Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences
Course code/s: Melbourne (SBAG)
This course was previously titled Bachelor of Agricultural Science (SVAS).
This course provides a basic understanding of the relationships between soils, plants, animals, economics, and the environment. It is about the science that underpins plant and animal production and not a training to become a farmer. The learning occurs through the prism of sustainable land management, and with the consideration for animal welfare. The course therefore addresses the challenge of how we can increase food production under a changing climate, and to do so sustainably and profitably into the long term.
The course concentrates on the sciences concerned with soil productivity, plant, and animal production and on agribusiness and marketing. These include soil science, plant and animal nutrition, physiology and biochemistry, plant and animal health, pest ecology and management, climate change, agribusiness, statistics and integrating case studies on agricultural production and its impact on the environment and on the well being of animals. The optional Honours year provides a training and understanding in research methodology.
The applied science and agribusiness studies, which are the foundations of the Bachelor of Agricultural Science, have a highly successful record in leading to a wide variety of careers in agricultural, industrial research and commercial organisations, for career advice see http://www.csu.edu.au/special/acda/careers. Professional recognition would apply for graduates, as they are eligible to become members of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology.
Industry experience
An essential requirement of the degree is twelve weeks of approved industry experience, taken during the vacations.
Course structure
The course requires the completion of 360 credit points over three years of full-time or equivalent part-time study. This is a fixed content course, apart from the elective in the first year.
First year (120 credit points)
Teaching period
Subject name
Subject code
Credit Points
TE-SEM-1
Introduction to Animal and Agricultural Science
AGR1AAS
15
TE-SEM-1
Organisation and Function of Cells and Organisms
BIO1OF
15
TE-SEM-1
Processes that Shape the Earth
GEO1PRO
15
TE-SEM-2
Genetics, Human Biology and Evolution
BIO1GEN
15
TE-SEM-2
Statistics for Life Sciences
STA1LS
15
TE-SEM-2
Plant Science
BIO1PS
15
TE-SEM-2
First year level elective

15

Choose one first-semester chemistry subject. Students who have passed VCE Chemistry, Units 3 and 4 or equivalent, must choose CHE1GEN

TE-SEM-1
Chemistry Foundations
CHE1CHF
15
TE-SEM-1
General Principles of Chemistry
CHE1GEN
15
Second year (120 credit points)
Teaching period
Subject name
Subject code
Credit Points
TE-SEM-1
Plant Pests and Disease
AGR2PPD
15
TE-SEM-1
Inner Life of Plants
BOT2ILP
15
TE-SEM-1
Introduction to Land and Soil Management
AGR2ILS
15
TE-SEM-1