Agricultural Science/Business
This course information is for local students only
Year
2012
Award
Bachelor of Agricultural Science/Bachelor of Business
Length
5 years
Campuses
Melbourne
Course description
Sustainability and the management of the world’s natural resources are a major challenge today, especially when the effects of climate change are considered. Agribusiness is currently an area of skills shortage, actively seeking qualified graduates. This course aims to combine practical career-orientated science with business and management skills. Students will acquire a powerful set of skills for a multi-billion-dollar food and fibre industry.
La Trobe is developing some of the best agricultural science teaching and research facilities in the world, through the development of AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience , a A$288 million public private partnership between the Victorian government and La Trobe University, currently under construction.
Please note students enrolling at the Albury-Wodonga campus must transfer to the Melbourne campus for the last two years of the course.
Course structure
First-year studies include agricultural systems, cells and organisms, chemistry, plant science, and economics. Second- and-third year studies cover land and soil management, plant and animal science, accounting, management, business law, finance, marketing, sustainability in global business, and statistics.
Fourth and fifth years focus on subjects from the business major, further studies in plant and animal science, science communication, problem-solving case studies, and a major research project. Business subjects include business economics, financial management, management, and marketing.
Contact hours
21 contact hours a week (average) in first year.
Subject details
Major areas of study
Agriculture, agribusiness management, biology, business economics, soil science, animal nutrition, animal protection, plant pests and diseases, management, marketing, chemistry, science, human resource management, and financial management.
Overseas study opportunities
Overseas study opportunities are available.
Please see
www.latrobe.edu.au/international/exchange
for more information
Fee type
Fees (Fee-Help available)
Annual (or Total) Tuition Fee (AUD)
22 710
Scholarships
Applicants who are Australian citizens or who hold permanent humanitarian visas are eligible for a range of University-wide scholarships, including Commonwealth Scholarships. For details please see http://www.latrobe.edu.au/scholarships/future-undergraduatesAdditional costs (AUD)
Depending on the subjects chosen, extra costs can include a laboratory coat - about A$30 - and a dissecting kit - about A$40. Students can purchase these items from any supplier; they remain students' personal property. Additional costs for field trips - food, accommodation, travel - may also apply.
Selection
Successful completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B certificate at undergraduate (EFS5 (60%) UG) level conducted by La Trobe Melbourne;
for more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website.
IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with no individual band score less than 6.0; or
TOEFL Paper-based Test: a minimum score of 550 with a score of 5 or better in the Test of Written English; or
TOEFL Computer-based Test: a minimum score of 213 with a score of 5 in essay writing; or
TOEFL Internet-based Test: a minimum score of 80 with no individual score less than 20; or
Satisfactory completion of an English language subject at Year 12 or equivalent level. This must have been completed in the last two years and at an academic level acceptable to the University; or
Approved equivalent.
Academic entry requirements
LTM Foundation Studies - 75
Aust. Yr 12 (ATAR) 2011 (indicative only) -76.50
International Baccalaureate - 25
GCE A Levels - 8
Hong Kong A Levels - 6
HKDSE - 9, 4
Sri Lankan A Levels - BBC
STPM - 8 .67
MICSS (UEC) - 4A 2B
Canada Secondary School (or CPU) - 75
Norway Upper Secondary Certificate - 3.8
Sweden Slutbetyg - G/VG
All Indian Sen SC (Best 5 Subjects) - 75
Vietnam (Year 12) - 8.5
Thailand (Matayoma 6) - GPA 3.0
GAC Cert. IV - GPA 2.6
GAOKAO - see:the website
If you do not meet these entry requirements you might be interested in La Trobe's Foundation Studies and Diploma Programs, which provide an alternative pathway to La Trobe's undergraduate program. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website.
Extra requirements
An essential requirement of this double degree is 12 weeks approved industry experience taken during vacations. International applicants are advised to ensure they have the correct visa to undertake this work placement.
Prerequisites
Mathematics determined to be equivalent to the Australian VCE Units 1 & 2 General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods (either).
Semester starts
Semester 1 (February)
Industry experience
The following types of industry experience are available in this course.
- Workplace experience for academic credit
Additional information
Students are required to complete at least 12 weeks of approved workplace experience during vacations before being deemed to have completed the course.
Career opportunities
Prospective career paths for agricultural science graduates are wide-ranging, extending well beyond traditional agriculture. They include technological investigation and consultancy in agriculture; conservation, environmental protection and resource management; applied research; agribusiness; agronomy; and the development and application of biotechnology in agriculture and related industries. Further studies in agriculture or related areas, such as biotechnology or veterinary science, are also possible. The additional business degree will provide greater opportunities for graduates, particularly in the agribusiness area.
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Business with a Human Resource Management major are eligible for admission to the Australian Human Resource Institute (subject to relevant work experience).
Graduates of the Bachelor of Business with a Marketing major are eligible for joining the Australian Marketing Institute or the Marketing Research Society of Australia, as associate members.