Bachelor of Agricultural Science (73M)

This course is in teach-out and is not accepting new admissions

Overview  2024

Entry Requirements

See entry requirements

Duration

Minimum 4 Years, up to a maximum of 9 Years

Duration

Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students

"In the next 50 years, we'll need to produce as much food as have in the preceding 10,000 [years]."

- Rob McConnel, Deloitte Australia
Due to the ongoing response to COVID-19, online study may replace some or all of your on-campus classes. We'll be sure to keep you informed of any changes.
This course is now in teach-out and is not accepting new admissions. It has been replaced by S4A Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours please visit  that page for the latest information.

NOTE: In 2020 the first year of this course will be available at the Launceston campus after which students transfer to Hobart to complete their final 3 years.

Agricultural Science is a future-focused degree that equips graduates to address some of the world’s biggest challenges, and improve practices using scientific research knowledge and skills. Taught by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), a specialist research and teaching institute at the University of Tasmania, your education is at the cutting-edge of agriculture, applying food systems concepts and ideas from around the world.

We offer a true science based agricultural education, delivered by academics who lead Australia and the world in agricultural research and development. This means you graduate with genuine evidence-based investigation and solution focused knowledge and skills that set you apart.

You will study topics that are locally relevant, and globally significant, including natural resource management, agricultural production, supply and value chain analysis, and policy development. Our strong connections to other research, development, extension and education institutions in Australia and around the world, provides unmatched opportunities for you to become globally connected and engage directly with industry.

Scholarships for Semester 2 2020
Professor George Wade Scholarship in Agricultural Science

Available to a student commencing first year in the Bachelor of Agricultural Science or Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture and Business) in Semester 1, 2020 or Semester 2, 2020. Learn more

For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.

The Bachelor of Agricultural Science provides a sound basis in the physical and biological sciences before you specialise in a broad range of agricultural science disciplines, giving you comprehensive multi-disciplinary knowledge suitable for careers all over the world.

Your studies, assessment tasks and learning experiences will also help to develop additional workplace skills such as evidence-based problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making, effective communication and time management. These skills are in high demand by all employers and will serve you well no matter what industry you join.

  • 1 X
  • Your learning experience goes beyond lectures, labs and tutorials. Field-based units can also give you the opportunity to participate in excursions to farms and businesses around the State.

    The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) and the University farms

    The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) is a specialist research and teaching institute at the University of Tasmania specialising in impact-driven research to support prosperous, innovative and sustainable agriculture and food sectors, and a healthy bioeconomy that supports communities around the world.

    TIA maintains four farms around the State including dairy, vegetable and grain farming. These provide essential teaching and research links.

    The dynamic team of 130+ scientists and technical experts, many of whom are internationally renowned and your lecturers, have developed collaborative links with scientific and business communities, including cooperative research centres in fields such as separation science, geological research, food safety, ocean monitoring, climate and ecosystems.

    Support during your study

    We provide online academic skills tutorials to help with your research assignments, as well as access to programs designed to develop your communication, mathematical and English language skills. Students also have 24-hour access to computer labs.

    Industry Experience

    You also have the opportunity to work with leading organisations to get real-world experience and network with potential employers while undertaking your studies. Students are encouraged to undertake 15 weeks of work experience, usually taken during vacation periods, providing valuable opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills on agricultural properties, in agribusiness and research-related activities, even in wilderness areas.

    Overseas Exchange

    Our international exchange program offers opportunities to study at universities around the world, and it counts towards your degree. Exchange can allow you to have an affordable educational and cultural experience in a foreign country for a semester, or a full year. To facilitate this, we offer a range of scholarships and financial assistance. You may also be eligible for OS-HELP Loans or scholarship funding to assist with their airfares, accommodation and other expenses.

    Find out more about Student Mobility.

    You will have the opportunity to work with leading organisations to get real-world experience, and network with potential employers while undertaking your studies. Students are encouraged to undertake 15 weeks of work experience, usually taken during the semester breaks, providing valuable opportunities to link academic learning with its practical application on agricultural properties, in agribusiness and research-related activities, even in wilderness areas.

