Overview 2020
Location
Commonwealth Supported places available
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
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.
Course objectives
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.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the role and relevance of agriculture and its related sciences in society.
- Explain the major drivers that underpin agricultural practice and how they contribute to practice change.
- Critically analyse dynamic complex issues in agriculture through integrating well-developed knowledge of:
- The core sciences and agricultural disciplines
- Relevant agricultural production systems and their value chains
- Formulate solutions for complex problems in agriculture by:
- Identifying contemporary issues and opportunities in agriculture
- Gathering, critically evaluating and synthesising information from a range of relevant sources and disciplines
- Selecting and applying appropriate theoretical techniques or tools in order to conduct an investigation
- Collecting, accurately recording, analysing, interpreting and reporting data
- Working ethically, effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual and team context
- Communicating effectively with a range of audiences using a variety of modes
- Disseminate a series of research conclusions for a scholarly audience as a practitioner or learner informed by:
- analysis, synthesis and evaluation of data using appropriate methods;
- production of a thesis conforming with discipline research and communication standards
Practical experience
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.
Work placement
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.
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.
Professional Recognition
Graduates are eligible for membership of the AG Institute Australia.
Course structure
The Bachelor of Agricultural Science usually takes four years to finish and requires the completion of 32 units. In your first three years you complete compulsory majors in Agriculture (eight units) and Agricultural Science (eight units), a minor in Science (four units), two student elective units, and two breadth units.
Agriculture major
The agriculture major includes study of the principles of food and fibre production and sustainability in a national and global context. In second year, you are introduced to the study of insects and plant diseases, which leads into advanced study in integrated pest management, insect ecology and plant pathology. Similarly, the study of soils is introduced in second year and is then applied to agricultural landscapes and soil science in third and fourth year. Other specialist units of study include agronomy, horticultural science and animal science.
Agricultural Science major
This major has a basis in the physical and biological sciences that underpins the science of plant and animal production in agriculture in second year. In the third year, you will learn how to design and analyse agricultural experiments.
Fourth Year and Honours
All students will undertake a fourth year to complete their degree. Students completing third year with sufficient merit will be invited to undertake Honours during the fourth year of their degree. If you are not offered honours, you will complete eight advanced units to graduate with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science without honours.
Compulsory major
Agriculture
Year 1
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View all details for KLA100 Food and Fibre Production in a Global Market
Year 2
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View all details for KLA255 Introductory Entomology and Plant Pathology
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Year 3
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Compulsory reverse major
Agricultural Science
Year 1
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View all details for KPZ164 Cell Biology, Genetics and Evolution
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Year 2
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Year 3
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View all details for KLA310 Experimental Design and Analysis for Agri-Food Research
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Compulsory minor
Physical and Biological Science
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Year 2
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Other
Year 4
Additional Advanced units
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View all details for KLA316 Agricultural Technology and Innovation
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View all details for KLA398 Applied Environmental Microbiology
Choose 1 advanced unit from the following list:
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Important Information for New Students Commencing in 2019
Need help choosing your first year units? Try the Unit Selection Guide.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you’re not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study at UTAS.
Domestic applicants
Domestic applicants who have recently completed secondary education (in the past two years)
Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers made based on the number of places available. In 2019, the lowest ATAR to receive an offer into this course was 51.55. The lowest ATAR to receive an offer may change from year to year based on the number of applications we receive.
To be eligible for an offer, you must also have a satisfactory achievement in the following Tasmanian Senior Secondary (or equivalent) subjects:
- Chemistry (CHM415115)
- General Mathematics (MTG315115)
If you have not met these prerequisites, you will need to complete UTAS foundation unit/s before you start your course.
All other domestic applicants
To be eligible for an offer, you must meet the University’s General Entry Requirements based on your prior studies and experience.
You must also have studies or experience equivalent to satisfactory achievement in Tasmanian Senior Secondary General Mathematics (MTG315115) and Chemistry (CHM415115). If you have not met these prerequisites, you will need to complete UTAS foundation unit/s before you start your course.
Special consideration
If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors, including economic hardship, serious medical condition or disability.
We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.
International applicants
Admissions information for international applicants, including English language requirements, is available from the International Future Students site. You can also enquire online to check your eligibility.
Credit transfer
You may be eligible for advanced standing (i.e. credit points) in this degree if you:
- Have completed an award such as a Diploma or Advanced Diploma from TAFE or another institution;
- Are currently studying another Bachelor degree at the University or at another institution;
- Have completed a Bachelor degree at the University or an equivalent award from another institution.
How to apply for a credit transfer
You can apply for a credit transfer/advanced standing as part of the standard online application process for this degree.
For more information on credit transfers, contact us on 1300 363 864 or enquire online.
Articulation from
This degree does not formally articulate from another degree. See Credit transfer for information on advanced standing from other qualification and experience, or Alternative entry pathways for pathway options into this degree.
Articulation to
If you successfully complete this course, you may be also be eligible to apply for a range of other postgraduate courses including Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas and Masters by coursework and research. Filter the Course list on the Agriculture study theme page by Postgraduate to view the current courses available.
Alternative entry pathways
If you haven't completed the required pre-requisite unit(s), we offer foundation units to help you bridge the gap. Many run in spring and summer school so you can meet a prerequisite and not delay the start of your Bachelor level studies. HECS scholarships may also be available for domestic students.
- Visit the Foundation Unit page to find out more.
If you aren’t eligible for an offer to this course, you should consider enrolment in the Diploma of University Studies (Science Specialisation) or the University Preparation Program.
In all cases, contact us to discuss an option best suited to your needs.
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
Domestic students enrolled in a full fee paying place are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the fees you pay for each unit you enrol in. Full fee paying domestic students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Detailed tuition fee information for domestic students is available at the Domestic Student Fees website, including additional information in relation to a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
2020 Total Course Fee (international students): $151,527 AUD*.
Course cost based on a rate of $35,950 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
International students
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
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:
- Agricultural Science Relocation Bursary
- Agriculture and Food Systems Scholarship ($4,000 per year for four years)
- Bruce Wall Scholarship ($5,000 per year for four years)
- City of Devonport Lions Club Taste the Harvest Scholarship
- Costa North-West Scholarship in Agricultural Science ($10,000 per year for four years)
- Neale Edwards Scholarship in Agricultural Science or Forestry ($6,500 per year for three years)
- Tasmanian Beef Industry Trust Scholarship in Agricultural Science
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
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries