Bachelor of Agricultural Science

Tailor your study

Study the particular area of agriculture that interests you in your agricultural science course and graduate with an industry-ready CV. Begin your studies in a generalist agricultural science stream and follow your interests by specialising in one of the majors in agronomy, digital agriculture, horticulture, livestock production or mixed farm business. Your choice of major will be informed by your workplace learning experiences throughout your degree, culminating in a major industry internship in your final year.

Flexible study

Study full-time for four years at Wagga Wagga, eight years part-time online, or a mixture of both online and on campus. Selected subjects are also available over the summer to enable you to reduce the length of your study by an additional six months.

Strong industry connections

Our agriculture course has been designed in close consultation with key industry players who we work with in education development, workplace learning and applied research via our cross-institutional research centres.

Access Australia’s best agricultural facilities

Located in the heart of Australia’s major agricultural region, Charles Sturt University farms feature horticulture, livestock and cropping enterprises managed to Industries’ best practice. You'll have access to extensive facilities, including the most sophisticated underground root growth laboratory in the southern hemisphere. We also offer five state-of-the-art laboratories and modern glasshouse facilities, working models of a range of irrigation systems, and an on-campus 1600-hectare university farm.

Fast-track your degree

If you have an eligible qualification from TAFE, you could benefit from guaranteed entry into this course and fast-track your degree. This program is open to students at eligible schools, agricultural colleges, and TAFE institutes.

Are you ready to be part of a new era in agriculture with the Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Charles Sturt University? Global demand for agriproducts is continuously increasing and the industry needs professionals who are ready to rise to the challenge. With developing opportunities – new markets, emerging technologies, globalisation of trade, climate change and sustainability – agriculture has become an increasingly complex and sophisticated industry.

Did you know that there are currently four jobs in the agriculture sector for every graduate? And 40 per cent of those roles are actually in cities. So a career in ag can really take you places. 

Work in rural industry

Explore a range of careers, including agronomist, livestock/animal production specialist, farm manager, farm systems consultant or digital agriculture specialist.

Contribute to government organisations

Put your skills into practice as an educator, policy maker or advisory and technical consultant.

Move into research and communication

Immerse yourself in the latest industry developments as an agricultural researcher, extension officer, journalist or marketing professional.

Higher education

• A completed Tertiary Preparation Course from an Australian University or an accredited provider demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies. ;OR
• Successful completion of two university level subjects (AQF level Associate Degree or higher) demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies.

Secondary education

• A completed High School Certificate with an ATAR equivalent of 65 (including adjustment factors) or equivalent. ;OR
• A completed Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) with an equivalent ranking to the currently listed ATAR

VET studies

• A completed AQF Certificate III or higher level qualification ;OR
• 50% completion of an AQF Diploma level qualification.

English Proficiency Requirements

Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements.

On campus requirements

Some online subjects include a compulsory or optional residential school. These are an opportunity to come on campus for between one and five days for face-to-face learning.

You'll meet your lecturers and classmates, put theory into practice in our facilities, and could take part in anything from exam prep workshops and guest speaker presentations, to lab work and research tutorials

You can also take advantage of our on-campus accommodation, and access specific grants and financial assistance to help you attend.

Practicum placement

Please note that the following subjects have a Workplace Learning component:

• AGS120 - Managing Contemporary Farm Systems
• AGS300 - Livestock Management
• AGS407 - Agricultural Industry Internship
• PSC221 - Fundamentals of Plant Protection

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit for current competencies will be granted to eligible applicants.

This undergraduate Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree focuses on Australian and global production issues facing farmers, agribusiness and the environment. Whether you choose to study online or in person at our Wagga Wagga campus, you'll be trained across all major biological and agribusiness disciplines that underpin modern agricultural industries. In this degree, you’ll also study contemporary, relevant subjects and gain real-world industry experience through our Agricultural Industry Internship program.

Recommended Study Pattern

The Bachelor of Agricultural Science is comprised of 256 points and is offered full-time on campus over four (4) years and part-time online over eight (8) years.

Key Subjects

AGR130 Biology in Agriculture (8)

AGS107 Precision Agriculture and Data Handling (8)

And: 

PSC202 Crop and Pasture Science (8) [Agronomy major]

SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science Foundations (8) [Digital Agriculture major]

PSC215 Plant Physiology (8) [Horticulture major]

ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology (8) [Livestock and Mixed Farm Business majors]

Core Subjects

AGB110 Agricultural Economics (8)

AGB310 Agricultural Marketing (8)

AGR130 Biology in Agriculture (8)

AGR202 Food, Environment and Culture (8)

AGR203 Production Analysis and Optimisation (8)

AGR220 Extension (8)

AGS100 Livestock Production Systems (8)

AGS107 Precision Agriculture and Data Handling (8)

AGS120 Managing Contemporary Farm Systems (8)

AGS160 Plant Production Systems (8)

AGS203 Agricultural Biotechnology (8)

AGS300 Livestock Management (8)

AGS405 Consultancy for Farming Systems (8)

AGS407 Agricultural Industry Internship (16)

AGS422 Contemporary Issues in Agriculture (8)

AHT101 Professional Skills in Agriculture and Horticulture (8)

AHT231 Agricultural Finance and Business Management (8)

CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals (8)

IKC101 First Nations Foundations: Knowing, relating and understanding Country (8)

MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology (8)

PSC104 Soil Science (8)

PSC221 Fundamentals of Plant Protection (8)

PSC415 Soil Management (8)

Elective Subjects

Nil

Restricted Electives

Refer to Major Sequences

Major Sequences

One of the following major sequences must be completed.

