Master of Agricultural Science

Program Overview

Master of Agricultural Science

About the course

World populations and economies are increasing their demands for food and fibre. Agricultural systems are placed under pressure to meet environmental, social and economic goals. This course prepares you with the knowledge and skills you need for a future in the rapidly evolving field of agricultural science.

Course Details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Weekly contact time: Please refer to the UWA Handbook
• Level of study: Postgraduate
• Course Code: 72510
• CRICOS code: E

Course Structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.

Conversion

• Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for course by the course coordinator must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
  • AGRI4409 Fundamentals of Agricultural Science (6)
  • ENVT4411 Geographic Information Systems Applications (6)
  • SCIE4401 Data Use in Science (6)
  • SCIE4403 Ethical Conduct and Communication in Science (6)

Core

• Take all units (18 points):
  • AGRI5402 Agribusiness (6)
  • ENVT4422 Research Methods in Agricultural and Environmental Science (6)
  • SCIE4402 Data Management and Analysis in the Natural Sciences (6)

Option

• Students in the course by coursework and dissertation take 24 points from this group:
  • SCIE5571 Dissertation Part 1 (6)
  • SCIE5572 Dissertation Part 2 (6)
  • SCIE5573 Dissertation Part 3 (6)
  • SCIE5574 Dissertation Part 4 (6)
• Students in the course by coursework only take 12 points from this group:
  • SCIE5004 Professional Skills in Science (6)
  • SCIE5005 Science in Practice (6)

Specialisations

Agricultural Technology

• Take all units (30 points):
  • AGRI4401 Precision Agriculture (6)
  • ENVT4401 Advanced Land Use and Management (6)
  • ENVT4408 GIS Programming (6)
  • ENVT5516 Environmental Monitoring and Sensors (6)
  • ENVT5561 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Multifunctional Landscapes (6)
• For students doing coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
  • AGRI5503 Animal Production Systems (6)
  • AGRI5506 Integrated Pest Management - Principles (6)
  • AGRI5508 Sustainable Grazing Systems (6)
  • AGRI5571 Advanced Soil Science (6)
  • ENVT5503 Remediation of Soils and Groundwater (6)
  • ENVT5600 Topics in Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology (6)
  • SCIE5304 Science Practicum (6)

Crop and Livestock Farming Systems

• Take all units (24 points):
  • AGRI4410 Breeding and Biotechnology (6)
  • AGRI5503 Animal Production Systems (6)
  • AGRI5508 Sustainable Grazing Systems (6)
  • SCIE5507 Food Fibre and Fuel Security (6)
• Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
  • AGRI4401 Precision Agriculture (6)
  • AGRI5506 Integrated Pest Management - Principles (6)
• For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
  • AGRI4401 Precision Agriculture (6)
  • AGRI5506 Integrated Pest Management - Principles (6)
  • AGRI5571 Advanced Soil Science (6)
  • ENVT5005 Waste and the Circular Economy (6)
  • ENVT5600 Topics in Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology (6)
  • SCIE5304 Science Practicum (6)

Genetics and Breeding

• Take all units (24 points):
  • AGRI4410 Breeding and Biotechnology (6)
  • SCIE4001 Collecting, Analysing and Interpreting Big Data in Biology (6)
  • SCIE4002 Bioinformatics and Data Analysis for Genomics (6)
  • SCIE5507 Food Fibre and Fuel Security (6)
• Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
  • AGRI4401 Precision Agriculture (6)
  • AGRI5506 Integrated Pest Management - Principles (6)
  • AGRI5508 Sustainable Grazing Systems (6)
• For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
  • AGRI4401 Precision Agriculture (6)
  • AGRI4407 Plant and Human Nutrition (6)
  • AGRI5503 Animal Production Systems (6)
  • AGRI5506 Integrated Pest Management - Principles (6)
  • AGRI5508 Sustainable Grazing Systems (6)
  • AGRI5571 Advanced Soil Science (6)
  • ENVT5600 Topics in Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology (6)
  • SCIE5304 Science Practicum (6)

Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

• Take all units (30 points):
  • AGRI4401 Precision Agriculture (6)
  • AGRI4407 Plant and Human Nutrition (6)
  • AGRI5506 Integrated Pest Management - Principles (6)
  • AGRI5571 Advanced Soil Science (6)
  • ENVT4401 Advanced Land Use and Management (6)
• For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
  • AGRI5503 Animal Production Systems (6)
  • AGRI5508 Sustainable Grazing Systems (6)
  • ENVT5005 Waste and the Circular Economy (6)
  • ENVT5503 Remediation of Soils and Groundwater (6)
  • ENVT5600 Topics in Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology (6)
  • SCIE5304 Science Practicum (6)

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—

• (a) a bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
• (b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
• (c) have successfully completed prior tertiary study in science or in a related cognate discipline as recognised by UWA.

Ranking and Selection Process

Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.

English Competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required. More information on how fees are calculated.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee

• 2025: $50,700.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Why Study Agriculture at UWA?

• The Institute of Agriculture assists with work experience placements
• Strong links with industries and networking opportunities
• A vibrant and interactive teaching and learning environment
• Many areas of research strength and well-designed units and course specialisations
• Strong cohort of students (domestic and international)
• Work with world-leading agricultural scientists and other specialisations in Science

Flexibility

We understand that life is busy. That's why our postgraduate courses are designed so you can balance your work and studies. Our flexible postgraduate experience includes the opportunity to study part time, a range of units that are taught after hours, and the option to learn via intensive units. Ask our Student Central team for advice on choosing the right postgraduate route for you. Find out more here.

Student Story

Meet Alton Lin, a Master of Agricultural Science student who recently visited Richgro's AD facility to get a hands-on look at how food waste is being turned into clean energy as part of his Science in in Practice unit. Read more here.