Bachelor of Agriculture and Technology Horticulture

This subject focuses on the development of academic literacy skills and knowledge. The subject develops the skills required to understand and engage with academic texts and academic writing through a range of printed and visual material including textbooks, newspapers, scholarly articles, blogs and documentaries.

This subject introduces a range of Australian agricultural production systems and associated technologies, including aquaculture, viticulture, horticulture, cropping and livestock systems. Knowledge of key concepts of each industry, from production-cycle, agribusiness and agro-ecological perspectives will be developed. Contemporary issues facing Australian agricultural systems, including production limitations, market challenges, environmental sustainability, and issues of social license will be explored.

In this subject you will develop knowledge in the practise of agronomy as an activity that underpins plant production practises in sustainable agriculture. Different options for crop and pasture establishment and management will be explored as well as conventional, alternative and sustainable systems for plant management.

Living Systems 1 is a core subject that brings together traditional biology and chemistry, reflecting the interrelationship between the two fields. You will be introduced to chemistry concepts and processes and explore their roles in biological systems.

This subject focuses on plant identification skills and botanical terminology to facilitate the learning of plant taxonomy for practitioners of Horticulture. Learning will encompass the principles of plant classification, plant anatomy, morphology, taxonomy, and nomenclature as well as herbarium collection techniques and legal requirements for plant collection. Key topics include plant nomenclature and taxonomy, plant biology, plant morphology, identification techniques, herbarium collection techniques and use of plant keys.

This subject focuses on the theory and practice of plant propagation that horticulturalists use in the industry. Theory will cover propagation techniques, seed biology and plant physiology. Asexual and sexual propagation will be explored as well as technological advances in plant tissue culture and grafting skills that are being used in plant propagation.

This subject explores human food production, its current and future challenges from both Australian and global perspectives. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of human food production and the key factors driving change in food production systems.

This subject focuses on key aspects of the annual cycle of vineyard operations. Students will explore physiological and environmental aspects relevant to yield and quality of grapes and wine. Vine physiology, nutrition and health will be considered along with the impact of climate and weather events, soil types, light, water and crop load on the harvest.

Living Systems 2 builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in Living Systems 1, which synthesises the fields of traditional biology and chemistry to explore the interrelationship of the two fields. Living Systems 2 extends concepts from the preceding subject into selected aspects of more advanced fields including genetics, metabolism, ecology and organic chemistry.

This subject develops knowledge of the Australian agricultural business environment focusing on principles of development, planning, operation and performance analysis as applied to rural business enterprises in local and global settings. Students will examine a variety of agricultural business types through a variety of experiential tasks and develop skills in the use of structured planning methods to identify business and marketing opportunities as well as skills in business plan development.

This subject will develop student knowledge and skills in the classification, monitoring, and amendment of soils and growing media. Students will learn to characterise soils and growing media, their chemical and biological traits, and identify horticultural practices that aim to achieve healthy soils and growing media. This subject will allow students to plan, develop, and review soil management plans to improve soil health.

This subject explores plant breeding technologies and applied genomics across a number of commercial enterprises. Students will develop skills in conventional plant breeding methods, as well as modern molecular and cell biology techniques used for breeding. Concepts in molecular biology, genomics, plant breeding and bioinformatics will be presented.

This subject will develop and expand student knowledge and skills in ecological systems that are considered essential to an understanding of agricultural science, including its practical application and its relationship to the surrounding environment. A healthy ecological system is a key indicator of a sustainable environment. Students will explore biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems and the interactive processes between them.

The industry placement provides students opportunities to consolidate knowledge and enhance skills developed throughout the course in addition to gaining 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 as required by employers and the broader industry.

This subject covers the design of pressurised irrigation systems, which include high-pressure systems using fixed sprinkler heads, and low-pressure systems such as drip systems. You will study a core program covering water quality and water budgeting in agriculture and horticulture, and then split into two streams for specific design work in turf/amenity horticulture or agriculture/production horticulture.

This subject will provide an introduction to statistical concepts and techniques and the application of statistics in management and decision making in a variety of primary industries contexts. You will develop a practical knowledge of selected statistical concepts, theories and methodologies including an understanding of experimental design and sampling techniques within a management context for a range of primary industries.

