Overview 2024
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
View archived years for this course
For years prior to 2015, please view the Course and Unit Handbook Archive
View the current year's course page
Are you an aspiring entrepreneur with a passion for agriculture?
Do you like the thought of growing your own business? Or becoming a leader in an industry that’s vital to the future of humanity?
A Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture and Business) has been developed at the demand of industry and delivers a powerful combination of knowledge and skills in agricultural science, production and farm management, with the business world of marketing and economics.
You emerge from this degree with strong business acumen combined with practical agricultural knowledge that makes you ideally suited to running your own business, working in all levels of the supply chain, providing business development advice to industry, and much more!
Course objectives
Students will gain knowledge, understanding and skills in the principles and practices of agricultural production and how they contribute to practice change. There is an emphasis on understanding the value chain and business environment that is fundamental to the economic performance of agricultural industries and enterprises.
The course includes theory and practical activities around agricultural production, economics, marketing, finance and communication. Together these are used to understand the real-life and complex problems facing agricultural production, practice change and agribusiness.
Areas of study covered in this course include:
- Agribusiness
- Agricultural production and technology
- Animal science and principles of breeding
- Crop production
- Crop protection and microbiology
- Economics, finance and marketing
- Soil science
Practical experience
Tasmania is an agriculture powerhouse, punching well above our weight in terms of output volume, diversity of what we grow and create, and especially the quality of both our products and natural resources.
The Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture and Business) turns the agriculture industry into your classroom through a range of hands-on experiences including field trips to leading agricultural businesses in the state, and the opportunity for development of skills in practical classes. You will also gain valuable and highly relevant knowledge by hearing from industry guest lecturers.
Several of the advanced level units provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate self-directed learning, such as small group projects and industry placement.
Work Placement
Students are also encouraged to undertake 10 weeks of work experience. This will give you the chance to connect with agricultural businesses, get hands-on experience in the industry and develop networks with potential employers while studying, building valuable career connections before you even graduate.
University Farm and the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)
Our research organisation, the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, is a centre of excellence in agricultural research, development, extension and education. TIA maintains four farms around the State including dairy, vegetable and grain farming. These provide essential teaching and research links.
Our researchers, 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. This high-quality new thinking feeds into our teaching and will energise your student experience.
In 2015 the University of Tasmania was ranked as the top agricultural research institution in Australia*.
*Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2015 National Report
Overseas Exchange
Our international exchange program offers opportunities for a semester of study at universities around the world. Exchange can allow students 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. Participants may be eligible for OS-HELP Loans or scholarship funding to assist with their airfares, accommodation and other expenses.
Find out more about Student Exchange.
Career outcomes
Agriculture teaches a broad range of skills from soils to climate, it gives you that good platform to hone your skills, you need to know the why behind everything you do.
The University of Tasmania collaborates closely with industry and organisations – both locally and internationally – to give you exciting, challenging opportunities to further your careers and to contribute to the local and global community.
We have been closely entwined with the Tasmanian state government for many years through the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), helping ensure best practice and cutting edge technology and production in all aspects of agribusiness.
Career Opportunities with Applied Science (Agriculture and Business)
This degree will provide you with a solid foundation for career opportunities in agribusiness-related consulting and management in the public or private sector.
In addition to direct employment in the agriculture sectors, there are a broad range of supporting industries that need graduates skilled in both agriculture and business:
- Rural lending and investment
- Product development
- Rural politics
- Commodity trading
- Small and medium enterprise management
- Government departments such as trade and industry
- Marketing
- Strategic management
- Transport logistics
- International development
- Professional farm management
- Exporting
- Financial management
- Agronomic and livestock sales
- Business consulting
- Agribusiness management
- Agribusiness banking
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible for membership of the AG Institute Australia.
Course structure
Year 1
Choice Units - Breadth Units
Breadth electives (introductory)
Breadth - Introductory level units
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.
View all details for XBR110 Discover your potential: Leadership, Service and Employability
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.
