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Agriculture

Learn to address contemporary challenges, and support sustainable agricultural growth and innovative food production.

The specialised skills and knowledge developed through studying Agriculture will enable you to critically evaluate data and promote sustainable, ethical and safe practices in the industries you choose to work in.

You can choose to focus on the disciplines that enable scientific approaches to sustainably manage agricultural systems and natural resources or food microbiology (from both manufacturing and safety perspectives).

Taught by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, our post graduate study options provides industry connected teaching and research. Gain practical experience at one of four farms maintained by the University, including dairy, vegetable and grain farming.

Course Options

Master of Agriculture and Food Sciences (Specialisation)

2 years minimum, 5 years maximum
Hobart

View course details Master of Agriculture and Food Sciences (Specialisation)

Taught by experts from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), a specialist research and teaching institute at the University of Tasmania.

Follow your passion by choosing a specialisation in either Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Crop Science and Plant Health or Food Microbiology.

The diverse range of learning experiences from laboratories to industry engagement will equip you for a career in science and the agri-food sector.

Study options

Food Microbiology

Food Microbiology is important to make sure our foods are safe to consume. This major focuses on knowledge of food-borne pathogens within the areas of microbiology and food safety. You will also learn about the full production life cycle for fermented food and drink, from growing raw materials and fermentation basics, through to the packaging, labelling, distribution and marketing of final products.

Crop Science and Plant Health

Develop advance knowledge in crop monitoring and reporting, pest insects, weed and disease identification and management. You will explore technologies and innovations used to address current productivity and sustainability challenges including precision farming and spray technologies, communication and decision support technologies, carbon, and water and irrigation management.

Sustainable Agricultural Systems

In this major you will explore topics including farming systems, crop protection and biosecurity, agricultural landscape systems, and pasture, soil and animal science.

Course breakdown

1

Master of Agriculture and Food Sciences (Specialisation)

The course comprises:

  • Four core units to be completed as part of the transition semester (KLA483, KLA439, KLA401 and KLA449)
  • Six 500-level or 600-level specialisation units in each of the specialisations. You can choose from three specialisations:
    • Sustainable Agricultural Systems
    • Crop Science and Plant Health
    • Food Microbiology
  • Three 700-level core units as part of the research pathway or two 700-level units and two 500-level units as part of the professional pathway.  Note:  threshold entry criteria exist for the Research pathway.

Career outcomes

There is a growing demand for skilled Agricultural and Food Science graduates. The knowledge you will gain will support global careers, in both government and private sectors, indoors, outdoors, in the laboratory or the field.

Graduates have pursued a wide range of employment opportunities, such as an agronomist, production scientist, quality assurance, food safety managers, fermentation microbiologist. You may also choose to work as a consultant, or start your own agri-food business.

Entry information

Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary across courses. You'll find the requirements on our individual course pages. These can be accessed from Course Options, which is located at the top of this page.

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.