Bachelor of Agricultural Science/Bachelor of Commerce

Course being phased out.

This combined course is taught at the Parkville campus of the University. The course takes five years of full-time study. This course has been developed in response to the demand for agricultural science to be combined with a more specialist training in economics and commerce than is possible in the Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree. Students can choose a combination of economics, business information systems, econometrics, accounting, finance and management subjects in order to design a course which fits an intended career path.

Students who complete this course should have acquired:

• an understanding of the components of the agricultural sector of the Australian economy and the importance of that sector to the economy;

• an understanding of Australian economic institutions and policy, including industry and trade policy;

• an appreciation of the recent changes in the Australian economy, especially in relation to developments in the Asia-Pacific region;

• mastery of the necessary theoretical concepts and tools, from economics, agricultural sciences, business management and marketing, for analysing and solving problems in agribusiness activities, natural resource use or agricultural policy, and skill in communicating the results;

• an appreciation of the implications for agricultural business operations of the biological nature of agricultural production processes;

• awareness of the institutional and regulatory environment within which agricultural businesses function;

• an understanding of the behaviour of international markets for the products of the agricultural sector;

• practical experience in some part of the agricultural sector.

Agricultural Science points must include:

• 137.5 points from Bachelor of Agricultural Science core subjects, namely: 202-101 Chemistry for Land and Food Resources, 202-103 Biology for Land and Food Resources, 650-142 Genetics and the Evolution of Life, 202-201 Plant Function, 202-203 Soil and Water Resources, 208-411 Research Philosophies and Statistics and 202-401/2/3 Industry/Research Project.
• seven additional Bachelor of Agricultural Science subjects (to attain a minimum of 225 points from the Bachelor of Agricultural Science, chosen from the remaining core and elective subjects)
• at least 100 points from 300- and/or 400-level subjects
• 202-001 Industry Placement

To be eligible for honours in Agricultural Science, students must:

complete 300 points of Bachelor of Agricultral Science subjects, taken from that program's subject list or approved by the course coordinator. Students may be awarded honours in Agricultural Science at the end of the fifth year. Honours in Commerce requires an additional sixth year of study.

The following subjects are not available for credit to students in this program: 207-101 Land, Food and Resource Economics (matrial covered in 316-102 Introductor Microeconomics), 202-202 Experimental Design/Statistical Methods (material covered in 316-130 Quantitative Methods 1) and 202-301/3 Industry Project (202-401/2/3 Research Project is taken instead by all students).

Commerce points must include:

• at least 50 points from 100-level subjects
• at least 50 points from 300-level subjects (these must be completed at the University of Melbourne)
• compulsory subjects: 316-101 Introductory Macroeconomics, 316-102 Introductory Microeconomics, 316-130 Quantitative Methods 1, 325-201 Organisational Behaviour* and 316-205 Introductory Econometrics or 316-206 Quantitative Methods 2.
  316-316 Basic Econometrics is recommended by the Faculty of Land and Food Resources to be included in the Commerce component of the program.

* Students who commenced the Bachelor of Agricultural Science/Bachelor of Commerce degree prior to 2005 are not required to complete this subject.

This course is being phased out. There have been no new enrolments into this course since 2007. The information for this course is for continuing students who are completing this course.

Entry into undergraduate degrees is usually via application through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). Full details regarding the VTAC application process may be found on the VTAC website or by purchasing the VTAC Guide from newsagencies.

Students enrolling in the Melbourne School of Land and Environment are advised that some courses of study may put them at an increased risk of contracting Q Fever. Q Fever is a relatively common, preventable condition which while rarely fatal, can cause a severe acute illness and can result in damage to heart valves and chronic fatigue. It is recommended that students consider undertaking screening and vaccination for Q Fever prior to commencement of study. Students may be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to undertaking some coursework. Your course coordinator will advise you of this requirement prior to commencement of the study semester. Vaccine costs for students are not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), Medicare, or by the University. Some students with full private health coverage (which has hospital and ancillary cover) may receive partial re-imbursement for vaccine costs.

• have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
• have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
• reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
• be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
• be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies
• be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
• be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
• initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
• have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations
• mentor future generations of learners
• engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs

Students who complete this course should have acquired:

• a profound respect for truth, intellectual and professional integrity, and the ethics of scholarship
• a capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning and research identification and description of the business environment in which rural and regional businesses operate
• an ability to derive, interpret and analyse ecological, biological, social, technical or economic information from primary sources
• an awareness of, and ability to utilize appropriate communication technology and methods for the storage, management and analysis of data
• an ability to utilize appropriate technology in the analysis of rural and regional business
• an ability to integrate information across a broad range of disciplines to solve problems in applied situations
• highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
• highly developed oral communication skills to allow informed dialogue and liaison with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
• an ability to participate effectively as part of a team