Bachelor of Agriculture

About the course

The Bachelor of Science (Agriculture - with specialisations) degree is a three-year full-time program on the Wagga Wagga Campus, or a six-year part-time program by distance education. It provides training in major disciplines which underpin our modern agricultural industries.

The course reflects the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences’ emphasis and commitment to ‘new‘ agriculture, providing students with a variety of study options which maximise their potential and career prospects.

The degree is science-based and allows students to specialise in one of five major disciplines (specialisations):

• Agriculture

• Agronomy

• Livestock Production

• Irrigation

• Agricultural Biotechnology
  

Initially students in the Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) enrol in common first year subjects. Students then choose their specialisations at the end of year one to commence in year two. CSU’s School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences has long been considered a world leader in agricultural education.

Year one

Year one provides a strong foundation in the basic sciences with all students studying chemistry, botany, microbiology, soil science and animal physiology. Students are also introduced to basic concepts in agricultural systems, agricultural business and economics.

Year two

Year two extends your studies in the sciences and allows specialisation in a chosen discipline. All students learn essential skills in data analysis and communication, in various forms, essential for all professions regardless of career path.

Year three

In year three, students will develop in depth knowledge in their chosen specialisations. For instance, agronomy and agriculture specialisation students will extend their studies of agricultural systems, crops and pasture agronomy, weed science and plant pathology. Our livestock production students learn more about animal production and welfare. Students in the irrigation specialisation learn more about the principles of irrigation and water policy management or plant propagation and nursery management respectively. Our agricultural biotechnology students get to grips with new technologies for plant and animal breeding, discovering why biotechnology is having such a huge impact on agriculture today.

Where it will take you

A diverse range of career opportunities is available to you as a graduate of this degree program, regardless of specialisation. Using your degree as a vocational tool, you can expect to pursue a career as:

• agronomist
• agricultural merchandise representative
• livestock/animal production specialist
• land care coordinators/manager
• advisory and technical consultant
• teacher
• journalist
• irrigation specialist
• marketing professional
• rural financial supply officer
• laboratory and field based researcher
• biotechnologist
• parks and recreations officer
• landscape designer
• nursery manager

Using the degree as a general qualification, students can find employment in many areas outside science and agriculture.

Your course is recognised by industry

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology.

Credit

Students who have studied and successfully completed subjects at other universities or TAFE which are likely to be equivalent to subjects in the CSU Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) - with specialisations may apply for credit for those subjects when applying. Credit will be granted for subjects which are equivalent in content and standard at the discretion of the Course Coordinator.

Residential school

Distance education students usually study two subjects per session. Many subjects in this course have optional and / or compulsory residential school requirements. Most residential schools are of two to four days duration.

Graduation requirements

To graduate from any of the specialisations students must satisfactorily complete 192 points (24 subjects), and meet the requirements of the generic program or one of the approved specialisations. Students will graduate from the Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) with the following awards, according to their chosen specialisation:

• Agriculture: BSc(Agric)
• Agronomy: BSc(Agric-Agronomy)
• Livestock Production: BSc(Agric-LivestockProdn)
• Irrigation: BSc(Agric-Irrig)
• Agricultural Biotechnology: BSc(Agric-AgricBiotech)
  

Agriculture Specialisation

The course is ideally located at the Wagga Wagga Campus, exposing students to a rich and diverse farming area comprising grazing lands, croplands and irrigation areas, and excellent facilities and infrastructure including a farm, equine centre, vineyards and winery.

Where it will take you

The degree in Agriculture has earned a solid reputation with employers as a well-balanced course, producing graduates with the sought after combination of knowledge, attitude and skill. There is currently a strong demand for agronomists in dryland and irrigated areas, and a largely undeveloped demand for employable graduates in farm management and intensive livestock industries. The international nature of agriculture provides students with opportunities for work overseas. In fact, many of our students spend their first year after graduation on the 'harvest trail', working from Texas north to Montana, grain harvesting.

Career opportunities include:

• agricultural merchandising
• agronomy
• livestock management
• farm management
• intensive animal production
• land care
• technical officers in private industry/government departments

Agronomy Specialisation

CSU is situated in one of the most important cropping and pasture regions in southern Australia. As such students in the Agronomy specialisation are exposed to diverse and challenging aspects of crop and pasture production.

Where it will take you

Agronomists are employed by state departments of agriculture, seed, chemical and fertiliser companies, private consultants, large farming operations or as farmers themselves. Our graduates have gone on to careers in all these fields and beyond.

In fact, the present and former District Agronomists in Wagga Wagga have been CSU graduates. Often when visiting leading local farmers we are also visiting graduates from CSU. The Agronomy specialisation is growing in popularity among students who see it as a necessary step into their future role as professional agronomists.

Livestock Production Specialisation

CSU’s School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences is located at Wagga Wagga, home to the largest sheep selling centre in the world; a technically advanced cattle selling centre (air conditioned and computerised) and a large abattoir. As the location of these facilities would indicate, Wagga Wagga is strategically and centrally situated with respect to the livestock industry. To the east lie the premium wool growing areas of the Monaro and Southern Tablelands, while the Slopes and Upper Murray are home to extensive cattle breeding enterprises.

Where will it take you

This course enables students to study subjects across the spectrum of animal science which are relevant to a future in animal enterprise management, consultancy, education or research. From basic sciences to farm management applications, the focus is on the knowledge and skills which are relevant to a future in Animal Production. Areas of specialist animal study include:

• animal nutrition
• genetics
• animal physiology and anatomy
• animal reproduction
• feedlotting
• meat science
• pasture and rangeland management
• wool technology
• management and marketing

NOTE: Livestock Production specialisation is not offered by distance education.

Irrigation Specialisation

Irrigation is vital to food and fibre production. In Australia 50% of the value derived from agriculture is underpinned by irrigation. But many water sources are fully utilised and irrigators are being challenged to produce twice as much from half as much water. There is further pressure on irrigators to adopt practices which are environmentally friendly.

Where it will take you

Graduates with the Irrigation specialisation will find a wide range of careers open to them as:

• agronomists
• extension specialists
• agricultural teachers and lecturers
• technical officers
• researchers (with further studies)
• managers
• marketing specialists
• farm managers
• animal production advisory officers
• rural finance officers

There will be opportunities in both government organisations and commercial companies in Australia and overseas.

Agricultural Biotechnology specialisation

In this specialisation you will learn the basic principles involved in agricultural production and the basic sciences underpinning these. The specialisation provides an enhanced focus on the sciences behind plant and animal production including plant and animal genetics, biochemistry, molecular/cell biology, genetic engineering and bioinformatics.

Where it will take you

Our graduates progress into very diverse careers including but not limited to:

• agronomist
• farm manager
• research assistant or technical officer in agricultural research (private/government/university)
• plant/animal breeder
• regulatory officer with authorities like the Office for the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) or Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
• plant protection and biosecurity
• education and media (teacher, lecturer, journalist)

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