Bachelor of Agricultural and Resource Economics

Demand for agricultural business professionals continues to grow.

The Bachelor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UNE is the longest running agricultural and resource economics degree in Australia.

Course Aims

The Bachelor of Agricultural and Resource Economics aims to produce professional graduates with the knowledge, skills and attributes required for problem solving and economic decision making across a diverse range of agricultural and natural resource issues. This degree provides students with a strong economic and quantitative background that allows them to explore a variety of professional career options or to advance to higher degree studies.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: BAgResEc: understand, explain and apply disciplinary concepts to agricultural and natural resource issues; with initiative and judgement apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to address real agricultural and natural resource issues; use quantitative data to critically analyse agricultural and natural resource issues and understand their role in economic and business decision-making and policy decisions; be effective communicators of agriculture and resource economics by communicating results, information or arguments to a range of audiences for a range of purposes and using a variety of modes; and be accountable for their own learning and work by being independent and self-directed learners; working effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context; taking responsibility and accountability for personal outputs and all aspects of the work or function of others within broad parameters; and demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to agricultural and resource economics and personally practising ethical conduct. BAgResEc with Honours: demonstrate an advanced understanding, explanation and application of disciplinary concepts to complex agricultural and natural resource issues; with initiative and judgement apply critical thinking and advanced problem solving skills to address complex agricultural and natural resource issues and develop new understanding; be effective communicators of agriculture and resource economics by communicating results and research to informed professional audiences; conduct a research investigation under supervision in a research or professional environment by critically analysing a challenging complex or multi-faceted problem, identifying research questions, designing and planning a project; selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques or tools to address a research question; analysing, interpreting and critically evaluating research findings; and be accountable for their own learning and work by being independent and self-directed learners; working effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context; taking responsibility and accountability for personal outputs and all aspects of the work or function of others within broad parameters; and demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to agricultural and resource economics and personally practising ethical conduct.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline BAgResEc students: In this course students develop advanced knowledge in the areas of economics, econometrics and agricultural and natural resource issues through lectures, tutorials, readings, online activities, practical experience and interaction with unit coordinators. A global perspective is important in understanding the current challenging issues confronting the agricultural and natural resource sectors in continuously changing economic, environmental, social and political environments. Knowledge will be assessed through a variety of assessment tasks such as assignments, examinations and report writing. BAgResEc with Honours students: In this course students develop advanced knowledge in the areas of economics, econometrics and agricultural and natural resource issues through lectures, tutorials, readings, online activities, practical experience, interaction with unit coordinators and dissertation supervisor(s) and independent research. A global perspective is important in understanding the current challenging issues confronting the agricultural and natural resource sectors in continuously changing economic, environmental, social and political environments. Knowledge will be assessed through a variety of assessment tasks such as assignments, examinations, report writing and a written dissertation. Communication Skills BAgResEc students: Communication skills are essential in this course and students will develop both written and oral competency. These communication skills will be taught, practised and assessed in numerous activities including written assignments, oral presentations, in-class and online discussions. BAgResEc with Honours students: Communication skills are essential in this course and students will develop both written and oral competency. These communication skills will be taught, practised and assessed in numerous activities including written assignments, oral presentations, in-class and online discussions and a written dissertation. Problem Solving BAgResEc students: Students will combine discipline knowledge with information literacy skills to develop their adeptness in being able to apply critical thinking to identify problems and to formulate solutions, particularly through the application of advanced discipline knowledge to real-world situations. BAgResEc with Honours students: Students will combine discipline knowledge with information literacy skills to develop their adeptness in being able to apply critical thinking to identify problems and to formulate solutions, particularly through the application of advanced discipline knowledge to real-world situations. Information Literacy BAgResEc students: Students will use various forms of media to obtain information and data for written assignments and other assessment tasks. Students will be able to use, critically analyse, interpret, construct and communicate economic and quantitative data, with an emphasis on economic decision making and policy applications. BAgResEc with Honours students: Students will use various forms of media to obtain information and data for written assignments and other assessment tasks. Students will be able to use, critically analyse, interpret, construct and communicate economic and quantitative data, with an emphasis on economic decision making and policy applications. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility BAgResEc students: Students are taught numerous dimensions of social responsibility in relation to agricultural and business practices. Students will be able to acknowledge and respect the viewpoints and ideas of others, behave ethically, and appreciate the importance of the environment and sustainability. BAgResEc with Honours students: Students are taught numerous dimensions of social responsibility in relation to agricultural and business practices. Students will be able to acknowledge and respect the viewpoints and ideas of others, behave ethically, and appreciate the importance of the environment and sustainability. Lifelong Learning BAgResEc students: Lifelong learning skills are taught and practised in assessment tasks. The discipline knowledge, information literacy and problem solving skills obtained in this course equip students with the ability to understand, interpret and critically evaluate regional, national and international agricultural and natural resource issues. Students have the opportunity to undertake independent research and gain experience in oral seminar presentations. BAgResEc with Honours students: Lifelong learning skills are taught and practised in assessment tasks. The discipline knowledge, information literacy and problem solving skills obtained in this course equip students with the ability to understand, interpret and critically evaluate regional, national and international agricultural and natural resource issues. Students have the opportunity to undertake independent research and gain experience in oral seminar presentations. Independence and Collaboration BAgResEc students: Students will have worked independently, as well as collaboratively within a multidisciplinary group to achieve common goals, solve problems, contribute specialist knowledge and contribute to group performance. BAgResEc with Honours students: Students will have worked independently, as well as collaboratively within a multidisciplinary group to achieve common goals, solve problems, contribute specialist knowledge and contribute to group performance.