Science

Session 4
AGR202 Food, Environment and Culture
AGS301 Weed and Pesticide Sciences
PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands
ASC273 Animal Nutrition

Session 5
AGB310 Agricultural Marketing
AGR220 Extension
PSC415 Soil Management
ASC261 Animal Reproduction

Session 6
ASC370 Ruminant Production
PSC201 Invertebrate Pests
PSC271 Crop Agronomy
PSC371 Plant Pathology

Pass Stream - 4th Yr

Session 7
AGS400 Practicum (commenced) (32 points)
AGS401 Integrated Agriculture (16 points)

Session 8
AGS400 Practicum (completed) (32 points)
[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective

Honours Stream - 4th Yr

Session 7
STA404 Statistical Reasoning
HRS408 Science/Honours Project Dissertation
AGR402 Readings in Science and Agriculture
AGR501 Special Topics

Session 8
HRS424 Science/Honours Project Dissertation (24 points)
AGR502 Special Topics 2

Admission requirements

It is highly desirable that students have knowledge of mathematics and chemistry, however it is not mandatory. For those without this background, short courses are available through
STUDY LINK.

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

1. previous studies, and
2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

• have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
• were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
• have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
  or
• have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
• a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
• a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
• completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
• a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
• completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
• completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
• successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
• a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
• a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
• IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

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.

Q Fever immunisation

Students entering this course must be immunised against Q Fever. You will be required to provide evidence of immunisation by 31 March in the first year of study.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1