Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours)

Course 631AA (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Year and Campus: 2011 - Parkville
CRICOS Code: 051255K
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Undergraduate
Duration & Credit Points: 100 credit points taken over 12 months full time. This course is available as full or part time.

Coordinator

Dr Marc Nicolas

Contact

MSLE Student Centre

Email: msle-sc@unimelb.edu.au

Course Overview: The honours year in Bachelor of Agricultural Science, comprises advance coursework and an individual research project designed to extend students’ knowledge and skills in solving research problems. These honours programs can be undertaken on a full time or part time basis. The program can commence either in February or July. February commencement concludes in November. July commencement concludes in June of the following year. Most student study full time and commence in February.On completion of the fourth (honours) year, the School determines the award of honours degree on the basis of the average mark of the weighted average of all fourth year subjects. The resulting figure is the “Honours Score”.
Objectives:

Students who have completed this course should have acquired:

  • A “system-thinking” approach to agricultural production and land management, including an understanding of the structures of agriculture-related industries; the principle factors that determine their location, environmental impact, sustainability, profitability and international trade competitiveness; and the biophysical, economic and social factors that affect production systems;
  • An understanding how agriculture and other land uses influence the landscape;
  • Appropriate knowledge and the ability to critically evaluate knowledge gained from a range of scientific, economic and social sources;The ability to disseminate scientific and industry information;
  • Skills to effectively analyse, and scientifically evaluate agricultural and environmental problems and reach appropriate solutions;
  • Effective communication skills in a variety of media;
  • The capacity for initiating cooperative relationships with colleagues, employers and clients;
  • Appropriate group facilitation skills;
  • The ability to collecte and interpret agricultural and environmental data for interpretation;
  • An understanding of the reseach methodologies necessary to design and interpret experiments;
  • A commitment to the highest standards of academic and intellectual integrity and an acceptance of the communication responibilities of citizenship befitting their professional standing.
Course Structure & Available Subjects:

631AA - Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours)

Subject Options:

BACHELOR OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE (HONOURS)

The honours course is comprised of coursework and a research project. The coursework subjects consist of core subjects, and electives to be selected essentially from 400-level subjects offered by the Melbourne School of Land and Environment and other faculties of the University. They will enable students to gain sufficient familiarity with the fields relevant to their research project. Up to two subjects not appearing on the recommended list can be taken for credit, subject to course coordinator approval. Students may select two 300-level subjects for credit, subject to course coordinator approval. Applicants to the program will need to demonstrate the completion of appropriate prerequisite subjects in their undergraduate courses when selecting coursework subjects. Students will also be expected to participate in research discussion groups or ‘journal clubs’ and to attend the Faculty’s research seminar series.

HONOURS RESEARCH PROJECT

Students will select a project from a list formulated by supervisors through the Honours Research Project subject coordinator. Some of these projects may be offered in collaboration with industry, and collaborating institutions. Project proposals detailing the experimental plan and a literature review will be presented before the Honours Panel for discussion and approval prior to commencing experimental work. Students will be required to present seminars on both their project proposal and the outcomes of their research.

AGRI40001 (year long) may be replaced by AGRI40002 in Semester 1 or Semester 2; or AGRI40003 for mid-year entry.

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

FOURTH YEAR

Semester 1

MAST40001 Research Philosophies and Statistics or NRMT40005 Social Research Methods

plus one elective in Semester 1 or 2

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Electives

One elective from Semester 1 or Semester 2.

Electives can be chosen from the following list or from approved subjects from other courses.

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
October
12.50
Entry Requirements:

Students in the Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours)

  • Must have achieved an average of 65% in the third-year (300 level) subjets in their pass degree
  • Must achieve a minimum of 100 credit points, with an Honours Grade Score of at least 65%
  • May take up to 2 electives not on the approved elective list for that degree (in the University Undergraduate Course and Subject Catalogue), provided these are approved by the course coordinator
  • Must complete Honours Research Project in an area approved by the course coordinator as being relevant to the particular degree undertaken
  • Must meet the defined work experience requriements for the pass degree before starting honours.
Core Participation Requirements:

Please visit our website for details about core participation requirements: http://www.land-environment.unimelb.edu.au/studentpolicies/coreparticipation.html

Students enrolling in the Faculty of Land and Food Resources 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.

Further Study: After successfully completing the program, students will be prepared either to enter the workforce and pursue a career or to pursue further research study through a masters or doctor of philosophy degree.
Graduate Attributes:

Graduates will be expected to:

  • 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 well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
  • accept social and civic responsibilities
  • be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
  • have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics
Generic Skills: 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
  • a capacity for creativity and innovation, through the application of skills and knowledge
  • 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 appreciation of social and cultural diversity from a regional to a global context
  • an ability to participate effectively as part of a team
  • an ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects

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