Major - Agriculture (BAppSc(AgrBus))
Agriculture (BAppSc(AgrBus))
Year 1
Introductory units - compulsory
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
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Online | Semester 2 |
View all details for KLA100 Food and Fibre Production in a Global Market
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
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
Online | Semester 1 |
Year 2
Intermediate units - compulsory
This unit introduces the core concepts of soil science using a Tasmanian landscape lens. Students will develop the tools to advocate for the importance of soil to a range of stakeholders to sustainably feed the world. This unit integrates background…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Launceston | Semester 2 |
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
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Launceston | Semester 1 |
View all details for KLA255 Introductory Entomology and Plant Pathology
Year 3
Advanced units - compulsory
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
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 2 |
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
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 2 |
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
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Online | Semester 1 |
Advanced units - choice
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
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 |
Major - Agribusiness
Agribusiness
Year 1
Introductory units - compulsory
Marketing is the practice of managing an organisation's market offerings to create value-laden customer exchanges. Adopting a market orientation means organisations allow their marketing practices to be responsive to opportunities, and threats presented in the business environment. This responsiveness enables…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Launceston | Accelerated Study Period 2 | ||||
Launceston | Accelerated Study Period 3 | ||||
Cradle Coast | Accelerated Study Period 3 | ||||
Online | Semester 1 | ||||
Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Online | Accelerated Study Period 2 | ||||
Online | Accelerated Study Period 3 | ||||
Shanghai Ocean University | Shanghai Semester 2 | ||||
ECA Melbourne | Semester 2 |
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
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Online | Semester 2 |
View all details for KLA100 Food and Fibre Production in a Global Market
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
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
Online | Semester 1 |
Year 2
Intermediate units - compulsory
Marketing is the practice of managing an organisation’s market offerings to create value-laden customer exchanges. Adopting a market orientation means organisations allow their marketing practices to be responsive to opportunities, and threats presented in the business environment. This responsiveness enables…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This unit equips students with the skills they need to conduct a detailed analysis of an industry and use this analysis to identify and communicate potential market or technical innovations with a variety of target audiences. These target audiences might…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Launceston | Semester 2 |
Year 3
Advanced units - compulsory
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
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | 5 Week Session Jun | ||||
Online | 5 Week Session Jun |
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
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 |
View all details for KLA316 Agricultural Technology and Innovation
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
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Hobart | Semester 2 |
Advanced units - choice
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.
Minor - Enabling Science
Enabling Science
Year 1
Introductory unit - compulsory
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
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
Online | Semester 1 |
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
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Launceston | Semester 1 |
Year 2
Intermediate units - choice 1
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.
Intermediate units - choice 2
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
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Launceston | Semester 2 |
Microorganisms, though invisibly small, collectively make up the majority of the living matter on Earth and have profound influences on many aspects of our lives. This unit will draw on contemporary, real-world examples to explore the influence and impact of…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 2 |
Breadth Units
Breadth electives (advanced)
Breadth - Advanced level units
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.
View all details for XBR302 Social Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age
Breadth electives (intermediate)
Breadth - Intermediate level units
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.
View all details for XBR212 Interdisciplinary Social Research
Breadth electives (introductory)
Breadth - Introductory level units
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.
View all details for XBR110 Discover your potential: Leadership, Service and Employability
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.
Student Electives
Experience and Engagement/Student electives (advanced)
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.
Unit list
Experience and Engagement/Student electives (intermediate)
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 - Intermediate level units
Experience and Engagement/Student electives (introductory)
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.
Unit list
Entry requirements
Detailed Admissions Information
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
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 informationDetailed 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
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:
- Agriculture and Food Systems Scholarship ($4,000 per year for four years!)
- Bert Campbell Memorial Scholarship in Agriculture
- Blundstone Scholarship ($10,000 per year for three years!)
- Bruce Wall Scholarship ($5,000 per year for four years!)
- City of Devonport Lions Club Taste the Harvest Scholarship
- Horizon Scholarship ($5,000 per year for the duration of your degree!)
- Tasmanian Beef Industry Trust Scholarship in Agricultural Science
For information on all scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
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.
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 on these, visit the Tasmanian International Scholarships (TIS) website.
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
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries