Bachelor of Agricultural Science

Tailor your study

Study the particular area of agriculture that interests you in your agricultural science course and graduate with an industry-ready CV. Begin your studies in a generalist agricultural science stream and follow your interests by specialising in one of the majors in agronomy, digital agriculture, horticulture, livestock production or mixed farm business. Your choice of major will be informed by your workplace learning experiences throughout your degree, culminating in a major industry internship in your final year.

Flexible study

Study full-time for four years at Wagga Wagga, eight years part-time online, or a mixture of both online and on campus. Selected subjects are also available over the summer to enable you to reduce the length of your study by an additional six months.

Strong industry connections

Our agriculture course has been designed in close consultation with key industry players who we work with in education development, workplace learning and applied research via our cross-institutional research centres.

Access Australia’s best agricultural facilities

Located in the heart of Australia’s major agricultural region, Charles Sturt University farms feature horticulture, livestock and cropping enterprises managed to Industries’ best practice. You'll have access to extensive facilities, including the most sophisticated underground root growth laboratory in the southern hemisphere. We also offer five state-of-the-art laboratories and modern glasshouse facilities, working models of a range of irrigation systems, and an on-campus 1600-hectare university farm.

Fast-track your degree

If you have an eligible qualification from TAFE, you could benefit from guaranteed entry into this course and fast-track your degree. This program is open to students at eligible schools, agricultural colleges, and TAFE institutes.

This undergraduate Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree focuses on Australian and global production issues facing farmers, agribusiness and the environment. Whether you choose to study online or in person at our Wagga Wagga campus, you'll be trained across all major biological and agribusiness disciplines that underpin modern agricultural industries. In this degree, you’ll also study contemporary, relevant subjects and gain real-world industry experience through our Agricultural Industry Internship program.

Recommended study pattern

The Bachelor of Agricultural Science is comprised of 256 points and is offered full-time on campus over four (4) years and part-time online over eight (8) years.

Key Subjects

AGR130 Biology in Agriculture (8)

AGS107 Precision Agriculture and Data Handling (8)

And: 

PSC202 Crop and Pasture Science (8) [Agronomy major]

SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science Foundations (8) [Digital Agriculture major]

PSC215 Plant Physiology (8) [Horticulture major]

ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology (8) [Livestock and Mixed Farm Business majors]

Core Subjects

AGB110 Agricultural Economics (8)

AGB310 Agricultural Marketing (8)

AGR130 Biology in Agriculture (8)

AGR202 Food, Environment and Culture (8)

AGR203 Production Analysis and Optimisation (8)

AGR220 Extension (8)

AGS100 Livestock Production Systems (8)

AGS107 Precision Agriculture and Data Handling (8)

AGS120 Managing Contemporary Farm Systems (8)

AGS160 Plant Production Systems (8)

AGS203 Agricultural Biotechnology (8)

AGS300 Livestock Management (8)

AGS405 Consultancy for Farming Systems (8)

AGS407 Agricultural Industry Internship (16)

AGS422 Contemporary Issues in Agriculture (8)

AHT101 Professional Skills in Agriculture and Horticulture (8)

AHT231 Agricultural Finance and Business Management (8)

CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals (8)

IKC101 First Nations Foundations: Knowing, relating and understanding Country (8)

MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology (8)

PSC104 Soil Science (8)

PSC221 Fundamentals of Plant Protection (8)

PSC415 Soil Management (8)

Elective Subjects

Nil

Restricted Electives

Refer to Major Sequences

Major Sequences

One of the following major sequences must be completed.

Agronomy

PSC202 Crop and Pasture Science (8)

PSC271 Crop Agronomy (8)

PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands (8)

PSC424 Advanced Plant Protection (8)

And complete 32 points from the following subjects:

AGB351 Commodity Trade and Pricing (8)

AGB450 Agricultural Business Risk and Investment (8)

AGR237 Property Planning and Development (8)

AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation (8)

AHT423 Digital Agriculture in Practice (8)

HRT302 Nursery Production (8)

HRT306 Vegetable Crop Management (8)

HRT307 Flower Crop Management (8)

HRT308 Temperate Fruit and Nut Crop Management (8)

IRR200 Principles of Irrigation (8)

MGT307 Applied Entrepreneurial Projects (8)

PSC406 Summer Cropping System (8)

PSC420 Water Policy and Management (8)

SCI302 International Practical Experience 2 (8)

SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science Foundations (8)

SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment (8)

VIT212 Viticultural Science (8)

Digital Agriculture

AHT423 Digital Agriculture in Practice (8)

ITC114 Introduction to Database Systems (8)

SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science Foundations (8)

SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment (8)

SPA308 GIS Applications (8)

And complete 24 points from the following subjects:

AGB450 Agricultural Business Risk and Investment (8)

AGR237 Property Planning and Development (8)

AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation (8)

HRT306 Vegetable Crop Management (8)

HRT307 Flower Crop Management (8)

HRT308 Temperate Fruit and Nut Crop Management (8)

IRR200 Principles of Irrigation (8)

MGT307 Applied Entrepreneurial Projects (8)

PSC202 Crop and Pasture Science (8)

PSC271 Crop Agronomy (8)

PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands (8)

PSC406 Summer Cropping System (8)

PSC420 Water Policy and Management (8)

PSC424 Advanced Plant Protection (8)

SCI302 International Practical Experience 2 (8)

SPA442 Remote Sensing 2: Image Processing and Analysis (8)

