Sustainable Agriculture

OVERVIEW

For those who are concerned with minimising the environmental impact of agricultural production systems while still striving to maintain food security, a focus on sustainable agriculture would benefit your ambitions. Studying in this area will enable you to evaluate sustainable practices and develop management strategies for agriculture as part of its surrounding ecosystem. Focusing on managed and natural ecosystems your understanding of plant-environment interactions along with the affects of soil, water, fertiliser and pest and disease management will be challenged and developed. There is also the opportunity to integrate economics by employing applied economic methods.

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS

You will be introduced to current themes, practices and ideas in sustainable agriculture with the opportunity to tackle real-world issues, to develop your research and enquiry skills and to enhance your intellectual autonomy. In this course you will produce reports and attend seminars that will improve the breadth of your communication skills and develop adoptable management strategies whilst synthesising material from multiple sources. Hands on experience will provide you with the theoretical and empirical background necessary to successfully contribute to the many and varied challenges faced by society today.

THEMES

This socially orientated course offers an interface between science, economics and bio-politics. It looks at the competing uses of the environment, market failure and property rights; problems of population size and distribution, economic growth and demands on arable land. You will have the opportunity to work with those who have similar interests, and concerns although offering at times views that may challenge your own.

MODE OF DELIVERY

This course offers a flexible structure to suit your specialisation. Classes may be held at one of or a combination of Australian Technology Park, Camperdown Campus or Camden Campus. All classes are held during week days with no evening classes, some components of which are: a project report, group presentation, practical and field work, lectures, a research project, examinations or literature review. Extensive reading is required and all courses will be conducted by recognised experts in the field of chosen research.

PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT

Many units are based on compulsory fieldwork carried out prior to the commencement of semester. All coursework students should be available to participate in fieldwork excursions two weeks prior to the commencement of semester.

COURSE INFORMATION

For course information and program structure please go the Faculty Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Handbook

THE SYDNEY ADVANTAGE

Studying a Master of Agriculture at the University of Sydney allows for a unique opportunity to study in an intellectually diverse atmosphere with the advantage of interdisciplinary collaboration and contribution from the institution’s many faculties and departments. The course offers small class sizes and personalised supervision in many instances

CAREER PATHWAY

With this specialisation you will have the knowledge and skills to pursue a career across the agriculture spectrum with industry, research, government and non-government organisations that focus on agroecosystems. There is, at the moment, high demand for qualified agricultural experts in both the public and private sector offering unprecedented highly paid opportunities. Here are just a few examples of where our talented graduates have been placed.

PROFESSIONAL LINKS

• Dept of Sustainability, Environment, Water Population and Communities
• Grain Corp
• National Farmers Federation
• National Foods
• NRM (Natural Resource Management)
• NSW Farmers Association
• NSW Women in Agriculture
• Royal Agricultural Society

HOW TO APPLY

FEES

FURTHER ENQUIRES