Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness for Veterinarians

The Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness for Veterinarians provides veterinary professionals with the opportunity to learn the principles of agricultural business management.

The course is designed to take into account both current and anticipated future industry needs.

The course is specifically designed to equip participants with core business competencies and skills, and to develop their leadership potential.

The graduate diploma will provide veterinarians with an understanding of the factors influencing business decision-making within the agricultural sector across the length of the value chain from primary producers to retailers and consumers.

Graduates will emerge well equipped to gain employment in a range of sectors including the agricultural industry, private practice consulting for production animals, government, research and academia.

Students may also go on to complete the Masters of Agribusiness or the Masters of Agricultural Science at the University of Melbourne.Successful applicants will benefit from a focused learning environment involving international university partners, interacting regularly with other students, academic staff, and industry mentors and from active, extensive networking.

Students will study core agribusiness coursework subjects in addition to undertaking industry placements in relevant organisations.

The program will culminate in a capstone internship experience enabling students to develop work-ready skills and contacts within the agricultural sector.

Course structure

The course will be offered in online and intensive mode. A team-based approach to problem solving will be fostered. The computer communication will incorporate three main components: subject learning and content; communications including email, online discussion forums openly shared by all members and access to remote web sites and databases such as library support.

Two cohorts of students will undertake the course:

• Students concurrently enrolled in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Melbourne
• Students not concurrently enrolled in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Entry requirements

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

either

• a degree in veterinary science (BVSc, DVM or equivalent qualification) and relevant professional experience

or

• acceptance into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Melbourne and currently undertaking full time studies in good standing.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

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

• prior academic performance; and, if relevant
• professional experience.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify 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 graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance Band 7.0 is required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Students must possess the intellectual, ethical, and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required. 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

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.

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
• The ability to articulate and present discussion, analysis and investigative findings using appropriate written communication styles, face-to-face and digital media
• 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 analyse and discuss within different forums, the application of theory to a range of problems and decision making situations
• The ability to apply their heightened understanding of agribusiness issues, problems and challenges to more effective enterprise decision-making and industry resilience and capacity building
• Developed high level professional skills including communication, decision making, team work and networking
• Developed a sound understanding of the role of the veterinarian in the agricultural sector, and the ability to critically examine the business aspects of the sector, including their impact on animal health and welfare