Career opportunities
After graduating with a BSc majoring in Agricultural Innovation, you will have the expertise to enable employment in the agricultural and food sector.
You'll have the opportunity to work in many sectors of our economy:
- Biosecurity
- Central government
- Environment protection agencies / ERMA
- Farming or horticulture
- Food manufacturing
- Food assurance programmes (AgriQuality)
- Organic nutrient and fertiliser companies
- Regulatory agencies (regional government)
- Research and development within scientific or corporate entities
- Rural financial service agencies / banking / insurance / accountancy
- Synthetic food production
What will I learn?
The major and minor in Agricultural Innovation are designed to capitalise on the extensive academic and research expertise in agriculture, food and the environment at the University of Otago. The teaching programme is primarily science-focused but also incorporates social, environmental, and economic aspects of agriculture, including traditional and contemporary Māori agriculture and mātauranga Māori.
It provides a coherent and thorough introduction to Agricultural Innovation that accentuates multidisciplinary problem-solving, critical thinking, independence, self-directed learning, and communication skills.
Increased breadth is developed through optional papers, from multiple specialities, linked to study of the natural world, human world, and technical world.
How will I study?
There are a wide variety of delivery methods, including lectures, tutorials, computer and scientific laboratory work, directed readings, and field work.
Each year, you will visit a farm that is an exemplar of all that is best in agricultural production of sustainable, healthy food.
Recommended background
Entry into the Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Agricultural Innovation is open to anyone with University Entrance.
During the first year at university you will be required to take 100-level papers in Agricultural Innovation, Biology, and Chemistry. Taking Year 13 NCEA papers in Agricultural and Horticultural Science, Agribusiness, Biology, and Chemistry will be helpful.
While Agribusiness is only available at a small number of secondary schools, it is anticipated it will be available in the majority of schools in the immediate future.
During your first year at university, it is important to consider registering for other papers that are required to obtain a second major or minor in:
- Biological, environmental, physical, or social sciences
- Business
- Economics
- Marketing
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Science along with other subjects
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc)
Combine two majors, one in Commerce and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), requiring study of at least seven papers (at least four of which are at 300-level o...
Postgraduate Study in Agricultural Innovation
Explore postgraduate study in Agricultural Innovation at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research opportunit...
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Uniquely Otago
Learn more about programmes, qualifications, or outstanding facilities that you won't find elsewhere in Aotearoa
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
Note above
| Year | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | AGRI 101 Agricultural Innovation | 18 |
| CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology | 18 | |
| One of: | 18 | |
|
at least one paper from at least two of the following lists of 100-level natural, human, or technical world papers: a. Natural world papers:
Note: PTWY 132 is only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science. | 36 | |
| 200-level | AGRI 221 New Zealand Agricultural Systems | 18 |
| GENE 223 Developmental and Applied Genetics | 18 | |
| One natural, human, or technical world paper from the following list *: BIOC 221, BTNY 201, CHEM 206, ECOL 211 , ENVI 211, FOSC 202, GENE 221, GENE 222, GEOG 216 , GEOG 282, GEOG 283 , GEOG 284, GEOG 286, GEOG 287 , GEOG 288, GEOG 289, GEOG 290, GEOG 298 , GEOG 299 , MART 211, MATS 204, MICR 221, STAT 210, SURV 206 , SURV 220 | 18 | |
| 300-level | AGRI 321 Agricultural Production and Food Security | 18 |
| AGRI 322 Innovation and Healthy Soils | 18 | |
| AGRI 323 Agricultural Genetics and Breeding | 18 | |
| One natural, human, or technical world paper from the following list *: BIOC 352, BTNY 301, BTNY 302, BTNY 303 , CHEM 306, ENVI 311, ENVI 312, FOSC 301, FOSC308 , GENE 312, GENE 314 , GENE 315, GEOG 388, GEOG 389 , GEOG 390, GEOG 392, GEOG 393, GEOG 394 , GEOG 395 , GEOG 397, GEOG 398, GEOG 399, MART 306, MICR 332, MICR 335, PLBI 301, PLBI 302 , SOCI 319, STAT 310 , SURV 306, SURV 309 | 18 | |
| Plus |
144 further points. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science.
*Students should examine prerequisites for their selected 200-level and 300-level papers when choosing their 100-level and 200-level options. With approval from the Programme Director, other papers relevant to Agricultural Innovation may be substituted for one of the optional natural, human, or technical world papers at 100-level, one optional paper at 200-level and for one optional paper at 300-level. | 144 |
| Total | 360 |
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | AGRI 101 Agricultural Innovation | 18 |
| 200-level | AGRI 221 New Zealand Agricultural Systems One of natural world, human world, and technical world papers BIOC 221, BTNY 201, CHEM 206, ECOL 211, ENVI 211, FOSC 202, GENE 221, GENE 222, GENE 223, GEOG 216, GEOG 282, GEOG 283, GEOG 284, GEOG 285, GEOG 286, GEOG 287, GEOG 288, GEOG 289, GEOG 290, GEOG 298, GEOG 299, MART 211, MATS 204, MICR 221, STAT 210, SURV 206, SURV 220 | 18 18 |
| 300-level | One of:
One of AGRI 321, AGRI 322, AGRI 323 or natural world, human world, and technical world papers BIOC 352, BTNY 301, BTNY 302, BTNY 303, CHEM 306, ENVI 311, ENVI 312, FOSC 301, FOSC 308, GENE 312, GENE 314, GENE 315, GEOG 388, GEOG 389, GEOG 390, GEOG 392, GEOG 393, GEOG 394, GEOG 395, GEOG 397, GEOG 398, GEOG 399, MART 306, MICR 332, MICR 335, PLBI 301, PLBI 302, SOCI 319, STAT 310, SURV 306, SURV 309 Note: Students should check the prerequisites for their selected 300-level papers when choosing their 200-level options. | 18 18 |
| Total | 90 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
AGRI papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGRI101 | 2025 | Agricultural Innovation | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| AGRI221 | 2025 | New Zealand Agricultural Systems | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| AGRI321 | 2025 | Agriculture Production and Food Security | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| AGRI322 | 2025 | Innovation and Healthy Soils | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| AGRI323 | 2025 | Agricultural Genetics and Breeding | 18 points | Semester 2 |
More information
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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