Bachelor of Agricultural Economics
Units of study
All students complete an Agricultural Economics major and one non-Agricultural Economics major. Details of majors can be found in Tables 3 and 4.
Year 1
Year 1 will have a minimum of 48 credit points comprised of:
AGEC1102 Agricultural and Resource Economics
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Shauna Phillips Session: Semester 2 Classes: 3x1-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prohibitions: AGEC1002 Assumed knowledge: HSC Mathematics or HSC Mathematics Extension 1 Assessment: 1x1hr exam (25%), 1xassignment (15%) and 1x2hr exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
The unit applies the principles studied in introductory microeconomics to the agricultural and resource sectors. Some descriptive content regarding Australia's agricultural markets, natural resource assets and industries is included. The first part of the unit is focused on basic concepts of supply, demand, equilibrium in agricultural and resource markets, and how markets can be modeled mathematically. Subsequent parts of the unit are focused on introductory production economics and natural resource management (under conditions of market failure, and as dynamic processes). Sources of risk in agriculture and resource markets, alternative management strategies, and basic techniques of decision making in the face of risk are explored.
AGEN1001 Shaping our Landscapes
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr Peter Ampt (Coordinator), Ms Elizabeth Nolan Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x1hr lect, 1x2hr tut, 4x1day (6.5hr) field (ave 2hrs/week) Prohibitions: AFNR1001 Assessment: 1x 2hr exam (40%), Field class reports (10%), Group work participation and reflection (10%), Tutorial group journal (20%), Problem based learning project (20%) Practical field work: Preparation, revision and private study 3hrs/week Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study is designed to help students develop understanding of our non-urban landscapes and the physical, biological, economic and cultural factors that have shaped them, with particular emphasis on the interaction between production and environment. It is a core first year unit for students in BScAgr, BEnvSys, BResEc, BAgEc and BAnVetBioSc from the Vet Faculty.
The unit begins with a review of the current global issues around population, food, agriculture and environment and the place of Australia in this global context. Australia's current production (plant and animal based) and environmental systems and landscapes are described with an emphasis on the physical, biological, economic and cultural factors that have shaped them, concluding with an account of future production and environment scenarios.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to describe global production and environment issues and key Australian landscapes and production systems, explain the factors that have shaped them and apply this understanding to a specific location and production system. They should analyse the situation of natural resource managers and evaluate the options available to them to maintain or improve profitable production and achieve sustainability.
The students will gain research and inquiry skills through research based group projects, information literacy and communication skills through on-line discussion postings, tutorial discussions and presentations and personal and intellectual autonomy through working in groups and individually.
The unit begins with a review of the current global issues around population, food, agriculture and environment and the place of Australia in this global context. Australia's current production (plant and animal based) and environmental systems and landscapes are described with an emphasis on the physical, biological, economic and cultural factors that have shaped them, concluding with an account of future production and environment scenarios.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to describe global production and environment issues and key Australian landscapes and production systems, explain the factors that have shaped them and apply this understanding to a specific location and production system. They should analyse the situation of natural resource managers and evaluate the options available to them to maintain or improve profitable production and achieve sustainability.
The students will gain research and inquiry skills through research based group projects, information literacy and communication skills through on-line discussion postings, tutorial discussions and presentations and personal and intellectual autonomy through working in groups and individually.
Textbooks
To be advised during semester.
AGEN1002 Sustaining our Landscapes
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Mark Adams (Coordinator), A/Professor Budiman Minasny, Dr Niggol Seo, Dr Andrew Merchant, Dr Tarryn Turnbull Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2 x lectures + 1 x tutorial / wk, 1 x 4 day field trip Assumed knowledge: School Year 12 level knowledge of mathematics, some biology and chemistry. Assessment: 1 x 2hr exam (50%), 4 x tutorial papers (24%) (Draft tutorial papers to submitted for editing by academic staff), 1 x field trip report (26%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
The quest for sustainability is integral to all land management. The earth's natural systems - especially cycles of water, carbon and nutrients - are critical to economic, social and many other aspects of the world in which we live. As a country dependent on export of commodities, Australia must contend with very significant external forces that shape how we manage land.
This unit of study provides students with critical knowledge and understanding of the economic, biophysical, and chemical principles that must be considered in assessing sustainability, and applies that knowledge to assessing how current Australian landscapes might be managed in the future. Beginning with an exploration of the meaning of sustainability and how scientific and economic methodology is applied to its study, students will progressively engage with more complex and challenging content. By the end of the unit, students will have explored major elements of sustainability and be able to apply their understanding to articulate critical questions that need to be asked when presented with simplistic approaches or ideas. A major field trip will focus on introducing students to quantitative measurement of key processes and developing a greater depth of knowledge of sustainability "in the field". A range of typical Australian landscapes will be considered, ranging from the high country and forests to intensive irrigated agriculture. The field trip and tutorial exercises are intended to help students gain skills in rigorous analysis of the relevant literature and in preparing short pieces of writing. Students direct experience of and exposure to the science and economics of ecological sustainability. Students will work in small groups during field and tutorial sessions.
This unit of study provides students with critical knowledge and understanding of the economic, biophysical, and chemical principles that must be considered in assessing sustainability, and applies that knowledge to assessing how current Australian landscapes might be managed in the future. Beginning with an exploration of the meaning of sustainability and how scientific and economic methodology is applied to its study, students will progressively engage with more complex and challenging content. By the end of the unit, students will have explored major elements of sustainability and be able to apply their understanding to articulate critical questions that need to be asked when presented with simplistic approaches or ideas. A major field trip will focus on introducing students to quantitative measurement of key processes and developing a greater depth of knowledge of sustainability "in the field". A range of typical Australian landscapes will be considered, ranging from the high country and forests to intensive irrigated agriculture. The field trip and tutorial exercises are intended to help students gain skills in rigorous analysis of the relevant literature and in preparing short pieces of writing. Students direct experience of and exposure to the science and economics of ecological sustainability. Students will work in small groups during field and tutorial sessions.
Textbooks
A Critique for Ecology R.H. Peters, 1991, Cambridge University Press
ECMT1010 Business and Economic Statistics A
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr lectures/week, 1x2-hr workshop/week Prohibitions: ECMT1011, ECMT1012, ECMT1013, MATH1015, MATH1005, MATH1905, STAT1021, ECOF1010, BUSS1020, ENVX1001 Assessment: homework (15%), quizzes (30%), assignment (15%) and 1x2hr final exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit provides an introduction to basic statistics and its applications in economics and business disciplines. Topics include: methods for data management; analysis and interpretation of data; probability; the normal distribution; an introduction to sampling theory and hypothesis testing; and the concepts of regression analysis. A key component is the provision of instruction and experience in the use of computers and statistical software as an aid in the analysis of data. Students are expected to use data resources on the World Wide Web, retrieve data and analyse this data using Excel.
ECON1002 Introductory Macroeconomics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Assessment: tutorial participation (5%), 5x online quizzes (10%), mid-semester test (25%), essay (10%) and 2hr final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Introductory Macroeconomics addresses the analysis of the level of employment and economic activity in the economy as a whole. It is a compulsory core unit for the Bachelor of Economics and an alternative core unit for the Bachelor of Economic and Social Sciences. Introductory Macroeconomics examines the main factors that determine the overall levels of production and employment in the economy, including the influence of government policy and international trade. This analysis enables an exploration of money, interest rates and financial markets, and a deeper examination of inflation, unemployment and economic policy. It is assumed that students undertaking this unit will have a prior knowledge of mathematics.
ECMT1020 Business and Economic Statistics B
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week, 1x2-hr workshop/week Prerequisites: ECMT1010 or ECOF1010 or BUSS1020 Prohibitions: ECMT1021, ECMT1022, ECMT1023 Assessment: 3x quizzes (25%), workshop questions/homework (10%), assignment (15%) and 1x2hr final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Other than in exceptional circumstances, it is strongly recommended that students do not undertake Business and Economic Statistics B before attempting Business and Economic Statistics A.
This unit broadens the knowledge gained in the unit ECMT1010 Business and Economic Statistics A by introducing further tools (and their applications) for use in economics, finance, marketing and accounting. This unit features practical applications. Possible topics include: further aspects of hypothesis testing including goodness-of-fit models; regression analysis including a brief introduction to logit models, time series and its applications to economics and finance; input-output analysis; index numbers and mathematics of finance. The material is further complemented by mathematical topics including matrices and partial differentiation. In addition, students are expected to use data resources on the World Wide Web, retrieve data and analyse this data using Excel.
And units from Table 1 (minimum of 12 credit points), with a view to completing a Table 4 non-AGEC major.
Year 2
AGEC2103 Production Economics
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Shauna Phillips Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week, 1x2-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: ECON1001 or AGEC1006 or (AGEC1003 and AGEC1004) or RESEC1031 Prohibitions: AGEC2003 Assessment: 2 x assignments (40%) and 1x2hr exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit builds on microeconomic principles studied in first year and applies them to the analysis of firms' decisions. Emphasis is put on the formalization of the firm's problem and in the use of duality. The topics include: production functions (single and multi-output); distance functions and their use in the measurement of productivity; the decomposition of productivity and productivity changes; production under risk; cost and profit functions.
N.B. Available to 2nd year students in the Faculty of Economics and Business
N.B. Available to 2nd year students in the Faculty of Economics and Business
Textbooks
Collection of readings
AGEC2105 Applied Econometric Modelling 1
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Shauna Phillips Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: ECMT1010 and ECMT1020 Prohibitions: ECMT2110 Assessment: 1x1hr exam (25%), 1xassignment (15%) and 1x2hr exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Applied Econometric Modelling is designed to provide students with a sound understanding of the application of applied econometric methods to the agricultural and resource sectors. Topics covered will include: single and multiple regression, forecasting, dummy variables, violations of OLS assumptions, dynamics, binary choice models, and an introduction to cointegration. Emphasis will be placed on developing the ability to estimate and interpret economic relationships. The computing side of the unit involves the use of the statistical package EVIEWS.
This unit of study is designed to develop student understanding and capability in applied regression analysis.
It is a core unit for students in BAgrEc and BResEc, students and a non core unit for BScAgr students.
Students will become familiar with exploring data sets and estimating, interpreting, and assessing regressions that represent economic relationships.
At the end of this unit, students will be able to understand the major concepts and principles of applied regression analysis, estimate simple regressions in EVIEWS and interpret the output, and be able to read, understand, and possibly replicate recent literature in agricultural and resource economics journals that apply econometric methods.
The students will gain research and computing skills.
This unit of study is designed to develop student understanding and capability in applied regression analysis.
It is a core unit for students in BAgrEc and BResEc, students and a non core unit for BScAgr students.
Students will become familiar with exploring data sets and estimating, interpreting, and assessing regressions that represent economic relationships.
At the end of this unit, students will be able to understand the major concepts and principles of applied regression analysis, estimate simple regressions in EVIEWS and interpret the output, and be able to read, understand, and possibly replicate recent literature in agricultural and resource economics journals that apply econometric methods.
The students will gain research and computing skills.
Textbooks
D.N. Gujarati & D.C. Porter, Basic Econometrics, 5th Ed. (McGraw-Hill Irwin), New York.
or
ECMT2110 Regression Modelling
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: ECMT1010 or ECOF1010 or BUSS1020 Prohibitions: ECMT2010 Assessment: group project (20%), 3x assignments (15%), mid-semester test (25%) and 1x2.5hr final exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Students undertaking this unit have some background in basic statistics including an introduction to regression analysis. Using this knowledge as a base, an extensive discussion of basic regression theory and some of its extensions is provided. The unit covers how linear regression models can be applied to data to estimate relationships, to forecast, and to test hypotheses that arise in economics and business. Guidelines for using econometric techniques effectively are discussed and students are introduced to the process of model building. It is essential that the discussion of regression modelling be complemented with practice in analysing data. An important task is the computing component using econometric software.
Students wanting to take a second major in Econometrics must enrol in ECMT2110. Degree Coordinator permission will be required.
