Objectives
Agriculture and other rural and associated industries produce a major proportion of Australia's wealth. The agricultural sector incorporates a mix of people, including agricultural consultants, horticulturalists, marketing specialists, rural financiers, farmers, winemakers, exporters, fertiliser and chemical manufacturers, soil conservation officers and many others. Some of Australia's most successful business managers operate within this sector. This course will provide you with core knowledge in business and technology. You will develop knowledge and skills in management, technical production and marketing applied to activities in agribusiness, including production units such as broadacre farms and enterprises in horticulture, viticulture, equine industries and aquaculture. You will focus on developing skills in the management and optimisation of systems to achieve profitable and sustainable outcomes. This course takes a holistic view of agribusiness, developing an understanding of linkages between consumers and the production, processing and distribution systems management associated with these industries. You will develop professional attributes highly sought after by employers, including the ability to understand, apply and communicate key principles and to think analytically and creatively. You will choose one of a range of majors in which you will specialise your studies: Agribusiness Marketing, Aquaculture, Equine Management, Farm Management, Horticulture or Viticulture. Each major comprises a combination of lectures, tutorials, laboratory exercises, independent study, teamwork and relevant practical work. You will visit commercial enterprises in Western Australia and undertake at least 12 weeks of industry practice.
Course description
The Agribusiness Marketing, Aquaculture, Horticulture and Viticulture majors are available at the Bentley campus. Majors in Agribusiness Marketing, Agricultural Technology, Equine Management and Farm Management are available at the Northam campus.
Course CRICOS Code: 029345C
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 3 Years
Introduction
This course offers majors in Aquaculture, Farm Management, Agribusiness Marketing, Equine Management, Horticultural Management and Viticultural Management. It develops knowledge and skills in management, technical production and marketing applied to activities in agribusiness, including production units such as farms, enterprises in horticulture, viticulture, equine industries, aquaculture and in firms servicing primary producers and their products. The focus is on developing skills in the management and optimisation of systems to achieve profitable and sustainable outcomes. The course takes a holistic view of agribusiness, developing an understanding of linkages between consumers and the production, processing and distribution systems management associated with these industries. Students develop professional attributes sought by employers such as the ability to understand, apply and communicate key principles, to think analytically and creatively and also encompasses teamwork and self-directed learning skills. Professional development is enhanced during a period of 12 to 16 weeks in professional practice spent in an agribusiness organisation in Australia or overseas.
Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites
None. TEE Mathematics, Biology, Accounting and Economics (Chemistry for Horticulture and Aquaculture majors) desirable. Able candidates without prerequisite subjects may be accepted and required to complete approved bridging units.
Specific Requirements
Aquaculture, Aquatic Resources, Farm Management, Equine Management, Agribusiness Marketing or Horticulture Major, Viticultural Management - STAT elements considered are E and either V or Q.
Note
Those undertaking the Viticultural Management Major must complete a minimum of 12 weeks practical work outside of normal semester time.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis. Applications for recognition of prior learning may be awarded for approved TAFE units. Students who have completed the Associate Degree in Agribusiness may apply for recognition of prior learning in the Bachelor of Agribusiness.
Duration and Availability
This course is three years full-time or equivalent part-time study. Students must complete a period of 12 weeks of industry practice. Industry practice is a prerequisite for graduation.
Course Organisation
Each major comprises a combination of lectures, tutorials, laboratory exercises, independent study, relevant practical work and professional experience to fulfil course requirements. Visits to commercial enterprises in Western Australian are an essential part of the course.
Professional Recognition
Graduates undertaking the Horticultural Management Major are eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Institute of Agriculture Science and Technology. In addition, Horticultural Management students are eligible to join the following professional bodies: Australian Institute of Horticulture and the Royal Australian Institute of Parks and Recreation. All agribusiness graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science.
Additional Course Expenses
Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other vital study materials. Students should note that excursion expenses may apply to units within this course. Further information is available from the Muresk Institute.
Further Information
Contact the Academic Office. Applications from TAFE and mature age students are encouraged.
Combined Degree Information
Viticulture may be combined with Viticulture and Oenology.
Course Structure Disclaimer
Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.
Course Structure Credit
Majors, Streams or Other Core Components
303450 v.4 Agribusiness Marketing Major 600.0
OR
303419 v.3 Aquaculture Major 600.0
OR
303432 v.3 Horticulture Major 600.0
OR
303437 v.3 Farm Management Major 600.0
OR
307519 v.3 Viticulture Major 600.0
OR
308200 v.2 Equine Management Major 600.0
600.0
Availability
Year Location Period All* Internal
2009 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y
2009 Northam Campus Semester 1 Y
2009 Northam Campus Semester 2 Y
The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.
*The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.
