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Bachelor of Agricultural Science
- Duration: 4 years full-time (or equivalent part-time)
- Location: St Lucia campus, Brisbane Gatton campus, Lockyer Valley
- Delivery mode: This program is generally available internally and externally
- Entry requirements: Standard Qld Year 12 plus English, either Chemistry or Mathematics B
- QTAC code: St Lucia: 704 001 704 006 Gatton: 762 019
- 2007 entry score: OP 12, Rank 75
- Honours: Available in the fourth year of the program
What is Rural Management?
No longer is the rural sector simply about planting and harvesting a crop. Rural business is huge multi-billion dollar industry requiring educated and forward thinking managers. Rural management focuses on agricultural business
management, specifically focusing on striking a balance between science, technology and management.
Business principles are employed at all stages of the supply chain including production, harvest, storage, sales, processing, export, value adding and logistics. Rural Managers are also involved in the support businesses for this important industry including finance, insurance, marketing, extension and consulting.
Careers in Rural Management
Agricultural Science graduates from UQ enjoy very high regard with employers, many securing jobs within the industry prior to graduating. The main advantage of studying an Agricultural Science program at UQ is the diversity of opportunities it
provides not only through the vast choice of electives but also through the valuable contacts made during the vocational placement you will undertake during your program.
Agricultural Science graduates find employment in a variety of fields including (but not limited to):
- advisors in banking and other financial organisations
- agricultural extension officers
- agricultural consultants
- scientists in basic and applied research
- consultants for local and international agriculture
- secondary school teachers (on completion of Graduate Diploma in Education), and
- managers of agricultural enterprises, family and company-owned farms or agribusiness companies.
Examples of graduate employment (depending on specialisation): agricultural advisor, agricultural inspector, agricultural scientist, animal scientist, crop physiologist, dairy technologist, farmer/ farm manager, horticultural scientist, land information systems officer, plant ecologist, political scientist.
Program outline
The Bachelor of Agricultural Science is the most comprehensive of UQ’s range of agricultural programs. This program provides students with a sound knowledge of scientific, technological, management, economic, environmental and social principles associated with agriculture.
The first two and a half years of study provide students with a solid grounding in the basic principles common to all agricultural industries and a taste of possible areas of elective study.
A six month internship in an agricultural production enterprise or agribusiness is undertaken in the third year. This placement allows you to apply what you have learnt to date and build upon your knowledge to gain valuable industry experience, developing contacts with future employment contacts at the same time.
The remainder of the program allows you to pursue your own area of interest through a range of electives and the research project.
Elective study in Rural Management
The Rural Management electives include underpinning skills you will need to manage a modern agricultural business. Incorporating a platform of agricultural science and technology courses to provide you with a sound understanding
of production processes, the elective courses focus on the core disciplines of economics, finance, marketing and human resource management that are essential to the efficient and effective management of an agricultural enterprise.
The extensive range of electives covers animal enterprise analysis, continuous improvement and innovation, machine management, extension and change management and property management planning.
Program highlights
The elective courses focus on efficient and effective management of agricultural enterprises built on a sound understanding of agricultural science and technology, strong emphasis on problem solving skills using real life case studies, ubstantial field work to back-up theory including a 16 week internship.
Dual program opportunities
Students wishing to enter teaching should complete their Bachelor’s program, then enrol in a Graduate Diploma of Education (1 year full-time).
Professional memberships
Graduates are eligible for membership of:
- Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, and
- International Farm Management Association.
Further information: