Master of Science in Agriculture

The Master of Science in Agriculture is a program of course work, research methodology and research designed to provide an introduction to research.

The course work component is designed to provide advanced knowledge and to develop a range of skills, applicable to the candidate's background and area of interest.

Course Aims

This is a coursework and research-based program designed to equip agricultural scientists with specialist professional knowledge in conceptual, scientific and technical competencies related to food and fibre production and land management. Specialisation in a discipline is available through the completion of the research project.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate specialised knowledge of agriculture that includes the understanding of recent developments; demonstrate advanced knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to agriculture; demonstrate specialised technical, field and/or laboratory skills relevant to specialist areas/disciplines in the field of agricultural science; apply highly developed skills in written and oral scientific communication to demonstrate independence of thought and to transmit complex knowledge and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences; generate and evaluate complex information applying creative skills to a practical problem(s) contributing to the established body of knowledge to inform professional practice; conduct an investigation and solve scientific problems using a range of methods, and apply appropriate and/or theoretical techniques; negotiate, plan, design and execute a research-based project, analyse data and provide a written report or thesis on the methodology and outcomes in an appropriate format; demonstrate an advanced level of independence and accountability of professional practice or scholarship; and interpret and apply scientific principles to the management of agricultural problems, and where applicable, in line with the regulatory frameworks.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Students will be required to read literature on practical, conceptual and theoretical aspects of agricultural science and management and are provided with the opportunity to obtain specialist knowledge in a selected discipline through an independent research project or capstone unit activity. Agricultural systems are part of the biosphere, the global perspective is drawn upon in all areas involved with understanding, applying and evaluating agricultural information. Knowledge is built upon from information gathered from agricultural systems throughout the world. Thus teaching will draw upon case studies and examples from a range of countries. Students develop the global context of the discipline and its ability to minimise or solve problems. Interaction with students from all over Australia and overseas will assist in developing students' understanding of global issues. Communication Skills Students will be required to express well-organised, logical and clearly written assessment tasks. There is emphasis on the ability to provide clear and accurate descriptions of environmental issues; on writing reports of technical and scientific investigations; and on presenting critical reviews of knowledge. Students will be exposed to techniques for improved oral and written communication skills throughout the course, with research methods and capstone units providing a focus for these skills. Problem Solving Problem solving is taught in the scientific context of researching the issue, formulating hypotheses in environmental science, and drawing conclusions from the results. This will be evident in the research capstone unit or research thesis. Problem solving skills are also developed in field and laboratory settings where students decide the best approach to performing tasks. This will prepare students for dealing with and solving high level and complex real-world problems that arise in environmental science and management. Information Literacy Students will be taught how to access the literature, especially online resources, how to evaluate the robustness of literature sources, discrimination skills, and how to critique available information. Students will plan and execute a high level research capacity in written assignments, including a research methods and research capstone units and research thesis, and utilise a wide range of data resources in such a way that others can learn from them. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Students are taught ethical practices in relation to the discipline, including respecting intellectual property rights, ethical behaviour in fieldwork and assessment tasks, and honesty and trust as the basis of the cooperative endeavour of science. Students will be encouraged to act ethically and be socially responsible. These are underlying principles of the discipline of environmental science which reduce, minimise or prevent harm to the environment and its multiple inhabitants. Legal obligations and responsibility will also be integrated into the teaching content. Lifelong Learning Students will develop the ability to identify, evaluate and implement personal learning strategies and/or study skills in pursuit of ongoing personal and professional development. Students will continually develop the ability to be responsive to change, have a high-level of personal autonomy and conduct independent research that will be useful to them in a professional workplace. Independence and Collaboration Students are encouraged and taught to develop independence of thought and action via critical literature reviews and reports. Teamwork is used in classes at all levels, especially in practical work in the field and laboratory. Students develop the skills to work cooperatively to define and achieve common goals, to take initiative and to assume responsibility for tasks. Students will learn in a professional forum to discuss, calmly and rationally, ideas and concepts, sometimes controversial and sometimes from different points of view. This, in addition to the ability to use the language of the discipline in reasoned argument, is one of the aims of online discussions.