Bachelor of Ecological Agricultural Systems

What is this course about?

The Bachelor of Ecological Agricultural Systems explores the connection between social, ecological and business skills and knowledge to produce graduates well suited to a wide range of roles.

CSU's Bachelor of Ecological Agricultural Systems places an emphasis on people and their perceptions and how these impact on the natural world. The course takes natural and social ecology as its foundation stone and develops applied scientific and management approaches to working with people and nature.

The course is structured around four foundational principles:

• ecological thinking
• ecological ethics
• ecological literacy
• ecological practice

What will I learn?

You will gain ecological knowledge and skills and then learn how to apply this 'ecological thinking' to the management of farming, grazing and related agricultural systems with holistic approaches to situation improvement.

The course will assist you in developing your ecological ethics by providing you with an understanding of the principles of ecology including social ecology, the ethics of land stewardship with consideration of the environmental impact of production activities. It also aims to aims to enhance your imagination and empathy skills.

Your ecological literacy will be developed by placing emphasis on ecological philosophy and holistic thinking as an overarching process that embraces reductionist thinking. The course encourages you to explore your sense of place in evolutionary and geographical terms.

You will learn environmentally responsible practices to minimise the impact of agriculture, effective facilitation and inquiry skills to assist in managing change. You will develop high level managerial capabilities consistent with the ecological foundation of agriculture incorporating communication, interpersonal skills and integrated project management.

You will have the opportunity to study a major in Organic Production or Marketing.

Students may study from one to four subjects per session, but if combining study with full-time work, it is recommended you study two subjects per session.

Students may study from one to four subjects per session, but if combining study with full-time work, it is recommended you study two subjects per session.

Credit

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

More information about credit and pathways.

Residential school

You will be required to attend residential school seesion held on campus for some subjects. Residential schools give students the opportunity to come face to face with the teaching staff and fellow students. It gives you the opportunity to see and utilise CSU's facilities and spend some intensive time immersed in the knowledge of the discipline you are studying.

During the residential school sessions you will undertake important learning opportunities such as property tours to leading farmers who apply ecological principles in their operation and field and laboratory work which focus on developing key skills.

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.