Master of Agribusiness (Coursework)

The Master of Agribusiness (online) is a coursework degree that is primarily online and suits 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 one-week residentials held in Melbourne in the first two years of the course.

The couse is normally run part time but students can also enrol into a full time or on campus version of the course.

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 course focuses on enhancing the specific skills required to make effective business decisions within the context of this unique and complex system.

The course will broaden the learners' understanding of the industry in which they operate and enhance the analytical skills they bring to bear on problems faced in the day-to-day work environment. 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 through the two annual residential programs and electronic assignments, tutorials and online discussions.

The Masters program consists of 150 credit points of study of which 100 points are offered at Master's level. The Graduate Certificate program (50 credit points) is nested within the Masters.

If you have any queries please contact the course adminiatrator - contact details above.

Year 1 Part Time

The first year of the Master of Agribusiness consists of four core subject - one residential subject (208-720) and three online subjects.
Note that these subjects all fall outside of the standard enrolment and start date.
Prospective students are encouraged to ciew the current delivery schedule located at www.agribusiness.unimelb.edu.au/StudyDates.html

Year 2 Part Time

The second year of the Master of Agribusiness consists of four core subject - one residential subject (208-725) and three online subjects.
Note that these subjects all fall outside of the standard enrolment and start date.
Prospective students are encouraged to ciew the current delivery schedule located at www.agribusiness.unimelb.edu.au/StudyDates.html

Year 3 Part Time

Note: 208-727 Information Management is not running in 2010

The Master of Agribusiness is also available in FULL TIME MODE and ON CAMPUS MODE (704-BB). For study dates and plans go to http://www.agribusiness.unimelb.edu.au/StudyDates.html.

The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant's ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criteria:

• An honours degree or equivalent qualification
  or

• An undergraduate tertiary qualification with a weighted average of 65% or better in the final year of study , and at least two years of full time documented, relevant Professional or management experience
  or

• Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness at H3 level (65% or greater)

ii The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and call for referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

• Completion of the Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness articulates into the Master of Agribusiness.
• Students with an honours degree (or equivalent) from a cognate discipline may apply for credit in some or all of the subjects offered at Graduate Certificate level.

The Melbourne Experience enables our Graduates to become:

Academically excellent
Our Graduates will be expected to:

• Have strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
• Have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
• Reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities,
  problem-solving and communication
• Be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self directed
  learning
• Be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and
  communication technologies

Knowledgeable across disciplines

Our graduates will be expected to:

• Examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of
  disciplines
• Expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experinces in diverse
  subjects
• Have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront
  unfamiliar problems
• Have a a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment.

Leaders in communities
Our graduates will be expected to:

• Initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including
  professions and workplaces
• Have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of
  personal strengths and limitations
• mentor future generations of learners
• engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs

Attuned to cultural diversity
Our graduates will be expected to :

• Value different cultures
• Be well-informed citizens able to contibute to their communities wherever they
  choose to live and work
• Have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
• Respect Indigenous knowledge, cultures and values

Active global citizens
Our graduates will be expected to:

• Accept social and civic responsiblities
• Be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
• Have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equality
  and ethics.

• A profound respect for truth, intellectual and professional integrity, and the
  ethics of scholarship
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed
  learning and research
• An ability to derive, interpret and analyse social, technical or economic
  information from primary and other sources
• Awareness of and ability to utilise appropriate communication technology and methods
  for the storage, management and analysis of data
• Capacity for creativity and innovation, through the application of skills and knowledge
• Ability to integrate information across a relevant discipline to solve problems in
  applied situations
• Highly developed computer - based skills to allow for effective on-line learning and
  communication.
• Highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with
  individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
• Highly developed oral communication skills to allow informed dialogue and liaison
  with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community.
• Appreciation of social and cultural diversity from a regional to a global context
• Ability to participate effectively as a member of a team
• Ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects

The course is delivered online so students can study part-time from anywhere in the world while continuing to work full-time in the industry. Students who are studying the online version of this course are only required on campus for a one week residential teaching block each year. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship will allow students to attend the residential school with a Visitor's Visa. International students may prefer to consider the on-campus stream of the Master of Agribusiness (704-CR).

Computer equipment requirements

Students undertaking online subjects will use the University's Learning Management System (LMS). It is recommended that the following minimum standards be adhered to:

• PC users: Windows 2000, or XP;
• Mac users: MacOS X 10.3.9
• Hardware: 64 MB of RAM, 1G of free disk space
• Some parts of the LMS require that Java be installed.
• Most computers in the University will have Java installed.
• If accessing the LMS from outside the University, you will need a minimum 56 K modem.