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The Bachelor of Science at Southern Cross University is an industry-orientated degree with career-focused science specialisations. Graduates are equipped with both scientific knowledge and practical skills to address critical global issues.The three specialisations in Environment, Agriculture and Marine offer focused expertise aligned with real-world applications, allowing students to tackle environmental challenges, sustainable agricultural practices, and marine conservation.Graduates from the Bachelor of Science will have diverse employment opportunities across environmental, marine, and agricultural sectors, each offering local and international prospects.AgricultureThe Agriculture specialisation focuses on sustainable agricultural practices, crop science and food production systems. Students learn about soil management, plant biology and modern agricultural technology. This prepares graduates for roles in agronomy, agricultural consulting and food security sectors.The Bachelor of Science is characterised by practical field experience in all years, making use of our easy access to a variety of subtropical terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems.Online students must complete on-campus compulsory residentials for some units (please see Notes for relevant units in the Course Structure/Progression section).

Study holistic management of soils, water, fertilizers and more. Explore the climate connection. Your in-depth knowledge of regenerative practices can lead to careers growing food, consulting, and resource management. Join a new way of farming.

Bachelor of Science (Agriculture)

Human Biology

Science of Gardening

Fundamentals in Forensic Science

A Primer of Marine and Antarctic Science

Foundations of Human Biology 1

Biology of Aquaculture Animals and Plants

Construction Environmental Science

Introduction to the Science of Climate Change

Science in Practice

Applied Biology

In this subject, you will develop understanding of how soil properties and characteristics support and inform the development of soil management strategies. You will investigate how agricultural activities influence soil form and function. You will assess various soil management practices and approaches. This knowledge will underpin your ability to identify challenges associated with soil management and enable you to develop sustainable soil management strategies.

Principles of Soil Management

The fascinating world of plants consists of incredible diversity in species and vital ecosystem functions that enable our planet to function. Through a combination of workshops, laboratory sessions, and fieldwork, this unit explores the classification, diversification, evolution, and adaptations of plants across different habitats and ecosystems. By delving into plant anatomy, physiology, and reproductive strategies, students will gain a deep understanding of how plants acquire and utilise resources, interact with their environment, and contribute to ecosystem functioning. This unit provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationships between plants in various ecosystems, and their role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem processes. Skills gained in plant experimentation can be applied to careers in ecology, environmental science, and biotechnology. Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Quality Education; Life on Land; Life Below Water.

Plants

Agribusiness describes the food and fibre production and marketing system, which is made up of thousands of businesses ranging from small farms to large multinational companies. A focus for this subject is the effective and efficient management of agribusinesses, which is strongly linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 12 - Responsible Production and Consumption. In this subject you will be introduced to managers and the management of food, fibre and agribusiness firms. In doing so you will explore the concepts, processes, ideas, issues and experiences of managers and management that will enhance your effectiveness in performing the functions and tasks of an agribusiness manager.

Agribusiness Management

Students will be introduced to how mathematical models are used in biological, biophysical sciences and we will emphasise insight into how models may be derived from biophysical assumptions. A small but representative range of biophysical applications is investigated. The strengths and limitations of models to make predictions about ecological sustainability are explored. The subject is organised in modules, each focusing on a specific application.  Learning resources including all lecture materials will be available on-line. Students participate in two 1-hour problem solving classes per week to work through problem sets designed to strengthen basic mathematical skills. Considerable use will be made of spreadsheets as a tool for understanding mathematical models and performing calculations.

Mathematical Applications in Biology

In this subject you will explore the how agriculture and, in recent history, agribusiness have played a critical role in human development. This subject will deepen your understanding of agribusiness in the broader economy and it is aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal number 12 Responsible Consumption and Production. In particular, you will investigate the place of agriculture in the Australian context, and how the establishment of agribusinesses has played a role in the post-colonial Australian economy.  Through guided case studies you will consider how the development of agricultural trade has influenced global economic development and explore the key international agreements and partnerships that sustain and contain global agribusiness.

Agribusiness and its Place in the Economy

This subject will investigate the past, present and future of agriculture, and its impact on Australia and the world. At the end of this subject, you will have a deeper understanding of the importance and context of agriculture from a range of different perspectives. You will examine the pre-and post-colonial agriculture in Australia and around the world. In understanding the past, you will cover the influence of agriculture on Australian history, landscapes and regional and rural development. What were the historical constraints, what are the current constraints, and what will they be in the future?To address the present, you will investigate the role of agriculture in addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the role of agriculture in global food production and trade, and in the modern Australian economy.  The future of agriculture will involve the increased use of precision – in data collection and analysis, forecasting, sensors and robotics. The increase in protected cropping will mean more diseases, but more control over inputs – how will this be achieved in a sustainable way to feed the world? What will the impact of this be on future workforce and society?

Agriculture and Food Security

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is concerned with the function of biological systems at the molecular level. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is central to most studies in biology and life sciences and is directly related to biomedical research and biotechnology. In this subject, students are introduced to gene structure and function, DNA replication, transcription and translation; molecular biology; protein structure and its relationship to protein function and enzyme kinetics. Students will investigate a typical biochemistry technique and conduct research on a specific protein.

Study cells up close to learn how they are made up, function and convert food into energy to sustain life. Discover why protein is critical to a cell’s structure and performance, and how it helps to regulate the body’s tissues and vital organs.

Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The subject outlines the principles of cell and molecular biology as underpinnings of life and organism function. Topics covered include cell structure and function, the molecular aspects of the cell cycle and the molecular basis of genetics. Gene structure, the control of gene expression, regulation of gene function, molecular processes involved in protein synthesis and the role of genomics and of gene therapies in medicine will be examined.

Cellular and Molecular Biology

Biochemistry is concerned with the function of biological systems at the molecular level. It is central to most studies in biology and life sciences and is directly related to biomedical research and biotechnology. In this subject, you are introduced to cell biology and cell metabolism, building on the concepts developed in BCM201 (Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology). You will study the generation of energy in cells through the oxidation of carbohydrates and lipids; the formation of ATP, the energy currency of cells; lipids, cellular membranes and compartmentation; and the signalling processes that co-ordinate and regulate cellular activity. The practical exercises illustrate some basic experimental and data analysis skills and reinforce concepts in metabolism and cell biology.

Study the structure and role of living cells to understand the biological processes that give and sustain life. Learn how the composition of cells can change and cause disease, and how proteins and DNA interact to create health benefits.

Metabolic Biochemistry and Cell Biology

In this subject, students are introduced to applying economic principles to agriculture, agribusiness, and related markets. Students will apply economic principles to study issues in food production and food security.  Content will include topics in farm management and organisation, the operation of agricultural markets, managing risk and the economics of government intervention in food and agricultural markets. The role of soil stewardship, farm diversification and farming in multifunctional landscapes will also be considered.

Agriculture and Food Economics

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