Bachelor of Horticulture

Upon completion of this course, graduates will be able to:

1. Combine biological, environmental, social, ethical and management knowledge in the sustainable development, management, and improvement of horticultural systems.
2. Apply the cognitive, technical, technological and business skills required to plan, operate, and manage a horticultural enterprise or project.
3. Design and conduct scientific investigations to inform improvements in horticultural practice.
4. Locate, organise, and evaluate relevant information and excise critical thinking and sound judgement in the synthesis of innovative solutions to horticultural problems which benefit the environment while maintaining productivity and economic viability.
5. Demonstrate professionalism and leadership through the personal, social, cultural, ethical, and environmental responsibility required to be a change agent in the horticultural industry.
6. Critically appraise knowledge, skills, values, and goals to establish habits of reflective practice to inform plans for self-directed and lifelong learning.
7. Communicate effectively with various audiences and in team situations, using oral, written, and visual presentation skills, and contemporary networking/social media technologies.
8. Demonstrate an awareness of the interplay between horticulture and society and the increasingly important role of horticultural endeavour in sustaining the health and well-being of the human population.
9. Critically discuss how global issues including climate change, energy use, water availability, and/or food safety impact the sustainability of horticultural systems locally, nationally, and globally.

The Bachelor of Horticulture will produce graduates with knowledge and skills in the science, management, business and production components of the horticulture supply chain. In particular, graduates will have the interdisciplinary knowledge necessary to address a range of contemporary problems facing the horticulture industries. Graduates will also have the cognitive and technical skills required to apply an appropriate combination of these principles to solve real problems and will have the written and oral communication skills to communicate with a range of audiences, using a range of strategies.

Recommended study pattern

SESSION 1 (30) INTAKE

PART TIME STUDY PATTERN

Year 1 - Session 1 (30)

AHT101 Professional Skills in Agriculture and Horticulture

PSC102 Botany

Year 1 - Session 2 (60)

HRT101 Introduction to Horticulture

MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology

Year 2 - Session 1 (30)

CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals

IKC101 First Nations Foundations: Knowing, Relating and Understanding Country

Year 2 - Session 2 (60)

HRT202 Plant Taxonomy and Systematics

PSC104 Soil Science

(Diploma of Horticultural Studies exit point)

Year 3 - Session 1 (30)

AGS107 Precision Agriculture and Data Handling

HRT206 Vegetable Crop Management

Year 3 - Session 2 (60)

AGR202 Food Environment and Culture

PSC221 Fundamentals of Plant Protection

Year 4 - Session 1 (30)

PSC215 Plant Physiology

AHT231 Agricultural Finance and Business Management OR HRT201 Landscape Design

Year 4 - Session 2 (60)

IRR200 Principles of Irrigation

HRT205 Ecological Design Systems OR HRT207 Flower Crop Management

(Associate Degree in Horticulture exit point)

Year 5 - Session 1 (30)

AGR220 Extension

ABG310 Agricultural Marketing OR AGR237 Property Planning & Development

Year 5 - Session 2 (60)

HRT301 Plant Propagation

HRT312 Nursery Production OR HRT314 Tropical and Subtropical Horticultural Crop Management

Year 6 - Session 1 (30)

HRT313 Plant Establishment and Management OR HRT308 Temperate Fruit and Nut Crop Management

Unrestricted Elective

Year 6 - Session 2 (30)

AGS422 Contemporary Issues in Agriculture

Unrestricted Elective

Exit points

This course is part of an articulated program of study. Articulated programs allow you to build on your study to achieve the right level of qualification for you.

• Diploma of Horticultural Studies
• Associate Degree in Horticulture.

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

Indicative total fee $23,760

The amounts shown here are 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.

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• 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 Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies.

• A completed High School Certificate with a minimum ATAR required (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.

Work experience, within the same industry as the course profile, of no less than two years.

Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements.

If you’ve completed relevant tertiary study, or work experience related to your course, you could receive credit towards your degree. We also have several admission pathways to help you take the step into your preferred course, even if you don't quite meet the entry requirements at first. Find out what admission pathways are available to you.

Please note some subjects may have Workplace learning components.

Online students may need to attend an online or on campus intensive school for certain subjects. Intensive schools offer face-to-face or virtual lectures, tutorials and practicals to give you a deeper understanding of your subject content.