Overview 2021
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the International Online Course Guide (PDF 809KB) for courses that are offered to international students
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
The Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture and Business) usually takes three years to finish and requires the completion of 24 units. You’ll complete majors in Agriculture (eight units) and Agribusiness (eight units), a minor in Enabling Science (four units), two student elective units, and two breadth units.
Agriculture
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 third year in integrated pest management and specialist units in 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.
Agribusiness
Agribusiness has a foundation in economics, finance and marketing. You then apply this knowledge to analysing agricultural businesses and industries on- and off-campus.
Agriculture Major
Year 1
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 | ||||
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 | ||||
View all details for KLA100 Food and Fibre Production in a Global Market
Year 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 | ||||
View all details for KLA255 Introductory Entomology and Plant Pathology
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
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Year 3
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 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
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 | ||||
Welcome to Insect Ecology & Behaviour. This unit is research focused in its contentand assessment. We will explore three key research areas in depth: these are insectmating systems, insect natural enemies and insect-plant-interactions. In each of theseareas we will ask…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
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, fungi and nematodes in agricultural and horticultural systems. Topics include infection…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
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 in soil science aims to develop students’ ability to understand key soil physical and chemical properties and processes, and their ability to relate these to soil management in agriculture.The unit is taught in two sections; (i) Soil Chemistry…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Enabling Science Minor
Year 1
KZA161 Biology of Animals is offered in Attending and Distance mode. In Attending mode, (offered in both Launceston and Hobart) student participation in fortnightly face to face practical classes is compulsory during the semester. Students enrolling in Distance mode will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
Biology of Plants is a 1st year core unit for students specialising in plant science, biotechnology, and marine science. In Biology of Plants we introduce you to the origin, diversity, structure and internal processes of plants. In lectures and practical…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit aims to provide you with an introduction to chemical principles sufficient to be used as a pre-requisite for first Year chemistry units at the University of Tasmania. It is not designed to be a replacement for Year 12…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for KRA121 Chemistry 1 (Applied Agriculture)
Year 2
The unit provides students with an overview of intensive and extensive crop production and management. Study includes agro-ecological aspects of fruit, vegetable and grain crop production in Australia and the growth and development of the major crop species. Principles underlying…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
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
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
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 | ||||
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 | ||||
Agribusiness Major
Year 1
BEA111 introduces the key concepts in economics, both microeconomics and macroeconomics. It demonstrates how these concepts can be used to describe and explain the decisions of businesses and individuals and their reactions to world events, social and economic change and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Accelerated Study Period 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hong Kong Universal Ed | Semester 1 | ||||
| Shanghai Ocean University | Shanghai Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for BEA111 Introduction to Markets and the Economy
Finance is a discipline that deals with the sources and uses of money by individuals, businesses and governments. This unit provides an introductory examination of business finance. Emphasis is placed on the development of analytical tools that can help in…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Year 2
Marketing is the practice of managing an organisation’s market offerings to createvalue-laden customer exchanges. Adopting a market orientation means organisationsallow their marketing practices to be responsive to opportunities, and threatspresented in the business environment. This responsiveness enables them to competeeffectively…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Accelerated Study Period 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Accelerated Study Period 3 | ||||
There are multiple perspectives from which you can analyse an industry; this unit will inform students about industry analysis, from the perspective of an advisor or a consultant, with a view to adoption for practice change. It will provide the…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Year 3
In this interdisciplinary unit, students explore systems approaches to farming, wherein understanding of various components of a farm is linked to broader social, cultural, political, institutional, economic and ecological factors that influence how a farm operates. The first partof the…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
The unit explores theoretical and practical technologies and innovations applicable to extensive and intensive animal and plant production systems. These technologies and innovations address current productivity and sustainability challenges and include topics such as precision farming and spray technologies, communication…
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 | ||||
This unit provides students with advanced knowledge of the reproductive system of agricultural animals, nutritional requirements and general health management. Students will be expected to be able to handle and interact with domesticated agricultural animals. An important aspect of this…
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
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Other
Need help choosing your first year units? Try the Unit Selection Guide.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
If you're interested in studying the Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture and Business), you'll need to meet the general entrance requirements of the University and any course-specific requirements.
School leavers
An ATAR score of 65 or higher.
Mature age students/non-school leavers
You will need to meet University General Entry Requirements for undergraduate programs.
International Students
All international applicants will need to meet the International General Entrance Requirements.
For those applicants who are nationals of and currently residing in a country where English is NOT the official language, evidence of an IELTS or TOEFL test must be provided. The Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture and Business) requires an IELTS (Academic) of 6.0.
You will also need to meet any course specific requirements with recognised qualifications, or equivalent experience. More information is available at the International Future Students website.
Credit transfer
Credit for appropriate studies completed at TAFE and/or other university courses may be granted. You can apply for advanced standing as part of the application process, or it can be assessed independently via a separate application.
Please contact us for further information.
Articulation from
Credit for appropriate studies completed in TAFE and other university courses may be granted. You can apply for advanced standing as part of the application process, or it can be assessed independently via a separate application.
Please contact us for further information.
Articulation to
If you successfully complete this course, you may 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 do not meet the minimum ATAR you should consider enrolment in the Diploma of University Studies (Science pathway) as a pathway to the Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture and Business).
If you do not meet the General Entry Requirements (GER), you should consider enrolment in the Diploma of University Studies (Science pathway). This will give you the GER plus foundation knowledge for studying the Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture and Business).
In all cases, you can 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
2021 Total Course Fee (international students): $0 AUD*.
Course cost based on a rate of $33,950 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
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
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries