Course

Bachelor of Agriculture

Approved Abbreviation: BAg

Western Sydney University Course Code: 3631.1

CRICOS Code: 059841E

From 2009 this course is being replaced by:

This degree equips graduates with specialised knowledge and understanding of the balance between agriculture, landscape ecology, and business activities. The knowledge gained is integrated through the use of industry wide supply chain analyses which integrate production activities and organisations across the industry. In doing so the degree prepares graduates for an extensive range of employment opportunities including: consultancy and advisory services; animal health and welfare; agricultural marketing; rural merchandising; agronomy; agricultural education and secondary teaching (with a further teaching qualification); rural enterprise management (farms or agribusiness); livestock industries; catchment management.

This innovative new degree has been developed to enable graduates to service this large and essential sector of the economy for the next 20 years. A special aspect of the development of the degree has been the role of the various industries that operate in the sector who in association with UWS have defined their current and future needs. This degree was then developed to ensure that graduates could meet industry needs.

It is important to note that agriculture in this degree and the economy as a whole has a broad definition and includes all activities in the production, processing and sale of food and fibre. Agriculture is a part of the economy on which all others are based because food is one of the basic essentials for life. Therefore, expertise in the production of food will continue to be in demand.

Practical experience is important and as a student in this degree you will gain extensive industry experience which is embedded as part of your studies. Your learning from this experience will be guided by academic staff in partnership with industry clients. The benefit of industry-based project work is that you will have gained the skills needed for employment as well as relevant industry knowledge and a network of industry contacts that will greatly assist you in your future career.

In addition to practical experience you will gain a high level of analytical skill that will enable you to work anywhere in the industry. You will have an understanding of the whole of the agriculture value chain including development of environmentally friendly agriculture, ecological principles and values, and the business of agriculture. The skills you gain will be relevant to any industry in the economy.

Study Mode
Three years full-time.

Advanced standing

Applications for academic advanced standing will be assessed in accordance with current UWS policy.

Accreditation
Graduates will be eligible for full membership of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (AIAST), and the Australian Society for Animal Production (ASAP).

Admission

UAI or mature-age entry through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

International applicants should contact International Office for details on admission. Contact information for the International Office is available via the UWS website.

http://sites.uws.edu.au/international

Recommended Studies one or more of agriculture, business studies, geography, society and culture, and any two units of mathematics and any two units of science.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn session

300502

Primary Production

300221

Biology 1

300523

Agricultural Supply Chains

And one elective

Spring session

300522

Introduction to Agricultural and Animal Systems

300535

Soils

300421

Animal Science

And one elective

Year 2

Autumn session

300524

Agronomy

300526

Ecosystems and Agriculture

300528

Water in the Landscape

And one elective

Spring session

300525

Agriculture and Animal Systems

300527

Analysis of Agricultural and Animal Systems

300529

Systems for Agricultural Production

300530

Advances in Agronomy

Year 3

Autumn session

300532

Agricultural Risk

And two electives

1H session

300531

Agriculture and Animal Systems Project

Spring session

300533

Agriculture: National and International Context

300534

Analysis of Agricultural Supply Chains

And one elective

2H session

300531

Agriculture and Animal Systems Project

Sub-major elective spaces

Elective units may be used toward obtaining an additional approved sub-major (40 credit points). Western Sydney University offers sub-majors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.

Indigenous Australian Studies Sub-major

Indigenous Australian Creative Expressions Sub-major

Indigenous Economics Sub-major

Business Sustainability Sub-major

Refer to the Unit Set Index.

Handbook Unit Set Index

Students can apply for an elective major or sub-major via MySR in the Unit Sets section under Enrolment.

MyStudentRecords (MySR)