Bachelor of Agriculture
What is this course about?
CSU's Bachelor of Agriculture provides graduates with the opportunity to obtain the knowledge and skills in agriculture required to operate in our modern agricultural industries.
CSU's Bachelor of Agriculture 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 University's 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 gain a strong foundation in agricultural science and related disciplines.
CSU's School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences has long been considered a world leader in agricultural education and is located in one of the most productive regions in south-eastern Australia.
What will I learn?
Years one and two provide 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.
Years three and four extend 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.
Years five and six 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.
Your course is recognised by industry
CSU's Bachelor of Agriculture has been developed in consultation with industry to ensure that students are gaining the relevant knowledge and skills required by industry.
CSU's Wagga Wagga Campus is co-located with the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute and the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation. The Bachelor of Agriculture benefits from these close associations 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 subjects at other universities or TAFE that are likely to be equivalent to subjects in the CSU Bachelor of Agriculture may apply for credit for those subjects when applying. Credit will be granted for subjects that are equivalent in content and standard at the discretion of the Course Coordinator.
Residential Schools
Students may be required to attend residential school sessions on Wagga Wagga Campus. The sessions provide intensive teaching on the practical aspects of the course. Generally, the sessions are of three to five days' duration per subject.
Campus
Wagga Wagga
Duration
6 years distance education
Graduation requirements
To graduate from the Bachelor of Agriculture, students must satisfactorily complete 192 points as specified in the course structure.
Career opportunities
Ready to make a real difference to the world? Discover more about where this course could take you.
Admission requirements
To study this course, you will need to indicate your likelihood of success through previous studies and other attainments and experience.
Cost of study
When weighing up the costs of study, consider the benefits of having the qualification you need to achieve your personal and professional goals.
Career opportunities
Agriculture is facing many new challenges and demands. The agricultural industry is a very different industry from that of the past. The industry needs skilled professionals with new ideas, new ways of learning and new ways of producing. Graduates need to be well trained, skilled, knowledgeable, dynamic thinkers, who are confident and job ready.
It is our aim at CSU to produce graduates with these qualities - graduates who can meet the challenges faced, who can make a difference in the industry and who can help feed the world with new agriculture.
Career prospects in this new agricultural industry are excellent. There is a massive shortage of skilled professionals in a wide range of positions. Graduates take on careers as:
- agronomists
- livestock/animal production specialists
- farm managers
- agricultural merchandise representatives
- agricultural researchers
- Landcare coordinators/managers
- advisory and technical consultants
- teachers
- journalists
- irrigation specialists
- marketing professionals
- rural financial supply officers
- parks and recreation officers
Using the degree as a general qualification, students can find employment in many areas outside science and agriculture.
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
Common 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
AHT274 Industry Practice *
PSC104 Soil Science
Additional Compulsory Subjects
AGR220 Extension
AGR203 Production Analysis and Optimisation
AGS203 Agricultural Biotechnology
AGS301 Weed and Pesticide Sciences
CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals
IRR200 Principles of Irrigation **
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 Reproduction4
ASC273 Animal Nutrition2
ASC370 Ruminant Production
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
SCI301 International Experience ****
Notes
*, **, ***, **** see enrolment pattern for details
+ Residential School
Please note that the following subjects may have a residential school component.
AGR220 Extension
AGS107 Precision Agriculture and Data Handling
AGS301 Weed and Pesticide Sciences
AHT101 Professional skills in Agriculture and Horticulture
ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
ASC261 Animal Reproduction
ASC273 Animal Nutrition
ASC370 Ruminant Production
CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals
IRR200 Principles of Irrigation
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
PSC102 Botany
PSC104 Soil Science
PSC201 Invertebrate Pest Management
PSC202 Crop And Pasture Science
PSC271 Crop Agronomy
PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands
PSC371 Plant Pathology
PSC415 Soil Management
+ Workplace Learning
Please note that the following subject has a Workplace Learning component.
