Develop your knowledge and skills further in the field of agricultural science by completing a Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Science.
Introduction
World populations and economies are rapidly increasing their demands for food and fibre. At the same time, agricultural systems are being placed under pressure to meet environmental, social and economic goals. To meet these goals and to maintain or increase production levels, an understanding of the complex factors that shape agricultural systems is required.
The Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Science will prepare you with the knowledge and skills you need for a future in the rapidly evolving field of agricultural science.
Domestic students may be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place within this course.
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Course description, features and facilities
Australian agriculture is a key part of the world's food supply system. The challenges of a rapidly growing population, climate change, and the limitations of land and fresh water all impact on the ability of agriculture to meet the demand for food, fibre and fuel. To address this demand an understanding of the complex factors that shape agricultural systems is necessary.
Agricultural Science provides the research, technology and information for the sustainable, profitable and ethical development of the agricultural industry. Studies in agriculture include soil science, genetics, cropping and pasture systems, soil-plant interaction, livestock production, agricultural economics and agribusiness.
UWA is well equipped for teaching and research in agricultural science, with a field station at Shenton Park and the University's new research farm near Pingelly, which aims to be self-supporting, sustainable, carbon-neutral, clean, green and ethical – a best practice farm. Teaching in agricultural science is also supported by the outstanding research and outreach activities of the Institute of Agriculture, the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA), the International Centre for Plant Breeding Education and Research (ICPBER) and the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI).
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Structure
The course consists of units to a total of 48 points comprising eight coursework units chosen from an approved list of units.
| Key to availability of units: |
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; S3 = summer teaching period; N/A = not available in 2013;
NS = non-standard teaching period; OS = offshore teaching period; * = to be advised |
The course consists of units to a total value of 48 points comprising—
(a) all of the following units:
| S1 | AGRI4402 | Agricultural Economics |
| S1, S2 | SCIE4401 | Data Use in the Natural Sciences |
| S1, S2 | SCIE4402 | Data Management and Analysis in the Natural Sciences |
| S1, S2 | SCIE4403 | The Conduct, Ethics and Communication of Science |
and
(b) three or four units from Group A:
Group A
| NS | AGRI4401 | Advanced Crop Production Science |
| S1 | AGRI4403 | Animal Science and Technology 1 |
| NS | AGRI4404 | Breeding and Animal Biotechnology |
| NS | AGRI4405 | Breeding and Plant Biotechnology |
| S2 | AGRI4406 | Integrated Pest Management |
| NS | AGRI4407 | Plant and Human Nutrition |
| S2 | AGRI4408 | Sustainable Grazing Systems |
and
(c) up to one unit from Group B:
Group B
| S1 | ECON4410 | Environmental and Resource Economics |
| S2, NS | ENVT4411 | Geographic Information Systems Applications |
Career opportunities
This course prepares students with the knowledge and skills they need for a future in the rapidly evolving field of agricultural science. There is a shortage of agricultural science graduates. Career opportunities range from the laboratory to the field, from the city to rural areas, as breeders, agronomists, farm managers, market development officers, journalists and bankers.
Graduates are employed as consultants, managers or researchers, by government agencies, universities, consulting firms, food industries, fertiliser companies, and international agencies. "
Career Harvest" is a website launched by the Australian Council of Deans Of Agriculture to assist with finding professional careers in agriculture.
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Further study opportunities
Students with a Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Science can pursue further studies by completing the Master of Agricultural Science (coursework) with a specialisation in Agricultural Economics; Animal Production; Genetics & Breeding; Plant Production or Soil Science.
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These pages are under review and are being updated.
Check the Entrance requirements
This course is available to Australian and international students.
On this page
- Admission Requirements
- English competency
- Advanced standing
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor's degree from this University with a relevant major or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty; or
- Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Science of this University or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty.
English competency
Advanced standing
If you have undertaken prior tertiary study within the last five years, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit and/or exemption).
Applications for advanced standing are assessed upon acceptance of any offer of admission made by the University.
On this page
- Prerequisites
- English competency
- Advanced standing
Prerequisites
As a rule, international students must:
- Have a bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline (where required), completed to a sufficiently high standard;
- Meet the specific prerequisites for the course. (Refer to admission requirements for this course)
- Meet UWA's English language requirement.
English competency
All prospective international students must meet the English language proficiency requirements of the University. The most common international examination used in applications is the IELTS (academic) and the University’s requirement is an overall score of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0) for most coursework courses.
Please refer to our English language competency requirements to see a list of other accepted examinations. The University accepts a number of qualifications and any not listed will be considered on an individual basis.
Advanced standing
Students with previous tertiary level qualifications will be considered for advanced standing (credit).
These pages are under review and will be updated in early 2013.
How to apply
This course is available to Australian and international students.
On this page
- Application Deadlines
- How to apply
- Fees
- Contact details - admission information
Application Deadlines
Semester 1: 23 January
Semester 2: 26 June
How to apply
Submit a completed application form
Fees
Annual fee: $8360.
As some units vary in cost, the actual student contribution will depend on the mix of units you choose. See the unit costs website for details of individual unit costs.
askUWA
On this page
- Application Deadlines
- How to apply
- Fees
- Contact details - admission information
Application Deadlines
While there are no strict application deadlines for the submission of international postgraduate coursework applications, prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply with sufficient time to allow for the processing of their application and to secure a student visa.
Postgraduate coursework applications generally take four weeks from receipt of an application to offer.
How to apply
International postgraduate applicants must complete the postgraduate application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.
Fees
$30980, per year.
This figure has been arrived at by assuming that you study a full-time study load for one year made up of units all within the same fee band. As some units vary in cost, the actual student fee will depend on the mix of units you choose. The international student fees page has further details.
UWA International Centre (M352)
- Address
- The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
- Telephone
- (+61 8) 6488 3939
- Fax
- (+61 8) 9382 4071
- Contacts
- International Centre
- Enquire on-line
- askUWA
- Location
- UWA Map
- Opening hours
- Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm
- About UWA
- Find out what makes UWA an internationally recognised university.
- Foundation and preparatory courses
- There are a range of programs available to help give you the opportunity to gain the academic qualifications or prerequisites required for admission to UWA.
- Social life on campus
- There are over 20,000 students enrolled at UWA - lots of new friends not only from Perth and Western Australia but from all areas in Australia and around the world.
These pages are under review and will be updated in early 2013.
