Program Overview

Doctor of Sustainable Agriculture

The Doctor of Sustainable Agriculture is a research degree that develops advanced inquiry skills and critical understanding in sustainable agriculture, particularly through a major piece of supervised research in an area of professional practice of the candidate's choice. It provides for the academic and professional development of applicants working in the broad area of agriculture while allowing significant flexibility to accommodate individual student, industry, and/or professional requirements.

Course Overview

The course provides a structured learning environment enabling candidates to contribute in a significant way to the knowledge and practice in their profession. Candidates complete coursework and an applied research program that addresses an identified aspect of sustainable agriculture. The Doctor of Sustainable Agriculture is assessed by a range of assignments during the coursework phase and an externally examined thesis for the research component.

Awards

• Doctor of Sustainable Agriculture

Course Study Modes and Locations

• Distance Education - Uni Wide
• On Campus - Uni Wide Availability is subject to change, please verify prior to enrolment.

Normal Course Duration

• Full-time: 3.0 years (6.0 sessions)
• Part-time: 6.0 years (12.0 sessions) For normal candidature:
  • Full-time: 3 years minimum/4 years maximum
  • Part-time: 6 years minimum/8 years maximum

Admission Criteria

The admission criteria for the Doctor of Sustainable Agriculture are based on the following evidence:

• The proposed program of study and research is at a level appropriate to the degree being sought.
• The proposed supervisors are sufficiently expert in the field of sustainable agriculture research, and have the time and commitment to be able to provide appropriate supervision, and that adequate physical resources are available.
• The applicant has the appropriate background and ability to undertake the proposed course.
• The applicant has given the necessary commitment to work regularly on the approved program of study and research and maintain regular contact with the supervisor(s).

Entry Qualifications

The entry qualifications required for admission to a Doctor of Sustainable Agriculture program are:

• Qualified for the award of a Master by Research at an acceptable level.
• An appropriate Bachelor degree with class 1 or class 2(i) honours from an Australian university or an equivalent overseas tertiary institution, taken over a minimum of four years (full-time equivalent).
• Qualified for the award of a coursework Master's degree with a research project and thesis/dissertation component.
• Some other appropriate combination of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications and research experience that demonstrate capacity to undertake research at a Doctoral level.

Credit

No special arrangements apply.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 192 points.

Course Structure

The Doctor of Sustainable Agriculture will consist of 192 credit points, of which:

• 32 points will be coursework.
• 32 points will be a broad investigation of the research topic and proposal for applied investigation.
• 128 points will be research thesis.

Coursework Component

• AGR722 Readings in Agriculture (8pts)
• AGR775 Sustainable Agriculture Issues and Viewpoints (8pts)
• AGR795 Managing Agro-Ecosystems (8pts)
• AGR580 Research Methods (8pts)

Broad Investigation/Proposal Component

• AGR712 Proposal for Applied Research/Investigation (32 points, 2 sessions)

Research Component

• AGR715 Sustainable Agriculture Thesis (Full-Time) (128 points)
• AGR716 Sustainable Agriculture Thesis (Part-Time) (128 points)

Enrolment Pattern

Full-time Enrolment Pattern

• Session 1:
  • AGR722 Readings in Agriculture (8pts)
  • AGR580 Research Methods (8pts)
  • AGR712 Proposal for Applied Research/Investigation (32 points, commenced)
• Session 2:
  • AGR775 Sustainable Agriculture Issues and Viewpoints (8pts)
  • AGR795 Managing Agro-Ecosystems (8pts)
  • AGR712 Proposal for Applied Research/Investigation (32 points, completed)
• Session 3, 4, 5, 6:
  • AGR715 Sustainable Agriculture Thesis (Full-Time) (128 points)

Part-time Enrolment Pattern

• Session 1:
  • AGR580 Research Methods (8pts)
  • AGR722 Readings in Agriculture (8pts)
• Session 2:
  • AGR775 Sustainable Agriculture Issues and Viewpoints (8pts)
  • AGR795 Managing Agro-Ecosystems (8pts)
• Session 3:
  • AGR712 Proposal for Applied Research/Investigation (32 points, commenced)
• Session 4:
  • AGR712 Proposal for Applied Research/Investigation (32 points, completed)
• Session 5-12:
  • AGR716 Sustainable Agriculture Thesis (Part-Time) (128 points)