Welcome! Here you'll find resources for current Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences (FVAS) students.
For personalised support or assistance, get in touch with Stop 1. Stop 1 can connect you with the full range of student services to support you while studying at the University.
These services include Academic Skills, Course Planning, Student Equity and Disability Support, Special Consideration, Counselling and Psychological Services, the University Health Service, Careers and Employability, Study Overseas and more.
Getting started
Congratulations on receiving your offer to study with FVAS! We know that you have lots of questions about your studies and we want to ensure that you have a smooth transition to university life here at the University of Melbourne.
Accepting your offer
Accept your offer via the Student Portal or the Application Portal. If you wish to change to a later commencement date, please apply to defer.
Getting started
Become an official University of Melbourne student with Get Started at Melbourne: your step-by-step guide to accepting your offer and completing your uni admin.
Here’s a handy checklist to make sure you’ve taken care of administrative tasks, including getting your student card, accessing your student email, and accessing the LMS.
Orientation
Semester 1 Orientation: 22 – 26 February 2021
Semester 1, 2021: 1 March – 28 May 2021
Check out other key semester dates on the University dates page.
You can find out what activities are available to help you get to know the University of Melbourne at our Orientation webpage.
Important note: Some of our courses start on dates other than those above. Please check your letter of offer for your course’s start date.
Online Learning in 2021
MASTER OF FOOD SCIENCE
Broadly speaking, dual delivery in the Master of Food Science will operate along the lines outlined on the Return to campus website.
Recommended subjects for students commencing online in Semester 1, 2021 are as follows:
- FOOD90022 Food Chemistry (coordinator: Dr Ken Ng)
- FOOD90023 Food Microbiology (coordinator: Associate Professor Said Ajlouni)
- FOOD90010 Meat and Meat Products (coordinator: Professor Robyn Warner)
- AGRI90075 Research Methods for Life Sciences ( coordinator: Professor Patrick Baker)
A range of online tools allow Master of Food Science students who must attend classes online to learn in a highly interactive environment. Associate Professor (Food Chemistry) Kate Howell writes: “I ran Prac@Home, with simple ingredients that the students purchased themselves (potato and flour) with instructions and videos. Students did the work, took photos, posted results to discussion boards, discussed in groups and then wrote a prac report.”
For the recommended subject Food Chemistry (FOOD90022), online learning includes a range of support for students. Practical demonstrations have been recorded for online learning and class tutorial times include sessions during the day in China and India. There will also be weekly live Zoom sessions where students can raise and solve issues, online questions and answers and direct email communication with lecturers. There will also be special live Zoom sessions for assignments and exam preparation.
Additionally, for Food Microbiology (FOOD90023), Associate Professor Said Ajlouni has prepared a video explaining how the online components of teaching will be delivered via dual-delivery.
MASTER OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
Some general notes about online delivery in the Master of Agricultural Sciences:
- Broadly speaking, dual delivery in the Master of Agricultural Sciences will operate along the lines outlined on the Return to campus website.
- Lectures across the Master of Agricultural Sciences are delivered simultaneously, and sessions recorded – this enables those who are off campus, and in different time zones, to view the lecture. Time is allocated during the tutorial for questions about the lecture. Tutorials are also recorded.
For core subject Communicating Agricultural Sciences(90086), all students (whether they are at a distance or on campus) will be placed into small groups of 12–15 people to work through the assignment load. For presentations, students who are off campus will deliver Zoom seminars, whereas students who are on campus will deliver an in-class seminar. Pre-recorded online lectures are available for the week preceding the lecture time slot. Then during the lecture slot, the lecturer will select the three most important slides and run a discussion session. All students are invited to attend and contribute. There are no exams in Communicating Agricultural Sciences, making it easier for students overseas (and in different time zones) to complete their assessment tasks.
Soil Science and Management (AGRI90066) aims to develop students’ skills in basic soil science and encourage them to extend themselves through a series of practicals and tutorials. Students participate in guided online practical sessions to learn how to describe a soil. This is a combination of how to carry out a soil description and illustrated soil pit examination. Students will work in online groups to determine the capability of a particular landscape for a given land use. To accommodate both on campus and off campus students in this subject, Soil Science and Management students will attend a virtual excursion of the Campaspe catchment in north-central Victoria. Subject tutors will be available online during the virtual excursion to answer questions from participating students as they arise.
Subject selection and enrolment
Find out how to plan your course, enrol in subjects and set out your timetable by visiting the Manage Your Course page.
Handbook
The Handbook is the University’s ultimate course and subject guide – your official source of course and subject information. You can explore your subject options, get to know the course structure and read information on subject timetables and prerequisites.
Planning your course
Remember to regularly check in on the University’s Current Students page, where you can access a range of study resources and information.
Before you enrol in subjects you will need to start planning your course. This involves checking the course rules and structure in the Handbook and your faculty resources before deciding which subjects you will study. If you need assistance choosing or enrolling in your subjects, you can book an appointment with a Course Adviser.