In this subject, students will develop knowledge and skills relevant to aquaponics and other multi-trophic integrated high-yield aquaculture systems. Students will investigate historical perspectives of, as well as new developments and technologies in, aquaponics and other multi-trophic integrated agri-aquaculture systems with attention to the use of natural resources and environmental sustainability.

This subject explores the current frontiers of research and development of a range of commercially relevant plant pests and diseases. Students will learn the underpinning theory about disease and pest identification using a mix of traditional and modern identification techniques. Plant damage assessment techniques will be taught and practiced. The relationships between the host and pest/pathogen interactions will be explored.

In this subject you will consolidate and extend your knowledge of plants and plant physiology, and examine the impact of, and interactions between components of crop production. You will study the biological processes occurring in plants at a cellular level from seedling emergence to maturity.

This subject aims to develop students’ theoretical knowledge of the methods and relevant project management skills required to plan and undertake an applied research project in the primary industries field. Elements covered include searching for, analysing and synthesising relevant academic literature; selecting appropriate research methodologies; incorporating research design and methods of data collection; and ethical considerations.

The subject will equip you to develop systems for environmental management. You will be exposed to dominant environmental management models that involve a multidisciplinary approach to examining why environmental impacts occur, and the development of appropriate solutions to manage these impacts. You will develop the skills required to understand government policy direction and legislative compliance issues related to environmental management, as well as assess global environmental risks.

In this subject you will explore the theory and practice of restoration ecology, as applied to a range of selected aquatic ecosystems and habitats. You will explore concepts in restoration ecology, including the processes that shape aquatic habitats and their restoration, restoration thresholds, biodiversity, population and community structure, design and monitoring of restoration programs and the environmental, ethical, and social issues associated with restoration programs and activities.

In this subject you will develop knowledge and skills relevant to marketing of rural products and services along with matters of business management that can be applied in a broad range of contexts. Principles of marketing such as market segmentation, the 4 P's model - Price, Promotion, Place, and Product - and the marketing mix, will be used as a basis for the development of marketing plans and programs. Techniques for on-going analysis of the market will be developed.

In this subject you will complete the second part of an applied research project initiated in the subject Applied Research Project 1. You will apply knowledge and skills to undertake a small research project including: the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, adherence to ethics considerations, and the development of recommendations and/or materials for industry. You will develop time management skills, ability to organize, liaise and work closely with external collaborators and will be required to demonstrate the processes you used to manage the project.

In this project-based subject, students will draw together acquired knowledge and further research on a broad range of relevant topics, into a whole-of-system, integrated production management plan for a selected agricultural system. Topics to be considered and synthesised into the management plan include production scheduling, water and nutrition management, breeding and genetic improvement, pest management, crop or livestock health, food safety and quality assurance, environmental management, marketing, financial management and risk management.

This subject will extend your knowledge of agronomy and apply understanding of plant structures and functions to the management of agricultural systems. Exercises will be the basis for exploring crop and pasture establishment and management options in both dry land and irrigated environments, through measurement of plant performance at the appropriate growth stages. You will also examine the interrelationships between technology, crop performance, production efficiency and sustainability, including genetic modification and precision agriculture.

This extended industry placement subject provides you with opportunities to develop technical/applied, discipline specific and professional skills with the aim to enhance your career prospects. You will be responsible for identifying a suitable work placement prior to the semester with support of the Subject Coordinator and online materials. Industry experience can be gained in Australia or overseas for most disciplines. You will conduct a course-related original project, in an appropriate format that demonstrates analytical, research and problem-solving skills relevant to the sector.

This subject focuses on the impacts of climate and changing climate on the practices of horticulture. Topics will cover how horticulture is adapting to climate pressures such as increased heat, decreased rainfall and a variable climate as well as how horticulture plays a pivotal role in mitigating these pressures.

This subject focuses on the theory and practice of conservation horticulture. Students will learn the requirements for ex-situ collections for threatened species and investigate and evaluate the plant propagation techniques to increase the success of conservation projects. Students will also critically evaluate threatened species recovery plans and evaluate how conservation horticulture is used to meet recovery plan objectives.