Outline
Outline
This course will provide you with the skills to pursue a career in agricultural research and development. Graduates may also find work as consultants and advisers to the livestock and cropping industries in Mediterranean environments around the world.
You will cover science and technology for crop, pasture and livestock production (including the roles of genetics and management in achieving optimum production against environmental constraints), and their integration into viable farming systems.
You will place special emphasis on emerging technologies for precise management of crops and livestock, and their role in ensuring safe, sustainable production systems. In your second year, you will undertake supervised research into a current and emerging industry problem. Intensive study periods may also be available over the summer or vacation periods.
How this course will make you industry ready
The technical and scientific skills acquired through study in this course will enable you to tackle the wide range of problems facing modern agricultural industries, particularly in relation to global food security and climate change.
What jobs can the Dryland Agricultural Systems course lead to?
This qualification will provide you with the skills to pursue a career in agricultural research and development, and as consultants/advisors to the livestock and cropping industries in Mediterranean environments around the world. Employers are likely to include Government and private research organisations, agricultural consultancy groups, and individual growers and grower groups.
What you'll learn
- understand the global and cultural issues in agriculture and how these impact on the practice and management of farming systems
- appreciate the importance of cultural and individual human rights and how these impact on the study of agriculture; embrace the diversity and opportunities presented by different cultures; value environmental, indigenous and other community perspectives
- work both as an independent scientist and within teams, either as a professional leader or a collaborator, using effective problem solving and decision making skills in an ethical manner
- acquire professional skills in management of soil, crop, pasture and livestock, allowing the application of this knowledge to a wide variety of rainfed farming situations
- use logical scientific methods to analyse problems and apply this knowledge to a wide variety of rainfed farming situations especially in a Mediterranean context
- students will be fluent in current literature, theories and practices of production technology and their integration into farming systems
- use a broad range of communication skills appropriate to the audience
- select and use new and established technologies appropriate to dryland farming systems
- acquire and contribute to new agricultural and scientific knowledge and expertise relating to a broad variety of professional situations and recognise the importance of continuous training and education
