Agricultural Science major (MJD-AGSCI)
Australia's agricultural industry is a key part of the world's food supply system. The challenges of a rapidly growing population, climate change, and the limitations of land and freshwater all impact the ability of agriculture to meet the demand for food, fibre and fuel. As part of the Agricultural Science major, students investigate how to address this demand by developing an understanding of the complex factors that shape agricultural systems. Agricultural Science provides the research, technology and information for the sustainable and ethical development of the agricultural industry. Your studies will include soil science, genetics, cropping systems, soil-plant interaction, livestock production, agricultural economics and grain marketing. There will be up to two field trips to farms and research sites.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate knowledge of the biology of key plants, animals and other organisms and the influence of climate, soils and farm management practices on these components; (2) demonstrate an understanding of how agricultural systems and are influenced by socioeconomic issues
.; (3) critically apply their knowledge and skills to improve production, profitability and environmental performance; (4) demonstrate critical thinking to be able to respond to challenges in a scientific manner in response to issues such as climate change and an increasing world population; and (5) demonstrate competency in laboratory practice, fieldwork study, report writing, oral presentation and team work skills suited to gain employment in the field of Agricultural Technology.
Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
Prerequisites
Mathematics Methods ATAR or Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year. Students without ATAR mathematics will take two first year mathematics units. Chemistry ATAR or an additional chemistry unit taken in the first year.
Agricultural Science can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
Overview of unit sequence
Agricultural Science is a degree-specific single major comprising:
- four Level 1 units
- four Level 2 units
- four Level 3 units
Key to availability of units: |
---|
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2 |
Level 1
Take all units (24 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S1 | AGRI1001 | Feeding the World |
|
S2 | BIOL1131 | Plant and Animal Biology |
|
S1, S2 | SCIE1104 | Science, Society and Data Analysis |
|
S1 | SCOM1101 | Communicating Science |
|
Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete SCIE1500. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1720 and SCIE1500. Note: Students who have completed MATH1721, are not required to complete SCIE1500. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete CHEM1003.
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S1, S2 | CHEM1003 | Introductory Chemistry |
|
S1, S2 | MATH1720 | Mathematics Fundamentals |
|
S1, S2 | SCIE1500 | Analytical Methods for Scientists |
Level 2
Take all units (24 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S2 | AGRI2201 | Pasture and Livestock Systems |
|
S1 | ENVT2236 | Soil Science |
|
S1 | GENE2250 | Principles of Inheritance |
|
S2 | PLNT2201 | Plants in Action |
Level 3
Take all units (24 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S2 | ANIM3306 | Clean, Green and Ethical Animal Production |
|
S1 | ECON3300 | Agricultural Economics and Marketing |
|
S1 | ENVT3060 | Soil–Plant Interactions | |
S2 | SCIE3314 | Crops and Cropping Systems |
|
Choosing your degree-specific major
General degrees
You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.
To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how the Agricultural Science degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Science course.
Example Study Plan
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .
Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music
You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.
Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
This comprehensive degree does not require you to choose a degree-specific major.
Choosing a second major
You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. and Bachelor of Science courses, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .