Bachelor of Agriculture and Technology
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Overview
Epping, Yan Yean
Epping, Yan Yean
3 years full time / available part time
Year 12 (or equivalent)
February, July
February
Agronomy
The Agronomy program provides a unique hands-on experience covering every aspect of commercial plant production. You will gain extensive knowledge of;
- Growing plants to commercial specifications
- How to identify and manage key weeds, pests and diseases
- Understanding plant nutrient requirements and fertilizer management
- How to class soils, manage soils and water for production outputs
with all these areas contextualised across the agricultural and rural business industries.
An agronomist specialises in commercial plant production, along with understanding animal production, cultivation techniques and technology to improve productivity and sustainability of farms and agricultural industries. This qualification will help you achieve your career as an agronomist where you might be an independent consultant for farmers and small businesses. Employment opportunities are wide ranging and include jobs such as a farm manager, extension worker or if accompanied by post graduate qualifications can lead to such careers as crop scientist, plant pathologist, plant entomologist, plant breeder, soil scientist and geneticist. If your ambition is to own your own farm or a mixed enterprises operation in Agriculture, this qualification will provide essential knowledge and skills.
Major topics include:
- Agronomy and Advanced Agronomy (includes cropping and pasture management)
- Plant Physiology
- Applied Genomics and Plant Breeding
- Management of Plant Pests and Pathogens
- Integrated Crop Management
- Ecological Systems (soil and water)
- Environmental Management
- Animal Management and Nutrition
- Agricultural Marketing
- Commodity Trading and Applied Plant Research
The Agronomy major in the Bachelor of Agriculture and Technology degree, offers a distinctive vocationally focussed training program in Agriculture that has been designed with industry input to meet industry needs. The world’s agriculture industry faces many challenges in the future; with a growing world population, climate change, new technologies and altering resource conditions. The Agricultural and Technology component of this degree coupled with an agronomy specialisation; will provide you with strong business principles, access to state-of–the-art technology and a “hands on approach” to your learning.
How Do You Study?
Study either full-time or part-time. “Study while you work”, with our blended delivery program that has been developed to facilitate work experience while you study. Blended delivery is a mix of learning about the theoretical concepts via our self-directed online learning and virtual evening classes; with workshops that teach you practical skills in managing plants.
A partnership for success
La Trobe University deliver this program through Melbourne Polytechnic. See the La Trobe program here and ask us about enrolling.
Learn In Australia’s World Class Agricultural Facilities
At the Melbourne Polytechnic Yan Yean and Eden Park farms you can gain insights into a 600 ha commercial mixed farming operation where mixed pasture and broadacre cropping are demonstrated. Experience cattle, sheep and pasture production facilities. We also have a butchery and meat processing facility.
Melbourne Polytechnic has recently been awarded a Victorian Government-funded, Specialised Teaching Equipment Program. This will allow students access to a state-of-the art, commercial, wireless farm/digital homestead that will measure plant, animal, microclimate and soil parameters both on the ground and via aerial monitoring platforms on our farms. Digital technology platforms will assist the agricultural industries to drive increases in efficiency and generate greater profitability; as well as using this information in smarter ways to consider the environmental and rural social drivers.
Industry Connections and Work Experience
Two industry placement subjects are offered in this program to enable students to evidence their industry and specialisation skills. For example if you wish to become a winemaker we encourage you to undertake several vintages while studying in the program.
Higher Education Admissions Criteria
If you have already studied Higher Education
You may meet the admissions criteria for higher education at Melbourne Polytechnic if your highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree.
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If you have studied a VET course
You may meet the admissions criteria for higher education at Melbourne Polytechnic if your highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a vocational education and training (VET) course.
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If you have recent Secondary Education
You may meet the admissions criteria for higher education at Melbourne Polytechnic if you are a recent secondary education student whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the past two years.
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If you have work and life experience
You may meet the admissions criteria for higher education at Melbourne Polytechnic if you have work and life experience and left secondary education more than two years ago and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.
Find out moreCareer Pathways
Where will this take me
Agronomist, Farm Manager, Industry Applied Research Manager, Soil Scientist, Expert in mixed agricultural enterprises; can be obtained when experience or further study are accompanied with this degree.Pathways
Honours, masters, PhD.Course Details
Delivery methods
Course delivery continues at Melbourne Polytechnic during the challenges of the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation the world is facing right now. Our top priority remains the health, safety and well-being of our community.
This program has responded to the COVID-19 restrictions by modifying its delivery to a blended model supporting remote learning. For the immediate term, we’ve changed the way our students attend class, with all lectures, tutorials and seminars moved online.
A collaborative learning environment is created through the requirement of students to attend synchronous online sessions at the normal class times. These sessions are run through Moodle, our learning management system, and conferencing software (e.g. Zoom or Teams). This includes assessment wherever possible.
Alternative arrangements are being made for activities which must be conducted on-campus.
- Blended learning
- Face-to-face
- Blended: remote online delivery and learning
Class Schedule
Part-time: 6-7 years
Assessment Methods
Assessments are a mixture of essays, reports, problem solving tasks, quizzes, case studies, oral presentations, group activities, practical competencies, reflective journals, tutorial tasks, literature reviews and examinations.
Units of Study
Credit points are a basic measure of student workload. All subjects are given a credit point value. Most subjects at Melbourne Polytechnic are 12 credit points. A normal full-time annual workload is 96 credit points. The academic year is divided into two main semesters; full-time students usually enrol in 48 credit points each semester, part-time students usually enrol in 24 credit points each semester or less.
| Code | Subject | Elective | Description | Year | Semester |
| AGR1AAP | ANIMAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY | Elective | 1 | ||
| AGR1AST | AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY | Core | This subject introduces traditional and modern production systems, Australian agricultural enterprises, markets agricultural technologies. Knowledge of key concepts of farming, systems, climate concepts and composition of landscapes. Agricultural practical skills that cross both a generic platform and an enterprise specific pathway. The safe operation of agricultural equipment will be acquired. | 1 | 1 |
| SCI1LS1 | LIVING SYSTEMS 1 | Core | Living Systems I brings together biology and chemistry. Chemistry its role in biological systems. Significance of biological compounds. Molecular structures and processes, measurement and bonding and their significance. Living cells, their arrangement in organs and significance in partial and whole systems. Safe handling of materials and environmental and ethical responsibilities. | 1 | 1 |
| AGR1AGR | AGRONOMY 1 | Core | Study of sustainable agricultural plant production, conventional, alternative and sustainable management options. Measurement of plant growth and yield. Crop varieties, establishment, growth and harvest production plans. Ecology of weeds and identification of weeds, insects and diseases. Crop and pasture monitoring assessments and analyses. Sustainability in landscape management planning. | 1 | 1 |
| AGR1RBM | RURAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT | Core | 1 | 2 | |
| AGR1RBM | Rural Business Management | Core | The purpose of this subject is to develop business or project accounting skills and to analyse the Australian business environment in terms of taxation and legal issues affecting business. A primary focus will be the analysis of business opportunities, the effect of new technology, and the use of break-even and cost/benefit analyses to make accurate predictions of future performance. Agricultural business principles for development, planning, operation and performance analysis will be examined. A variety of agricultural business types will be examined, and skills will be developed in the use of planning methods to identify opportunities. Recognition and consideration of workplace safety issues, human resource requirements and relevant social, ethical and environmental issues will also be covered. | 1 | 2 |
| SCI1LS2 | LIVING SYSTEMS 2 | Core | Living Systems II builds on Living Systems I, which synthesises the fields of traditional biology and chemistry to explore the interrelationship of the two fields. Living Systems II extends concepts into aspects of more advanced fields including metabolism, ecology, organic chemistry and water analysis. | 1 | 2 |
| SCI2INP | INDUSTRY PLACEMENT | Elective | The industry placement provides opportunities to consolidate knowledge, enhance skills and to gain perspectives and skills essential for employment in the industry. Practical experiences and application of scientific and business theory in a commercial agricultural environment will assist students to critically evaluate technical and generic aspects of the agricultural sector. | 2 | |
| AGR2AMN | ANIMAL MANAGEMENT AND NUTRITION | Elective | 2 | ||
| AGR2AMN | ANIMAL MANAGAMENT AND NUTRITION | Elective | This subject examines farm animal management systems, direct and indirect influences on the production and quality of harvested animal products with a focus on quality outputs and sustainable production. Both conventional and alternative management practices in national and international contexts will be explored. Students will investigate animal genetics and Estimated Breeding Values (EBV) and other measurements used to evaluate animal performance. Consideration of environmental factors such as intensive/extensive farming and health and nutrition on production of common and exotic animals, along with disease occurrence, prevention and treatment will inform the development of evidence-based management plans. The subject also examines legislation relating to animal welfare, withholding periods and import and export. | 2 | |
| SCI2GPB | APPLIED GENOMICS AND PLANT BREEDING | Core | Plant breeding techniques utilising modern methods. Concepts in molecular biology, genomics, plant breeding and bioinformatics. Skills such as grafting, plant tissue culture, nucleic acid extraction, polymerase chain reaction and desirable plant traits. Molecular techniques will be evaluated for detecting genetic variation in natural populations. Techniques of statistical genomics. | 2 | 1 |
| AGR1FCW | FOOD PRODUCTION IN A CHANGING WORLD | Elective | Human food production, its challenges from both Australian and global perspectives. The evolution of food production and the factors driving change. Food production drivers, such as global population dynamics, advances in knowledge and technology and globalisation of markets. Concepts such as population growth, food security, climate change, agro-ecosystem resilience. | 2 | 2 |
| AGR1FCW | FOOD PRODUCTION IN A CHANGING WORLD | Elective | 2 | 2 | |
| SCI2SED | STATISTICS AND EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN | Core | Introduction to statistical concepts and techniques and the application of statistics in management and decision makings. Experimental design and sampling techniques within a management context for a range of primary industries. Statistical analysis techniques to interpret, transform, manipulate and present data. Ability to use appropriate terminology in presenting findings. | 2 | 2 |
| SCI2ECO | ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS | Core | Develop ecological processes to understand primary industries. Ecosystems and how processes link the living and non-living components. Areas includes: soil origin, formation, classification, chemistry, carbon and organic matter; characteristics of water; the principles of aquatic science; aquatic ecosystems; nutrient cycles in ecosystem health, energy flows and food chains. | 2 | 2 |
| SCI2PLP | PLANT PHYSIOLOGY | Core | Knowledge of plant physiology, interactions in crop production. Processes from cellular level to seedling emergence and maturation. Artificial and natural influences on plant physiology and growth. Natural plant breeding systems and implications of genetic modification will be investigated in the context of crop, vine and pasture production systems. | 2 | 2 |
| AGR2IPM | PESTILENCE AND PLAGUE - INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT | Core | Research and development in the plant protection. Ethical, environmental and sociological aspects, control techniques such as genetic engineering and beneficial organisms. Identification and assessment of disease and pest infestations. Develop sustainable pest management will involve ecological principles, life and disease cycles, environmental conditions, integrating management techniques. | 2 | 2 |
| AGR3AIP | ADVANCED INDUSTRY PLACEMENT | Elective | 3 | ||
| AGR3RAH | RESTORATION OF AQUATIC HABITAT | Elective | Students of this subject will explore theory and practice in restoration ecology applied to a range of selected landscapes and riverscapes/riparian zones. Students will explore concepts in restoration ecology, including the processes that shape landscapes and restoration, restoration thresholds, biodiversity, community assembly rules, exotic species, inter- and intraspecific interactions, and ethical and social issues. Students will undertake a critical review of a selected restoration project, assessing the case study against a set of criteria considered best practice in restoration ecology. | 3 | |
| AGR3RAH | RESTORATION OF AQUATIC HABITAT | Elective | 3 | ||
| AGR3RP1 | APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECT 1 | Core | This subject develops student theoretical knowledge and skills of the methods and project management skills required to plan and undertake an applied research project. Students will develop an understanding of applied research practices and processes including searching, analysing and synthesising relevant literature; research methodologies, methods of data collection; ethical considerations. | 3 | |
| AGR3RP2 | APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECT 2 | Core | Students will continue and complete the second part of an applied research project begun in Applied Research Project 1. Undertake a small research project including: collection, analysis and interpretation of data; present findings. Students will demonstrate selected relevant project management processes and techniques to complete their project on time. | 3 | |
| AGR3FTE | FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES | Core | 3 | 1 | |
| AGR3MRP | MARKETING OF RURAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES | Elective | 3 | 1 | |
| AGR3ENV | ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT | Elective | 3 | 1 | |
| AGR3ENV | ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT | Elective | Analysis of contemporary issues in environmental management. Sustainable development and environmental management of resources; relationships between resource systems - ecological, economic, social, philosophical and ethical dimensions; research methods in resource management. Policy and practice in water resources, land degradation and management. Explore conflict resolution, public participation, industrial and governmental partnerships. | 3 | 1 |
| AGR3MCT | AGRICULTURAL MARKETING AND COMMODITY TRADING | Core | Marketing theory and concepts from an agribusiness perspective. Evaluating market data, characteristics of marketing opportunities. Distribution processes, pricing, trends and communication, the role of rural producers, marketers and agents in risk management strategies. Operation of futures markets and derivatives, exchange rates, contract law, cash flow, taxation and contingency planning. | 3 | 1 |
| AGR3AGR | AGRONOMY 2 | Core | Extend understanding of agronomy to the management of agricultural systems. Crop management in dryland and irrigated environments. Interrelationships between technology, performance, production efficiency, genetic modification and precision agriculture. Simulation software to determine interactions between climate, components of agronomy to crop yields. Weed and pest management options and pesticide resistance. | 3 | 2 |
| AGR3IPM | INTEGRATED CROP MANAGEMENT | Core | Apply knowledge of agronomy and agricultural enterprises to the management of agricultural systems. ‘Organic’ and ‘biodynamic’ farming in an integrated model. Interrelationships between technology, production efficiency and sustainability using simulation software. Management of production enterprises. Analyse integrated crop management information to set management priorities; prepare and present concise industry-ready reports. | 3 | 2 |
Attend an Info Session
Fees & Costs
| Per year | $21000 |
| Per semester | $10500 |
| Per year | $ |
| Per semester | $ |
When you are studying higher education courses you may qualify for FEE-HELP payments for part or all of your tuition fees. FEE-HELP loans do not cover materials costs.
Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 19 November 2020. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.
After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.
For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.
Materials
Lists of required materials, books and timetables will be provided at course induction or class enrolment by the teaching department.Fees explained
The fees for those ineligible for a government-funded enrolment.
The cost of tuition for those eligible for government funding.
Additional expenses
Amenities fees are used to improve non-academic services including libraries, counselling services, student support, and recreational activities.
Amenities must be paid each academic year you are enrolled.
Course Fees
Commonwealth Supported Funding is available for Eligible students
When you are studying higher education courses you may qualify for FEE-HELP payments for part or all of your tuition fees. FEE-HELP loans do not cover materials costs.
Scholarships on offer
'We’d been discussing what projects we had coming up that we needed to go and buy materials for. And so then the scholarship came and it was just a sigh of relief.'
Requirements
MP is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your future studies.
For details of the Bachelor of Agriculture and Technology entry requirements click the following link:
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/courses/bachelor-of-agriculture-and-technologyFor further clarification regarding the selection requirements please email primaryindustries@melbournepolytechnic.edu.au.
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