Bachelor of Agriculture (Degree with Honours)

The honours year in Bachelor of Agriculture, comprises advanced 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 students study full time and commence in February.

On completion of the fourth (honours) year, the School determines the award of honours degrees on the basis of average mark of the weighted average of all fourth-year subjects. The resulting figure is the 'Honours Score'.

Students who have completed this course should have acquired:

• a 'systems-thinking' approach to agricultural production and land management, including an understanding of the structures of agriculture-related industries; the principal factors that determine their location, environmental impact, sustainability, profitability and international trade competitiveness; and the biophysical, economic and social factors that affect production systems;

• 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 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 collect and interpret agricultural data for interpretation;

• an understanding of the research methodologies necessary to design and interpret experiments;

• a commitment to the highest standards of academic and intellectual integrity befitting their professional standing.

629-AA Bachelor of Agriculture (Honours) - Parkville

629-DO Bachelor of Agriculture (Honours) - Dookie

BACHELOR OF AGRICULTURE (HONOURS)

The honours course is comprised of coursework and a research project. The coursework subjects consist of a core research methodology and statistics subject, and an elective to be selected essentially from 400-level subjects offered by the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences (FVAS) and other faculties of the University. They will enable students to gain sufficient familiarity with the fields relevant to their research project. Students may select a 300-level subject 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 attend Faculty research seminars

Research Component

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. The expected length of the thesis (including references) will normally be limited to 15,000 words.

Students should enrol into 75 points of the following research project subjects. For example, if you commence mid year you may wish to take 50 points in Semester Two, followed by 25 points in Semester One of the following year. Please liaise closely with your Student Centre when choosing your subjects.

Coursework Component

Students must undertake a Statistics subject:

Plus one elective chosen from the 300/400 level subjects across FVAS as sanctioned by the course coordinator.

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• achieved a weighted average of at least 65 in the third year (300-level) subjects in their Faculty undergraduate degree; or
• an equivalent qualification to the Faculty undergraduate degree, this qualification being recognised by the Faculty, at a level of academic performance equivalent to that required in the point above.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
• prior academic performance.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board Rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. The minimum English language requirements for this course are Band 6.5.

Students enrolling in the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences 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.

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.

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

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
• 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
• 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