ECOS2001 Intermediate Microeconomics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: ECON1001 or BUSS1040 Corequisites: ECMT1010 or BUSS1020 Prohibitions: ECON2001, ECOS2901, ECON2901 Assessment: tutorials (10%), 2x in-class tests (40%) and 2hr final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Certain combinations of Maths/Stats may substitute for Econometrics. Consult the School of Economics Undergraduate Coordinator.
The aim of Intermediate Microeconomics is the development of theoretical and applied skills in economics. It covers applications and extensions of the theory of consumer choice, firm behaviour and market structure. Emphasis is given to the economics of information and choice under uncertainty; industry structures other than monopoly and perfect competition; markets for factors of production; general equilibrium and economic efficiency; market failure and the role of government. This unit provides a basis for the more specialised options that comprise third year economics.
or
ECOS2901 Intermediate Microeconomics Honours
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: (ECON1001 or BUSS1040) and ECON1002 with a Credit average or better in the two units of study combined Corequisites: ECOS2903 or MATH2070 and (ECMT1010 or BUSS1020) Prohibitions: ECON2901, ECOS2001, ECON2001 Assessment: 2x mid-semester tests (50%) and 2.5hr final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit is comprised of lectures based upon the curriculum for ECOS2001 Intermediate Microeconomics, supported by a seminar for one hour a week. The content of lectures reflect a more analytical and critical treatment of the topics than ECOS2001. The topics, which build on the theory of consumer and firm behaviour and market structure, include game theory, oligopoly, general equilibrium and welfare, externalities and public goods and the economics of information.
ECOS2002 Intermediate Macroeconomics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: ECON1002 Corequisites: ECMT1020 Prohibitions: ECON2002, ECOS2902, ECON2902 Assessment: mid-semester test (30%), assignments (20%) and 2hr final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Certain combinations of Maths/Stats may substitute for Econometrics. Consult the School of Economics Undergraduate Coordinator.
This unit of study develops models of the goods, money and labour markets, and examines issues in macroeconomic policy. Macroeconomic relationships, covering consumption, investment, money and employment, are explored in detail. Macro-dynamic relationships, especially those linking inflation and unemployment, are also considered. Exchange rates and open economy macroeconomics are also addressed. In the last part of the unit, topics include the determinants and theories of economic growth, productivity and technology, the dynamics of the business cycle, counter-cyclical policy and the relationship between micro and macro policy in the context of recent Australian experience.
or
ECOS2902 Intermediate Macroeconomics Honours
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: (ECON1001 or BUSS1040) and ECON1002 with a Credit average or better in the two units of study combined Corequisites: ECMT1020 Prohibitions: ECON2902, ECOS2002, ECON2002 Assessment: essay (20%), mid-semester test (30%) and 2hr final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit is comprised of lectures based upon the curriculum for ECOS2002 Intermediate Macroeconomics, supported by a seminar for one hour a week. The content of lectures reflects a more intensive treatment of the topics than ECOS2002. Topics covered include: models of the goods, money and labour markets; macro-economic relationships such as consumption, investment, demand for money and labour demand and supply; macro-dynamic relationships, especially those linking inflation and unemployment; exchange rates and open economy macroeconomics; theories of economic growth; productivity and technological change; the dynamics of the business cycle; and the relationship between micro- and macro-economic policy.
AGEC2101 Market and Price Analysis
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr. Shyamal Chowdhury Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: AGEC1006 or (AGEC1003 and AGEC1004) or AGEC1002 or AGEC1102 or RSEC1031 or AGEC1031 Prohibitions: AGEC2001 Assessment: 1x1hr in-class mid-term exam (20%), 1x3000wd assignment (20%), 1x2hr final exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit focuses on the nature of agricultural and resource commodity markets, market demand relationships, market supply relationships, price determination under alternative market structures, marketing margin relationships, derived demand for inputs, spatially and temporally related markets, market dynamics, price expectations, commodity futures markets and other pertinent topics. Applied examples from the agricultural and resource industries and the overall economy will be used throughout the semester as illustrations of the principles involved.
N.B. Available to 2nd year students in Faculty of Economics and Business.
Advised prerequisite: AGEC2105 or ECMT2110
N.B. Available to 2nd year students in Faculty of Economics and Business.
Advised prerequisite: AGEC2105 or ECMT2110
And units from Tables 1 and 2 (minimum 18 credit points), with a view to completing a Table 4 non-AGEC major.
Year 3
Year 3 will have a minimum of 48 credit points comprised of:
AGEC3103 Applied Optimisation
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Shauna Phillips Session: Semester 1 Classes: (2x1hr lec & 1x2hr tut/lab session)/wk, commencing week 1 Prerequisites: (AGEC2001 or AGEC2101) and (AGEC2003 or AGEC2103) Prohibitions: AGEC3101 Assessment: 1x2hr exam (70%) and 2 assignments (better done one (18%), other (12%)) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study deals with constrained optimization problems in which one or more constraints are inequalities. Such problems are explored/solved by "mathematical programming" techniques. The main focus of the unit is on linear programming (LP) problems, viz. problems in which the objective function and the constraint functions are all linear, and the application of LP in agricultural and other planning contexts. Topics include graphical and mathematical representation of LP problems, solution methods, solution information, stability of optimal solutions, primal and dual formulations and parametric programming. After covering the essentials of LP and its extension to integer LP, the focus shifts to modelling real world scenarios as optimization problems. Students are streamed: one group deals with specialized LP formulations (e.g. transportation model, stochastic programming). The other examines dynamic optimization for problems that involve inter-temporal resource allocation. Students develop experience and confidence in the use of spreadsheet-based optimizer routines, and with specialised optimization packages (e.g. LINDO).
or
AGEC3101 Agribusiness Management
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Ms Lynn Henry Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week, 1x2-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: AGEC2103 or AGEC2003 or AGEC1006 Prohibitions: AGEC3103, AGEC3001 Assessment: 1x2hr exam (50%) and 1x50 min mid-semester exam (15%) and 1 assignment (25%) and workshop reports (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study is designed to introduce decision making problems encountered by firms and agribusiness firms and general methods of solving microeconomic decision making problems. It is unit of study that builds on knowledge gained in junior units of study in particular AGEC1006, AGEC2103 and AGEC2102. Students will review production economics and activity analysis and show how budgeting methods can be used to relate them. They will extend these budgeting techniques to problems of time and risk, using capital and parametric budgeting. Students will also be introduced to linear programming and show how this tool is a practical method of solving decision making problems. Students will learn to consider methods for solving decision making problems where the outcomes are not known with certainty. The students will gain skills through workshop based tasks, an assignment, information literacy and communication skills through the presentation of the workshop reports and discussion throughout the workshop.
Students wishing to enrol in AGEC4112/4113 Research Project should complete AGEC3103
AGEC3102 Agricultural and Resource Policy
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Alan Randall Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture + 1x1-hr lectures/week, 1x2-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: (AGEC2001 or AGEC2101) and (AGEC2003 or AGEC2103) Prohibitions: AGEC3002 Assessment: 1x2.5hr exam (70%) and 3x1 problem sets (30%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit covers the theoretical framework for economic analysis of policy interventions (welfare economics and public choice theory). Emphasis is put on building the skills needed to analyze the incidence of economic policy and on the design of policies under asymmetric information. An understanding of the institutional structure of agricultural and resource policy in Australia is promoted through the direct contact with policy makers, public agencies and lobbying groups.
N.B. Available to 3rd year students in the Faculty of Economics and Business
N.B. Available to 3rd year students in the Faculty of Economics and Business
Textbooks
To be advised
AGEC3104 Research Methods
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mrs Elizabeth Nolan and Prof Alan Randall Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week & 1x1-hr tutorial/week, commencing week 2 Prerequisites: AGEC2105 Prohibitions: AGEC3004 Assessment: 1x2000wd "Methods" chapter (40%) and 1x3000wd "Results" chapter (40%) and 2xlab reports (2x10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit deals with the nature of research and inquiry in applied economics. Topics covered will include: alternative philosophical perspectives on inquiry; scientific method; research as an orderly process of enquiry; preparation of research proposals; secondary data sources for agricultural and resource economists; collection of primary data;; and methods of analysis of data. Topics are illustrated with examples of research in theoretical economics and empirical research. Students are expected to read widely. Development of practical research skills, including the ability to critically and statistically synthesise and interpret data will be fostered by the completion of applied computer-based workshop exercises. Information literacy skills and the ability to summarise and synthesise information and use it to inform an argument will be improved through the preparation of a literature review and a research proposal.
And units from Table 2 (minimum 30 credit points), with a view to completing a Table 4 non-AGEC major.
Year 4
Year 4 will have a minimum of 48 credit points comprised of:
AGEC4112 Research Project A
Credit points: 9 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Alan Randall Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x2-hr lectures/week Prerequisites: 2 units out of AGEC3102, AGEC3103, AGEC3104 or AGEC3004 Corequisites: AGEC4113 Prohibitions: AGEC4012 Assessment: Individual report (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Department permission required for enrolment.
In this unit of study, students develop their ability to undertake a research project in economics. The unit builds on theoretical and applied knowledge gained throughout the degree. Each student will develop a well defined research project in close collaboration with an academic supervisor. In addition to improving their research skills through the design and report on a single research study, students will improve their communication skills through oral presentation of their work.
or
AGEC4121 Research Exercises A
Credit points: 9 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Alan Randall Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lectures/week Prerequisites: 2 units out of AGEC3101, AGEC3102, AGEC3103, AGEC 3104 or AGEC3004 Corequisites: AGEC4122 Prohibitions: AGEC4012, AGEC4112 Assessment: Group report (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study should be taken in conjunction with the companion unit, AGEC4122 Research Exercises B. Students develop skills in economic research by participating in the designing, undertaking and reporting on one or more research exercises undertaken under the guidance of a staff member. Students work in groups on a project that is common to the entire class. Students may be required to work on separate aspects of that project or may be required to prepare individual and/or group written reports and/or oral presentations concerning data acquisition, analysis and interpretation of results. Students who undertake this unit will not be eligible for honours.
and
AGEC4113 Research Project B
Credit points: 9 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Alan Randall Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x2-hr lectures/week Prerequisites: 2 units out of AGEC3102, AGEC3103, AGEC3104 or AGEC3004 Corequisites: AGEC4112 Prohibitions: AGEC4013 Assessment: Individual report (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Department permission required for enrolment.
This unit of study is taken in conjunction with the companion unit, AGEC4112 Research Project A. See AGEC4112 for details.
or
AGEC4122 Research Exercises B
Credit points: 9 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Alan Randall Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr lectures/week Prerequisites: 2 units out of AGEC3101, AGEC3102, AGEC3103, AGEC3104, or AGEC3004 Corequisites: AGEC4121 Prohibitions: AGEC4013, AGEC4113 Assessment: Group report (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study is taken in conjunction with the companion unit, AGEC4121 Research Exercises A. See AGEC4121 for details.
AFNR4001 Professional Development
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Ms Lynn Henry, Dr Damien Field Session: Semester 2 Classes: Workshops over four years Prohibitions: AGRF4000 Assessment: 1x blog posting (10%), 1x on-line (multi-media) (30%) and 1x portfolio (60%) Practical field work: 40 days of professional experience, 1 week long excursion Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit of study is designed to allow students to critically reflect on the relationship between the rural enterprise and environment and how they can contribute to the future decisions and management affecting the rural community. It is a core unit of study in 4th year for the BAgrEc, BScAgr, BLWSc, BResEc, BHortSc which requires students to complete 40 days of professional experience with the expectation that students will examine the nature of facts from their degree in this environment. A minimum of 15 days must be completed on-farm/field. The remaining days may be at the student's discretion. The unit will be counted towards 4th year, but professional experience placements will normally be undertaken throughout the degree. In the early stages of the Professional Development program students participate in Faculty excursions that have been developed so they can experience a range of activities, such as research, extension, on-farm and industry both in the rural and urban environment to complement their learning within their individual degree programs. Building on this various workshops have been developed to assist students to identify a rural environment theme or issue of their interest with the specific emphasis being placed on them reflecting on how their new understandings of their theme of interest affects their personal and professional development. To complete this unit students will present a portfolio of their theme including critical reflection on the pivotal relationships between the academic degree, rural environment, professional experience, and beliefs and values if the rural community. Through developing these pivotal relationships, students will be able to use their new understandings to support and guide the future developments in the rural enterprise and environment. By developing and presenting the portfolio and engaging in other online activities the students will enhance their skills in inquiry, information literacy and communication. In particular the autonomous development of case studies reflecting the contemporary issues in agriculture and their professional placements the students will have to consider their understandings of ethical, social and professional issues and further develop the personal and intellectual autonomy.
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
And units from below (normally 24 credit points), with no more than 12 credit points of RSEC units. Not all of these units will be offered in all years.
AGEC4102 Agricultural Development Economics
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr. Shyamal Chowdhury Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: (AGEC2001 or AGEC2101) and (AGEC2003 or AGEC2103) Assessment: 1x2000 wd problem set (20%), 1x1000 wd review (10%), 1x15min presentation (5%), 1x1page evaluation of a peer (5%), and 1x2hr final exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit focuses on the microeconomic analysis of development, with a special emphasis on the importance of market failures in financial markets as origin of persistent poverty. The unit also addresses policy interventions to overcome such failures and the challenges in their evaluation. A special emphasis is put in the discussion of the role of agriculture in development, and the evidence supporting its importance in poverty reduction.
Textbooks
Debraj Ray, Development Economics, Princeton University Press.
AGEC4104 Industrial Organization of Agribusiness
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr. Shyamal Chowdhury Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: (AGEC2001 or AGEC2101) and (AGEC2003 or AGEC2103) Assessment: 1x2000 wd assignment (20%), 1x1000 wd review (10%), 1x15min presentation (5%), 1x1page evaluation of a peer (5%), and 1x2hr final exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit focuses on applications of economic theory and methods in agribusiness decision making. It provides advanced treatment of the industrial organisation of agribusiness firms. Case studies will be used to examine the economic complexities of global agribusiness systems. Extensive readings make up the central component of the unit.
Textbooks
Collections of readings.
AGEC4107 Special Topics
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Alan Randall Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Individual research and consultation Prohibitions: AGEC4007 Assessment: Research paper (100%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit deals with the specialised areas of agricultural and resource economics of particular interest to approved students. The student will read under the guidance of a member of staff and complete designated learning tasks.
Textbooks
Individual reading.
RSEC4131 Benefit-Cost Analysis
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Shauna Phillips Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2 hr lecture/wk commencing week 1 & 1x1 hr tut/wk, commencing week 2. Prerequisites: (ECON2001 or ECOS2001) and (AGEC2103 or AGEC2003) Prohibitions: AGEC4037 Assessment: 1 x oral presentation (5%), 1 x written group-work essay (20%), 1 x 1hr mid-semester exam (25%), 1 x 2hr final examination (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit provides a detailed treatment of benefit-cost analysis and its use in public sector decision making and project evaluation. The underpinning concepts in welfare economics are analysed in detail, such as economic efficiency, criteria for assessing social welfare improvements, and economic surplus measures. Procedures of undertaking a benefit-cost analysis are presented, and tools of non-market valuation for environmental assets are covered in detail. These techniques include both stated and revealed preference techniques, including contingent valuation, choice modeling, hedonic pricing and travel cost methods.
RSEC4132 Environmental Economics
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Tihomir Ancev Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week commencing week 1, 1x1-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: ECON2001 or ECOS2001 or AGEC2103 or AGEC2003 Prohibitions: ECON3013, AGEC4035 Assumed knowledge: (ECON2001 or ECOS2001), (ECON2002 or ECOS2002), AGEC3001, AGEC2101, AGEC2105 Assessment: 1xreport and presentation from the practical experience in environmental economics (20%), 1x1hr mid-term exam (30%), and 1x2hr final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
The unit provides theoretical and empirical background necessary for a resource economist to be able to successfully function when faced with various environmental problems. The unit investigates economic aspects of a range of environmental issues. The studied concepts are exemplified with environmental problems related to agriculture (soil salinity, algal blooms, overgrazing etc.) as well as with environmental problems typical to Australia. The guiding economic themes are: competing uses of the environment / externalities, market failure, the importance of property rights, optimal allocation of pollution abatement, and the processes for making choices relating to non-market goods. Some social issues with environmental impacts are studied through exploration of the problems of population size and distribution, economic growth, and environmental regulation.
Textbooks
Perman, R., Y. Ma, J. McGilvray and M. Common. Natural Resource and Environmental Economics. Pearson, 3rd Ed. 2003
The following units are offered in 2013, but will be NOT be available in 2014
AGEC4101 Agricultural Marketing Analysis
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mrs Elizabeth Nolan Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week, commencing week 1 Prerequisites: (AGEC2001 or AGEC2101) and (AGEC2003 or AGEC2103) Prohibitions: AGEC4004 Assessment: Problem sets (30%) 1x2hr exam (40%) 1x3000wd essay (30%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study is designed to provide an understanding of the underlying forces driving agricultural markets. Its content is analytical, and draws heavily on applied microeconomics. The unit addresses price analysis and pricing efficiency, including aspects of form, time and space in agricultural marketing; information and contracts; changing consumer concerns (food safety, ethical production); futures market and other risk sharing devices. The main learning aims of the unit are development of student skills in understanding the fundamental concepts in marketing theory and applying them to the agribusiness industry, and further development of students' analytical abilities in the context of agricultural marketing. Extensive reading will be required.
Textbooks
To be advised
AGEC4109 Agricultural Finance and Risk
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Shauna Phillips Session: Semester 2 Classes: (2x1hr lec & 1x2hr tut/lab session)/wk, commencing week 1. Prerequisites: {(AGEC3001 or AGEC3101) and (AGEC2003 or AGEC2103)} OR (AGEC1102 and AGEC3103) Prohibitions: AGEC4009 Assessment: 1x2hr exam (70%) and 2 assignments (better done one (18%), other (12%)) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit has two related components. One component concerns risk and risk management in agriculture; the other deals with issues of agricultural producer finance. Risk topics include: risk measurement, subjective probability, adjusting beliefs as a result of new information; risk attitudes; decision making under risk; expected utility theory; valuing information; generalizations of expected utility theory; E-V analysis; stochastic dominance; internal measures to cope with risk including diversification and flexibility; insurance, futures, options and other market instruments for managing risk. Finance topics include the implications of capital market imperfections and consequential differences between corporate and small business finance; financial relationships between debt/equity levels and risk, optimal debt levels; cost of capital; short term working capital management; and longer term capital (investment) budgeting. Techniques of valuation of projects in risk-free and risk situations are examined.
RSEC4134 Economics of Water & Bio-resources
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Tihomir Ancev Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week commencing week 1, 1x1-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: (ECON2001 or ECOS2001) and (AGEC2103 or AGEC2003) Prohibitions: ECON3013 Assumed knowledge: (ECON2002 or ECOS2002), AGEC3001, AGEC2101, AGEC2105 Assessment: 1xessay (35%); 1x1hr mid-term exam (25%); 1x2hr final exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
The unit consists of two complementary parts: water economics and economics of biological resources (fisheries, forestry, other wildlife). The main objective of the water economic component is to investigate the economic aspects of water use and water quality. In particular approaches toward efficient use of the water resource over time, optimal allocation of water among competing uses and achievement of the socially optimal level of water quality will be discussed. The demand for water from various sectors will be analysed in both static and dynamic settings. Issues considered include the selection and construction of water storages, aquifer water extraction and alternative water sources. The issues of waste water disposal and water quality, changing water technologies, and water pollution will be also discussed. There will be particular emphasis on the economic mechanisms for managing the water resources including property rights, water allocation and water markets. The key policy instruments (taxes, quotas, standards) in these areas will be analyzed and discussed. The institutional and policy aspects will also be considered through analysis of water policy reform in Australia and elsewhere. The main objective of the economics of biological resources will be to introduce students to the bio-economic modelling of the resources that experience biological growth. This will be prominently exemplified through various aspects of fishery economics. The unit will also discuss the economics of forestry.
Textbooks
Bergstrom, Boule and Poe (Eds.), The Economic Value of Water Quality, Edward Elgar Pub., 2001.
The following units are NOT offered in 2013, but will be be available in 2014
AGEC4103 International Agricultural Trade
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Ms Shauna Phillips Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: (AGEC2001 or AGEC2101) and (AGEC2003 or AGEC2103) Prohibitions: AGEC4003 Assessment: 1x1hr exam (25%),1xessay (15%) and 1x2hr exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
In this unit of study the basic economic principles underlying international trade in agricultural and resource commodities and the policies involved will be presented. Issues related to trade and development will also be considered. The main topics covered will include: trends in agricultural and resources trade; economics and politics of protection, economic integration and impacts on international commodity trade; international trade policy making. An understanding of globalisation, including foreign direct investment, will also be required. Extensive reading will be required.
Textbooks
Krugman and Obstfeld. International Economics: Theory and Policy, 9th Ed. (Pearson Addison Wesley), New York.
AGEC4108 Quantitative Planning Methods
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Ross Drynan Session: Semester 2 Classes: (2x1hr lec & 1x2 tut/lab session)/wk, commencing week 1 Prerequisites: AGEC3101 or AGEC3103 or AGEC3031 or AGEC3001 Prohibitions: AGEC4008 Assessment: 1x2hr exam (70%) and 2 assignments (better done one (18%), other (12%)) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit examines the use of mathematical methods and models in planning at both the individual firm level and the sector level. While the principal focus is on formal optimization, simulation and Monte Carlo methods are also discussed. Topics include non-linear programming, stochastic programming, elements of input-output analysis, computable general equilibrium analysis, dynamic problems and methods (e.g. dynamic programming and optimal control). Sectoral level planning applications considered include transportation and plant location studies; spatial equilibrium; and resource utilization across time. Firm level applications may include multi-period planning, queuing problems, inventory analysis, and replacement problems. Extensive use is made of computer-based optimization.
RSEC4133 Economics of Mineral & Energy Industries
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Tihomir Ancev Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week commencing week 1, 1x1-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: (ECON2001 or ECOS2001) and (AGEC2103 or AGEC2003) Prohibitions: ECON3013 Assumed knowledge: (ECON2002 or ECOS2002), AGEC3001, AGEC2101, AGEC2105 Assessment: Excursion attendance and report (25%); 1x1hr mid-term exam (30%) and 1x2 hr final exam (45%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
The unit provides theoretical and empirical background on the economics of minerals exploration, extraction and marketing and on the economics of energy generation, distribution and use. The economics of minerals and energy commodity markets will be discussed and analysed. The interactions of mineral extraction and energy generation activities with other natural resources and the environment will be of particular interest (e.g. mine site remediation, land use conflicts). Sustainability and prospects for long term efficient use of these resources, as well as the development and use of alternative technologies will also be discussed. In addition, institutional and policy issues (e.g. regulatory reform), will be analysed. The unit will discuss the main aspects of the markets for minerals and energy, market structure, business environment and price movements. The unit will also provide an introductory discussion on the markets for derivatives (options, futures, forward, swaps) on minerals and energy commodities.
Textbooks
Brennan, T.J., Palmer, L.K. and Martinez, A.S., Alternating Currents: Electricity Markets and Public Policy, Resources for the Future Press, Washington D.C., 2002.
