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 residentials held in Melbourne at the start of the first two years of the course.

The couse is normally run part time but students can also be taken full time. Students can also enrol into an on campus version of the course (704BB).

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 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 course will be offered during four study periods per annum and will commence with intensive residential programs at the beginning of the first (Leadership 6 days) and second years (Business Strategy 5 days; Managing Risk 3 days). The program will be delivered to students as they work in their home or office primarily using online, web-based delivery augmented where necessary by print, CD-ROM, and other learning materials. 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 discussions/messaging openly shared by all members and access to remote web sites and databases such as library support.

The Master of Agribusiness subjects are run during four study periods throughout the year extending past normal semester dates. Prospective students are encouraged to view the current delivery schedule located at http://www.land-environment.unimelb.edu.au/agribusiness/

Year 1 (Part time) CORE

Year 2 (Part Time) CORE

Year 3 (Part Time) ELECTIVES

Note: The Master of Agribusiness is also available in FULL TIME MODE and ON CAMPUS MODE (704-BB).

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

• any of an undergraduate degree in any discipline with at least H3 (65%) average in the final year, or
• a graduate or postgraduate certificate in any discipline with at least H3 (65%) average, or
• a graduate or postgraduate diploma in any discipline, with at least H3 (65%) average, together with 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. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and may call for further referee reports or employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

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

The Melbourne School of Land and Environment (MSLE) welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and School policy to take reasonable steps to make reasonable adjustments so as to enable the student’s participation in the School’s programs. MSLE 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 School’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 School. 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.

• 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 experiences in diverse
  subjects
• Have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront
  unfamiliar problems
• Have 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 contribute 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 responsibilities
• 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

International students

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 residential teaching blocks 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-BB).

Computer equipment requirements

Students undertaking online subjects will use the University's Learning Management System: http://www.lms.unimelb.edu.au/