Agricultural Science
Agricultural Science is a future-focused degree that equips you to address some of the world’s biggest challenges and opportunities.
Using science, technology and business skills, you’ll learn to tackle sustainability issues and build a career in a growing industry. This might mean boosting the sustainability of agricultural enterprises, developing climate change-resistant plants or working with subsistence farmers in developing countries.
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.
NOTE: In 2021 the first year of this course will be available at the Hobart and Launceston campuses, after which students transfer to Hobart to complete their final 3 years.
Course Options
Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours
Minimum 4 years full-time, up to 9 years part-time.
Hobart CRICOS 094552A
Bachelor of Agriculture with Honours
Minimum 1 year full-time, up to 3 years part-time.
Hobart CRICOS 080299B
Over $250,000 worth of scholarships are exclusively offered each year to Agricultural Science students.
Go beyond the classroom with field-based units in Tasmania’s living laboratory and gain career-ready experience from our work placement units.
With close relationships across agriculture and the food value chain, you can connect with industry throughout your studies.
Double degrees
Our new double degrees allow you to deepen your knowledge and expertise within two separate study areas. This means you can choose from our range of exciting, diverse courses and embark on a journey as unique as you are.
Pathways
At the University of Tasmania, we’ll help you get the skills you need to pursue a degree. We offer a wide range of preparatory and pathway programs, as well as short foundation programs, to assist in the transition to university.
Study options
Crop Science and Plant Health
With a strong focus on crop production and protection, you’ll learn how to apply this knowledge to increase productivity and sustainability in diverse production settings. You’ll also study a broad range of topics including plant physiology, agronomy, horticultural science, entomology, plant pathology, chemistry, botany, microbiology and farm business economics.
Sustainable Agriculture
With a focuses on agricultural sustainability and animal production systems, at both a biophysical and landscape level, you will gain an understanding of the factors impacting our diverse agriculture industries and the practical and scientific skills to achieve sustainable practices. This major includes the study of chemistry, spatial sciences, ecology, microbiology, farm business economics, pasture science, soil science and the animal sciences.
Course breakdown
Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours (400 credit points)
Minimum 4 years full-time, up to 9 years part-time.
Agricultural Science Major (100 credit points)
You will complete eight units that focus on a particular science discipline. There are two exciting majors to choose from in the Bachelor of Agricultural Science: Crop Science and Plant Health and Sustainable Agriculture.
Core Units (100 credit points)
Eight compulsory core science and business units underpin your understanding of agricultural science.
Elective Units (100 credit points)
These units will broaden your learning experience and complement your major area of study with other discipline-specific studies. You may choose from any units offered from the College of Sciences and Engineering, or other areas of the University that are available as electives.
4th year Honours (100 credits)
Study in the 4th year is a combination of formal coursework (50%) and either project thesis (50%) or professional honours (50%).
Career outcomes
In agriculture there is no such thing as a “typical day” in the office
"I have learnt a lot on the job, especially about vegetable seed production, but my degree gave me a good grasp on key concepts and a great head-start.” Sally Stone-Schack, Agricultural Science graduate
There is a growing demand for skilled Agricultural Science graduates. The knowledge you will gain can see you working all over the globe, in both government and private sectors, indoors, outdoors, in the lab and the field.
You can choose specialist studies that can focus on your career path, including:
Agronomist
Sustainable farming relies on primary producers receiving the most up-to-date information. As an agronomist, you would be working with industry to ensure farming systems remain economically and environmentally sustainable for future generations.
Agricultural Scientist
Feeding more people with fewer resources is a global challenge. 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.
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 give you the skills to reduce food waste and the impact of pathogens.
Study Experiences
You can experience a three-day intensive tour of some of Tasmania's most innovative agricultural enterprises and our own research farms.
You’ll also have the opportunity to interact with a variety of industries including dairy operations, the pyrethrum industry, vegetable and fruit production, tomato production, cattle farm, milk factories, and TIA’s own vegetable research farm.
This experience will introduce you to the concepts of supply and value chains, value adding and quality assurance, as well as food and fibre processing. This includes practical and tutorial sessions involving guest speakers and group discussions.
Entry information
Entry requirements
Entry requirements vary across courses and are available on each individual course page, which you can access from Course Options. 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, our admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Credit for prior learning
The University of Tasmania aims to provide you with credit for approved prior study or equivalent professional experience which exceeds standard entrance requirements for courses. For more information please visit Recognition for Prior Learning.
English language 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. For more information, please visit International Future Students.