Agricultural Systems Analysis

This subject is not offered in 2014.

120 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Success in animal enterprises and systems is a result of interdisciplinary interactions between animal, plant, climatic, human, risk and market factors. This subject aims to develop the skills required to analyse these interactions and support decision-making in animal enterprises. The subject is taught using problem-based learning by doing. Students will conduct system management case study analyses during the semester, and submit a detailed report on these. Each case study is based on an animal enterprise or system. Case study analysis will require students to clearly identify the problem to be solved and the context for problem solving (including business and personal goals of the owners/managers and their approach to management and decision making), analyse options for solving the problems and meeting goals, and prepare a report of their findings for the 'client'. Case study visits are supplemented by lectures and tutorials that develop the theory and practice of system thinking and analysis. The subject integrates biophysical science disciplines, management economics, and human systems elements. It is designed to enable students to work effectively with the owners and managers of animal businesses in bringing about change in their system.

On completion of this subject, students will have gained:

• a basic understanding of systems theory and practice;
• experience in practical situation analysis and skills in problem solving, in 'real world' settings;
• an understanding of the way technology is adopted in the management of agricultural businesses; and
• the opportunity to apply knowledge gained earlier in their course to the solution of practical problems

Four farm management economics case study reports spaced equally through the semester, each equivalent to 1000 words and worth 25% of total marks. Each case study based on a commercial farm business or rural industry.

The Farming Game: Agricultural Management and Marketing by Bill Malcolm, Jack Makeham and Vic Wright, CUP, 2005

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

On completion of this subject, students should have developed their:

• Problem solving and analytical skills;
• Capacity to tackle unfamiliar and complex problems;
• Ability to think systemically and integrate knowledge from different disciplines;
• Communication skills, through written and oral presentations to a ‘client’;
• Quantitative analysis skills; and
• Ability to plan work, be efficient in time management, and deliver results within a prescribed time line