Course information

With UNE's Bachelor of Rural Science, you will graduate at the forefront of the agricultural industry ready to solve complex problems in agricultural systems across enterprises, landscapes and the globe. You will have the paddock-ready scientific skills to adapt to future challenges as a professional, and you will gain an understanding of the sustainability of the whole agricultural system from the biophysical (soils, plants and animal production) including environmental, social and economic principles.

You will be fit for the future and well positioned to become a leader in a range of industry contexts from farm management, the corporate world and scientific research.

Why study the Bachelor of Rural Science with UNE?

UNE's four-year Bachelor of Rural Science will equip you with the sought-after knowledge and practical skillset that the industry needs in a rapidly changing world. You will graduate with a deep, science-based understanding of complex agricultural systems, ensuring you are ready to advise, manage and lead agriculturally based enterprises towards success.

High achievers within the Bachelor of Rural Science have the option of undertaking Honours study within their fourth year, where you will complete a research project and dissertation on a topic that interests you. Graduates who achieve the appropriate level of Honours are eligible to apply for a research master's degree or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Studying an agricultural-based course at UNE offers you the opportunity to:

• Gain formal practical experience in agricultural enterprises and apply coursework theory to workplace situations during your studies to improve your employability as a a graduate.

• Specialise your studies by selecting one of eight minors in areas such as climate resilience, sustainability, genetics, cotton, wool, plant production, animal production or business.

• Access the latest agricultural techniques and technology at our innovative SMART Farms. With eight properties covering 3,655 hectares, including a farm on campus and a commercial scale feedlot, the UNE SMART Farms are diverse and valuable teaching and research resources you will utilise during your course. The farms support a range of disciplines including grazing and intensive livestock, cropping, pastures, poultry, genetics and precision agriculture.

• Further develop your knowledge through field trips to our commercial partners.

• Learn hands-on through our world class facilities including our state-of-the-art glasshouses, and animal house and handling facilities to learn skills and techniques that you will use throughout your working life.

What makes our course different?

UNE's Bachelor of Rural Science offers you the opportunity to:

• Study a broad selection of science-based agriculture units to give you strong skills and knowledge as a professional in the agricultural industry.

• Learn from world-leading and ground-breaking researchers in soil science, animal behaviour, nutrition and health, genetics, agronomy, precision agriculture and agricultural systems.

• Gain an integrated, agricultural systems understanding which will enable you to adapt to complex situations and solve complex problems across enterprises, landscapes and the globe.

• Study in class sizes that are small enough to provide great support from academic mentors, but large enough for peer-to-peer group work with other students.

• Study flexibly either on campus or online. On campus classes give you the opportunity to interact and engage face-to-face with your peers and academic staff, and gain essential practical skills. If you choose to study online, some units include mandatory intensive schools on campus.

• Graduate as part of the Rural Science alumni who have been leaders in the agricultural industries for over 60 years.

• Complete your course in four years (full time) or up to ten years (part time).

Course structure

• Agricultural Plants: Adaptation and Physiology (AGRO200) – 6 credit points

• Plant Protection (AGRO311) – 6 credit points

• Crop Production (AGRO321) – 6 credit points

• Sustainable Agricultural Systems I (AGSY101) – 6 credit points

• Sustainable Agricultural Systems II (AGSY102) – 6 credit points

• Grazing Systems (AGSY300) – 6 credit points

• Sustainable Agricultural Water Management (AGWT300) – 6 credit points

• Animal Production Systems and Products (ANPR211) – 6 credit points

• Animal Function, Health and Welfare (ANPR321) – 6 credit points

• Animal Physiology (ANSC201) – 6 credit points

• Advanced Animal Nutrition (ANUT421) – 6 credit points

• Biochemistry and Microbiology for Rural Science (BCHM240) – 6 credit points

• Introduction to Biology: Cells and Life (BIOL110) – 6 credit points

• Organisms to Ecosystems (BIOL120) – 6 credit points

• Chemistry I (CHEM110) – 6 credit points

• Chemistry II (CHEM120) – 6 credit points

• Business Skills for Agricultural Consultants (CSLT303) – 6 credit points

• Applied Research Skills in Environmental and Rural Science (ERS301) – 6 credit points

• Introduction to Breeding and Genetics (GENE351) – 6 credit points

• Introductory Genetics (GENE210) – 6 credit points

• Foundational Quantitative Methods for Environmental and Rural Sciences (QMER100) – 6 credit points

• Soil Science (SOIL222) – 6 credit points

• Productive Soil Systems (SOIL311) – 6 credit points

Career outcomes

As a Bachelor of Rural Science graduate, the door is open to careers in:

• broadacre agronomy

• animal production

• animal nutrition and health

• soil science

• horticulture

• breeding and genetics

• agricultural research

• agricultural policy

• agricultural consultancy

• agricultural technologies

• agribusiness

• farm management.

Course outcomes

• Agriculture operates in a complex and variable environment and, as a result, managers and scientists need to be across many integrated skills. This degree teaches students a fundamental and mechanistic understanding of agricultural science but importantly integrates and applies that to the real world, so graduates can solve problems across enterprises, landscapes and the globe. Rural science graduates have skillsets that allow them to operate in most facets of the industry, from successful farm managers, to corporate settings and research. The systems approach of the degree enables students to adapt to many complex situations and they are sought for these traits, with most graduates finding employment prior to completion. They have excellent problem solving skills, and are leaders in the sector; the Bachelor of Rural Science is the degree upon which agriculture education at UNE is built.

LEARNING OUTCOMES 

• BRurSc: demonstrate a coherent understanding of the methods of sustainable rural science and management and explaining why current scientific knowledge is both contestable and testable by further inquiry and by explaining the role and relevance of rural science in society;

• exhibit depth and breadth of knowledge of rural science by demonstrating well-developed understanding of the core sciences in the context of agriculture and ability to integrate knowledge from other disciplines to provide informed solutions to complex agricultural production system problems; "

• critically analyse and solve problems in rural science by gathering, synthesising and critically evaluating information from a range of sources, designing and conducting an experiment, selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques or tools in order to conduct an investigation and collecting, accurately recording, interpreting and drawing conclusions from data;

• effectively synthesise and communicate agricultural results, information or arguments using a range of modes (including oral, written, and visual) for a variety of purposes and audiences;

• be accountable for their own learning and scientific work by being independent and self-directed learners;working effectively, responsibly, ethically, culturally appropriately, and safely in the handling of animals, chemicals and biological materials; demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to their disciplinary area; and personally practising ethical conduct

• BRurSc with Honours: Conduct a research investigation under supervision in a research or professional environment by critically analysing a challenging complex or multi-faceted problem, identifying research questions, designing and planning a project; selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques or tools to address a research question; integrating their own research findings with the current body of disciplinary knowledge/paradigms; and analysing, interpreting and critically evaluating research findings.

• produce a written thesis that demonstrates original thinking, a high level of research skills and the ability to write critically.