Course overview

Description

World populations and economies are increasing their demands for food and fibre. Agricultural systems are placed under pressure to meet environmental, social and economic goals. To maintain or increase production levels, an understanding of the complex factors that shape agricultural systems is required. This course prepares students with the knowledge and skills they need for a future in the rapidly evolving field of agricultural science.

Course title
Master of Agricultural Science (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
Award abbreviation
MAgSc
Course code
72510
Course type
Master's degree by coursework or by coursework and dissertation
Status
Current / 2024
Administered by
Agriculture and Environment
CRICOS code
074945E

Course details

Intake periods
Beginning of year and mid-year
Attendance type
Full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
Articulation
The Master of Agricultural Science has the following exit awards: 72310 Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Science (48 points) (48 points), 72210 Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Science (24 points) (24 points)
Credit points required
96
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester.
Standard course duration
1.5 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising 72 points of taught units and 24 points of admission credit, as recognised and granted by the School
Maximum course duration
2 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising up to 96 points of taught study (see Rule 5 for further information)
Time limit
4 years
Delivery mode
Internal
Locations offered
UWA (Perth)
Domestic fee type
Commonwealth supported and/or HECS-HELP
Available to international students
Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
Course Coordinator(s)
Prof Martin Barbetti
Fees
Visit the fees calculator.

Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.

Specialisations

SP- Agricultural Technology
SP-AGSYS Crop and Livestock Farming Systems
SP-GENBR Genetics and Breeding
SP-IPMGT Integrated Pest Management
SP-SOILS Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

Course structure

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2024 – may be available in 2025 or 2026
NS
non-standard teaching period

All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.

Take all units (18 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S2AGRI5402Agribusiness
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
total workload: 150 hours; contact hours: 10 half days
S1, S2ENVT4422Research Methods in Agricultural and Environmental Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72530 Master of Environmental Science
or HON-ENVSC Environmental Science
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
9 online interactive workshops resulting in 18 hours contact; field camp of 32 hours for face-to-face cohort
S1, S2SCIE4402Data Management and Analysis in the Natural Sciences
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-CONBI Conservation Biology
or HON-ZOOLY Zoology
or HON-BOTNY Botany
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
or HON-ENVSC Environmental Science
or HON-NRMGT Natural Resource Management
or HON-MARSC Marine Science
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 72540 Master of Hydrogeology
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 70550 Master of Bioinformatics
or 74230 Graduate Certificate in Bioinformatics
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
and Successful completion of
any one STAT1400 Statistics for Science
or STAX1400 Statistics for Science
or STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or STAX1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis
or SCIE4401 Data Use in Science
or ENVT4422 Research Methods in Environmental Science
5 days (1 day per fortnight). The total workload for the unit is 150 hours.

Students in the course by coursework and dissertation take 24 points from this group.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2SCIE5571Dissertation Part 1
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
or HON-ENVSC Environmental Science
or HON-NRMGT Natural Resource Management
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 70550 Master of Bioinformatics and satisfy eligibility criteria for research project
or dissertation
as required by supervisor
S1, S2SCIE5572Dissertation Part 2
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
Or Enrolment in
Unit(s) SCIE5571 Dissertation Part 1
as required by supervisor
S1, S2SCIE5573Dissertation Part 3
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
Or Enrolment in
Unit(s) SCIE5572 Dissertation Part 2
as required by supervisor
S1, S2SCIE5574Dissertation Part 4
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
Or Enrolment in
Unit(s) SCIE5573 Dissertation Part 3
as required by supervisor

Students in the course by coursework only take 12 points from this group:

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2SCIE5004Professional Skills in Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 51580 Master of Science Communication
or 70550 Master of Bioinformatics
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 72520 Master of Biological Science 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
and Successful completion of
48 points in your chosen degree
S1, S2SCIE5005Science in Practice
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) SCIE5004 Professional Skills in Science
1x 2hr session per week contact by consultation as required

