Master of Agricultural Science

The Master of Agricultural Science course provides a research-led national and international focused program directed at students who wish to build a professional career in a specialised area of the Agricultural Sciences. Graduates in the Master programme will possess attributes that will ensure they can either find employment in the public or private sectors related to a wide range of agricultural production, environmental, economics, bioresearch and service industries, and community organisations concerned with public good, or continue into further postgraduate programmes of study.

On completion of the Master of Agricultural Science you will have gained a broad understanding of many of the issues underpinning the advances in food and fibre production within the Australian and International Agriculture sectors. You will also have completed at least one 25 point research project and/or possibly a 50 point research project, and have broadened your base knowledge through elective subjects.

This includes subjects focused on animal and plant production, management of disease and pest incursions and on advanced breeding and spatial information capabilities

• to enable students to explore the interdisciplinary nature of agricultural crop, food and fibre production and markets at an advanced level
• To provide students with a sound foundation in the scientific principles and analytical skills behind improved agricultural production systems and their sustainability,
• to introduce students to advanced research topics and practical applications within the disciplines of agricultural science;
• to develop competence in the design, conduct and analysis of experimental work;
• to introduce students to industrial applications of agricultural science and the commercial outcomes;
• to develop a critical understanding of environmental, economic, social and ethical factors related to plant and animal-derived food and fibre production in Australia and globally.

The program comprises of 75 credit points of Core subjects, 25 credit points of Professional Toolbox subjects, a minimum of 25 credit points of Research Project and a minimum of 25 credit points of discipline electives.

MASTER OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

Core Subjects

Students must complete all of the following subjects

Professional Toolbox

Students must complete 25 points of Professional Toolbox subjects (12.5 points from Science Tools and 12.5 points from Business Tools)

Science Tools

Students must complete one of the following:

Business Tools

Students must complete one of the following:

Research Project

Students must complete a minimum of 25 points of the following:

Discipline Electives

Students must complete a minimum of 25 points from the following:

Other Electives

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to pursue the course successfully using the following criteria:

• an undergraduate degree with at least H3 (65%) average in the final year, or
• a graduate or postgraduate certificate in any discipline with at least H3 (65%) average, or
• a graduate or postgraduate diploma in any discipline, with at least H3 (65%) average, or
• an honours degree in any discipline, or equivalent; and
• a curriculum vitae or resume; and
• two academic referee reports; and
• personal statement of up to 500 words.

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and may call for further referee reports or employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Note. Up to 100 points of advanced standing in Master of Agricultural Science may be awarded for the completion of a relevant honours degree or a Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Science or equivalent.

The Melbourne School of Land and Environment (MSLE) welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and School policy to take reasonable steps to make reasonable adjustments so as to enable the student’s participation in the School’s programs. MSLE contributes to the New Generation degrees and offers a broad range of programs across undergraduate and post-graduate levels many of which adopt a multi-disciplinary approach.

Students of the School’s courses must possess intellectual, ethical, and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the School. Candidates must have abilities and skills in observation; motor in relevant areas; communication; in conceptual, integrative, and quantitative dimensions; and in behavioural and social dimensions.

Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability, however students need to be able to participate in the program in an independent manner and with regard to their safety and the safety of others.

I. Observation: In some contexts, the student must be able to observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic and applied sciences. More broadly, observation requires reading text, diagrams, maps, drawings and numerical data. The candidate should be able to observe details at a number of scales and record useful observations in discipline dependant contexts.

II. Communication: A candidate should be able to communicate with fellow students, professional and academic staff, members of relevant professions and the public. A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively. Communication includes not only speech but also reading and writing.

III. Motor: Candidates should have sufficient motor function necessary for participation in the inherent discipline-related activities. The practical work, design work, field work, diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests, require varying motor movement abilities. Off campus investigations may include visits to construction sites, urban, rural and/or remote environments.

IV. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of professionals in land and environment industries, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the candidate should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.

V. Behavioural and Social Attributes: A candidate must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from meeting the above academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit.

The Melbourne Experience enables our Graduates to become:

Academically excellent
Our Graduates will be expected to:

• have 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

Knowledgeable across disciplines

Our graduates will be expected to:

• examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
• expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experinces in diverse subjects
• have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
• have a a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment.

Leaders in communities

Our graduates will be expected to:

• 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

Attuned to cultural diversity
Our graduates will be expected to :

• Value different cultures
• be well-informed citizens able to contibute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
• have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
• respect Indigenous knowledge, cultures and values

Active global citizens

Our graduates will be expected to:

• accept social and civic responsiblities
• be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
• have a broard global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equality and ethics.

• A profound respect for truth, intellectual and professional integrity, and the ethics of scholarship
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning and research
• An ability to derive, interpret and analyse social, technical or economic information from primary and other sources
• Awareness of and ability to utilise appropriate communication technology and methods for the storage, management and analysis of data
• Capacity for creativity and innovation, through the application of skills and knowledge
• Ability to integrate information across a relevant discipline to solve problems in applied situations
• Highly developed computer - based skills to allow for effective on-line learning and communication.
• 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.
• Appreciation of social and cultural diversity from a regional to a global context
• Ability to participate effectively as a member of a team
• Ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects