Agroecosystems
About the program
The growing demand for food production and the development new technologies, including sensors, robotics and big data analytics, is placing an increasing demand on the agriculture of the 21st century. To meet this graduates are needed with expertise to exploit these new approaches.
The Agroecosystems program focuses on three multi-disciplinary areas:
- plant production
- animal production
- soil science and hydrology.
Students in this program will be provided with an overview of agroecosystems and the opportunity to develop expertise on one of the three majors.
Students will develop knowledge and skills to explain the major science behind the drivers of change in agricultural. Students will also develop strong multi-disciplinary understanding of agricultural practices and innovations strengthened by the ability to manage and analyse agriculturally derived experimental, temporal and spatial data.
Requirements for completion
A program in Agroecosystems requires 60 credit points, consisting of:
(i) 12 credit points of 2000-level selective units
(ii) A 48 credit point major in Animal Production, Plant Production or Soil Science and Hydrology
First year
Students complete units that will contribute to one of the majors aligned with this program – animal production, plant production or soil science and hydrology.
Second year
The second year provides the breadth of knowledge in the science of agriculture with units related to plant and animal production as well as focusing on the essential resources of soil and water.
Students complete units that will contribute to their chosen majors:
- AGRI2001 if completing Plant Production major
- AVBS2006 if completing Animal Production major
- SOIL2005 if completing Soil Science and Hydrology major.
Additionally students complete 12 credit points of program units as outlined below:
- AGRI2001 and AVBS2006 if completing Soil Science and Hydrology major
- AGRI2001 and SOIL2005 if completing Animal production major
- AVBS2006 and SOIL2005 if completing Plant Production major.
Third year
Students complete units that will contribute to their chosen major.
The third year provides further depth in at least one of the three majors in this stream, a choice from Plant Production, Animal Production, and Soil Science and Hydrology,
In your third year you must take at least one designated project unit.
Fourth year
The fourth year is only offered within the combined Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies course.
Advanced coursework
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies advanced coursework option consists of 48 credit points, which must include a minimum of 24 credit points in a single subject area at 4000-level, including a project unit of study worth at least 24 credit points and 12 credit points of coursework. Space is provided for 12 credit points towards the second major (if not already completed). 24 credit points of advanced study will be included in the table for 2020.
Honours
Requirements for Honours in the area of Agroecosystems: completion of 24 credit points of project work and 12 credit points of coursework.
Honours units of study will be available in 2020.
Contact and further information
W http://sydney.edu.au/science/life-environment/
E
T +61 2 9036 5417
Address:
School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Level 5, Carslaw Building (F07)
Eastern Avenue
The University of Sydney NSW 2006
Associate Professor Damien Field
Email:
Phone: +61 2 8627 1138
Example pathways
Students must take a major in either Animal Production, Plant Production, or Soil Science and Hydrology.
Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate from Agroecosystems will be able to:
- Explain the role and relevance of agriculture and its related sciences in society.
- Understand the major biophysical drivers that underpin agricultural practice and how they contribute to practice change.
- Understand how information is adopted and the context within which producers, processors and consumers make decisions.
- Understand the core sciences in the context of agriculture.
- Understand how knowledge from different sub-disciplines within agriculture is integrated and applied into practice.