    Career outcomes

    My degree provided me with a lot of knowledge - not just the theory, but also the practice of seeing how different crops grow, what the different problems are, and learning about soil types and things like that, which is something the University of Tasmania does really well.

    Kaylia Cameron
    Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours) graduate

    There is growing demand for skilled Agricultural Science graduates, and the skills and knowledge you graduate with can see you working all over the globe, in both government and private sectors, indoors, outdoors, in the lab and in the field. The degree gives you the opportunity to travel, work and provide innovative solutions to the problems facing agriculture.

    Our University allows you to choose specialist studies that can focus your career or prepare you for various roles in this dynamic and global industry, including:

    Agronomist

    Sustainable farming relies on primary producers receiving the most up to date information possible to enable sustainable and profitable decisions. As an agronomist you would be actively working with industry to ensure Australia’s farming systems remain both economically and environmentally sustainable for future generations.

    Agricultural Scientist

    Sustainably feeding more people with fewer resources is the enormous challenge facing the world. A career in any area of the agricultural research sector, including soils, pest and disease management, plant and animal genetics, and much more, will place you on the front line of meeting this ongoing challenge.

    Food Safety Consultant

    It has been estimated that we waste approximately one third of the food we create. Much of this waste is from bacteria or inappropriate storage. A career in the food safety sector will provide you with the skills you need to reduce food waste and the impact of food pathogens.

    Course structure

    Choose the following units

    Approximately two thirds of Australia's agricultural commodities are exported each year, generating $50 billion. This unit provides an understanding of historical developments, current status and future opportunities and challenges of the dominant agricultural and horticultural industries in Tasmania and Australia.…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    The unit explores human population growth and the impending global food crisis by introducing agriculture as a managed ecosystem, from the earliest shifting cultivation systems to the most intensive systems currently practiced today. The ecological, economic and social sustainability of…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Choose the following units

    This unit introduces soils of Tasmania and their formation, fertility, and hydrology. The unit links to concepts important in agronomy and horticulture and it aims to develop an understanding of land and soil resources as assets in Tasmanian landscapes. It…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit introduces you to the disciplines of entomology and plant pathology. It explores the classification, diversity, structure, function and general biology of insects and examines the concepts of plant disease and diagnostic procedures for plant pathogens (including viruses, bacteria,…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Choose the following units

    In this unit we study the principles behind the management of agricultural pest insects, weeds and diseases. The unit includes modules on (1) Biosecurity, (2) Weeds, (3) Pest & disease monitoring and decision making, (4) Chemicals in crop protection,(5) Cultural…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit links your knowledge in agronomy, horticulture and business to the area of agricultural land resource assessment. We will develop your understanding and land management skills via practical experiences with SE Tasmanian soil and land resources. This unit will…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Choose 12.5 credit points from the following
    Choose 12.5 credit points from the following units

    Welcome to Insect Ecology & Behaviour. This unit is research focused in its content and assessment. We will explore three key research areas in depth: these are insect mating systems, insect natural enemies and insect-plant-interactions. In each of these areas…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    The focus of this unit is on advanced topics of plant disease biology and management. Concepts will be illustrated with diseases caused by viral and virus-like agents, phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi in agricultural and horticultural systems. Topics include infection biology,…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Choose 12.5 credit points from the following units

    Examines the status of agronomy, including developments in breeding, physiology and management. Farming systems research is also examined through a study of topics such as seasonal forecasting and climate change, crop sequence, crop simulation modelling and precision farming, Practical work…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit aims to develop your understanding of key physical and chemical properties and processes of soils and how these attributes relate to and inform land use and management. This unit will develop your ability to critically analyse soil data…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Data Handling and Statistics 1 is the first of three applied statistics units offered by the School of Natural Sciences (Mathematics). Statistics is the science of decision making, and as such forms a key foundation of any scientific research. This…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    HobartSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Biology of Plants is a 1st year core unit for students specialising in plant science, agricultural science, and marine science. In Biology of Plants we introduce you to the origin, diversity, structure and internal processes of plants. In lectures and…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Cell Biology, Genetics & Evolution is a core first year unit for BSc students majoring in Plant Science and important for any student studying Biological Sciences. Cell biology, genetics and evolution are fundamental to an understanding of the processes of…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    KZA161 Biology of Animals provides an introduction to the scientific study of animals. Students are introduced to animal diversity through studying the major invertebrate and vertebrate phyla with an emphasis on Australian examples. We consider the structural and functional characteristics…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Choose 25 credit points from the following

