Master of Agribusiness

THERE ARE NO INTAKES TO THIS COURSE IN 2020.This course does not have a valid CRICOS code and will not enable a student to obtain a visa to study in Australia.The study of agribusiness is the study of decision-making within the context of the food and fibre business, from input suppliers to primary producers to wholesalers, processors, retailers and consumers in a competitive, consumer-directed market under the influence of government.The Master of Agribusiness is a multi-modal coursework degree that is primarily delivered online suiting both the busy lives of agribusiness professionals as well as those located in remote areas.

The course is accessible to all, with the technology allowing not only information but the opportunity to participate in lively discussions.

Students are also able to interact with each other at intensives held in Melbourne at the start of each year of the course.The course focuses on enhancing the specific skills required to make effective business decisions within the context of this unique and complex system.Although the course is designed to normally run part time, students do have the option of studying this course on a full time basis.Students wishing to study agribusiness in a full time in an on-campus mode should consider an agribusiness specialisation within the Master of Agricultural Sciences (MC-AGSC).

Course structure

The Masters program consists of 150 credit points of study. The core comprises 6 subjects (75 credit points).

The course includes five-day intensive programs at the beginning of the first (Leadership), second (Business Strategy) and third years (Managing Risk). While the Leadership subject is the preferred starting point, given its cohort development role, it is also possible to start mid-year. Students may also choose to complete the AGRi90019 Business Strategy and AGRi90016 Managing Risk over consecutive weeks in February at the start of Year 2.

The program will be delivered to students as they work in their home or office primarily using online, web-based delivery. An emphasis on a team-based approach to problem solving will be fostered in selected subjects. The online methodology incorporates the following components; subject materials and readings; individualised learning tasks; collaborative learning tasks where relevant; online forum discussions and messaging openly shared by all members; and access to remote web sites and databases such as library support.

Students who wish to study this course on-campus should attend weekly workshops for all of the subjects that are delivered online. As there is no CRICOS code for course 704CC international students should consider enrolling into Agribusiness stream within the Master of Agricultural Sciences (MC-AGSC) as an alternative option.

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

either

• An undergraduate degree (or a graduate certificate or graduate diploma) in any discipline with a weighted average mark of at least H3 (65%), or equivalent, and at least two years of documented relevant professional or management experience, or
• an honours degree in any discipline, or equivalent; and
• a curriculum vitae or resume; and
• two academic referee reports; and
• a personal statement of up to 500 words.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• Prior academic performance; and if relevant
• the professional or management experience; and
• the curriculum vitae or resume; and
• the referee reports; and
• the personal statement.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information toclarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board Rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Note:

50 points of advanced standing in the Master of Agribusiness may be awarded for the completion of the Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences (FVAS) welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Faculty policy to take reasonable steps to make reasonable adjustments so as to enable the student’s participation in the Faculty's programs. FVAS contributes to the New Generation degrees and offers a broad range of programs across undergraduate and post-graduate levels many of which adopt a multi-disciplinary approach.

Students of the Faculty's courses must possess intellectual, ethical, and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the Faculty. Candidates must have abilities and skills in observation; motor in relevant areas; communication; in conceptual, integrative, and quantitative dimensions; and in behavioural and social dimensions.

Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability, however students need to be able to participate in the program in an independent manner and with regard to their safety and the safety of others.

I. Observation: In some contexts, the student must be able to observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic and applied sciences. More broadly, observation requires reading text, diagrams, maps, drawings and numerical data. The candidate should be able to observe details at a number of scales and record useful observations in discipline dependant contexts.

II. Communication: A candidate should be able to communicate with fellow students, professional and academic staff, members of relevant professions and the public. A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively. Communication includes not only speech but also reading and writing.

III. Motor: Candidates should have sufficient motor function necessary for participation in the inherent discipline-related activities. The practical work, design work, field work, diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests, require varying motor movement abilities. Off campus investigations may include visits to construction sites, urban, rural and/or remote environments.

IV. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of professionals in land and environment industries, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the candidate should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.

V. Behavioural and Social Attributes: A candidate must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from meeting the above academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this course students will have:

• A broad knowledge of the trends and underlying influences impacting the agribusiness value chain and the global environment

• A knowledge of methods relevant to business decision making across the core areas of economics, finance and management in the agrifood and fibre context, and an ability to analyse at intermediate to advanced levels both quantitative and qualitative data with appropriate discipline-based techniques

• An ability to critically reflect on business analytical methods, models and tools as they have developed over time for a range of decision contexts

• An understanding of the pervasive elements of risk and uncertainty impacting agribusiness enterprises and industry segments, and the ability to define the risks likely to impact specific agribusiness enterprise types

• An ability to apply analytical methods, models and tools to organisational and industry-related problems and case studies in the agribusiness value chain, and to synthesise background and contextual information leading on to problem definition for analysis

• The ability to articulate and present discussion, analysis and investigative findings using appropriate written communication styles, face-to-face and digital media

• The ability to analyse and discuss within different forums, the application of theory to a range of problems and decision making situations

Graduates will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills:

• In applying their heightened understanding of agribusiness issues, problems and challenges to more effective enterprise decision-making and industry resilience and capacity building

• In undertaking an analysis of a complex problem with high levels of personal autonomy as part of capstone project subject or prescribed subject combinations