Table 1 BAgrEc Years 1 and 2 elective units
ACCT1001 Accounting IA
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prohibitions: ACCT1003, ACCT1004 Assumed knowledge: HSC Mathematics Assessment: Tutorial work (10%); Practice Set (10%); Mid-semester examination (20%); Final examination (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Available for only for continuing degree students who commenced their studies prior to 2011
Accounting 1A introduces students to the fundamentals of accounting and the double entry system of financial recording. Students examine the assumptions underlying the preparation of financial statements for external users and gain the skills necessary to prepare, interpret and analyse financial statements. In doing so students develop their ability to understand, discuss, analyse and write about accounting-related topics. This unit is designed as an introduction to accounting. As such, no prior knowledge of accounting is assumed.
or
ACCT1005 Accounting, Business and Society
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prohibitions: ACCT1001, ACCT1002, ACCT1003, ACCT1004 Assessment: Tutorial work (15%); Written assessment (15%); Mid-semester examination (20%); Final examination (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit canvasses the fundamentals of accounting - the language of business. It is directed to providing a broad understanding of the role of accounting in business and society. It seeks to develop an understanding of the economic-cum-financial and social repercussions of accounting, as well as a brief inculcation of the technical skills in manipulating numerical abstractions. It is accounting in an action setting designed to show that there are many uses of accounting data. Uses by numerous types of investors (individuals, institutional shareholders, creditors), employees, the government and others are considered. Starting from an accountability focus, it moves to a decision making focus - both functions are explained through recourse to the double entry equation, augmented by primarily an output (financial statements) perspective, accounting is demonstrated to be related to many decisions. There are many organisational forms that are considered - sole traders, partnerships, corporations, other types of corporate joint ventures and associations and the unit considers accounting from both the private and public sector perspectives. Accounting is shown to provide necessary information to allow varied interests to make informed decisions. Those decisions can be considered as being both internal and external to the firm. This unit demonstrates how accounting influences the way societal elements interact and government taxes are levied. Some more technical aspects of the elements of accounting are outlined - within the accounting equation, the elements of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses are examined - within simple, familiar settings. Differing sectors private (listed entities primarily) and public (non-listed entities) are shown to be equally dependent on accounting. As well as the conventional financial reports - balance sheet, profit and loss, cash flow statements - students are exposed to the more recent statements such environmental and corporate social responsibility reports. Accounting issues are also explored within a governance framework.
ACCT1002 Accounting IB
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr lecture and 1x1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: ACCT1001 Prohibitions: ACCT1003, ACCT1004 Assessment: Homework tasks (10%); Group project (20%); Final examination (70%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Available only for continuing degree students who commenced their studies prior to 2011.
Accounting is about the recording, classification, reporting and interpretation of information to help make economic decisions. Accounting 1A introduces accounting and the double entry system for financial recording. Accounting 1B develops themes and competencies learnt in Accounting 1A. The primary focus of this unit of study is on conceptual and technical issues relating to management accounting and the information required by internal users to make strategic and operational decisions relating to managing a business. A second theme is the financial accounting information businesses are required to produce to assess a firm's financial state and performance. Students examine how commercial and ethical issues affect business decisions and how there are present and future consequences that will affect different groups of interest.
or
ACCT1006 Accounting and Financial Management
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x 1.5hr lecture and 1x 1.5hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: ACCT1005 or BUSS1030 Prohibitions: ACCT1001, ACCT1002, ACCT1003, ACCT1004 Assessment: tutorial work (10%); practice set (15%);mid-semester exam (20%); final exam (55%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Accounting and Financial Management is an introduction to financial reporting, and the gateway unit to further study in accounting and to a major in accounting. This unit builds upon the accounting context, presented in BUSS1030 Accounting, Business and Society, with the aim of developing the technical skills of recording basic business transactions through accounting systems. In addition to this technical focus, specific attention will be given to the way in which the accounting information can be used to undertake financial management and analysis, to give students the ability to produce and interpret financial reports.
ACCT1002 Accounting IB
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr lecture and 1x1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: ACCT1001 Prohibitions: ACCT1003, ACCT1004 Assessment: Homework tasks (10%); Group project (20%); Final examination (70%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Available only for continuing degree students who commenced their studies prior to 2011.
Accounting is about the recording, classification, reporting and interpretation of information to help make economic decisions. Accounting 1A introduces accounting and the double entry system for financial recording. Accounting 1B develops themes and competencies learnt in Accounting 1A. The primary focus of this unit of study is on conceptual and technical issues relating to management accounting and the information required by internal users to make strategic and operational decisions relating to managing a business. A second theme is the financial accounting information businesses are required to produce to assess a firm's financial state and performance. Students examine how commercial and ethical issues affect business decisions and how there are present and future consequences that will affect different groups of interest.
AGEN1001 Shaping our Landscapes
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr Peter Ampt (Coordinator), Ms Elizabeth Nolan Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x1hr lect, 1x2hr tut, 4x1day (6.5hr) field (ave 2hrs/week) Prohibitions: AFNR1001 Assessment: 1x 2hr exam (40%), Field class reports (10%), Group work participation and reflection (10%), Tutorial group journal (20%), Problem based learning project (20%) Practical field work: Preparation, revision and private study 3hrs/week Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study is designed to help students develop understanding of our non-urban landscapes and the physical, biological, economic and cultural factors that have shaped them, with particular emphasis on the interaction between production and environment. It is a core first year unit for students in BScAgr, BEnvSys, BResEc, BAgEc and BAnVetBioSc from the Vet Faculty.
The unit begins with a review of the current global issues around population, food, agriculture and environment and the place of Australia in this global context. Australia's current production (plant and animal based) and environmental systems and landscapes are described with an emphasis on the physical, biological, economic and cultural factors that have shaped them, concluding with an account of future production and environment scenarios.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to describe global production and environment issues and key Australian landscapes and production systems, explain the factors that have shaped them and apply this understanding to a specific location and production system. They should analyse the situation of natural resource managers and evaluate the options available to them to maintain or improve profitable production and achieve sustainability.
The students will gain research and inquiry skills through research based group projects, information literacy and communication skills through on-line discussion postings, tutorial discussions and presentations and personal and intellectual autonomy through working in groups and individually.
The unit begins with a review of the current global issues around population, food, agriculture and environment and the place of Australia in this global context. Australia's current production (plant and animal based) and environmental systems and landscapes are described with an emphasis on the physical, biological, economic and cultural factors that have shaped them, concluding with an account of future production and environment scenarios.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to describe global production and environment issues and key Australian landscapes and production systems, explain the factors that have shaped them and apply this understanding to a specific location and production system. They should analyse the situation of natural resource managers and evaluate the options available to them to maintain or improve profitable production and achieve sustainability.
The students will gain research and inquiry skills through research based group projects, information literacy and communication skills through on-line discussion postings, tutorial discussions and presentations and personal and intellectual autonomy through working in groups and individually.
Textbooks
To be advised during semester.
AGEN1002 Sustaining our Landscapes
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Mark Adams (Coordinator), A/Professor Budiman Minasny, Dr Niggol Seo, Dr Andrew Merchant, Dr Tarryn Turnbull Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2 x lectures + 1 x tutorial / wk, 1 x 4 day field trip Assumed knowledge: School Year 12 level knowledge of mathematics, some biology and chemistry. Assessment: 1 x 2hr exam (50%), 4 x tutorial papers (24%) (Draft tutorial papers to submitted for editing by academic staff), 1 x field trip report (26%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
The quest for sustainability is integral to all land management. The earth's natural systems - especially cycles of water, carbon and nutrients - are critical to economic, social and many other aspects of the world in which we live. As a country dependent on export of commodities, Australia must contend with very significant external forces that shape how we manage land.
This unit of study provides students with critical knowledge and understanding of the economic, biophysical, and chemical principles that must be considered in assessing sustainability, and applies that knowledge to assessing how current Australian landscapes might be managed in the future. Beginning with an exploration of the meaning of sustainability and how scientific and economic methodology is applied to its study, students will progressively engage with more complex and challenging content. By the end of the unit, students will have explored major elements of sustainability and be able to apply their understanding to articulate critical questions that need to be asked when presented with simplistic approaches or ideas. A major field trip will focus on introducing students to quantitative measurement of key processes and developing a greater depth of knowledge of sustainability "in the field". A range of typical Australian landscapes will be considered, ranging from the high country and forests to intensive irrigated agriculture. The field trip and tutorial exercises are intended to help students gain skills in rigorous analysis of the relevant literature and in preparing short pieces of writing. Students direct experience of and exposure to the science and economics of ecological sustainability. Students will work in small groups during field and tutorial sessions.
This unit of study provides students with critical knowledge and understanding of the economic, biophysical, and chemical principles that must be considered in assessing sustainability, and applies that knowledge to assessing how current Australian landscapes might be managed in the future. Beginning with an exploration of the meaning of sustainability and how scientific and economic methodology is applied to its study, students will progressively engage with more complex and challenging content. By the end of the unit, students will have explored major elements of sustainability and be able to apply their understanding to articulate critical questions that need to be asked when presented with simplistic approaches or ideas. A major field trip will focus on introducing students to quantitative measurement of key processes and developing a greater depth of knowledge of sustainability "in the field". A range of typical Australian landscapes will be considered, ranging from the high country and forests to intensive irrigated agriculture. The field trip and tutorial exercises are intended to help students gain skills in rigorous analysis of the relevant literature and in preparing short pieces of writing. Students direct experience of and exposure to the science and economics of ecological sustainability. Students will work in small groups during field and tutorial sessions.
Textbooks
A Critique for Ecology R.H. Peters, 1991, Cambridge University Press
BIOL1001 Concepts in Biology
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Summer Main Classes: 2x1 hr lectures and 1 x 3hr practical per week. Prohibitions: BIOL1911, BIOL1991. Assumed knowledge: None. However, semester 1 students who have not completed HSC Biology (or equivalent) are strongly advised to take the Biology Bridging Course (in February). Assessment: 1x2 hr exam, assignments, quizzes (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Students should attempt no more than two of the three Junior BIOL units of study; thus this unit can be taken with BIOL1002/1902 OR BIOL1003/1903/1993.
Concepts in Biology is an introduction to the major themes of modern biology. The unit emphasizes how biologists carry out scientific investigations, from the cellular/molecular level to the level of ecosystems.Practical classes focus on the design and analysis of robust scientific experiments based on modern biological techniques.Topics covered in lectures and include: introductory cell biology, with particular emphasis on cell structure and function; an introduction to molecular biology through the role of DNA in protein synthesis and in the genetics of organisms; theories of evolution and phylogenetic analysis, and how they are used to interpret the origins of the diversity of modern organisms; and interactions between organisms in biological communities, with particular emphasis on Australian examples.
Textbooks
Knox R B et al. Biology, An Australian Focus. 4th ed. McGraw-Hill. 2010
BIOL1002 Living Systems
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr William Figueira Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x1 hr lectures and 1 x2.5 hr practical per week and tutorials every few weeks. Prohibitions: BIOL1902 Assumed knowledge: HSC 2-unit Biology. Students who have not completed HSC biology (or equivalent) are strongly advised to take the Biology Bridging Course (in February). Assessment: 1x2 hr exam, assignments, quizzes (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Students should attempt no more than two of the three Junior BIOL units of study; thus this unit can be taken with BIOL1001/1911/1991 OR BIOL1003/1903/1993.
Living Systems deals with the biology of organisms as individuals, within populations and as part of communities and ecosystems. A broad range of taxa are covered, from bacteria to large plants and animals, and emphasis is placed upon understanding the ways in which they can live in a range of habitats. Behaviour is discussed as a key process linking organismal-level processes to population and community dynamics. The importance of energy in living systems, and how elements are used and recycled in biological communities, are introduced as the basis of ecosystems. The unit of study includes lectures and laboratory classes on the physiology and behaviour of animals and plants, the ways in which organisms control and integrate their activities and the processes controlling dynamics of populations and community. These themes are revisited within applied contexts to discuss issues such as management and conservation.
Textbooks
Knox R B et al. Biology. An Australian Focus. 4th ed. McGraw-Hill. 2010.
CLAW1001 Foundations of Business Law
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 2hrs of lectures and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Assessment: Mid-Semester exam (20%), Case Analysis Assignment (20%), Final exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
The entire fabric of commerce is woven from a complex legal regime, judicial and statutory, which regulates all commercial activity. Every decision in business, and every transaction and relationship, is made in the context of this legal regime. The aim of Foundations of Business Law is to introduce the students to the legal framework and regulatory systems which underlie all business activity and to expose them to the legal implications of commercial conduct. This unit of study introduces the Australian legal system and key areas of substantive business law including contracts, torts (in particular negligence and privacy), property and securities, white collar crime, intellectual property, competition and consumer law (in particular advertising, product liability and unfair contracts), business structures and operations, misleading and unconscionable conduct and dispute resolution.