Agronomy

PSC202 Crop and Pasture Science (8)

PSC271 Crop Agronomy (8)

PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands (8)

PSC424 Advanced Plant Protection (8)

And complete 32 points from the following subjects:

AGB351 Commodity Trade and Pricing (8)

AGB450 Agricultural Business Risk and Investment (8)

AGR237 Property Planning and Development (8)

AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation (8)

AHT423 Digital Agriculture in Practice (8)

HRT302 Nursery Production (8)

HRT306 Vegetable Crop Management (8)

HRT307 Flower Crop Management (8)

HRT308 Temperate Fruit and Nut Crop Management (8)

IRR200 Principles of Irrigation (8)

MGT307 Applied Entrepreneurial Projects (8)

PSC406 Summer Cropping System (8)

PSC420 Water Policy and Management (8)

SCI302 International Practical Experience 2 (8)

SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science Foundations (8)

SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment (8)

VIT212 Viticultural Science (8)

Digital Agriculture

AHT423 Digital Agriculture in Practice (8)

ITC114 Introduction to Database Systems (8)

SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science Foundations (8)

SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment (8)

SPA308 GIS Applications (8)

And complete 24 points from the following subjects:

AGB450 Agricultural Business Risk and Investment (8)

AGR237 Property Planning and Development (8)

AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation (8)

HRT306 Vegetable Crop Management (8)

HRT307 Flower Crop Management (8)

HRT308 Temperate Fruit and Nut Crop Management (8)

IRR200 Principles of Irrigation (8)

MGT307 Applied Entrepreneurial Projects (8)

PSC202 Crop and Pasture Science (8)

PSC271 Crop Agronomy (8)

PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands (8)

PSC406 Summer Cropping System (8)

PSC420 Water Policy and Management (8)

PSC424 Advanced Plant Protection (8)

SCI302 International Practical Experience 2 (8)

SPA442 Remote Sensing 2: Image Processing and Analysis (8)

VIT212 Viticultural Science (8)

Horticulture

IRR200 Principles of Irrigation (8)

HRT301 Plant Propagation (8) or HRT302 Nursery Production (8)

PSC215 Plant Physiology (8)

PSC424 Advanced Plant Protection (8)

And complete 32 points from the following subjects:

AGB351 Commodity Trade and Pricing (8)

AGB450 Agricultural Business Risk and Investment (8)

AGR237 Property Planning and Development (8)

AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation (8)

AHT423 Digital Agriculture in Practice (8)

HRT202 Plant Taxonomy and Systematics (8)

HRT306 Vegetable Crop Management (8)

HRT307 Flower Crop Management (8)

HRT308 Temperate Fruit and Nut Crop Management (8)

MGT307 Applied Entrepreneurial Projects (8)

PSC406 Summer Cropping System (8)

PSC420 Water Policy and Management (8)

SCI302 International Practical Experience 2 (8)

SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science Foundations (8)

SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment (8)

VIT212 Viticultural Science (8)

Livestock Production

ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology (8)

ASC261 Animal Reproduction (8)

ASC273 Animal Nutrition (8)

ASC350 Animal Health (8)

PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands (8)

And complete 24 points from the following subjects:

AGB351 Commodity Trade and Pricing (8)

AGB450 Agricultural Business Risk and Investment (8)

AGR237 Property Planning and Development (8)

AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation (8)

AHT423 Digital Agriculture in Practice (8)

ASC225 Assessment of Animal Welfare (8)

ASC305 Parasitology (8)

ASC306 Applied Animal Pharmacology (8)

ASC370 Ruminant Production and Welfare (8)

ASC474 Intensive Animal Production and Welfare (8)*

ASC475 Meat and Fibre Science (8)*

MGT307 Applied Entrepreneurial Projects (8)

SCI302 International Practical Experience (8)

SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science Foundations (8)

SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment (8)

* ACS474 and ASC475 are available for on-campus study only.

Mixed Farm Business

AGB450 Agricultural Business Risk and Investment (8)

ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology (8)

PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands (8)

And complete 40 points from the following subjects:

AGB351 Commodity Trade and Pricing (8)

AGR237 Property Planning and Development (8)

AGR377 Agribusiness Planning (16)*

AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation (8)

AHT423 Digital Agriculture in Practice (8)

ASC225 Assessment of Animal Welfare (8)

ASC261 Animal Reproduction (8)

ASC273 Animal Nutrition (8)

ASC305 Parasitology (8)

ASC350 Animal Health (8)

ASC370 Ruminant Production and Welfare (8)

ASC475 Meat And Fibre Science (8)**

HRM210 Human Resource Management (8)

HRT306 Vegetable Crop Management (8)

HRT307 Flower Crop Management (8)

HRT308 Temperate Fruit and Nut Crop Management (8)

IRR200 Principles of Irrigation (8)

LAW110 Business Law (8)

LAW300 Environmental Law (8)

MGT307 Applied Entrepreneurial Projects (8)

PSC202 Crop and Pasture Science (8)

PSC271 Crop Agronomy (8)

PSC406 Summer Cropping System (8)

PSC420 Water Policy and Management (8)

PSC424 Advanced Plant Protection (8)

SCI302 International Practical Experience 2 (8)

SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science Foundations (8)

SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment (8)

VIT212 Viticultural Science (8)

* It is recommended that students successfully complete HRM210 Human Resource Management and AGR237 Property Planning and Development prior to studying AGR377 Agribusiness Planning.* ACS475 is available for on-campus study only.

** ACS475 is available for on-campus study only.

Award Requirements

As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 256 points.

Exit Points

• Bachelor of Agriculture (3 yrs)
• Associate Degree in Farm Production (2 yrs)