西澳大學

The rapidly growing population, changing climate and limited land and fresh water resources are impacting on the ability of agriculture to meet demand. Science-based solutions are required to achieve these worldwide goals and for industry and community development. A major in Agricultural Science provides you with the tools for diverse career options in the booming agriculture industry. Our staff are leading research scientists and student-focused lecturers who are passionate about agriculture and have strong links with industry representatives.

Australia's agricultural industry is a key part of the world's food supply system. The challenges of a rapidly growing population, climate change, and the limitations of land and fresh water all impact on the ability of agriculture to meet the demand for food, fiber and fuel. As part of the Agricultural Science major, you will investigate how to address this demand by developing an understanding of the complex factors that shape agricultural systems. Agricultural Science provides the research, technology and information for the sustainable and ethical development of the agricultural industry. Your studies will include soil science, genetics, cropping systems, soil-plant interaction, livestock production, agricultural economics and grain marketing. It is envisaged that there will be up to two overnight field trips (there will be a cost of up to $200 per student to cover the cost of food and accommodation on overnight field trips, across a maximum of four nights).

Career Pathways

There is a shortage of agricultural science graduates so vast opportunities await. Career opportunities are expansive and the skills you learn are transferable to many other fields and areas of study. Pathways include agribusiness, agronomy, banking, biotechnology, consultancy, finance, food industry, farmer groups, international development, journalism, land care, market analysis, market development, teaching, science communication and extension, research and politics. Graduates are employed by agrichemical companies, breeding companies, businesses, consulting firms, farmer groups and other community groups, food industries, fertiliser companies, government agencies, international agencies, research organisations, colleges and universities.

Further Study

Honours in Agricultural Science builds on your knowledge gained at undergraduate level through an emphasis on processes at a farming systems level. The question of how to achieve sustainable and profitable production is addressed. You will visit and collect data from the UWA Future Farm at Pingelly. The links between soils, water, plants, livestock and farm management are explored on the farm, in lectures and through assessment items including economic modelling. You will develop an in-depth understanding of how farming systems function, which will allow you to anticipate and adapt to the many challenges that are currently facing our agricultural systems. The skills gained in this honours specialisation will equip you for careers in a wide range of areas including farm managers, farm advisors and policy analysts in the public sector.