GEOS1001 Earth, Environment and Society
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Jody Webster, A/Prof Bill Pritchard, Ms Edwina Tanner Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour practical per week. Prohibitions: GEOS1901, GEOG1001, GEOG1002, GEOL1001, GEOL1002, GEOL1902, ENSY1001 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, 2000 word essay, field and prac reports (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This is the gateway unit of study for Human Geography, Physical Geography and Geology. Its objective is to introduce the big questions relating to the origins and current state of the planet: climate change, environment, landscape formation, and the growth of the human population. During the semester you will be introduced to knowledge, theories and debates about how the world's physical and human systems operate. The first module investigates the system of global environmental change, specifically addressing climate variability and human impacts on the natural environment. The second module presents Earth as an evolving and dynamic planet, investigating how changes take place, the rate at which they occur and how they have the potential to dramatically affect the way we live. Finally, the third module, focuses on human-induced challenges to Earth's future. This part of the unit critically analyses the relationships between people and their environments, with central consideration to debates on population change and resource use.
GEOS1002 Introductory Geography
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kurt Iveson, Dr Dan Penny. Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 2 hour lecture per week and eight 2 hour practicals during semester. Prohibitions: GEOS1902, GEOG1001, GEOG1002 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, one 2000 word essay, two online quizzes (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This Unit of Study provides a geographical perspective on the ways in which people interact with each other and the physical world, focussing on the processes that generate spatial variation and difference. This Unit will consider the development and characteristics of natural environments across the globe, and will explore how these environments both constrain, and are influenced by, humans. Therefore, the Unit of Study will consider the political, economic, cultural and urban geographies that shape contemporary global society. Each of these themes will be discussed with reference to key examples (such as Hurricane Katrina, the Earthquake in Haiti/Dominican Republic, the conflict in Darfur, and sea-level rise in the Asia-Pacific), in order to consider the ways in which the various processes (both physical and human) interact. The Unit of Study will also include a short field trip to localities surrounding the University to observe processes of spatial change and conflict. The Unit of Study is designed to attract and interest students who wish to pursue geography as a major within their undergraduate degree, but also has relevance to students who wish to consider the way geographers understand the contemporary world.
GOVT1101 Australian Politics
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Anika Gauja Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Assessment: 1x2000wd essay (40%), 1x1000wd critical research exercise (10%), 1x 2hr exam (40%) and tutorial participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit introduces students to debates about the nature and limits of Australian democracy, to the major institutions of Australian politics, and to the distribution of power in Australian society. Major institutions and forces such as parliament, executive government, the federal system, political parties and the media are examined as arenas of power, conflict and consensus. Who rules? How? Which groups are excluded?
Textbooks
Texts to be advised.
GOVT1104 Introduction to Political Science
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Anna Boucher Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Assessment: 1x750wd reading assignment (20%), 1x2000wd essay (30%), 1x2hr exam (40%) and tutorial participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit provides an introduction to the study of politics through a focus on the key organising principle of power. Different ways in which power is theorised and structured are considered. This includes power between individuals, groups, classes and genders as well as different power-sharing arrangements within and across political institutions. In critically assessing these different approaches, students will be exposed to a range of political science theories and methods, which will equip them for future study in Government and International Relations. The empirical focus of this unit is on Australia, with reference to other developed countries.
GOVT1105 Geopolitics
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Ryan Griffiths (S1), Dr Diarmuid Maguire (S2) Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Assessment: 1x1500wd essay (30%), 1x1hr mid-term exam (20%), 1x2hr final exam (40%) and tutorial participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit will examine how the contemporary international political order has emerged by focusing upon the interplay of diplomatic and strategic issues in the post-war world. It will begin with an analysis of the Cold War and its origins, tracing the development of Soviet-American rivalry, its manifestations in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America, and the different ways in which that rivalry was played out. The collapse of the Soviet Union as both a superpower and a state and the disappearance of the communist bloc will be analysed, before surveying the post-Cold War international scene. Among the issues reviewed in the post-Cold War era will be the question of US hegemony and unilateralism vs. multilateralism, nuclear proliferation, the continuing tension between the first and the third worlds, questions of civilisational conflict, non-state actors and terrorism, democratisation, and regional conflict.
GOVT1202 World Politics
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Gil Merom; Dr David Smith (Summer) Session: Semester 1,Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week or equivalent intensive Assessment: 1x500wd essay (10%), 1x2300wd essay (35%), 1x2hr in-class test (40%) and tutorial participation (15%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: In Summer School this unit is available to current HSC students only.
This unit introduces the core content of the field of international relations. The first part of the unit presents the realist, liberal, Marxist and constructivist paradigms of international relations. The second part of the unit discusses the key actors and processes political scientists define in the field, including the state, decision makers, bureaucratic organisations, and classes. The final part of the unit focuses on international security, international political economy, and global problems.
INFS1000 Digital Business Innovation
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr lab workshop per week Prohibitions: ISYS1003, INFO1000, INFO1003 Assessment: Groupwork (10%); Group project (25%); Mid-semester test (25%); Final exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
The Digital Age, with its focus on information as a key business resource, has changed the way Business Information Systems (BIS) are viewed in organisations. They are now seen as enablers of innovation where people supported by powerful technology are considered to be their most important component. This is because creativity, innovation and critical thinking cannot be outsourced or easily acquired by competitors.
This unit is designed to develop your understanding of how businesses operate and shows how information systems support all aspects of business operations and management through integration of people, business processes and systems. You will be provided with an introduction to the state-of-the art theories, frameworks and models to assist in understanding the nature and contribution of BIS in a range of organisational contexts including private, public and not for profit as well as virtual communities and social networks. With its emphasis on business rather than IT, this unit is suitable for all business and non business majors and does not require prior IT-related experience. If you want to learn how to use technology to become a more innovative and creative business professional and a global technology-savvy citizen this unit is for you!
This unit is designed to develop your understanding of how businesses operate and shows how information systems support all aspects of business operations and management through integration of people, business processes and systems. You will be provided with an introduction to the state-of-the art theories, frameworks and models to assist in understanding the nature and contribution of BIS in a range of organisational contexts including private, public and not for profit as well as virtual communities and social networks. With its emphasis on business rather than IT, this unit is suitable for all business and non business majors and does not require prior IT-related experience. If you want to learn how to use technology to become a more innovative and creative business professional and a global technology-savvy citizen this unit is for you!
MATH1011 Applications of Calculus
Credit points: 3 Session: Semester 1,Summer Main Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 1 hour tutorial per week. Prohibitions: MATH1111, MATH1001, MATH1901, MATH1906, BIOM1003, ENVX1001 Assumed knowledge: HSC Mathematics Assessment: One 1.5 hour examination, assignments and quizzes (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit is designed for science students who do not intend to undertake higher year mathematics and statistics. It establishes and reinforces the fundamentals of calculus, illustrated where possible with context and applications. Specifically, it demonstrates the use of (differential) calculus in solving optimisation problems and of (integral) calculus in measuring how a system accumulates over time. Topics studied include the fitting of data to various functions, the interpretation and manipulation of periodic functions and the evaluation of commonly occurring summations. Differential calculus is extended to functions of two variables and integration techniques include integration by substitution and the evaluation of integrals of infinite type.
Textbooks
As set out in the Junior Mathematics Handbook
MATH1013 Mathematical Modelling
Credit points: 3 Session: Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 1 hour tutorial per week. Prohibitions: MATH1003, MATH1903, MATH1907 Assumed knowledge: HSC Mathematics or a credit or higher in MATH1111 Assessment: One 1.5 hour examination, assignments and quizzes (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
MATH1013 is designed for science students who do not intend to undertake higher year mathematics and statistics.
In this unit of study students learn how to construct, interpret and solve simple differential equations and recurrence relations. Specific techniques include separation of variables, partial fractions and first and second order linear equations with constant coefficients. Students are also shown how to iteratively improve approximate numerical solutions to equations.
In this unit of study students learn how to construct, interpret and solve simple differential equations and recurrence relations. Specific techniques include separation of variables, partial fractions and first and second order linear equations with constant coefficients. Students are also shown how to iteratively improve approximate numerical solutions to equations.
Textbooks
As set out in the Junior Mathematics Handbook
MKTG1001 Marketing Principles
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prohibitions: MKTG2001 Assessment: Group case study (20%), Mid-semester exam (20%), Group presentation (20%), Tutorial participation (10%), Research component (2%), Final exam (28%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit examines the relationships among marketing organisations and final consumers in terms of production-distribution channels or value chains. It focuses on consumer responses to various marketing decisions (product mixes, price levels, distribution channels, promotions, etc.) made by private and public organisations to create, develop, defend, and sometimes eliminate, product markets. Emphasis is placed on identifying new ways of satisfying the needs and wants, and creating value for consumers. While this unit is heavily based on theory, practical application of the concepts to "real world" situations is also essential. Specific topics of study include: market segmentation strategies; market planning; product decisions; new product development; branding strategies; channels of distribution; promotion and advertising; pricing strategies; and customer database management.
PSYC1001 Psychology 1001
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Caleb Owens Session: Semester 1,Summer Main Classes: Three 1 hour lectures and one 1 hour tutorial per week, plus 1 hour per week of additional web-based (self-paced) material related to the tutorial. Assessment: One 2.5hr exam, one 1000w essay, multiple tutorial tests, experimental participation (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Psychology 1001 is a general introduction to the main topics and methods of psychology, and is the basis for advanced work as well as being of use to those not proceeding with the subject. Psychology 1001 covers the following areas: science and statistics in psychology; behavioural neuroscience; applied psychology; social psychology; personality theory; human development.
This unit is also offered in the Sydney Summer School. For more information consult the website:
http://sydney.edu.au/summer_school/
This unit is also offered in the Sydney Summer School. For more information consult the website:
http://sydney.edu.au/summer_school/
Textbooks
Psychology 1001 manual, Weiten, W. Psychology. Themes and variations. 9th Ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. 2012
PSYC1002 Psychology 1002
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Caleb Owens Session: Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: Three 1 hour lectures and one 1 hour tutorial per week, plus 1 hour per week of additional web-based (self-paced) material related to the tutorial. Assessment: One 2.5 hour exam, one 1250 word research report, multiple tutorial tests, experimental participation (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Psychology 1002 is a further general introduction to the main topics and methods of psychology, and it is the basis for advanced work as well as being of use to those not proceeding with the subject. Psychology 1002 covers the following areas: human mental abilities; learning, motivation and emotion; visual perception; cognitive processes; abnormal psychology.
This unit is also offered in the Sydney Summer School. For more information consult the web site:
http://sydney.edu.au/summer_school/
This unit is also offered in the Sydney Summer School. For more information consult the web site:
http://sydney.edu.au/summer_school/
Textbooks
Psychology 1001 manual, Weiten, W. Psychology. Themes and variations. 9th Ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. 2012
WORK1003 Foundations of Work and Employment
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2 hour lecture and 1x 1 hour tutorial hour per week Assessment: Participation (10%), short essay (20%), major essay (40%), exam (30%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: This is the compulsory unit of study for the Industrial Relations/Human Resource Management major.
This unit draws on concepts from industrial relations and human resource management to examine the interests and strategies of workers, unions, managers, employers and the state. It explores the relationships between these parties as they seek to manage their environments and workplaces and to exercise control over each other. The unit enables students to understand how and why the organisation, regulation and management of work are changing in Australia and globally. As well as providing an introduction to all aspects of the study of the employment relationship, this is the foundation unit for a major in industrial relations and human resource management.
Modern Language (Level 1 or higher) units, with the approval of the Dean of Agriculture and Environment
Table 2 BAgrEc Years 2 and 3 elective units
AGEC2102 Agribusiness Marketing
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mrs Elizabeth Nolan Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/wk in weeks 6-10 Prerequisites: AGEC1006 or AGEC1102 or RSEC1031 Assessment: Group presentation (15%), 1x2000wd case study (25%), and 1x2hr exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study is designed to provide an introductory understanding of agribusiness marketing in a modern context. The unit will provide students in the Sciences degrees with an understanding of how the economic theory taught in first year in AGEC1006 can be treated in an applied context. For BAgrEc students, it is an intermediate level unit in the Agribusiness major.
Students will study the theory relating to the firm-level marketing mix and marketing strategy. The emphasis will be on the organisation and trends of agribusiness marketing including value-adding and market power in the supply chain, market efficiency and international marketing by agribusiness firms.