AHT274 Industry Practice
Enrolment pattern
Year 1
Session 1
AHT101 Professional Skills in Agriculture and Horticulture
PSC102 Botany
Session 2
AGS107 Precision Agriculture and Data Handling
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
Year 2
Session 3
CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals
AGB110 Agricultural Economics
Session 4
ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
PSC104 Soil Science
Year 3
Session 5
AHT231 Agricultural Finance and Business Management
AGR203 Production Analysis and Optimisation
Session 6
AGR202 Food, Environment and Culture
AGS301 Weed and Pesticide Sciences
Year 4
Session 7
AGS203 Agricultural Biotechnology
PSC202 Crop and Pasture Science
Session 8
PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands
ASC273 Animal Nutrition OR
IRR200 Principles of Irrigation *
Year 5
Session 9
AGB310 Agricultural Marketing
PSC415 Soil Management
Session 10
PSC371 Plant Pathology ** OR
AHT274 Industry Practice OR
SCI301 International Experience
PSC201 Invertebrate Pests
Year 6
Session 11
AGR220 Extension
ASC261 Animal Reproduction OR
AHT274 Industry Practice *** OR
SCI301 International Experience ****
Session 12
PSC271 Crop Agronomy
ASC370 Ruminant Production
Notes
* In Session 8 students have a choice of either ASC273 or IRR200
** In Session 10 students have a choice of either PSC371 or AHT274 or SCI301 but students must complete AHT274 or SCI301 uring their course
*** AHT274 Industry Practice or SCI301 International Experience are included as an option in both session 10 and 11 to allow BAgSc Students exiting with the 3 year degree to complete the industry requirement.
**** In Session 11 students have a choice of either ASC261 or AHT274 or SCI301 but students must complete AHT274 or SCI301 during their course
GOTAFE & NCDEA Articulated Program
For eligible candidates who are GOTAFE or NCDEA alumni holding the Diploma of Agriculture the completion of the artculation program requires successful completion of hte subjects listed below:
Year 1
Session 1
AHT101 Professional Skills in Agriculture and Horticulture
AGB110 Agricultural Economics
Session 2
AGS107 Precision Agriculture and Data Handling
PSC104 Soil Science
Year 2
Session 3
AHT231 Agricultural Finance and Business Management
AGB310 Agricultural Marketing
Session 4
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
Year 3
Session 5
CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals
PSC102 Botany
Session 6
ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology
AGS301 Weed and Pesticide Sciences
Year 4
Session 7
AGR203 Production Analysis and Optimisation
AGS203 Agricultural Biotechnology
Session 8
ASC370 Ruminant Production
PSC201 Invertebrate Pests
Year 5
Session 9
AGR220 Extension
PSC202 Crop and Pasture Science
Session 10
AGR202 Food, Environment and Culture
PSC271 Crop Agronomy
Year 6
Session 11
PSC415 Soil Management
Articulation agreements
NCDEA & GOTAFE Diploma of Agriculture
- Students will receive 4 x 8point subject credits for successful completion.
- Completion of the Articulation Program requires successful completion of the 20 x 8 point CSU Degree Course subjects as outlined in the course structure.
- The application of any NCDEA/GOTAFE student who seeks credit for partial completion of a NCDEA/GOTAFE course shall be considered by CSU on a case by case basis.
- Credits granted for NCDEA/GOTAFE subjects ino the CSU course, based of alignment of disciplinary knowledge and volume of work, shall be:
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible for relevant membership of either the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, the Agribusiness Association of Australia or the Australian Institute of Horticulture.
- The Australian Society of Agriculture
- The Australian Weed Society
- The Australian Soil Society
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:
- previous studies, and
- 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.
international-distance
Apply now
This course is available to commence study in
Session 1; Session 2
Australian and New Zealand students
Apply online
ETAQ
Mail your application
International Students
Apply online
JTAQ
Mail your application
Recruitment agent
Contact a Recruitment agent in your country who can answer your questions about CSU as well as help with the student visa application process.
Prospective Student Inquiries
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