Agricultural Technology specialisation

Students may be required to take conversion units, up to a value of 24 points, based on an assessment of prior learning by the Faculty.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2AGRI4409Fundamentals of Agricultural Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
practical classes: 1 hour per week; lectures: 6 x 15 minute online lectures per week
S1, S2ENVT4411Geographic Information Systems Applications
Incompatibility
Unit(s) GEOG2201 Geographic Information Systems (ID 1384)
The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. This includes podcasts for viewing and reading to be undertaken prior to attending one compulsory 3-hour workshop per week where students will be contributing to interactive discussions together with practical lab work using GIS software. Completion of the practical workshop labs is necessary to enable skills for completing written unit assessment. Independent learning is required throughout the unit.
S1, S2SCIE4401Data Use in Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 72550 Master of Geoscience
or 72540 Master of Hydrogeology
or 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 70550 Master of Bioinformatics
or 71590 Master of Oceanography
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
Incompatibility
STAT1400 Statistics for Science
or STAX1400 Statistics for Science
and
STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or STAX1520 Economic and Business Statistics
and SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis
24 hours. The total workload for this unit is 150 hours.
S1, S2SCIE4403Ethical Conduct and Communication of Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
73660 Master of Medical Physics
Incompatibility
SCOM1101 Communicating Science (ID 1553)
or SCOX1101 Communicating Science
and SCOM2208 Science Writing (ID 1559)
Weekly face-to-face OR online workshops. This unit runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2, and can be taken in either semester.

Take all units (30 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
NSAGRI4401Precision Agriculture
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
total workload: 150 hours; contact hours: 2 x 2 hr computer workshops per week for the first six weeks of semester, plus online materials (videos)
S1ENVT4401Advanced Land Use and Management
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72540 Master of Hydrogeology
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or HON-CONBI Conservation Biology
or HON-ENVSC Environmental Science
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
three 2-day blocks (the total workload for the unit is 150 hours)
S2ENVT4408GIS Programming
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
Or Enrolment in
Unit(s) ENVT4411 Geographic Information Systems Applications
Or Unit(s) GEOG2201 Geographic Information Systems
42 hours
S2ENVT5516Environmental Monitoring and Sensors
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
and Successful completion of
Unit(s) SCIE4402 Data Management and Analysis in the Natural Sciences
or Enrolment in
72530 Master of Environmental Science
and Successful completion of
Unit(s) ENVT4422 Research Methods in Environmental Science
1x 1hr lecture per week 1x 4hr workshop per week 1 field trip
S1ENVT5561GIS and Spatial Analysis: Multifunctional Landscapes
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) ENVT4411 Geographic Information Systems Applications
or GEOG2201 Geographic Information Systems
Incompatibility
Unit(s) ENVT5508 Advanced Spatial Analytics
and Unit(s) ENVT5563 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Waterway Restoration
and Unit(s) ENVT5562 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Coastal Resilience
and Unit(s) ENVT5565 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Sensor Networks
and Unit(s) ENVT5564 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Contaminated Sites
150

For students doing coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1AGRI5503Animal Production Systems
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
Seminar 3 hours per week, Tutorial 2 hours per week and an over night field trip . The total workload for the unit is 150 hours.
N/AAGRI5505Integrated Pest Management - Practical
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
S1AGRI5506Integrated Pest Management - Principles
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science (ID 164)
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science (ID 390)
total workload: 150 hours; contact hours: 4 hours per week for 12 weeks
N/AAGRI5507Integrated Pest Management - Ecological
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
S2AGRI5508Sustainable Grazing Systems
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
total workload: 150 hours
S2AGRI5571Advanced Soil Science
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) ENVT3060 Soil–Plant Interactions
or AGRI4409 Fundamentals of Agricultural Science
12x 3 hour workshops during semester. The total workload for the unit is 150 hours
S1ENVT5005Waste and the Circular Economy
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
Lectures 15 x 1 hour (online and pre-recorded), 5 x 1hr Industry seminar (Face to Face), Industry Contact (dependent on partner selected)
S1ENVT5600Topics in Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
Incompatibility
Unit(s) ECON5006 Topics in Agricultural Economics
1 hour contact per week for 10 weeks. The total work requirement for the unit is 150 hours.
S1, S2SCIE5304Science Practicum
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71530 Master of Biological Arts
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 52510 Master of Exercise Science
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
or 71590 Master of Oceanography and approval of the unit coordinator
100 hours of work placement paired with learning content and assessment. Contact hours in Practicum placement (the majority of student time in the unit) as arranged with the unit coordinator and host/supervisor. Additional, minor, contact hours for initial and post-placement discussions with coordinator, and final presentation and review.