    The unit introduces the science behind pasture production and management and the link between pasture or other feedstuffs on animal digestion, feed and nutrient utilisation and productive performance. In the practical classes, students are given the opportunity to perform pasture…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit provides an overview of the major Tasmanian animal production systems and how they fit within the broader Australian and worldwide contexts. Students use systems thinking to explore the variety of strategies that growers use meet their production targets…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    Choose the following unit

    This unit enables students to plan and complete scientific investigations essential to agricultural research. The unit follows a logical progression from understanding the importance of the principles of the scientific method and crafting a well-defined research hypothesis that can be…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    Choose 12.5 credit points from the following

    This unit explores how animal science production can be expanded to meet future needs while maintaining social licence to operate and minimising climate impacts. Students will gain knowledge of the science underpinning aspects of modern animal production and develop an…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    The objective of the unit is to provide students with a detailed understanding of key physiological processes underlying horticultural crop production and pre- and post-harvest management practices that are designed to provide products desired by the market. The focus of…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    This unit (along with Chemistry 1B in Semester 2) is the required prerequisite for students intending to major in Chemistry and for those intending to proceed to any second-year chemistry unit. The unit builds on the introduction to chemistry given…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit (along with Chemistry 1A in Semester 1) is the required prerequisite for students intending to major in Chemistry and for those intending to proceed to any second-year chemistry unit. The unit builds on the introduction to chemistry given…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Microbiology is the study of microorganisms- how they work and their role in our world. Microorganisms encompass huge diversity and include bacteria, viruses, fungi and single-celled animals and algae. Although not visible to the naked eye, microorganisms have a profound…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This course covers the basic mechanisms of crop function, from the molecular to the whole plant level. The broad range of fundamental processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, plant water relations, stomata physiology, mineral nutrition, plant hormone functions, plant movements, seed…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Experience and Engagement electives are your choice of units from any study area across the University, subject to meeting relevant prerequisites and quotas. You may choose to enrol in additional discipline/study area units or a study area from another degree.

    Experience and Engagement electives are your choice of units from any study area across the University, subject to meeting relevant prerequisites and quotas. You may choose to enrol in additional discipline/study area units or a study area from another degree.

    Experience and Engagement electives are your choice of units from any study area across the University, subject to meeting relevant prerequisites and quotas. You may choose to enrol in additional discipline/study area units or a study area from another degree.

    Experience and Engagement electives are your choice of units from any study area across the University, subject to meeting relevant prerequisites and quotas. You may choose to enrol in additional discipline/study area units or a study area from another degree.

    The fast-paced development of new digital technologies provides powerful resources for addressing today's social and environmental challenges. Combining the perspectives of business entrepreneurship, regional science and information systems, this breadth unit will uncover the potential of digitally connected social entrepreneurship…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    Naturally hazardous events do not necessarily result in natural disasters, rather, natural disasters are measured by the impacts of the event on people. This unit will introduce the natural earth systems that create natural hazards, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunami,…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    This unit introduces students to the world of social research. It answers questions about how to produce knowledge through empirical research, and discusses the methods used to solve practical problems. The unit covers a wide range of social research methodologies and approaches,…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    Ever thought of yourself as one in a million?Universities Australia notes that in 2017 Australia has more than one million students enrolled in Universities across the country. That is more than one million potential graduates entering the workforce over the…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    Earth is a lively and dynamic planet that is undergoing rapid changes wrought by the activities of humans. In what ways are these changes impacting on us and other species? Are we precipitating another mass extinction; the 6th major mass…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    Invited into Honours or complete additional coursework as outlined below

    In this interdisciplinary unit, students will be introduced to systems thinking and practice in a farming context. Systems approaches will be used to explore how broader social, cultural, political, economic and ecological factors influence farming. Using local and international case…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    Hobart5 Week Session Jun
    Online5 Week Session Jun

