Australian agriculture is a key part of the world's food supply system. The challenges of a rapidly growing population, climate change, and the limitations of land and fresh water all impact on the ability of agriculture to meet the demand for food, fibre and fuel. To address this demand an understanding of the complex factors that shape agricultural systems is necessary. Agricultural Science provides the research, technology and information for the sustainable, profitable and ethical development of the agricultural industry. Studies in agriculture include soil science, genetics, cropping and pasture systems, soil-plant interaction, livestock production, agricultural economics and agribusiness. Teaching methods consist of lectures from leading experts and industry representatives, weekly practical and laboratory classes and tutorials. This major also includes field work and two 3-day field trips. UWA is well equipped for teaching and research in agricultural science, with a field station at Shenton Park and the University's new Future Farm 2050 near Pingelly, which aims to be self-supporting, sustainable, carbon-neutral, clean, green and ethical – a best practice farm. Teaching in agricultural science is also supported by the outstanding research and outreach activities of the Institute of Agriculture, the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA), the International Centre for Plant Breeding Education and Research (ICPBER) and the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI). Visit the Science website for further information on careers in science, graduate profiles, scholarships and the benefits of choosing science at UWA.

Career opportunities There is a shortage of agricultural science graduates - six vacancies exist for every graduate! Career opportunities range from the laboratory to the field, from the city to rural areas, as breeders, agronomist, farm managers, market development officers, journalists and bankers. Graduates are employed as consultants, managers or researchers, by government agencies, universities, consulting firms, food industries, fertiliser companies, and international agencies. "Career Harvest" is a website launched by the Australian Council of Deans Of Agriculture to assist with finding professional careers in agriculture.