Crop and Livestock Farming Systems specialisation

Students may be required to take conversion units, up to a value of 24 points, based on an assessment of prior learning by the Faculty.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2AGRI4409Fundamentals of Agricultural Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
practical classes: 1 hour per week; lectures: 6 x 15 minute online lectures per week
S1, S2ENVT4461Assessing Environmental Quality
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
Incompatibility
Unit(s) ENVT3361 Environmental Assessment
lectures: 1 hour per week; practical classes: 4 hours per week (one practical session involves field work)
S1, S2SCIE4401Data Use in Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 72550 Master of Geoscience
or 72540 Master of Hydrogeology
or 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 70550 Master of Bioinformatics
or 71590 Master of Oceanography
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
Incompatibility
STAT1400 Statistics for Science
or STAX1400 Statistics for Science
and
STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or STAX1520 Economic and Business Statistics
and SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis
24 hours. The total workload for this unit is 150 hours.
S1, S2SCIE4403Ethical Conduct and Communication of Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
73660 Master of Medical Physics
Incompatibility
SCOM1101 Communicating Science (ID 1553)
or SCOX1101 Communicating Science
and SCOM2208 Science Writing (ID 1559)
Weekly face-to-face OR online workshops. This unit runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2, and can be taken in either semester.

Take all units (30 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
NSAGRI4401Precision Agriculture
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
total workload: 150 hours; contact hours: 2 x 2 hr computer workshops per week for the first six weeks of semester, plus online materials (videos)
S1AGRI4410Breeding and Biotechnology
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
lectures: 2 hours per week; practicals: 3 hours per week for 12 weeks
S1AGRI5503Animal Production Systems
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
Seminar 3 hours per week, Tutorial 2 hours per week and an over night field trip . The total workload for the unit is 150 hours.
S2AGRI5508Sustainable Grazing Systems
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
total workload: 150 hours
S2SCIE5507Food Fibre and Fuel Security
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 74230 Graduate Certificate in Bioinformatics
lectures, tutorials and/or workshops: 6 hours per week

For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
N/AAGRI5505Integrated Pest Management - Practical
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
S1AGRI5506Integrated Pest Management - Principles
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science (ID 164)
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science (ID 390)
total workload: 150 hours; contact hours: 4 hours per week for 12 weeks
N/AAGRI5507Integrated Pest Management - Ecological
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
S2AGRI5571Advanced Soil Science
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) ENVT3060 Soil–Plant Interactions
or AGRI4409 Fundamentals of Agricultural Science
12x 3 hour workshops during semester. The total workload for the unit is 150 hours
S1ENVT5005Waste and the Circular Economy
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
Lectures 15 x 1 hour (online and pre-recorded), 5 x 1hr Industry seminar (Face to Face), Industry Contact (dependent on partner selected)
S1ENVT5600Topics in Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
Incompatibility
Unit(s) ECON5006 Topics in Agricultural Economics
1 hour contact per week for 10 weeks. The total work requirement for the unit is 150 hours.
S1, S2SCIE5304Science Practicum
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71530 Master of Biological Arts
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 52510 Master of Exercise Science
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
or 71590 Master of Oceanography and approval of the unit coordinator
100 hours of work placement paired with learning content and assessment. Contact hours in Practicum placement (the majority of student time in the unit) as arranged with the unit coordinator and host/supervisor. Additional, minor, contact hours for initial and post-placement discussions with coordinator, and final presentation and review.

