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 basis only. The program can commence at the start of the year only.

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 ability to collect and interpret agricultural data

• 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

BACHELOR OF AGRICULTURE (HONOURS)

BH-AGR is a 100 point honours year for students who have completed an undergraduate Bachelor of Agriculture, either 315PD, 315DO or B-AGR.

The honours course is comprised of coursework subjects and a research project. The coursework subjects will enable students to gain an understanding of the principals of research. Students will also be expected to attend Faculty research seminars throughout the year.

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 both of the following subjects:

Coursework Component

Students must complete the following subject:

Selective Option

Students must choose one of the following subjects (as directed by the student's research project supervisor)

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

• within the last 10 years a Bachelor of Agriculture with a weighted average mark of at least H3 (65%), or equivalent, with a major relevant to the discipline stream within the Bachelor of Agriculture (Degree with Honours) that they seek to enter.

Meeting this requirement does not guarantee selection

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and
• the availability of supervision and resources in suitable project areas.

Quotas may be applied to the degree as a whole or to individual discipline streams and preference may be given to applicants with evidence of appropriate preparation or potential to undertake research.

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. For applicants who have not completed the Victorian Certificate of Education or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, the undergraduate English language requirements must be met.

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