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Choose 50 credit points from the following

    The unit explores theoretical and practical technologies and innovations applicable to agricultural production systems. These technologies and innovations address current productivity and sustainability challenges and include topics such as technologies and innovations for precision farming and irrigation management. Students will…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit involves first-hand experience of entrepreneurship in agriculture and food through a work placement or study tour and the investigation and writing of two reports and presentation of a seminar related to the enterprise/s experienced. Students will explore a…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    HobartSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Traditional approaches to food safety assurance are failing to keep up with the modern food industry. In response, and to harmonise international trade in food, food safety management is moving to a "risk-based approach that relies strongly on synthesis of…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit considers the role of microorganisms in the production, deterioration and safety of foods, from both ecological and physiological perspectives, including the effect of temperature, pH, water activity and other factors on the growth and decline of microbial populations…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    The unit covers the basic principles of environmental microbiology, microbial diversity and evolution. Lectures are provided on the latest techniques used in microbial ecology including coverage of advanced methods in functional analysis and genomics. A focus is placed on the…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Choose 12.5 credit points from the following

    Welcome to Insect Ecology & Behaviour. This unit is research focused in its content and assessment. We will explore three key research areas in depth: these are insect mating systems, insect natural enemies and insect-plant-interactions. In each of these areas…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    The focus of this unit is on advanced topics of plant disease biology and management. Concepts will be illustrated with diseases caused by viral and virus-like agents, phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi in agricultural and horticultural systems. Topics include infection biology,…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Choose 12.5 credit points from the following

    Examines the status of agronomy, including developments in breeding, physiology and management. Farming systems research is also examined through a study of topics such as seasonal forecasting and climate change, crop sequence, crop simulation modelling and precision farming, Practical work…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit aims to develop your understanding of key physical and chemical properties and processes of soils and how these attributes relate to and inform land use and management. This unit will develop your ability to critically analyse soil data…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Choose 12.5 credit points from the following

    This unit explores how animal science production can be expanded to meet future needs while maintaining social licence to operate and minimising climate impacts. Students will gain knowledge of the science underpinning aspects of modern animal production and develop an…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    The objective of the unit is to provide students with a detailed understanding of key physiological processes underlying horticultural crop production and pre- and post-harvest management practices that are designed to provide products desired by the market. The focus of…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    Students invited to undertake Honours in Year 4 should see S4A schedule for enrolment details.

    Entry requirements

    Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.

    Fees & scholarships

    Domestic students

    Options for this course

    This is a full-fee course, which means you’ll need to pay the full amount for your studies. Commonwealth Supported Places are not available in this course. However, there are still support options available for eligible students to help you manage the cost of studying this course.

    You may be able to fund all or part of your tuition fees by accessing a FEE-HELP loan from the Australian Government. FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists domestic full-fee students to pay for University, which is repaid through the Australian Tax System once you earn above a repayment threshold. This means you’ll only have to start repaying the loan once you start earning above a specific amount

    Our scholarships and prizes program also offers more than 400 scholarships across all areas of study. You can even apply for multiple scholarships in one easy application.

    Further information

    Detailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

    Scholarships

    Scholarships for domestic students

    Each year, the University offers more than 900 awards to students from all walks of life, including: those who have achieved high academic results, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, students with sporting ability, students undertaking overseas study, and students with a disability.

    The Agricultural industry are desperate for graduates, and as a result there are currently more scholarships available for Agriculture students than any other discipline at the University of Tasmania! Over $300,000 in scholarships and bursaries are available, including:

    For information on all scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please refer to scholarships.

    Applications for most awards commencing in Semester 1 open at the beginning of August and close strictly on 31 October in the year prior to study.

    Scholarships for international students

    There are a huge range of scholarships, bursaries and fee discounts available for international students studying at the University of Tasmania. For more information refer to Tasmanian International Scholarships (TIS).

    How can we help?

    Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.

    Domestic
    13 8827 (13 UTAS)
    International
    +61 3 6226 6200
    Email
    Course.Info@utas.edu.au
    Online
    Online enquiries

    Next steps