Bachelor of Agriculture B.Ag

2009

Program Outline

This program provides training and practical experience in all aspects of agriculture including agricultural applications, marketing, financial management and business studies. Students are trained in the practical and managerial skills required to operate a farm at the Roseworthy Campus with its farm, dairy, piggery, sheep, feedmill and cropping facilities. Periods of practical work must also be completed during vacations, on the campus farm and/or on commercial properties. The first year level provides students with a strong foundation in biology and chemistry which enables them to undertake more applied courses such as soils and perspectives in modern agriculture. In later year levels, these studies are complimented with studies in crop and pasture agronomy, livestock science, agricultural production and engineering and business management courses that relate directly to the agricultural industry. In the final year , students can either specialise in particular agricultural courses or keep their subjects broad. Areas of specialisation include dry land farming, livestock production, irrigation and horticulture.

Program Structure

There is a compulsory agri-business subject in all three years. Other subjects in the first year include chemistry, biology and soils as applied to agricultural production. The second year includes courses in agronomy, livestock production and engineering. In the third year, students can specialise by taking electives from a large pool of subjects in general areas of agronomy, horticulture, animal and soil science.

The Campus Farm, some 1500 ha in size, is managed in several enterprises including a dryland cereal/livestock operation, piggery and feedmill. Students participate in the activities of each of these units, providing the opportunity to gain practical experience and an appreciation of the farming skills required in a wide range of agricultural enterprises. There is also opportunity for students to be involved in research programs based at Roseworthy.

Educational tours to various agricultural regions and to processing and service industries in South Australia complement formal teaching and practical experience.

An additional year of study for an Honours degree is recommended after this degree for those wishing to pursue a career in research or higher level in management of agricultural production.

Admission Information

Domestic applicants

Not a domestic applicant?

SATAC Code	314041
2008 CSP TER	70
HESS group	Restricted
Annual tuition fees	Commonwealth-supported place: $7,412
Mid-year entry?	No
Enquiries	Student Centre

Selection Criteria

Year 12 applicants

You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER).

Assumed Knowledge

SACE Stage 2 Mathematical Studies, SACE Stage 1 Chemistry

Alternative entry pathways

• Higher Education applicants
  You must have completed at least half a year full time equivalent university study. A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA, although a GPA for a Science-based program is ranked first.
• VET applicants
  You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award.
• Special Entry applicants
  You must meet the following criteria: you must be 21 years or over on January 1st of the year that you will be studying*, you must not hold a completed higher education level award, and if you have been enrolled in a course leading to a higher education level award in the last 3 years, you must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study. If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Personal Competencies (PC) and Employment Experience (EE) statements may also contribute to your rank. Your STAT result is weighted such that the verbal component contributes 40% to your score and the quantitative component contributes 60%. If you submit a PC or EE statement, and one of these ranks higher than your STAT score, then the highest ranking statement will contribute 50% to your overall rank and the STAT will contribute the remaining 50%. If you do not submit a PC or EE statement, or if the statements have a lower rank than the STAT, then you will compete for a place on the basis of your weighted STAT result only. *The age restriction is 19 years or over if you have completed either the Flinders Foundation course or the UniSA Foundation Studies program or the UniSA Program for Adult Learners. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme. See Wilto Yerlo for further information.
• Without formal qualifications?
  You may be eligible for our special access schemes.

How to Apply

SATAC Code: 314041

Apply through SATAC SATAC application dates Application and Admission

International applicants

Not an international applicant?

International TER	70
IELTS Total	6 [more info]
Annual tuition fees	International student place: $22,000
Mid-year entry?	Yes
Enquiries	Student Centre

Selection Criteria

Assumed Knowledge

Chemistry and Mathematics desirable

Equivalent Scores

International TER	70
IELTS Total Reading Listening Speaking Writing	6 5.5 5.5 6 6

How to Apply

International Office

International applicants applying with Australian year 12 results

Not an international applicant applying with Australian year 12 results?