The unit content is analytical, and draws on applied microeconomics to demonstrate how marketing decisions are made along the marketing chain. At the end of this unit students will be able to use marketing theory to analyse the steps in the marketing chain and be aware of the forces for change within that chain.
By completing this unit, students should have improved their ability to master key theories, identify and frame problems, organise knowledge, carry out individual and group research, and synthesise information. They should also have improved their information literacy skills, and communication skills through group presentations and individual research.
Students will study the theory relating to the firm-level marketing mix and marketing strategy. The emphasis will be on the organisation and trends of agribusiness marketing including value-adding and market power in the supply chain, market efficiency and international marketing by agribusiness firms.
The unit content is analytical, and draws on applied microeconomics to demonstrate how marketing decisions are made along the marketing chain. At the end of this unit students will be able to use marketing theory to analyse the steps in the marketing chain and be aware of the forces for change within that chain.
By completing this unit, students should have improved their ability to master key theories, identify and frame problems, organise knowledge, carry out individual and group research, and synthesise information. They should also have improved their information literacy skills, and communication skills through group presentations and individual research.
LWSC2002 Introductory Hydrology
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Willem Vervoort Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lec 2hr/wk; practical: 3hr/wk (for 8 weeks); field work: 25hr/wk (for 1 wk only) Assumed knowledge: AFNR1001, AFNR1002, ENSY1001 and (BIOM1003 or ENVX1001) Assessment: One 2 hr exam (50%), laboratory and practical reports (20%), field trip report (30%). Practical field work: 1 week field trip Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit introduces students to hydrology and water management in the context of Australian integrated catchment management. It particularly focuses on the water balances, rainfall runoff modeling, analysis and prediction of streamflow and environmental flows, water quality and sustainable practices in water management. Through theoretical work and case studies, the students will engage with problems related water quantity and quality in Australia and the world. The unit builds on knowledge gained in AFNR1001, AFNR1002, and SOIL2001 and establishes the foundation for later units in the hydrology and water area. The unit provides one of the essential building blocks for a career related to water management and hydrology. The unit consists of two parts; the first part will involve a series of lectures, tutorials, practical exercises and case studies. The second part of the unit consists of field excursions to parts of NSW. During the field excursions, students will engage with current water problems and engage in basic hydrometric and water quality data collection. The data will be used later to analyse catchment condition and water supply issues.
After completion of this unit, you should be able to:
Explain the different processes in the hydrological cycle
Measure and interpret hydrometric and basic water quality data
Elucidate the processes involved in generation of streamflow from rainfall.
Distinguish the link between water quantity and water quality and its implications for water management.
Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the unique nature of Australian Hydrology
Master the ability to critically debate problems facing sustainable water resource management policy and practice in Australia using course material, scientific literature, policy and popular media
After completion of this unit, you should be able to:
Explain the different processes in the hydrological cycle
Measure and interpret hydrometric and basic water quality data
Elucidate the processes involved in generation of streamflow from rainfall.
Distinguish the link between water quantity and water quality and its implications for water management.
Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the unique nature of Australian Hydrology
Master the ability to critically debate problems facing sustainable water resource management policy and practice in Australia using course material, scientific literature, policy and popular media
PLNT2002 Aust Flora: Ecology and Conservation
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Glenda Wardle, Dr Murray Henwood. Session: Semester 1 Classes: (2 hrs lec & 3 hrs prac)/wk, audiovisual. Prerequisites: 6 credit points of a Junior unit of study Prohibitions: PLNT2902 Assessment: One 2-hr exam (40%), laboratory reports (20%) herbarium (20%), one 2-hr practical exam (20%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit provides a broad understanding of the evolution, classification and diversity of terrestrial plants, and the principles of plant ecology in an Australian context. The major types of Australian vegetation are discussed across a range of temporal and spatial scales, and their current distribution related to their environment and origins. Selected contemporary issues in plant conservation from Australian natural and managed systems are explored. There is a strong emphasis on practical skills such as phylogenetic inference, plant identification and the collection and analysis of ecological data. The practical component of the unit of study uses examples taken from the Australian flora (including plants of horticultural significance) and major crop plants. Important elements of this unit are half-day field trips to the Royal National Park, and the construction of student herbaria. The practical sessions and interactions with staff encourage students to develop their own learning style and enhance a strong sense of self-reliance. Critical thinking, effective communication and other vocational and generic skills are emphasized. The content is well suited to students with interests in botany, plant science and ecology, and is often combined with units of study offered through the School of Biological Sciences and the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. This unit of study also complements a wide range of units of study from: science (e.g. plant science, earth and environmental science, animal science, bioinformatics, molecular and cell biology, genetics and biotechnology); agriculture (e.g. horticulture, land and water science, and natural resources); and broader disciplines (e.g. education, arts, and environmental law).
PLNT2003 Plant Form and Function
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Tina Bell Session: Semester 2 Classes: 24 lectures; 12 x 3 hr labs Prohibitions: PLNT2903, BIOL2003, BIOL2903, CROP2001 Assumed knowledge: 12 credit points of Junior Biology, or equivalent eg (BIOL1001 or BIOL1101 or BIOL1901 or BIOL1911) and (BIOL1002 or BIOL1902 or BIOL1003 or BIOL1903) Assessment: 1x 2 hr theory exam (40%), 1x practical exam (20%), 3x laboratory projects (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study investigates the structure of cells, tissues and organs of flowering plants and relates them to function. Topics include how growth, photosynthesis, translocation, water transport and nutrition relate to the structures that carry out these processes. Laboratory exercises demonstrating plant anatomical features are integrated with laboratory and field experiments to investigate a range of physiological aspects of plant structures. There is a focus on recent advances in plant molecular biology where they have been critical in enhancing our understanding of the form and function of plants. The physiological and anatomical responses of plants to extreme environments such as drought, fire and salinity will also be addressed. This unit of study takes us from the scale of nanometers (e.g. macromolecules) to tens of meters (e.g. a forest tree) and from historical discoveries to 'cutting edge' technology. Attention will be paid to the anatomy and physiology of crop, horticultural and Australian native plants. Plant Form and Function complements other units of study about plant biochemistry and molecular biology and plant growth and development.
SOIL2003 Soil Properties and Processes
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Balwant Singh (Coordinator), Prof Alex McBratney, A/Prof. Stephen Cattle Session: Semester 1 Classes: 3x1hr lectures and 1x3hr practical/week, commencing week 1, and a compulsory field excursion to be held on the Thursday and Friday in the week preceding the first semester. Assessment: Soil description report (10%), Quizzes (or Essay) (15%), Practical exercise book (20%), Practical exam (15%) and Written exam (40%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts within pedology, soil physics and soil chemistry. These concepts are part of the grounding principles that underpin crop and animal production, nutrient and water cycling, and environmental sustainability taught by other units of study in the Faculty. Students will participate in a two-day field excursion in the first week of semester to examine some common soils of the Sydney Basin, they will also learn to describe soil, and measure soil chemical and physical properties in the field. Referring to common soil profiles of the Sydney Basin, students will concentrate on factors affecting soil formation, the rudiments of soil description, and analysis of soil properties that are used in soil classification. Students will also develop knowledge of the physics of water and gas movement, soil strength, soil chemical properties, inorganic and organic components, nutrient cycles and soil acidity in an agricultural context. At the end of this unit students will become familiar with the factors that determine a soil's composition and behaviour, and will have an understanding of the most important soil physical and chemical properties. Students will develop communication skills through essay, report and practical exercises. The final report and laboratory exercise questions are designed to develop team work and collaborative efforts.
ENVX3001 Environmental GIS
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Inakwu Odeh Session: Semester 2 Classes: Three-day field trip, (2 lec & 2 prac/wk). Assumed knowledge: least 48 credit points in second year agriculture/science units. Assessment: One 15 min presentation (10%), 3500w prac report (35%), 1500w report on trip excur (15%), 2 hr exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit is designed to impart knowledge and skills in spatial analysis and geographical information science (GISc) for decision-making in an environmental context. The lecture material will present several themes: principles of GISc, geospatial data sources and acquisition methods, processing of geospatial data and spatial statistics. Practical exercises will focus on learning geographical information systems (GIS) and how to apply them to land resource assessment, including digital terrain modelling, land-cover assessment, sub-catchment modelling, ecological applications, and soil quality assessment for decisions regarding sustainable land use and management. A 3 day field excursion during the mid-semester break will involve a day of GPS fieldwork at Arthursleigh University farm and two days in Canberra visiting various government agencies which research and maintain GIS coverages for Australia. By the end of this UoS, students should be able to: differentiate between spatial data and spatial information; source geospatial data from government and private agencies; apply conceptual models of spatial phenomena for practical decision-making in an environmental context; apply critical analysis of situations to apply the concepts of spatial analysis to solving environmental and land resource problems; communicate effectively results of GIS investigations through various means- oral, written and essay formats; and use a major GIS software package such as ArcGIS.
RSEC4131 Benefit-Cost Analysis
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Shauna Phillips Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2 hr lecture/wk commencing week 1 & 1x1 hr tut/wk, commencing week 2. Prerequisites: (ECON2001 or ECOS2001) and (AGEC2103 or AGEC2003) Prohibitions: AGEC4037 Assessment: 1 x oral presentation (5%), 1 x written group-work essay (20%), 1 x 1hr mid-semester exam (25%), 1 x 2hr final examination (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit provides a detailed treatment of benefit-cost analysis and its use in public sector decision making and project evaluation. The underpinning concepts in welfare economics are analysed in detail, such as economic efficiency, criteria for assessing social welfare improvements, and economic surplus measures. Procedures of undertaking a benefit-cost analysis are presented, and tools of non-market valuation for environmental assets are covered in detail. These techniques include both stated and revealed preference techniques, including contingent valuation, choice modeling, hedonic pricing and travel cost methods.
Any level 2 or 3 semester units in Accounting (ACCT), Commercial Law (CLAW), Econometrics (ECMT), Economics (ECOS), Finance (FINC), Geography (GEOG or GEOS), Government (GOVT), Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management (WORK), Information Systems (INFS), Marketing (MKTG), Psychology (PSYC). Units in Asian Studies (ASNS) or Modern Languages may also be taken (with the approval of the Dean FAFNR)
Any level 4 units in Agricultural Economics (AGEC) other than those which are core requirements for Year 4.
Other units of study from the BScAgr, BHortSc and BLWSc degrees, with approval of the Dean FAFNR and the Degree Coordinator concerned.
AGEC2102 Agribusiness Marketing can only be included for Year 2.
Prerequisites and/or corequisites apply for most units.
Electives must be chosen such that the student will complete a non-AGEC major as specified in the Table of Majors.
Majors in the BAgrEc Degree
Agricultural Economics major
Junior (Level 1) units
AGEC1102 Agricultural and Resource Economics
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Shauna Phillips Session: Semester 2 Classes: 3x1-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prohibitions: AGEC1002 Assumed knowledge: HSC Mathematics or HSC Mathematics Extension 1 Assessment: 1x1hr exam (25%), 1xassignment (15%) and 1x2hr exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
The unit applies the principles studied in introductory microeconomics to the agricultural and resource sectors. Some descriptive content regarding Australia's agricultural markets, natural resource assets and industries is included. The first part of the unit is focused on basic concepts of supply, demand, equilibrium in agricultural and resource markets, and how markets can be modeled mathematically. Subsequent parts of the unit are focused on introductory production economics and natural resource management (under conditions of market failure, and as dynamic processes). Sources of risk in agriculture and resource markets, alternative management strategies, and basic techniques of decision making in the face of risk are explored.
AGEN1001 Shaping our Landscapes
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr Peter Ampt (Coordinator), Ms Elizabeth Nolan Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x1hr lect, 1x2hr tut, 4x1day (6.5hr) field (ave 2hrs/week) Prohibitions: AFNR1001 Assessment: 1x 2hr exam (40%), Field class reports (10%), Group work participation and reflection (10%), Tutorial group journal (20%), Problem based learning project (20%) Practical field work: Preparation, revision and private study 3hrs/week Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit of study is designed to help students develop understanding of our non-urban landscapes and the physical, biological, economic and cultural factors that have shaped them, with particular emphasis on the interaction between production and environment. It is a core first year unit for students in BScAgr, BEnvSys, BResEc, BAgEc and BAnVetBioSc from the Vet Faculty.