Genetics and Breeding specialisation

Students may be required to take conversion units, up to a value of 24 points, based on an assessment of prior learning by the Faculty.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2AGRI4409Fundamentals of Agricultural Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
practical classes: 1 hour per week; lectures: 6 x 15 minute online lectures per week
S1, S2GENE4002Integrated Topics in Genetics I
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 71540 Master of Health Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 70550 Master of Bioinformatics
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
Incompatibility
Unit(s) GENE2230 Molecular Genetics I
and Unit(s) GENE2250 Principles of Inheritance
6 x 2 hr workshops over the course of a semester.
S1, S2SCIE4401Data Use in Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 72550 Master of Geoscience
or 72540 Master of Hydrogeology
or 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 70550 Master of Bioinformatics
or 71590 Master of Oceanography
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
Incompatibility
STAT1400 Statistics for Science
or STAX1400 Statistics for Science
and
STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or STAX1520 Economic and Business Statistics
and SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis
24 hours. The total workload for this unit is 150 hours.
S1, S2SCIE4403Ethical Conduct and Communication of Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
73660 Master of Medical Physics
Incompatibility
SCOM1101 Communicating Science (ID 1553)
or SCOX1101 Communicating Science
and SCOM2208 Science Writing (ID 1559)
Weekly face-to-face OR online workshops. This unit runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2, and can be taken in either semester.

Take all units (30 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1AGRI4410Breeding and Biotechnology
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
lectures: 2 hours per week; practicals: 3 hours per week for 12 weeks
S1AGRI5502Case Studies in Breeding and Biotechnology
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
or HON-BTECH Biotechnology
2 x 3-hr sessions every second week for six weeks
S2AGRI5508Sustainable Grazing Systems
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
total workload: 150 hours
S1, S2SCIE4001Collecting, Analysing and Interpreting Big Data in Biology
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
62550 Master of Professional Engineering
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 70550 Master of Bioinformatics
Lectures and Seminars: 27 hours
S2SCIE5507Food Fibre and Fuel Security
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 74230 Graduate Certificate in Bioinformatics
lectures, tutorials and/or workshops: 6 hours per week

For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
NSAGRI4401Precision Agriculture
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
total workload: 150 hours; contact hours: 2 x 2 hr computer workshops per week for the first six weeks of semester, plus online materials (videos)
S1AGRI4407Plant and Human Nutrition
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
total workload: 150 hours; contact hours: 6 days full-time
S1AGRI5506Integrated Pest Management - Principles
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science (ID 164)
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science (ID 390)
total workload: 150 hours; contact hours: 4 hours per week for 12 weeks
S2ENVT5001Biotechnology in the Natural Environment
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or HON-BTECH Biotechnology
lectures/tutorials: 2 hours per fortnight; field trips/case study work: 2 hours per fortnight
S1ENVT5005Waste and the Circular Economy
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
Lectures 15 x 1 hour (online and pre-recorded), 5 x 1hr Industry seminar (Face to Face), Industry Contact (dependent on partner selected)
S2ENVT5514Environmental Biosensing Agents and Assays
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) BIOC4002 Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I
lectures/tutorials: 2 hours per fortnight; field trips/practical work: 4 hours per fortnight
S1ENVT5600Topics in Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
Incompatibility
Unit(s) ECON5006 Topics in Agricultural Economics
1 hour contact per week for 10 weeks. The total work requirement for the unit is 150 hours.
S1, S2SCIE5304Science Practicum
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71530 Master of Biological Arts
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 52510 Master of Exercise Science
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
or 71590 Master of Oceanography and approval of the unit coordinator
100 hours of work placement paired with learning content and assessment. Contact hours in Practicum placement (the majority of student time in the unit) as arranged with the unit coordinator and host/supervisor. Additional, minor, contact hours for initial and post-placement discussions with coordinator, and final presentation and review.

Integrated Pest Management specialisation

Note: THIS SPECIALISATION IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE COMMENCING STUDENTS FROM SEMESTER 2 2023

