Bachelor of Agricultural Science (P3N)

Overview  2022

Entry Requirements

See entry requirements

Duration

Minimum 3 Years, up to a maximum of 7 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

Hobart
Semester 1, Semester 2

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

  • 1 Explain the role, relevance, contemporary issues and major drivers of sustainable agricultural production and their value chains in society
  • 2 Integrate knowledge and skills from the core sciences, business and agriculture to inform multi-disciplinary decision-making.
  • 3 Design and implement sustainable agricultural applications and solutions using scientific investigations, including quantitative and qualitative analyses, and critical evaluation of results.
  • 4 Communicate scientific results, information, and arguments in a variety of modes to a range of stakeholders to expand the knowledgebase and inform agricultural decision-making.
  • 5 Use ethical, responsible, respectful and safe work practices while adhering to relevant regulatory and professional frameworks.
  • Course structure

    Current global trends are for increased high value plant-based foods.  This major centres on crop production and crop protection and includes the study of chemistry, botany, microbiology and farm business economics. Specialist units of study include plant physiology, agronomy, horticultural science, entomology and plant pathology. The major also offers work placement in third year.

    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

    KPZ164 should only be taken if also completing the Sustainable Agriculture major

    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

    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 in…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1

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

    This unit can provide you with an introduction to chemical principles sufficient to be used as a pre-requisite for first Year chemistry units that are part of a chemistry major at the University of Tasmania. It is not designed to…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 2
    Launceston5 Week Session Jan A

    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

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

    Choose one unit from the following:

    In this unit, students will develop an understanding of farming as a business. The unit will cover the application of economic principles to support management decisions of a farm business, specifically focusing on how land, labour and capital are used…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1

    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

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

    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 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

    Choose two units from the following:

    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

    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

    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

    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.

    Sustainable Agriculture major:

    Ecologically sustainable practices are essential to primary production. This major includes the study of chemistry, spatial sciences, ecology, microbiology and farm business economics. It focuses on agricultural sustainability and biophysical processes. Pasture, soil and animal sciences are examined at local, landscape, national and global levels. Other specialist units of study include farming systems and agricultural technology.

    Choose one unit from the following:

    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 in…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1

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

    This unit can provide you with an introduction to chemical principles sufficient to be used as a pre-requisite for first Year chemistry units that are part of a chemistry major at the University of Tasmania. It is not designed to…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 2
    Launceston5 Week Session Jan A

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

    Choose one unit from the following:

    Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are becoming increasingly prevalent in our day-to-day lives. As a result, skilled GIS analysts arein high demand across the workforce. The goal of this unit is to provide you with a foundational understanding of the conceptsunderpinning…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    This unit is currently unavailable.

    This unit presents a series of lectures and associated practical classes introducing fundamental concepts in ecology of both plants and animals. It also introduces behavioural and evolutionary ecology and experimental methods. There is a strong emphasis placed on developing skills…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2

    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 in…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2

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

    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

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

    Choose one unit from the following:

    In this unit, students will develop an understanding of farming as a business. The unit will cover the application of economic principles to support management decisions of a farm business, specifically focusing on how land, labour and capital are used…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1

    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

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

    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

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1

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

    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

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1

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

    Choose one unit from the following:

    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

    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 one unit 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

    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 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
    LauncestonSemester 1

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

    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

    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

    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

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1

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

    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

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2

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

    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

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1

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

    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

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

    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

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 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

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

    Entry requirements

    Exit award only

    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

    Cost shouldn’t get in the way of you studying.

    If you’re a domestic student, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place in this course. This means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.

    You may also be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.

    Further information is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.

    Student contribution

    Student contribution amounts are charged for each unit of study. This means that how much you’ll pay will depend on which units you choose. Find out more about student contribution amounts.

    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

    For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships 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
    Email
    Course.Info@utas.edu.au
    Online
    Online enquiries

    Next steps