VIT212 Viticultural Science (8)

Horticulture

IRR200 Principles of Irrigation (8)

HRT301 Plant Propagation (8) or HRT302 Nursery Production (8)

PSC215 Plant Physiology (8)

PSC424 Advanced Plant Protection (8)

And complete 32 points from the following subjects:

AGB351 Commodity Trade and Pricing (8)

AGB450 Agricultural Business Risk and Investment (8)

AGR237 Property Planning and Development (8)

AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation (8)

AHT423 Digital Agriculture in Practice (8)

HRT202 Plant Taxonomy and Systematics (8)

HRT306 Vegetable Crop Management (8)

HRT307 Flower Crop Management (8)

HRT308 Temperate Fruit and Nut Crop Management (8)

MGT307 Applied Entrepreneurial Projects (8)

PSC406 Summer Cropping System (8)

PSC420 Water Policy and Management (8)

SCI302 International Practical Experience 2 (8)

SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science Foundations (8)

SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment (8)

VIT212 Viticultural Science (8)

Livestock Production

ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology (8)

ASC261 Animal Reproduction (8)

ASC273 Animal Nutrition (8)

ASC350 Animal Health (8)

PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands (8)

And complete 24 points from the following subjects:

AGB351 Commodity Trade and Pricing (8)

AGB450 Agricultural Business Risk and Investment (8)

AGR237 Property Planning and Development (8)

AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation (8)

AHT423 Digital Agriculture in Practice (8)

ASC225 Assessment of Animal Welfare (8)

ASC305 Parasitology (8)

ASC306 Applied Animal Pharmacology (8)

ASC370 Ruminant Production and Welfare (8)

ASC474 Intensive Animal Production and Welfare (8)*

ASC475 Meat and Fibre Science (8)*

MGT307 Applied Entrepreneurial Projects (8)

SCI302 International Practical Experience (8)

SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science Foundations (8)

SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment (8)

* ACS474 and ASC475 are available for on-campus study only.

Mixed Farm Business

AGB450 Agricultural Business Risk and Investment (8)

ASC171 Animal Anatomy and Physiology (8)

PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands (8)

And complete 40 points from the following subjects:

AGB351 Commodity Trade and Pricing (8)

AGR237 Property Planning and Development (8)

AGR377 Agribusiness Planning (16)*

AHT404 Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation (8)

AHT423 Digital Agriculture in Practice (8)

ASC225 Assessment of Animal Welfare (8)

ASC261 Animal Reproduction (8)

ASC273 Animal Nutrition (8)

ASC305 Parasitology (8)

ASC350 Animal Health (8)

ASC370 Ruminant Production and Welfare (8)

ASC475 Meat And Fibre Science (8)**

HRM210 Human Resource Management (8)

HRT306 Vegetable Crop Management (8)

HRT307 Flower Crop Management (8)

HRT308 Temperate Fruit and Nut Crop Management (8)

IRR200 Principles of Irrigation (8)

LAW110 Business Law (8)

LAW300 Environmental Law (8)

MGT307 Applied Entrepreneurial Projects (8)

PSC202 Crop and Pasture Science (8)

PSC271 Crop Agronomy (8)

PSC406 Summer Cropping System (8)

PSC420 Water Policy and Management (8)

PSC424 Advanced Plant Protection (8)

SCI302 International Practical Experience 2 (8)

SPA215 GIS 1: Geographic Information Science Foundations (8)

SPA217 Remote Sensing of the Environment (8)

VIT212 Viticultural Science (8)

* It is recommended that students successfully complete HRM210 Human Resource Management and AGR237 Property Planning and Development prior to studying AGR377 Agribusiness Planning.* ACS475 is available for on-campus study only.

** ACS475 is available for on-campus study only.

Award requirements

As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 256 points.

Exit points

• Bachelor of Agriculture (3 yrs)
• Associate Degree in Farm Production (2 yrs)

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $26,116

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Charles Sturt University is Australia’s most experienced online uni, and has the country’s highest graduate employment rate. From agriculture, arts, healthcare and IT, to business, law, social work and teaching—you’ll get the latest skills in your field, and learn from academics who are connected to industry. Add in 24/7 IT support, scholarships and a vibrant student community, and you can take your next, or first, career step with confidence.

Learn more about CSU.

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31

Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:

37

• A completed Tertiary Preparation Course from an Australian University or an accredited provider demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies. ;OR
• Successful completion of two university level subjects (AQF level Associate Degree or higher) demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies.

• A completed High School Certificate with an ATAR equivalent of 65 (including adjustment factors) or equivalent. ;OR
• A completed Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) with an equivalent ranking to the currently listed ATAR

• A completed AQF Certificate III or higher level qualification ;OR
• 50% completion of an AQF Diploma level qualification.

Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit for current competencies will be granted to eligible applicants.

Please note that the following subjects have a Workplace Learning component:

• AGS120 - Managing Contemporary Farm Systems
• AGS300 - Livestock Management
• AGS407 - Agricultural Industry Internship
• PSC221 - Fundamentals of Plant Protection

Some online subjects include a compulsory or optional residential school. These are an opportunity to come on campus for between one and five days for face-to-face learning.

You'll meet your lecturers and classmates, put theory into practice in our facilities, and could take part in anything from exam prep workshops and guest speaker presentations, to lab work and research tutorials

You can also take advantage of our on-campus accommodation, and access specific grants and financial assistance to help you attend.