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Honours at the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

BSc students (all streams and combined degrees) are able to undertake an Honours course through the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources in disciplines such as Agricultural Chemistry or Soil Science. To qualify for enrolment in an Honours course, students shall have qualified, or been awarded a Pass degree, from the Faculty of Science or an equivalent degree from another institution. Students from the Faculty of Science wishing to enrol in either of these Honours courses require permission from the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources' BSc Honours coordinator.

What are the benefits of doing Honours?

Completing a degree with an Honours year opens the door to many opportunities, particularly in the field of research. Honours students have the opportunity to undertake exciting, original research under the supervision of internationally recognised scientists, and some end up publishing one or more scientific papers based on their Honours projects. Honours also enhances your career prospects. Graduate Destination Surveys consistently reveal that students who have completed an Honours year are significantly more likely to gain employment in an area related to their field of study, compared to students who have completed a 3-year science degree.

What’s involved?

The Honours year in most degrees is an optional, additional one-year full-time course. Generally, the Honours year consists of the following three components, however there may be variations to this, depending on the discipline area in which you complete Honours.

Research program

The research program is largely independent but designed in consultation with one or more supervisors. Your research program may include components in more than one area of science (e.g. computer science and biology), and it may consist of components supervised by more than one staff member.

Experimental design courses and other technical instruction

In some Honours programs, students may also have to undertake a compulsory course in experimental design or have some technical training to use particular equipment. You should consult with potential supervisors regarding this component of your Honours year.

Coursework and study program

As part of the Honours program students may be required to undertake coursework subjects (i.e. classes).

Entry requirements

Admission into Honours is highly competitive. To qualify to enrol for the Honours course, students must satisfy the Faculty entry requirements and criteria. Please contact the Faculty Office for more information.

How do I apply?

Students who are interested in studying Honours should contact the department in which they are interested to make preliminary enquiries. It is essential that you have a relevant project and a supervisor organised prior to applying.

Local students - Local students must lodge applications to study Honours at the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources .

International students - International students must lodge applications to study Honours at the International Office. Download the application form here (PDF).

Science Honours in the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

BSc students (all streams and combined degrees) are able to undertake an Honours course through the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources in the disciplines of Agricultural Chemistry or Soil Science. To qualify for enrolment in an Honours course, students shall have qualified, or been awarded a Pass degree, from the Faculty of Science or an equivalent degree from another institution. Students from the Faculty of Science wishing to enrol in either of these Honours courses require permission from the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources' BSc Honours coordinator.

What Honours projects are available?

Agricultural Chemistry Honours for BSc degrees

Agricultural Chemistry Honours in the BSc streams is available to students who wish to further their studies in food chemistry or environmental chemistry. In Agricultural Chemistry units, emphasis is placed on the chemistry of molecules of biological, agricultural and environmental significance. Students who have successfully completed units of study in Agricultural Chemistry, Soil Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Nutrition, Molecular Biology, Microbiology or Environmental sciences may be eligible to enrol in Agricultural Chemistry Honours after consultation with the faculty’s BSc Honours coordinator. This course comprises four 6 credit point units of study and a 24 credit point independent research project. The research project component includes oral presentations and a research thesis. These units of study provide students with problem-solving and communication skills required by professional chemists in enterprises concerned with agricultural production and processing, foods and beverages, and environmental science. Projects are usually available in one of the following areas of current research interest: composition, structure and function of food constituents; the effect of environment, processing and storage on food components; carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism in plants; biological nitrogen fixation and biofertilisers; greenhouse gas production; the biochemistry and environmental chemistry of pesticides and herbicides; environmental risk assessment; acidification of ecosystems and residue analysis in foods.

Soil Science Honours for BSc degrees

Soil Science units give students knowledge of the three major branches of soil science, namely soil physics, soil chemistry, and pedology, and provide the basis for a professional career for students wishing to specialise in these areas. Soil Science Honours is available in the BSc streams to students who wish to understand how soil forms, its role in the environment, its role in agricultural production, and land conservation and rehabilitation. The Honours course in Soil Science consists of 24 credit points of Soil Science subjects (SOIL2003, SOIL2004, SOIL3009 and SOIL3010) or other approved subjects for students who have completed any of these units. Students also complete a 24 credit point independent research project that includes oral and research thesis assessment tasks. Projects are available in the areas of soil chemistry, pedology, soil physics, precision agriculture and digital soil mapping.

How can I find out more?

For more information contact Dr Meredith Wilkes: or 02 9351 2439