Agriculture University of Melbourne

Overview

A Bachelor of Agriculture is your opportunity to use science, technology and business to tackle critical sustainability issues and build a career with lasting impact.

You’ll learn the science necessary to produce safe, high-quality and ethical food and fibre as well as the economics underpinning Australia’s important role in international trade. Australia is a major global supplier of agricultural goods – around $40 billion of Australia’s projected $60 billion of agricultural production in 2019–20 was exported.

Overview

The Agriculture program at University of Melbourne will help you develop a solid foundation in agricultural science by studying a common curriculum, designed in consultation with industry and employers. You’ll complete eight core subjects to gain a broad understanding of agricultural science with studies in biology, natural environments, agricultural production and life sciences.

• Learn about sustainable agriculture and how we can use it to adapt to a changing climate
• Find out how science is applied in the real world and its applications in the agricultural industry
• Understand Australia’s agricultural context locally and globally.

In your second year, you’ll choose a major –  a sequence of subjects you complete throughout your degree that indicates you are a specialist in that discipline.

• Agricultural Economics: learn how to analyse and advise on the business management and financial sustainability of agricultural enterprise
• Plant and Soil Science: understand the science of using plants for food, fuel, fibre and land reclamation and to address issues in plant health and sustainable agriculture
• Production Animal Science: prepare for a career in animal health and production, animal welfare or biosecurity. Learn about animal production industries, animal behaviour and disease, and how management strategies can optimise growth and welfare.

You can choose to spend Semester 2 of your second year living and studying at the Dookie campus, where you’ll practice your new skills in a hands-on environment. Get the opportunity to observe a wide variety of farming activities first hand, including cropping, livestock and dairy management, horticulture and viticulture, as well as support industries such as irrigation management, logistics and food processing operations.

You’ll focus on further developing your specialised major knowledge and work with your peers from other specialisations to prepare for your career. You can choose to spend part of this year based at the Dookie campus.

• Work individually and in small groups with your peers from other majors to apply your range of knowledge in value chain analysis, animal health and nutrition, plant growth or water management, and make improvements relevant to the industry
• Develop your skills in gathering and interpreting evidence, teamwork, and oral and written communication
• Learn how to apply a ‘systems thinking’ approach to problems – considering the complete context of an agricultural enterprise, including relevant scientific, environmental, economic, social and political factors.