Graduate Certificate in Agriculture

Why study the Graduate Certificate in Agriculture at UNE?

The Graduate Certificate in Agriculture is the first award level of a fully articulated program which gives qualified applicants the opportunity for study at a higher level in agriculture related disciplines - Master of Science in Agriculture.

The program is designed as a professional development course in areas relevant to agriculture. The flexibility of the program gives students the opportunity to gain fundamental skills from foundation units in Agricultural areas or broaden and develop their professional knowledge and management skills in a chosen area of study.

All majors can be studied only on a part-time basis unless a program of study has been approved by the course co-ordinator.

Career Opportunities

The Graduate Certificate in Agriculture is an intensive course and is designed to provide candidates with the opportunity to broaden or develop their professional knowledge and management skills in their chosen area of study.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

Up to 4 years Part-time

FEES

CSP (quotas apply) or Full Fee

2018 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale

Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 1, On Campus
Trimester 2, Online
Trimester 2, On Campus

Official Abbreviation GradCertAgr
Course Type Postgraduate
Commencing
Location Admission Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Online
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 Online
Armidale Trimester 2 On Campus
Course Duration
  • Up to 4 years Part-time
Fees CSP (quotas apply) or Full Fee
Total Credit Points 48
Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

A candidate shall:

(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification from a recognised University; or

(b) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a relevant discipline*.

*Relevant disciplines include, but are not limited to:

Agribusiness

Agriculture

Agricultural Economics

Animal Science

Botany

Rural Science

Zoology

Additional Requirements

Inherent Requirements: Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.

Advanced Standing

Candidates admitted under Rule (a) may be granted advanced standing to a maximum of 12 credit points which may include 6 credit points on the basis of considerable professional experience at an appropriate level.

Candidates admitted under Rule (b) shall be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Block Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature.

Academic Colours

Dioptase (BCC 203)

Further Information

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These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Graduate Certificate in Agriculture in 2018.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall:
(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification from a recognised University; or
(b) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a relevant discipline*.

*Relevant disciplines include, but are not limited to:

Agribusiness
Agriculture
Agricultural Economics
Animal Science
Botany
Rural Science
Zoology

Additional Requirements

Inherent Requirements

Student must meet Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.

Advanced Standing

Candidates admitted under Rule (a) may be granted advanced standing to a maximum of 12 credit points which may include 6 credit points on the basis of considerable professional experience at an appropriate level.

Candidates admitted under Rule (b) shall be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Block Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature.

Period of Candidature

For candidates admitted under Rule (a) the period of candidature shall be up to four years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rule (b) the period of candidature shall be up to two years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate admitted under Rule (a) must pass units to the value of 48 credit points including not more than 12 credit points at 100-level, not more than 12 credit points at 200-level, andat least 18 credit points at 400-level or above.

To qualify for the award a candidate admitted under Rule (b) must pass units to the value of 48 credit points including at least 18 credit points at 400-level or above.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

For candidates admitted under Rule (a)
Course Structure Credit Points
Complete ONE Course Work Program 48 cps
Total 48 cps

Approved Course Work Programs

Agricultural Consulting
Animal Science
Canine Management
Cotton Production
Precision Agriculture
Sustainable Grains Production

For candidates admitted under Rule (b)
Course Structure Credit Points
Block Advanced Standing 24 cps
Complete ONE Course Work Program 24 cps
Total 48 cps

Approved Course Work Programs

Agricultural Consulting
Animal Science
Canine Management
Cotton Production
Precision Agriculture
Sustainable Grains Production

Award of Degree

A candidate who meets the course requirements including one approved course work program shall be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Agriculture.

Appeals

Candidates are referred to the Academic Assessment Appeals Policy and the Academic Assessment Appeals Procedures.

Course Progression

Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Procedures.

Course Aims

The Graduate Certificate in Agriculture should provide graduates with the opportunity to broaden their professional knowledge and management skills in their chosen area of study. Completion of the Graduate Certificate in Agriculture will qualify graduate entry to the Master of Science in Agriculture.

Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
  1. demonstrate specialised knowledge of agricultural sciences, land and resource management and agricultural extension with responsibility and accountability for all aspects of the work;
  2. apply technical, field and/or laboratory competencies relevant to food and fibre production and management of agricultural systems to provide solutions to complex problems with responsibility and accountability for all aspects of the work;
  3. apply advanced skills in written and oral scientific communication to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts and to transmit complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences; and
  4. locate and critically evaluate scientific information.
Graduate Attributes
Knowledge of a Discipline

Students will be required to read literature on practical, conceptual and theoretical aspects of agricultural science and management. 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 agricultural issues; on writing reports of technical and scientific investigations; and on presenting critical reviews of knowledge.

Problem Solving

Problem solving is taught in the scientific context of researching the issue, formulating hypotheses in agricultural science, and drawing conclusions from the results. Many practical assignments are based around this approach. 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 agricultural 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 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 agricultural science which enable the production of food and fibre at the same time as protecting the environment. 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. 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.

How to Apply

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