Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension

(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:

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:

OTHER COURSES

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

1. Trade Policy and Competitiveness

CORE COURSES

PLUS

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

OR

Any other relevant course approved by the Head of Department

2. Environmental and Natural Resource Economics

CORE COURSES

PLUS

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

OR

Any other relevant course approved by the Head of Department

3. Marketing and Agribusiness Management

CORE COURSES

PLUS

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

(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.