The University of Melbourne has launched a new Bachelor of Agriculture degree, designed with industry experts to meet the high demand for agricultural scientists and prepare them for predicted productive century for Australian agriculture.
Australia now exports more than $40 billion of agricultural products per year and increased demand for food across the world will create new export opportunities for the Australian food industry.
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences dean Ken Hinchcliff said following engagement with industry, employers, graduates and alumni, the University of Melbourne has redesigned its three-year Bachelor of Agriculture curriculum to ensure graduates are work-ready for this agricultural boom.
“There are more than four vacant jobs per agricultural science graduate, and the sector supports 1.6 million Australian jobs when related industries are taken into account, around half of which are in cities,” Prof Hinchcliff said.
“Currently, Melbourne’s Bachelor of Agriculture is experiencing the most significant growth of any agriculture program in Australia.
“Building on that, our new curriculum will enable students to develop an extra depth of expertise in agricultural economics, animal science or plant and soil science and employ these skills in external industry placements and cross-disciplinary projects that will ask them to examine the big issues facing agriculture today.”
Features of the new degree
-Specialisation from three majors: Animal Science, Plant and Soil Science and Economics
-External placements to understand broader industry context
-Integrated cross-disciplinary subject at every year level
-Communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills (which industry rated as vital to interview performance)
-‘Dookie semester’- hands-on experience in latest precision farming technologies of various commodity groups at the Dookie campus.
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