Bachelor of Agribusiness (Horticulture)

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TISC code: Agribusiness (Horticulture) CUMH/3118

The course develops knowledge and skills in management, technical production and marketing applied to activities in horticultural agribusiness. The focus is on developing skills in the management and optimisation of systems to achieve profitable and sustainable outcomes.

Introduction

This course has been structured to meet industry demand for graduates with a more holistic agribusiness degree which addresses the development of professional and generic skills such as communications, information literacy, team work and cross cultural skills as well as high order skills of problem identification, problem solving, creative thinking, planning and evaluation.
This major is taught from the Bentley campus.

Course Description

The Horticulture major provides students with agribusiness management and marketing education and training, combined with technical training in principles of horticulture, soil management, advanced intensive horticultural production systems, crop husbandry, post harvest handling and quality control.

Students study horticulture within a systems framework that considers wider national and international market issues and environmental constraints that impact on the industry. There are opportunities to take options in production areas such as fruit, viticulture, vegetables, ornamental and amenity horticulture.

Students are introduced to the various aspects of the Western Australian horticultural industry through a series of field trips.

Horticulture Graduates are prepared for leadership roles within the horticultural industry and in the wider agribusiness sector including management of horticultural crops (cut flowers, vegetables, fruit orchards and production nurseries), amenity horticulture (parks and gardens), environmental management and land rehabilitation, horticultural advisory positions, conservation projects or in the service sector of the industry in consulting, marketing and international trade, sales or involved with finance and marketing.

Practical Experience

Prior to graduation all horticulture students are required to complete 12 weeks of approved practical work on at least two different properties. Students are required to complete the work requirements during the semester vacations or may elect to complete the work part-time.

Entrance Requirements

In addition to the usual entrance requirements, applicants are encouraged to study TEE Mathematics. In addition, TEE Accounting, Economics or Biology provide useful preparation. Mature age students, WA College of Agriculture students with superior grades, and students who have completed a TAFE Associate Diploma or Diploma course are encouraged to apply.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applications for RPL are assessed on an individual basis. RPL may be awarded for approved TAFE units. Those who have completed the Associate Degree in Agribusiness may apply for RPL in this course.

Duration and Availability

The course is three years full-time or equivalent part-time study. Some units are available by external study mode.

Further Study Opportunities

The Bachelor of Agribusiness Honours program enables students to extend their knowledge of current academic research methodology as it is applied to Horticulture and to demonstrate their advanced knowledge and skills through the conduct of a supervised research project and preparation of an honours dissertation. The honours degree program is of one-year full-time duration, or equivalent part-time.

Course Structure

See the Online Handbook for course structure.