Course planning tool
To make the most of your course, it’s important to understand your course structure, choose the right subjects and explore the options available to you. These tools do not replace the normal enrolment process. They are to be used as a guide only to plan out your subjects and specialisations. You will still need to add and enrol in subjects via your Study Plan.
Class timetable
MyTimetable is the tool you use to plan and build your class timetable. Class timetabling is a preference-based process where you rank your preferred class times, and MyTimetable's sorting process finds the best fit for everyone's individual timetable. Each step has a deadline, so be aware of the key dates.
Learning Management System (LMS)
The Learning Management System (LMS) is the online home of everything related to your enrolled subjects. Once you've enrolled in subjects, you'll use the LMS to access readings, lecture recordings and assignment information, and to submit your assignments as well as check your grades.
What you’ll need to know
Q Fever screening and vaccination
Some FVAS courses and subjects require you to be vaccinated against Q Fever. Learn which courses and subjects require vaccination, how to obtain vaccination, and find out about the Q Fever register.
Moving to Melbourne
Many of you will be moving to Melbourne for the first time next year and for some of you it may be the first time you are living away from home.
Find accommodation
Looking for a trusted and comfortable place to call home? University Accommodation offers graduate-only residences, including The Lofts at Melbourne Connect. Other options include shared apartments, studio rooms, dorms and colleges.
To apply and for more details, view accommodation options.
International students
Aim to submit your visa application at least 6 weeks prior to your course commencement date, which you can find on your offer letter. You are expected to be on campus in time for Melbourne Orientation [link to orientation section of ‘getting started’ page]. If you can’t commence your course on time (e.g. due to visa processing delays), you may be required to defer to a later intake.
Find a detailed guide to student visa processing.
The Welcome to Melbourne webinars are designed to support international students with their transition to Melbourne with the opportunity to ask questions.
Thousands of international students move to Melbourne every year and it can take some time to understand the city and the culture. Read the University's International Student Checklist to find everything you need to know about studying and living in Australia.
Transport
Find out about transport options in and around Melbourne.
Campus information
Want to get to know your campus better? Check out the some maps and key campus services at Campus information page.
Fees
Your fees will vary depending on what type of student you are (e.g. domestic or international, undergraduate or graduate) and the course you are studying. Learn more about what fees you're required to pay and how they're calculated here:
Domestic students
If you are intending to use FEE-HELP to pay your tuition fees, please lodge your FEE-HELP application immediately after you enrol in subjects. Some subjects have early census dates. Applications for FEE-HELP must be lodged by the subject census date if you wish to defer payment to a FEE-HELP loan. If the census date has passed you must pay the fee for the subject upfront to the University.
More information about FEE-HELP
International students
When you accept your offer to study, you must pay a minimum tuition fee deposit of $10,000 (AUD). This fee deposit will be deducted from your remaining tuition fees. The deposit can be paid with your Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) as outlined in your offer letter.
Fees for international students
Academic progress
Keeping track of your academic progress is important during your time as a student. At the end of each semester you should be aware of your results in each subject and know what to do if you have any problems.
Course progression
An overview of what happens if you do not meet academic requirements can be found on the University’s Academic Progress webpage.
You may find extra information on the conditions of your academic progression in the ‘notes’ section of the Handbook entry for your course.
Changing your study load
If you withdraw from a subject, make sure it is not required as a pre-requisite for subjects you intend to study in the future or that it is not required as a co-requisite for subjects you are currently studying.
Find information on withdrawing from a subject.
For information about changing from full-time to part-time study, read the Stop 1 FAQs
International students, read more here: Reduced study load information and application form
Failing a subject
If you have failed a single subject, you can read about the steps you can take here
If you have failed more than one subject, failed a core or compulsory subject, or withdrawn from all your subjects after the census date, you may be at risk of unsatisfactory progress. For more information about unsatisfactory progress, please see the University's Academic Progress page.
Leave of absence
Sometimes life is unpredictable. If circumstances arise that mean you need to take a break from study, you will need to apply for a leave of absence.
Withdrawal
Course withdrawal means you have permanently withdrawn from your course prior to completion with no plans for readmission.
Find out more about course withdrawal.
Before you apply to withdraw from your course, it is recommended that you seek course advice to ensure that course withdrawal is right for you. If you withdraw from your course but decide in the future to resume your studies in the same course, you will need to reapply.
For more information, see: Course withdrawal and re-admission.
Help
If you want to discuss strategies to improve your academic progress, please contact Stop 1.
Relevant Policy: Academic Progress Policy (MPF1291)
Further information
Assessment information and policies
Find information about assessment, including extensions, academic integrity, and more.
FVAS Exam Procedure
Important information on the procedures for exams, including e-Exams, as it relates specifically to subjects within the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences.
Social Media and Photography Guidelines
Information and guidelines regarding photography, video/audio recordings and social media within the faculty.
Student code of conduct
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences students must abide by the following standards of behaviour. This Code is to be used alongside and in addition to the following University of Melbourne documents:
Writing style guide
A guide to help you achieve consistency and accuracy in your writing, formatting and referencing of essays and reports.