International TER	70
Annual tuition fees	International student place: $22,000
Mid-year entry?	Yes
Enquiries	Student Centre

Selection Criteria

Assumed Knowledge

SACE Stage 2 Mathematical Studies, SACE Stage 1 Chemistry

Areas of Specialisation

• dry land farming
• livestock production
• horticulture
• irrigation.

Study Plans

The study plans given are examples of pathways through this degree. For a complete description, see the program rules.

Please note that this program is under review and the courses listed at levels II and III are indicative only. Level I
Semester 1 (core courses) AGRIC 1000RW : Perspectives on Modern Agriculture I BIOLOGY 1103RW : Cell Biology and Genetics I PLANT SC 1001RW : Chemistry and Introductory Biochemistry I Semester 2 (core courses) AGRIBUS 1009RW :  Rural Business Planning I BIOLOGY 1203RW : Biology of Plants & Animals I SOIL&WAT 1000RW : Soils & Land Management Systems I STATS 1002RW : Data Management and Interpretation Full Year (core course) AGRONOMY 1006ARW : Agricultural Experience I Part 1 AGRONOMY 1006BRW : Agricultural Experience I Part 2
Level II
Semester 1 (core courses) AGRIBUS 2501RW: Agricultural Markets and Policy II AGRONOMY 2501RW: Introduction to Engineering in Agriculture II PLANT SC 2500WT: Microbiology and Invertebrate Biology II SOIL&WAT 2500WT: Soil and Water Resources II Semester 2 (core courses) AGRIBUS 2502RW: Rural Finance II AGRONOMY 2500RW: Agricultural Experience II AGRONOMY 2502RW: Production Agronomy II ANIML SC 2503RW: Livestock Production Science II
Level III
Semester 1 (core courses) AGRONOMY 3020RW : Principles and Practice of Communications AGRIBUS 3012RW : Rural Business Management Electives Selected From: AGRONOMY 3012RW : Advanced Agronomy ANIML SC 3017RW : Comparative Animal Physiology ANIML SC 3045RW : Animal Breeding and Genetics PLANT SC 3131WT : Integrated Pest Management A HORTICUL 3000WT : Production Horticulture HORTICUL 3001WT : Horticulture Systems SOIL&WAT 3002WT : Soil Management and Conservation SOIL&WAT 3016WT : Soil Ecology and Nutrient Cycling Semester 2 (core courses) AGRONOMY 3004RW : Land Management Systems for the Future Electives Selected From: AGRIBUS 2009WT : Issues in Australian Agribusiness AGRIBUS 3010WT : International Agribusiness Environment AGRONOMY 3016RW : Crop and Pasture Ecology ANIML SC 3015RW : Animal Nutrition and Metabolism ANIML SC 3016RW : Animal Health PLANT SC 3004WT : Mineral Nutrition of Plants PLANT SC 3200WT : Plant Breeding GEOLOGY 3010 : Remote Sensing (S)

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program are well prepared for positions such as agronomists, rural bankers and agricultural consultants in government departments and private companies. Other areas that graduates can expect to find employment in are:

• agricultural production, as farm managers or operators;
• agricultural service industries i.e. chemical, machinery, stock firms or banks;
• advisory, research and regulatory services with government and semi-government bodies;
• secondary teachers of Agriculture (after completing a Grad.Dip.Ed.) or as lecturers in TAFE colleges or universities (after higher degree studies);
• agricultural journalism in print or electronic media.

Potential careers

Land Resources and Land Care, Livestock Production, Marketing - Agriculture, Food & Wine, Agriculture, Agricultural Service Industry, Agronomist, Farm Management, Horticulturalist, Pest Control

Program Rules

Faculty of Sciences Undergraduate

Further Information

Useful Links

• Program Information Leaflet
• Faculty of Sciences
• School of Economics
• Undergraduate Scholarships
• Student Centre enquiry form