Students may be required to take conversion units, up to a value of 24 points, based on an assessment of prior learning by the Faculty.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2AGRI4409Fundamentals of Agricultural Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
practical classes: 1 hour per week; lectures: 6 x 15 minute online lectures per week
S1, S2ENVT4461Assessing Environmental Quality
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
Incompatibility
Unit(s) ENVT3361 Environmental Assessment
lectures: 1 hour per week; practical classes: 4 hours per week (one practical session involves field work)
S1, S2SCIE4401Data Use in Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 72550 Master of Geoscience
or 72540 Master of Hydrogeology
or 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 70550 Master of Bioinformatics
or 71590 Master of Oceanography
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
Incompatibility
STAT1400 Statistics for Science
or STAX1400 Statistics for Science
and
STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or STAX1520 Economic and Business Statistics
and SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis
24 hours. The total workload for this unit is 150 hours.
S1, S2SCIE4403Ethical Conduct and Communication of Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
73660 Master of Medical Physics
Incompatibility
SCOM1101 Communicating Science (ID 1553)
or SCOX1101 Communicating Science
and SCOM2208 Science Writing (ID 1559)
Weekly face-to-face OR online workshops. This unit runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2, and can be taken in either semester.

Take all units (30 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
N/AAGRI5505Integrated Pest Management - Practical
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
S1AGRI5506Integrated Pest Management - Principles
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science (ID 164)
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science (ID 390)
total workload: 150 hours; contact hours: 4 hours per week for 12 weeks
N/AAGRI5507Integrated Pest Management - Ecological
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
S2AGRI5508Sustainable Grazing Systems
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
total workload: 150 hours
S2SCIE5507Food Fibre and Fuel Security
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 74230 Graduate Certificate in Bioinformatics
lectures, tutorials and/or workshops: 6 hours per week

For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
NSAGRI4401Precision Agriculture
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
total workload: 150 hours; contact hours: 2 x 2 hr computer workshops per week for the first six weeks of semester, plus online materials (videos)
S1AGRI4407Plant and Human Nutrition
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
total workload: 150 hours; contact hours: 6 days full-time
S1AGRI4410Breeding and Biotechnology
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
lectures: 2 hours per week; practicals: 3 hours per week for 12 weeks
S1AGRI5503Animal Production Systems
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
Seminar 3 hours per week, Tutorial 2 hours per week and an over night field trip . The total workload for the unit is 150 hours.
S1ENVT5600Topics in Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
Incompatibility
Unit(s) ECON5006 Topics in Agricultural Economics
1 hour contact per week for 10 weeks. The total work requirement for the unit is 150 hours.
S1, S2SCIE5304Science Practicum
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71530 Master of Biological Arts
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 52510 Master of Exercise Science
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
or 71590 Master of Oceanography and approval of the unit coordinator
100 hours of work placement paired with learning content and assessment. Contact hours in Practicum placement (the majority of student time in the unit) as arranged with the unit coordinator and host/supervisor. Additional, minor, contact hours for initial and post-placement discussions with coordinator, and final presentation and review.

Soil Science and Plant Nutrition specialisation

Students may be required to take conversion units, up to a value of 24 points, based on an assessment of prior learning by the Faculty.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2AGRI4409Fundamentals of Agricultural Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
practical classes: 1 hour per week; lectures: 6 x 15 minute online lectures per week
S1, S2ENVT4461Assessing Environmental Quality
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
Incompatibility
Unit(s) ENVT3361 Environmental Assessment
lectures: 1 hour per week; practical classes: 4 hours per week (one practical session involves field work)
S1, S2SCIE4401Data Use in Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 72550 Master of Geoscience
or 72540 Master of Hydrogeology
or 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 70550 Master of Bioinformatics
or 71590 Master of Oceanography
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
Incompatibility
STAT1400 Statistics for Science
or STAX1400 Statistics for Science
and
STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or STAX1520 Economic and Business Statistics
and SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis
24 hours. The total workload for this unit is 150 hours.
S1, S2SCIE4403Ethical Conduct and Communication of Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
73660 Master of Medical Physics
Incompatibility
SCOM1101 Communicating Science (ID 1553)
or SCOX1101 Communicating Science
and SCOM2208 Science Writing (ID 1559)
Weekly face-to-face OR online workshops. This unit runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2, and can be taken in either semester.