The unit begins with a review of the current global issues around population, food, agriculture and environment and the place of Australia in this global context. Australia's current production (plant and animal based) and environmental systems and landscapes are described with an emphasis on the physical, biological, economic and cultural factors that have shaped them, concluding with an account of future production and environment scenarios.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to describe global production and environment issues and key Australian landscapes and production systems, explain the factors that have shaped them and apply this understanding to a specific location and production system. They should analyse the situation of natural resource managers and evaluate the options available to them to maintain or improve profitable production and achieve sustainability.
The students will gain research and inquiry skills through research based group projects, information literacy and communication skills through on-line discussion postings, tutorial discussions and presentations and personal and intellectual autonomy through working in groups and individually.
The unit begins with a review of the current global issues around population, food, agriculture and environment and the place of Australia in this global context. Australia's current production (plant and animal based) and environmental systems and landscapes are described with an emphasis on the physical, biological, economic and cultural factors that have shaped them, concluding with an account of future production and environment scenarios.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to describe global production and environment issues and key Australian landscapes and production systems, explain the factors that have shaped them and apply this understanding to a specific location and production system. They should analyse the situation of natural resource managers and evaluate the options available to them to maintain or improve profitable production and achieve sustainability.
The students will gain research and inquiry skills through research based group projects, information literacy and communication skills through on-line discussion postings, tutorial discussions and presentations and personal and intellectual autonomy through working in groups and individually.
Textbooks
To be advised during semester.
AGEN1002 Sustaining our Landscapes
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Mark Adams (Coordinator), A/Professor Budiman Minasny, Dr Niggol Seo, Dr Andrew Merchant, Dr Tarryn Turnbull Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2 x lectures + 1 x tutorial / wk, 1 x 4 day field trip Assumed knowledge: School Year 12 level knowledge of mathematics, some biology and chemistry. Assessment: 1 x 2hr exam (50%), 4 x tutorial papers (24%) (Draft tutorial papers to submitted for editing by academic staff), 1 x field trip report (26%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
The quest for sustainability is integral to all land management. The earth's natural systems - especially cycles of water, carbon and nutrients - are critical to economic, social and many other aspects of the world in which we live. As a country dependent on export of commodities, Australia must contend with very significant external forces that shape how we manage land.
This unit of study provides students with critical knowledge and understanding of the economic, biophysical, and chemical principles that must be considered in assessing sustainability, and applies that knowledge to assessing how current Australian landscapes might be managed in the future. Beginning with an exploration of the meaning of sustainability and how scientific and economic methodology is applied to its study, students will progressively engage with more complex and challenging content. By the end of the unit, students will have explored major elements of sustainability and be able to apply their understanding to articulate critical questions that need to be asked when presented with simplistic approaches or ideas. A major field trip will focus on introducing students to quantitative measurement of key processes and developing a greater depth of knowledge of sustainability "in the field". A range of typical Australian landscapes will be considered, ranging from the high country and forests to intensive irrigated agriculture. The field trip and tutorial exercises are intended to help students gain skills in rigorous analysis of the relevant literature and in preparing short pieces of writing. Students direct experience of and exposure to the science and economics of ecological sustainability. Students will work in small groups during field and tutorial sessions.
This unit of study provides students with critical knowledge and understanding of the economic, biophysical, and chemical principles that must be considered in assessing sustainability, and applies that knowledge to assessing how current Australian landscapes might be managed in the future. Beginning with an exploration of the meaning of sustainability and how scientific and economic methodology is applied to its study, students will progressively engage with more complex and challenging content. By the end of the unit, students will have explored major elements of sustainability and be able to apply their understanding to articulate critical questions that need to be asked when presented with simplistic approaches or ideas. A major field trip will focus on introducing students to quantitative measurement of key processes and developing a greater depth of knowledge of sustainability "in the field". A range of typical Australian landscapes will be considered, ranging from the high country and forests to intensive irrigated agriculture. The field trip and tutorial exercises are intended to help students gain skills in rigorous analysis of the relevant literature and in preparing short pieces of writing. Students direct experience of and exposure to the science and economics of ecological sustainability. Students will work in small groups during field and tutorial sessions.
Textbooks
A Critique for Ecology R.H. Peters, 1991, Cambridge University Press
Level 2 and 3 units
AGEC2101 Market and Price Analysis
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr. Shyamal Chowdhury Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: AGEC1006 or (AGEC1003 and AGEC1004) or AGEC1002 or AGEC1102 or RSEC1031 or AGEC1031 Prohibitions: AGEC2001 Assessment: 1x1hr in-class mid-term exam (20%), 1x3000wd assignment (20%), 1x2hr final exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit focuses on the nature of agricultural and resource commodity markets, market demand relationships, market supply relationships, price determination under alternative market structures, marketing margin relationships, derived demand for inputs, spatially and temporally related markets, market dynamics, price expectations, commodity futures markets and other pertinent topics. Applied examples from the agricultural and resource industries and the overall economy will be used throughout the semester as illustrations of the principles involved.
N.B. Available to 2nd year students in Faculty of Economics and Business.
Advised prerequisite: AGEC2105 or ECMT2110
N.B. Available to 2nd year students in Faculty of Economics and Business.
Advised prerequisite: AGEC2105 or ECMT2110
AGEC2103 Production Economics
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Shauna Phillips Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week, 1x2-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: ECON1001 or AGEC1006 or (AGEC1003 and AGEC1004) or RESEC1031 Prohibitions: AGEC2003 Assessment: 2 x assignments (40%) and 1x2hr exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit builds on microeconomic principles studied in first year and applies them to the analysis of firms' decisions. Emphasis is put on the formalization of the firm's problem and in the use of duality. The topics include: production functions (single and multi-output); distance functions and their use in the measurement of productivity; the decomposition of productivity and productivity changes; production under risk; cost and profit functions.
N.B. Available to 2nd year students in the Faculty of Economics and Business
N.B. Available to 2nd year students in the Faculty of Economics and Business
Textbooks
Collection of readings
AGEC3102 Agricultural and Resource Policy
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Alan Randall Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture + 1x1-hr lectures/week, 1x2-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: (AGEC2001 or AGEC2101) and (AGEC2003 or AGEC2103) Prohibitions: AGEC3002 Assessment: 1x2.5hr exam (70%) and 3x1 problem sets (30%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit covers the theoretical framework for economic analysis of policy interventions (welfare economics and public choice theory). Emphasis is put on building the skills needed to analyze the incidence of economic policy and on the design of policies under asymmetric information. An understanding of the institutional structure of agricultural and resource policy in Australia is promoted through the direct contact with policy makers, public agencies and lobbying groups.
N.B. Available to 3rd year students in the Faculty of Economics and Business
N.B. Available to 3rd year students in the Faculty of Economics and Business
Textbooks
To be advised
AGEC3101 Agribusiness Management
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Ms Lynn Henry Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week, 1x2-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: AGEC2103 or AGEC2003 or AGEC1006 Prohibitions: AGEC3103, AGEC3001 Assessment: 1x2hr exam (50%) and 1x50 min mid-semester exam (15%) and 1 assignment (25%) and workshop reports (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit of study is designed to introduce decision making problems encountered by firms and agribusiness firms and general methods of solving microeconomic decision making problems. It is unit of study that builds on knowledge gained in junior units of study in particular AGEC1006, AGEC2103 and AGEC2102. Students will review production economics and activity analysis and show how budgeting methods can be used to relate them. They will extend these budgeting techniques to problems of time and risk, using capital and parametric budgeting. Students will also be introduced to linear programming and show how this tool is a practical method of solving decision making problems. Students will learn to consider methods for solving decision making problems where the outcomes are not known with certainty. The students will gain skills through workshop based tasks, an assignment, information literacy and communication skills through the presentation of the workshop reports and discussion throughout the workshop.
or
AGEC3103 Applied Optimisation
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Shauna Phillips Session: Semester 1 Classes: (2x1hr lec & 1x2hr tut/lab session)/wk, commencing week 1 Prerequisites: (AGEC2001 or AGEC2101) and (AGEC2003 or AGEC2103) Prohibitions: AGEC3101 Assessment: 1x2hr exam (70%) and 2 assignments (better done one (18%), other (12%)) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit of study deals with constrained optimization problems in which one or more constraints are inequalities. Such problems are explored/solved by "mathematical programming" techniques. The main focus of the unit is on linear programming (LP) problems, viz. problems in which the objective function and the constraint functions are all linear, and the application of LP in agricultural and other planning contexts. Topics include graphical and mathematical representation of LP problems, solution methods, solution information, stability of optimal solutions, primal and dual formulations and parametric programming. After covering the essentials of LP and its extension to integer LP, the focus shifts to modelling real world scenarios as optimization problems. Students are streamed: one group deals with specialized LP formulations (e.g. transportation model, stochastic programming). The other examines dynamic optimization for problems that involve inter-temporal resource allocation. Students develop experience and confidence in the use of spreadsheet-based optimizer routines, and with specialised optimization packages (e.g. LINDO).
Plus two level 4 AGEC elective units
Non-Agricultural Economics majors
Accounting
Junior (Level 1) units
ACCT1001 Accounting IA
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prohibitions: ACCT1003, ACCT1004 Assumed knowledge: HSC Mathematics Assessment: Tutorial work (10%); Practice Set (10%); Mid-semester examination (20%); Final examination (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
Note: Available for only for continuing degree students who commenced their studies prior to 2011
Accounting 1A introduces students to the fundamentals of accounting and the double entry system of financial recording. Students examine the assumptions underlying the preparation of financial statements for external users and gain the skills necessary to prepare, interpret and analyse financial statements. In doing so students develop their ability to understand, discuss, analyse and write about accounting-related topics. This unit is designed as an introduction to accounting. As such, no prior knowledge of accounting is assumed.
or
BUSS1030 Accounting, Business and Society
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x 1.5hr lecture and 1x 1.5hr tutorial per week Prohibitions: ACCT1001, ACCT1002, ACCT1003, ACCT1004, ACCT1005 Assessment: Tutorial work (15%); Written assessment (15%); Mid-semester examination (20%); Final examination (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit investigates the fundamentals of accounting and aims to provide a broad understanding of the role of accounting in the context of business and society. The format of the unit is designed to show that there are many uses of accounting data. The focus moves from accountability to decision making; both functions are explained through examples such as the 'double entry equation', and from an output (financial statements) perspective. Some more technical aspects of accounting are outlined, including the elements of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses within simple, familiar scenarios. Besides developing an understanding of the role of accounting via conventional financial reports, recent developments including the discharge of accountability by companies through the release of corporate social and environmental reports and the global financial crisis, are explored with an accounting lens.
and
ACCT1002 Accounting IB
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr lecture and 1x1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: ACCT1001 Prohibitions: ACCT1003, ACCT1004 Assessment: Homework tasks (10%); Group project (20%); Final examination (70%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Available only for continuing degree students who commenced their studies prior to 2011.
Accounting is about the recording, classification, reporting and interpretation of information to help make economic decisions. Accounting 1A introduces accounting and the double entry system for financial recording. Accounting 1B develops themes and competencies learnt in Accounting 1A. The primary focus of this unit of study is on conceptual and technical issues relating to management accounting and the information required by internal users to make strategic and operational decisions relating to managing a business. A second theme is the financial accounting information businesses are required to produce to assess a firm's financial state and performance. Students examine how commercial and ethical issues affect business decisions and how there are present and future consequences that will affect different groups of interest.
or
ACCT1006 Accounting and Financial Management
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x 1.5hr lecture and 1x 1.5hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: ACCT1005 or BUSS1030 Prohibitions: ACCT1001, ACCT1002, ACCT1003, ACCT1004 Assessment: tutorial work (10%); practice set (15%);mid-semester exam (20%); final exam (55%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
Accounting and Financial Management is an introduction to financial reporting, and the gateway unit to further study in accounting and to a major in accounting. This unit builds upon the accounting context, presented in BUSS1030 Accounting, Business and Society, with the aim of developing the technical skills of recording basic business transactions through accounting systems. In addition to this technical focus, specific attention will be given to the way in which the accounting information can be used to undertake financial management and analysis, to give students the ability to produce and interpret financial reports.
