28. Bachelor of Rural Business
28.1. Course objectives
28.2. Career opportunities
28.3. Course Outline
This course, offered at the Dookie campus, has a strong core of business. It combines an understanding of business systems with an overview of biological and production systems, communication and information skills and incorporates science, management and information technology in the context of problem solving. It develops knowledge and skills in accounting, finance, management, economics, information technology, business law, markets and marketing, policy and human resource management, in the context of an understanding of business practices and operating environments thereby allowing entry into business management and professional services.
Australia has seen the introduction of new industries in regional areas, many of which have a value adding and/or processing component. In addition, there are Government initiatives to address environmental issues such as water availability and rights, salinity, global warming and environmental accountability. To equip graduates with the skills needed in this new rural business environment the Bachelor of Rural Business is strongly focused on the modern business operating environment. The degree provides a comprehensive understanding of business operation, markets and competition, post farm gate activities, value adding, international trade, economic growth, environmental and resource sustainability issues and rural development.
Students will analyse and evaluate businesses and develop innovative management practices and solutions to enhance such businesses. They will be able to specialise in:
Agribusiness
Regional Development
Rural Management or
Small to Medium Enterprise Management.
Students who have completed this course should have acquired:
essential business management skills;
an understanding of the theory and principles of business practices and business tools;
a high level of understanding of the issues facing rural and regional businesses;
an understanding of the application of business practices and skills to the issues facing such businesses;
effective communication skills applicable in a variety of situations;
a capacity for initiating cooperative relationships with colleagues, employers and clients; and
an appreciation of the economic, political and social influences in rural and regional communities, with the ability to respond appropriately.
Graduates will be fully prepared to take up a career in areas such as research and development organisations, financial institutions and banks, marketing, journalism, environmental or business consulting firms, biotechnology, government and policy agencies, international trade and export, food processing and value adding companies, extension, agriculture, agronomy, as well as farm management.
A total of 300 points must be successfully completed, including:
162.5 points of compulsory core subjects (12 subjects including 25-point Industry Project);
75 points of subjects (6 subjects) from one of the specialisation areas of Agribusiness, Regional Development, Rural Management and/or Small-to-Medium Enterprise Management; and
62.5 points (5 subjects) of an approved sequence of electives to complement the 'stream' subjects. These electives can include subjects from the Bachelor of Agriculture.
At least 75 points must be completed at the 300-level. The course has an industry placement requirement.
Agribusiness
The aim of this stream is to introduce students to the unique facets of agribusiness management so they can adapt and apply traditional business management tools, or develop new tools, for use in managing such businesses. Subjects are: 208-236 Introduction to Agribusiness, 208-212 Agribusiness Marketing, 208-237 Business Finance, 208-238 Business Law II, 208-330 Business Risk Management, and 208-334 Supply Chain Management.
Regional Development
The aim of this stream is to introduce students to the dynamics of rural and regional communities and their interactions with the business community, so they can integrate this knowledge into their management processes. Subjects are: 208-238 Business Law II, 208-331 Community Change Management, 208-332 Entrepreneurship, 208-235 Regional Development, 208-240 Regional Policy, and 207-328 Working with Community Groups.
Rural Management
The aim of this stream is to introduce students to the dynamics of rural and regional communities and their interactions with the business community, so they can integrate this knowledge into their management processes. Subjects are: 208-238 Business Law II, 208-331 Community Change Management, 208-332 Entrepreneurship, 208-235 Regional Development, 208-240 Regional Policy, and 207-328 Working with Community Groups.
Small-to-Medium Enterprise Management
The aim of this stream is to introduce students to the dynamics of rural and regional communities and their interactions with the business community, so they can integrate this knowledge into their management processes. Subjects are: 208-238 Business Law II, 208-331 Community Change Management, 208-332 Entrepreneurship, 208-235 Regional Development, 208-240 Regional Policy, and 207-328 Working with Community Groups.
| First year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 208-113 Production Systems I | 12.5 | |
| 208-119 Principles of Management | 12.5 | |
| 208-120 Accounting for Rural Enterprises | 12.5 | |
| 202-108 Information Technology and Communication | 12.5 | |
| or | ||
| 202-250 Quantitative Skills for Land and Food | 12.5 | |
| Students entering without Year 11 Mathematical Methods or equivalent must enrol in 202-250 Quantitative Skills for Land and Food | ||
| Sub total | 50 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| 207-114 Land, Food and Resource Economics | 12.5 | |
| 208-117 Macroeconomics | 12.5 | |
| 208-118 Principles of Marketing | 12.5 | |
| 208-231 Management of Rural Enterprises | 12.5 | |
| Sub total | 50 | |
| Total Points | 100 | |
| Second year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 208-232 Business Data Analysis | 12.5 | |
| 208-233 Introduction to Business Law | 12.5 | |
| Two electives | 25 | |
| Sub total | 50 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Four electives | 50 | |
| Sub total | 50 | |
| Total Points | 100 | |
| Third year (not offered in 2005) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 202-308 Human Resource Management | 12.5 | |
| Year-long subjects | ||
| 202-005 Industry Placement# | 0 | |
| 202-307 Industry Project | 25 | |
| 202-307 Industry Project (25 points Year-Long) may be replaced by 202-309 Industry Project (25 points, Semester 1 or 2). | ||
| Semester 2 | ||
| Five electives | 62.5 | |
| Total Points | 100 | |
| Fourth Year (Honours) (not offered in 2005) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 and 2 | Points | |
| 208-415 Research Philosophies and Statistics | 12.5 | |
| One elective (chosen from 300/400 level subjects across LFR | 12.5 | |
| Year-long subjects | ||
| 202-418 Honours Research Project | 75 | |
| 202-418 Honours Research Project (75 points year long) may be replaced by 202-420 Honours Research Project (75 points, mid-year entry). | ||
| Total Points | 100 | |
| Electives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year 2, Summer Semester | Points | |
| 208-244 Australia in the Wine World | 12.5 | |
| Year 2, Semester 1 | ||
| 208-206 Vineyard and Winery Operations II | 12.5 | |
| 208-234 Accounting for Rural Business | 12.5 | |
| 208-235 Regional Development | 12.5 | |
| 208-236 Introduction to Agribusiness | 12.5 | |
| 208-237 Business Finance | 12.5 | |
| Year 2, Semester 2 | ||
| 208-107 Vineyard and Winery Operations I | 12.5 | |
| 208-212 Agribusiness Marketing | 12.5 | |
| 208-238 Business Law II | 12.5 | |
| 208-239 Planning and Budgeting | 12.5 | |
| 208-240 Regional Policy | 12.5 | |
| 208-241 Corporate and Commercial Law | 12.5 | |
| 208-246 Crop Production | 12.5 | |
| 208-271 Animal Management | 12.5 | |
| Year 3, Semester 1 | ||
| 207-328 Working with Community Groups | 12.5 | |
| 208-330 Business Risk Management | 12.5 | |
| 208-335 International Business Strategies | 12.5 | |
| Year 3, Semester 2 | ||
| 202-304 Agricultural Systems Analysis | 12.5 | |
| 208-331 Community Change Management | 12.5 | |
| 208-332 Entrepreneurship | 12.5 | |
| 208-334 Supply Chain Management | 12.5 | |
Status: Official 2005 Last Modified: Saturday May 28 22:13 SGML to HTML Conversion: Information Division - CWIS (SDI) Authorised by: Academic Registrar Enquiries: http://unimelb.custhelp.com/