Take all units (30 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
NSAGRI4401Precision Agriculture
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
total workload: 150 hours; contact hours: 2 x 2 hr computer workshops per week for the first six weeks of semester, plus online materials (videos)
S1AGRI4407Plant and Human Nutrition
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
total workload: 150 hours; contact hours: 6 days full-time
S1AGRI5506Integrated Pest Management - Principles
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science (ID 164)
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science (ID 390)
total workload: 150 hours; contact hours: 4 hours per week for 12 weeks
S2AGRI5571Advanced Soil Science
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) ENVT3060 Soil–Plant Interactions
or AGRI4409 Fundamentals of Agricultural Science
12x 3 hour workshops during semester. The total workload for the unit is 150 hours
S1ENVT4401Advanced Land Use and Management
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72540 Master of Hydrogeology
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or HON-CONBI Conservation Biology
or HON-ENVSC Environmental Science
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
three 2-day blocks (the total workload for the unit is 150 hours)

For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1AGRI5503Animal Production Systems
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
Seminar 3 hours per week, Tutorial 2 hours per week and an over night field trip . The total workload for the unit is 150 hours.
N/AAGRI5505Integrated Pest Management - Practical
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
N/AAGRI5507Integrated Pest Management - Ecological
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
S2AGRI5508Sustainable Grazing Systems
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
total workload: 150 hours
S1ENVT5005Waste and the Circular Economy
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
Lectures 15 x 1 hour (online and pre-recorded), 5 x 1hr Industry seminar (Face to Face), Industry Contact (dependent on partner selected)
S2ENVT5503Remediation of Soils and Groundwater
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-ENVSC Environmental Science
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 72540 Master of Hydrogeology
The total workload for the unit is 150 hours.
S1ENVT5600Topics in Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
Incompatibility
Unit(s) ECON5006 Topics in Agricultural Economics
1 hour contact per week for 10 weeks. The total work requirement for the unit is 150 hours.
S1, S2SCIE5304Science Practicum
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71530 Master of Biological Arts
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 52510 Master of Exercise Science
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
or 71590 Master of Oceanography and approval of the unit coordinator
100 hours of work placement paired with learning content and assessment. Contact hours in Practicum placement (the majority of student time in the unit) as arranged with the unit coordinator and host/supervisor. Additional, minor, contact hours for initial and post-placement discussions with coordinator, and final presentation and review.

See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.

Rules

Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures

1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.

(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.

Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules

2.(1) Except as stated in (2), a student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).

(2) A student who has previously achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the CARS module is not required to repeat the module.

(3) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.

English Language competency requirements

3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.

Admission requirements

4. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—

(a) a bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;

and

(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;

and

(c) have successfully completed prior tertiary study in science or in a related cognate discipline as recognised by UWA.

Admission ranking and selection

5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.

Articulations and exit awards

6.(1) This course has the following exit awards:

  • 72310 Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Science (48 points)
  • 72210 Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Science (24 points)

(2) A student who withdraws from the Master of Agricultural Science course before completing it, but after completing 48 points of Level 4 or Level 5 units, which includes the course core units, may apply to the School to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Science.

(3) A student who withdraws from the Master of Agricultural Science course before completing it, but after completing 24 points excluding conversion units, with at least 12 points of core units, of which a minimum of 6 points must be degree core

, may apply to the School to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Science.

Course structure

7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 96 points (maximum value) which includes conversion units to a value of 24 points, course core units and specialisation units. The course comprises the following specialisations :

  • SP- Agricultural Technology
  • SP-AGSYS Crop and Livestock Farming Systems
  • SP-GENBR Genetics and Breeding
  • SP-IPMGT Integrated Pest Management
  • SP-SOILS Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.

(3) Students who have completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation are granted credit for conversion units up to a value of 24 points.

Satisfactory progress

8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.

9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.

Progress status

10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.

(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—

(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';

(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';

(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.

11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.

Award with distinction

12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—

(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;

(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;

and

(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.

Deferrals

13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).

Additional rules
Research project

14. Students who request approval to undertake a research project must have—

(i) a weighted average mark of at least 70 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3 units, relevant to the master's specialisation, in their UWA undergraduate major; or

(ii) a weighted average mark of at least 70 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 4 and 5 units (excluding units taken for conversion) completed within the course, or equivalent as recognised by the School.

and

(iv) must have achieved a mark of at least 70% in ENVT4422 Research Methods in Agricultural and Environmental Science.