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MSc Agricultural Economics

(a) This degree is offered with specialisation in the following areas:

  • Trade Policy and Competitiveness
  • Marketing and Agribusiness Management
  • Environmental and Natural Resource Economics

(b) Areas of Specialisation will be offered subject to student demand and the availability of staff.

(c) Entry Requirements

At least a Lower Second Honours BSc degree (minimum GPA of 2.0 or equivalent) in Agribusiness, Agribusiness Management, Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Economics, Management or related areas.

(d) Qualifying Year

Candidates not considered suitable for minimum entry requirements may be admitted to a qualifying year as determined by the Department. Such candidates will be required to read courses to improve their competency in Economic Theory, Agricultural Economics, Mathematics or Statistics and which may be read on any of the campuses of The University of the West Indies. These courses may include:

Course Code

Course Title

Credits

ECON 2002

Intermediate Macroeconomics I

3

ECON 2003

Intermediate Macroeconomics II

3

ECON 2000

Intermediate Microeconomics I

3

ECON 2001

Intermediate Microeconomics II

3

ECON 2015

Mathematical Methods in Economics I

3

ECON 2006

Economic Statistics

3

The qualifying year will be designed to suit the needs of the individual student.

(e) Course of Study

Candidates, on admission may be required to improve their competency in Economic Theory, Agricultural Economics, Mathematics or Statistics by reading one or more of the courses listed above under the qualifying year.

CORE COURSES (COMPULSORY)

The following core courses are required for ALL areas of specialisation:

Course Code

Course Title

Credits

AGBU 6102

Statistics and Mathematics for Agribusiness

4

AGBU 6602

Quantitative Methods II (Econometrics)

4

AGBU 6301

Research Methodology

4

AGBU 6103

Sustainable Rural Development

4

AGBU 6501

Microeconomics

4

AGBU 6302

Quantitative Methods I (Operations Research)

4

AGBU 6999

Research Project

12

 

OTHER COURSES

Other core and elective courses required for EACH AREA OF SPECIALISATION are:

1. Trade Policy and Competitiveness

CORE COURSES

Course Code

Course Title

Credits

AGBU 6901

Agricultural Policy and Analysis

4

INRL 5007

International Trade and Economic Development

3

PLUS

One (1) Elective Course (equivalent to 4 credits), which may include:

AGBU 6002

International Trade and Marketing

4

OR

Any other relevant course approved by the Head of Department

 

2. Environmental and Natural Resource Economics

CORE COURSES

Course Code

Course Title

Credits

ENVI 6001

Introduction to Environmental Planning and Management

4

AGBU 6902

Environmental Economics II

4

PLUS

One (1) Elective Course (equivalent to 4 credits), which may include:

ENVI 6100

Environmental Impact Assessment

4

OR

Any other relevant course approved by the Head of Department

 

3. Marketing and Agribusiness Management

CORE COURSES

Course Code

Course Title

Credits

AGBU 6201

Agricultural Marketing

4

AGBU 6202

Agribusiness Management

4

PLUS

One (1) Elective Course (equivalent to 4 credits), which may include:

AGBU 6303

Investment Analysis and Financing for Agribusiness

4

AGBU 6903

Advanced Agricultural Marketing I

4

AGBU 6691

Advanced Agribusiness Management

4

 

(f) Nature of Elective Course

The Elective Course shall be relevant to the candidate’s area of research interest and must be approved by the Department.

(g) Duration of Study

The MSc (Agricultural Economics) is available to full time and part-time students. Full-time students will normally be required to complete the degree within 2 years of registration.

Part-time students will normally be required to complete the degree within 4 years of registration.

The normal load for a part-time student is half that of a fulltime student.

(h) Examination

Evaluation in all courses will normally be by both coursework and final examinations. Candidates must pass both coursework and final examination.

In Course AGBU 6999 Research Project, a project report will be evaluated.

(i) Award of Degree

The MSc (Agricultural Economics) degree will be awarded on successful completion of all prescribed courses including the Research Project (AGBU 6999).

The degree shall be awarded in the categories – Distinction and Pass. For the award of the degree with Distinction, the candidate must have obtained a minimum average mark of 70% in all core and elective courses as well as a minimum of 70% in the Research Project.

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