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.

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.

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:

Course Structure

The course consists of:

Compulsory core of 112 points (14 subjects)

PLUS EITHER

• a 80 point Major in Organic Production and Marketing which consists of 56 points of compulsory subjects and 24 points of free elective subjects
  OR
• 80 points of elective subjects, composed of 64 points of restricted elective subjects relevant to Ecological Agriculture plus 16 points of free elective subjects

Common core subjects (112 points)

AGB260 Rural Change (Inquiry Tools)
AGB363 Rural Change (Industry Project)
AGR141 Introduction to Ecological Agriculture
AGR175 Introduction to Rural Management
AGR156 Plants in Agriculture
AGR237 Property Planning and Development
AGR304 Agricultural Ecology
AGR353 Human Ecology
AGS101 The Biological Environment
AGS202 Applied Ecology
AHT231 Agricultural Finance
HRT221 Ecological Design Systems
MGT245 Managing Yourself and Others
PSC104 Soil Science

Compulsory subjects in Organic Production & Marketing Major (56 points)

AGB125 Financial Planning for Agriculture
AGB310 Agribusiness Marketing
AGB356 Agribusiness Plan
AGR306 Biological Farming Systems
AGS100 Livestock Production Systems
AHT254 Organic Agriculture and Horticulture
MKT110 Marketing Principles

Restricted Elective subjects

AGB110 Agricultural Economics
AGB165 Agribusiness Systems
AGB310 Agribusiness Marketing
AGB340 Rural Resource Economics
AGF201 Agroforestry
AGR220 Extension
AGR227 Water Resource Management
AGR347 Rural Project
AGR356 Grazing Management
AGS204 Livestock Breeding and Selection
AGS300 Livestock Management
AGS301 Weed and Pesticide Sciences
AHT404 Climate Change
BIO312 Landscape Ecology
BIO380 Fire Planning and Management
ECO120 Macroeconomics
GEO164 Earth Systems Processes
GEO360 Catchment Management Thru Comm Devel
HRT110 Hort Science
HRT222 Fruit and Nut Crop Mgt
HRT232 Veg and Flower Management
HRT301 Plant Propogation
IRR200 Principles of Irrigation
IRR401 Management of Irrigation Systems
LAW110 Business Law
MGT360 Risk Management
PHL206Problems of Philosophy
PSC201 Invertebrate Pest Mangement
PSC236 Pasture Production and Management
PSC270 Annual Crop Management
PSC271 rop Agronomy
PSC371 Plant Pathology
PSC415 Soil Management
PSC420 Water Policy and Management
VIT211 Viticultural Science
WSC111 Grape and Wine Science

Enrolment pattern

GENERIC COURSE

By Part-time Distance Education study

Session 1 (S1)

AGR141 Introduction to Ecological Agriculture
AGR175 Intro to Rural Management

Session 2 (S2)

PSC104 Soil Science
AGS101 The Biological Environment

Session 3 (S1)

AGR156 Plants in Agriculture
[ ] Restricted Elective

Session 4 (S2)

[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective

Session 5 (S1)

AGR237 Property Planning and Development
AGS202 Applied Ecology

Session 6 (S2)

HRT221 Ecological Design Systems
AGB260 Rural Change (Inquiry Tools)

Session 7 (S1)

[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Restricted Elective

Session 8 (S2)

MGT245 Managing Yourself and Others
[ ] Restricted Elective

Session 9 (S1)

AGR304 Agricultural Ecology
AGR353 Human Ecology

Session 10 (S2)

AGB363 Rural Change (Industry project)
[ ] Restricted Elective

Session 11 (S1)

AHT231 Agricultural Finace
[ ] Free Elective

Session 12 (S2)

[ ] Restricted Elective
[ ] Free Elective

ORGANIC PRODUCTION AND MARKETING MAJOR

By Part-time Distance Education study

Session 1 (S1)

AGR141 Introduction to Ecological Agriculture
AGR175 Intro to Rural Management

Session 2 (S2)

PSC104 Soil SCience
AGS101 The Biological Environment

Session 3 (S1)

AGR156 Plants in Agriculture
[ ] Free Elective

Session 4 (S2)

AGB125 Fiancial Planning for Agriculture
AGS100 Livestock Production Systems

Session 5 (S1)

AGR237 Property Planning and Development
AGS202 Applied Ecology

Session 6 (S2)

HRT221 Ecological Design Systems
AGB260 Rural Change (Inquiry Tools)

Session 7 (S1)

AHT254 Organic Agriculture and Horticulture
[ ] Free Elective

Session 8 (S2)

MGT245 Managing Yourself and Others
MKT110 Marketing Principles

Session 9 (S1)

AGR304 Agricultural Ecology
AGR353 Human Ecology

Session 10 (S2)

AGB363 Rural Change (Industry project)
AGR306 Biological Farming Systems

Session 11 (S1)

AHT231 Agricultural Finance
AGB310 Agribusiness Marketing

Session 12 (S2)

AGB356 Agribusiness Planning
[ ] Free Elective

There is a large practical component which includes projects that require students to visit farms and talk with farmers.

Admission requirements

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.

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2