Program Requirements

The Masters of Science in Agricultural Innovation requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A minimum of 24 units must come from completion of 8000-level courses

The 96 units must consist of:

18 units from completion of the following Agricultural Systems courses:

ENVS6223 Sustainable Agricultural Systems (6 units)

ENVS6224 Agricultural Systems (6 units)

ENVS6342 Agricultural Innovation (6 units)

12 units from completion of Systems courses from the following lists:

6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

COMP6390 Human-Computer Interaction (6 units)

ENGN6410 Engineering Sustainable Systems (6 units)

MGMT7165 Innovation (6 units)

6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

BIOL6006 Genetics (6 units)

BIOL6035 Biology 1: Evolution, Ecology and Genetics (6 units)

BIOL6036 Biology 2: Molecular & Cell Biology (6 units)

BIOL6106 Biosecurity (6 units)

BIOL6115 Comparative Physiology (6 units)

COMP6353 Systems Engineering for Software Engineers (6 units)

COMP6442 Software Construction (6 units)

ENGN8100 Introduction to System Engineering (6 units)

ENVS6020 Human Ecology (6 units)

ENVS6304 Land and Catchment Management (6 units)

MATH6100 Bioinformatics and Biological Modelling (6 units)

MATH6102 Environmental Modelling and Integrated Assessment (6 units)

MATH6109 Probability Modelling with Applications (6 units)

MGMT7161 New Venture Creation (6 units)

MGMT8015 Entrepreneurship and Innovation (6 units)

STAT7004 Introduction to Stochastic Processes (6 units)

STAT8002 Applied Time Series Analysis (6 units)

12 units from completion of Science and Society courses from the following list:

BIOL6191 Bioethics and Society (6 units)

BIOL6201 Big Questions in Biology (6 units)

ENVS6021 Participatory Resource Management: Working with Communities (6 units)

ENVS6025 Complex Environmental Problems in Action (6 units)

ENVS6528 Environmental Policy (6 units)

ENVS8016 Contemporary Perspectives in Environment-Society Interaction (6 units)

MGMT7060 Thought Leadership in Organisations (6 units)

MGMT7062 Leadership and Delivering Societal Impact (6 units)

MKTG7260 Marketing and Stakeholder Communications (6 units)

SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public (6 units)

VCPG6001 Unravelling Complexity (6 units)

VCPG8138 Science, Technology and Public Policy (6 units)

6 units from completion of a Research Methods course from the following list:

BIOL6202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology (6 units)

BIOL6243 Bioinformatics and its Applications (6 units)

COMP6670 Introduction to Machine Learning (6 units)

COMP6710 Structured Programming (6 units)

COMP6730 Programming for Scientists (6 units)

COMP8410 Data Mining (6 units)

COMP8420 Neutral Networks, Deep Learning and Bio-inspired Computing (6 units)

ENGN8120 Systems Modelling (6 units)

ENVS6015 GIS and Spatial Analysis (6 units)

ENVS6103 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research (6 units)

ENVS6218 Environmental Science Field School (6 units)

ENVS6319 Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS (6 units)

MATH6005 Discrete Mathematical Models (6 units)

MATH6111 Scientific Computing (6 units)

MKTG7001 Marketing for Leaders (6 units)

MKTG7050 Consumer Behaviour and Analysis (6 units)

STAT6038 Regression Modelling (6 units)

STAT6039 Principle of Mathematical Statistics (6 units)

STAT7055 Introductory Statistics for Business and Finance (6 units)

12 units from completion of Applied Research and Professional Practise courses from the following list:

BIOL8704 Biology Literature Research Project

BIOL8706 Biology Research Project

ENVS8048 Topics in Environment & Society

SCNC8000 Science Internship

VCPG6100 Group Research and Innovation Project (GRIP)

12 units from completion of further courses from the lists below not previously taken:

Applied Research and Professional Practise

Science and Society

Systems

Research Methods

24 units from elective courses offered by ANU

Capstone Courses

Study Options

Admission Requirements

Applicants must present a Bachelor degree or international equivalent

•   with a grade point average of at least 5.0/7.0
•   with at least 8 courses a cognate discipline with a grade point average of at least 5.0/7.0 in these courses.

The GPA requirement for this program must be met by both the program as a whole, as well as by the 8 courses in a cognate discipline. Where more than 8 cognate courses have been completed by the applicant, ANU will take the best 8 courses when assessing the cognate GPA.

The GPA for a Bachelor program will be calculated from (i) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades and/or (ii) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades other than those from the last semester (or equivalent study period) of the Bachelor degree. The higher of the two calculations will be used as the basis for admission.

Cognate Disciplines: Agriculture, Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Engineering (general), Applied Computer Science, Commerce and Business.

Ranking and English Language Proficiency: At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. 

In line with the University's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors. Applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of: 

• a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or
• demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

Further information: English language admission requirements and post-admission support

Diversity factors: As Australia’s national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe.

Assessment of qualifications: Unless otherwise indicated, ANU will accept all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or international equivalents that meet or exceed the published admission requirements of our programs, provided all other admission requirements are also met.

 Where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will base assessment on the qualification that best meets the admission requirements for the program. Find out more about the Australian Qualifications Framework: www.aqf.edu.au

ANU uses a 7-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale. All qualifications submitted for admission at ANU will be converted to this common scale, which will determine if an applicant meets our published admission requirements. Find out more about how a 7-point GPA is calculated for Australian universities: www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/tertiary-qualifications

Unless otherwise indicated, where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will calculate the GPA for each qualification separately. ANU will base assessment on the best GPA of all completed tertiary qualifications of the same level or higher.

Credit Granted

Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 24 units (one semester) of credit. Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 48 units (one year) of credit.

Cognate Disciplines

Agriculture, Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Engineering (general), Applied Computer Science, Commerce and Business.

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Employment Opportunities

Stakeholder engagement with research and industry during the program development phase continually identified the skill shortage of system thinking, team ready and broad knowledge graduates. An aging community within the agricultural research and industries is considered a limitation to advancing the agri system. Graduates would be expected to build careers in state and federal government, as researchers in industry bodies, corporations and research institutions, as innovation technologist across the agricultural sector and in supporting non government organisations globally. Graduates would have the capacity to enter at managerial and strategic thinking level positions and also educate the next generation of leaders in agricultural fields.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of agricultural systems and value chains.

2. Interpret, synthesize and critically analyse published literature of relevance to agricultural systems in the context of innovation, productivity and resilience to climatic environmental, economic and social drivers of change.

3. Apply knowledge of innovation systems in identifying emerging opportunities and solving challenges in the agricultural sector.

4. Integrate and adapt appropriate knowledge and problem-solving methods from different disciplines and industries, to co-design novel solutions with stakeholders and clients effectively in multi-disciplinary teams.

5. Demonstrate a critical understanding of science in society

6. Clearly communicate theory and results in both written and oral formats

Further Information

Potential pathway to Masters (Advanced)

Students who are admitted to the Master of Science in Agricultural Innovation can explore the option of undertaking a significant research component. Please discuss this with the program convener before completion of the first 48 units of study at the Master level. Students have the option of applying to transfer to the Master of Science (Adv) In Agricultural Innovation (Adv) and undertaking a 48 unit research project if they satisfy the following requirements:

• have completed the coursework component required in the first 48 units of the Master of Science (Adv) in Agricultural Innovation,
• achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark in the initial 48 units of coursework,
• have the approval of an identified supervisor, and
• meet the published admission requirements of the Master of Science (Adv) in Agricultural Innovation

Vertical Double Degree pathway UGRD-PGRD

This program is part of the Vertical Double Degree pathway structure offered by the College of Science and the College of Health and Medicine. The Vertical Double Degree pathway presents students with the opportunity to complete a 3-year single undergraduate degree offered by the ANU College of Science or the College of Health and Medicine with a cognate 2-year Masters degree in 4 years (full-time) instead of 5 years (full-time). Not all undergraduate and Masters programs are offered as a Vertical Double Degree pathway. For more information on applicable combinations, benefits and how to apply, eligibility and conditions please visit https://science.anu.edu.au/vertical-double-degrees or https://health.anu.edu.au/vertical-double-degrees

Students who are interested in pursuing a Vertical Double Degree pathway with this program, are advised to contact the College of Science Student Services Office at science.enquiries@anu.edu.au and seek academic advice. Students who are already in an undergraduate degree offered by the College of Science or College of Health & Medicine should seek academic advice before completion of the first 72 units of their undergraduate studies.

This pathway is not available to students in an undergraduate Flexible Double Degree.

Exit pathways:

Students who have completed 48 units and wish to exit the program have the option of transferring to graduate from a Graduate Diploma of Science.

Students who have completed 24 units and wish to exit the program have the option of transferring to graduate from a Graduate Certificate of Science.

Courses offered by the College of Science and College of Health and Medicine:

An indicative list of courses offered by the College of Science and the College of Health and Medicine can be found under current students page on the College website via this link.