Level 2 and 3 units
ACCT2011 Financial Accounting A
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr lecture and 1x1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: (ACCT1001 or ACCT1005 or BUSS1030) and (ACCT1002 or ACCT1006) and (ECMT1010 or BUSS1020) Prohibitions: ACCT2001 Assessment: Mid-semester examination (40%); Final examination (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit examines the accounting and reporting practices of reporting entities, particularly listed public companies. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of, and the ability to critically evaluate, the various regulatory requirements (professional and statutory) governing financial reporting. The unit commences with an overview of the financial reporting environment and theories that seek to explain the accounting policy choices of management. This framework provides a basis for examining a range of specific issues in financial accounting. Emphasis throughout the unit is on both the application of specific accounting techniques/rules and the conceptual/theoretical issues associated with alternative accounting methods.
ACCT2012 Management Accounting A
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1 x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: (ACCT1001 or ACCT1005 or BUSS1030) and (ACCT1002 or ACCT1006) Prohibitions: ACCT2002 Assessment: computer assignments (10%); quizzes (10%); case study assignment (20%); final examination (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This course provides students with an introduction to the basics of management/cost accounting; it equips them with necessary skills to use an industry-standard accounting system and management accounting information efficiently and effectively. Areas specifically covered include: cost terms and purposes, cost behaviour, cost-volume-profit analysis, cost estimation, basic and alternative product costing methods, detailed study of the mechanics of the budgeting process (master budgets, flexible budgets, standard costing and variance analysis, capital budgeting), sustainability and environmental management accounting, decision making using relevant costs/revenues and cost allocation.
Any four of the following:
ACCT3011 Financial Accounting B
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr lecture and 1x1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: ACCT2011 or ACCT2001 Prohibitions: ACCT3001 Assessment: mid-semester examination (35%); group presentations (8%); group assignment (7%); final examination (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit introduces students to accounting for investments in entities that are controlled or significantly influenced by the investor. The first part of the unit focuses on assessing whether an investment should be consolidated, the process of consolidation, the preparation of consolidated financial statements for corporate groups, including the treatment of goodwill, intra-group transactions and non controlling interests. Other aspects of group accounting, such as segment disclosures and related party disclosures, are investigated. The first part of the unit concludes with a critical analysis of the consolidation process, including the outcomes of the consolidation process and the impact of this upon the user of the consolidated financial statements. The second part of the unit focuses on critically evaluating current issues in accounting regulation and practice, such as the politics of the standard-setting process, using accounting for financial instruments as a special case. Finally, voluntary disclosures for social and environmental reporting are considered. This unit aims to further develop students' written communication skills and critical and analytic skills within the context of corporate group activities.
ACCT3012 Management Accounting B
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x1.5hr lecture and 1x1.5hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: ACCT2012 or ACCT2002 Prohibitions: ACCT3002 Assessment: Mid-semester examination (30%); Tutorial work/participation and Presentation (20%); Final examination (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
Note: Discipline Permission required for students who have not passed ACCT2012 (or ACCT2002)
Management Accounting B deals with the theory and practice of a selection of contemporary management accounting issues. The course begins by examining the influences that impact upon the design of an organisation and its management accounting system. Behavioural factors, rather than technical factors, are highlighted and a range of organisational settings and management levels are reviewed. The unit then examines advanced issues relevant to operational management accounting. While this section of the course builds on the foundations laid in Management Accounting A, the focus remains on the behavioural implications of accounting techniques for making decisions in organisations.
ACCT3013 Financial Statement Analysis
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: (ACCT2011 or ACCT2001) and (FINC2011 or FINC2001) Prohibitions: ACCT3003 Assessment: Tutorial participation (10%); Mid-semester examination (20%); Group case studies (15%); Final examination (55%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
Although the appropriate 'form' of financial analysis depends largely on the specific context (e.g. equity investment, credit extension, analysis of supplier/customer health, competitor analysis, regulatory overview or intervention, valuation for takeover/restructuring), many of the techniques of financial analysis are common to each. A primary purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of these techniques, as well as the inherent difficulties in their application. Specific issues addressed include the analysis of business performance and disclosure, the analysis of earnings quality, cash flow assessment, credit worthiness and accounting-based valuation methods.
ACCT3014 Auditing and Assurance
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr lecture and 1x1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: ACCT3011 or ACCT3001 Prohibitions: ACCT3004 Assessment: Individual/Group assignments (20%); Mid-semester examination (30%); Final examination (50%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit of study examines the process of auditing and the concepts which underlay the practice. Although the focus of attention is on audits of financial reports undertaken in compliance with the Corporation Act 2001, reference is also made to other forms of audit and assurance. The course is intended to provide an overview of the audit process within the context of Australian Auditing Standards. The course is both practical and theoretical, with students required to apply their knowledge to case studies developed from practice.
ACCT3031 International Corporate Governance
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: ACCT2011 or ACCT2001 Assumed knowledge: CLAW2201 Assessment: Individual assignments and/or exam (75%); Group case study assignment(s) (25%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit examines the evolving view of corporate governance from an international perspective, with reference to Australian principles. Corporate governance from a narrow view is concerned with how a corporation is controlled, to the establishment of sets of arrangements affecting the conduct of an organisation and its relationship with stakeholders. Specific issues examined in this unit include the legal framework; control and culture of the modern corporation; operations of a Board; role of board sub-committees; Boards and the development or endorsement of strategies; measuring and rewarding performance; corporate governance, financial reporting and disclosure; corporate governance and the audit process; governance within the global financial crisis.
ACCT3032 Current Issues in Management Accounting
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x 1hr lecture and 1x 2hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: ACCT2012 or ACCT2002 Assessment: In-class tests (20%); Research Presentation (20%); Tutorial contribution (10%); Final examination (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit builds on the fundamentals of management accounting practice (ACCT2012) by introducing a series of advanced management accounting topics such as strategic management accounting, accounting innovation, human resource management, social and environmental accounting and designing management accounting systems. In addition, this unit relaxes the hitherto held assumption that management accounting works in a world characterised by certainty and rationality and instead shows that management accounting more often operates in a world characterised by fuzziness and ambiguity. This real-world view requires students to develop their judgemental skills and to adopt a more critical and reflective approach that challenges their beliefs about how management accounting works in practice.
CLAW2201 Corporations Law
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 2hrs of lectures and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: Any 4 full semester first year units of study including CLAW1001 Prohibitions: CLAW2001 Assessment: Class Test (40%), Tutorial work and participation (10%), Final Exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
Companies are an integral part of our business environment. All participants in the world of business have dealings with companies - whether as employees, clients, customers, directors, shareholders, creditors, debtors, suppliers, vendors, consultants or professional advisers. This makes it essential to have an understanding of the legal nature and characteristics of companies and the manner in which their activities and management are regulated. In this unit, the legal "life cycle" of a company is examined along with a comparison of companies to other business entities. The ways in which important activities undertaken by companies are regulated are explored including: entering contracts, raising funds, issuing shares, paying dividends. Consideration is given to the duties and obligations the law places upon those who manage companies, and the consequences which may result from any breach of those duties and obligations. The position of companies in financial difficulty and the final stages in the life cycle of an insolvent company are also addressed.
See the [[http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/business_school||Business School Handbook]]
Agribusiness
Junior (Level 1) units
Some junior elective units of WORK, IBUS or INFS may be required to meet the prerequisites of Level 2/3 units listed for this major.
Level 2 and 3 units
AGEC2102 Agribusiness Marketing
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mrs Elizabeth Nolan Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/wk in weeks 6-10 Prerequisites: AGEC1006 or AGEC1102 or RSEC1031 Assessment: Group presentation (15%), 1x2000wd case study (25%), and 1x2hr exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit of study is designed to provide an introductory understanding of agribusiness marketing in a modern context. The unit will provide students in the Sciences degrees with an understanding of how the economic theory taught in first year in AGEC1006 can be treated in an applied context. For BAgrEc students, it is an intermediate level unit in the Agribusiness major.
Students will study the theory relating to the firm-level marketing mix and marketing strategy. The emphasis will be on the organisation and trends of agribusiness marketing including value-adding and market power in the supply chain, market efficiency and international marketing by agribusiness firms.
The unit content is analytical, and draws on applied microeconomics to demonstrate how marketing decisions are made along the marketing chain. At the end of this unit students will be able to use marketing theory to analyse the steps in the marketing chain and be aware of the forces for change within that chain.
By completing this unit, students should have improved their ability to master key theories, identify and frame problems, organise knowledge, carry out individual and group research, and synthesise information. They should also have improved their information literacy skills, and communication skills through group presentations and individual research.
Students will study the theory relating to the firm-level marketing mix and marketing strategy. The emphasis will be on the organisation and trends of agribusiness marketing including value-adding and market power in the supply chain, market efficiency and international marketing by agribusiness firms.
The unit content is analytical, and draws on applied microeconomics to demonstrate how marketing decisions are made along the marketing chain. At the end of this unit students will be able to use marketing theory to analyse the steps in the marketing chain and be aware of the forces for change within that chain.
By completing this unit, students should have improved their ability to master key theories, identify and frame problems, organise knowledge, carry out individual and group research, and synthesise information. They should also have improved their information literacy skills, and communication skills through group presentations and individual research.
AGEC4104 Industrial Organization of Agribusiness
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr. Shyamal Chowdhury Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: (AGEC2001 or AGEC2101) and (AGEC2003 or AGEC2103) Assessment: 1x2000 wd assignment (20%), 1x1000 wd review (10%), 1x15min presentation (5%), 1x1page evaluation of a peer (5%), and 1x2hr final exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit focuses on applications of economic theory and methods in agribusiness decision making. It provides advanced treatment of the industrial organisation of agribusiness firms. Case studies will be used to examine the economic complexities of global agribusiness systems. Extensive readings make up the central component of the unit.
Textbooks
Collections of readings.
The following 2 units are available in 2013, but NOT in 2014
AGEC4101 Agricultural Marketing Analysis
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mrs Elizabeth Nolan Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week, commencing week 1 Prerequisites: (AGEC2001 or AGEC2101) and (AGEC2003 or AGEC2103) Prohibitions: AGEC4004 Assessment: Problem sets (30%) 1x2hr exam (40%) 1x3000wd essay (30%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit of study is designed to provide an understanding of the underlying forces driving agricultural markets. Its content is analytical, and draws heavily on applied microeconomics. The unit addresses price analysis and pricing efficiency, including aspects of form, time and space in agricultural marketing; information and contracts; changing consumer concerns (food safety, ethical production); futures market and other risk sharing devices. The main learning aims of the unit are development of student skills in understanding the fundamental concepts in marketing theory and applying them to the agribusiness industry, and further development of students' analytical abilities in the context of agricultural marketing. Extensive reading will be required.
Textbooks
To be advised
AGEC4109 Agricultural Finance and Risk
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Shauna Phillips Session: Semester 2 Classes: (2x1hr lec & 1x2hr tut/lab session)/wk, commencing week 1. Prerequisites: {(AGEC3001 or AGEC3101) and (AGEC2003 or AGEC2103)} OR (AGEC1102 and AGEC3103) Prohibitions: AGEC4009 Assessment: 1x2hr exam (70%) and 2 assignments (better done one (18%), other (12%)) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit has two related components. One component concerns risk and risk management in agriculture; the other deals with issues of agricultural producer finance. Risk topics include: risk measurement, subjective probability, adjusting beliefs as a result of new information; risk attitudes; decision making under risk; expected utility theory; valuing information; generalizations of expected utility theory; E-V analysis; stochastic dominance; internal measures to cope with risk including diversification and flexibility; insurance, futures, options and other market instruments for managing risk. Finance topics include the implications of capital market imperfections and consequential differences between corporate and small business finance; financial relationships between debt/equity levels and risk, optimal debt levels; cost of capital; short term working capital management; and longer term capital (investment) budgeting. Techniques of valuation of projects in risk-free and risk situations are examined.
Either 12 credit points INFS level 2/3 units or 12 credit points WORK level 2/3 units or 12 credit points of IBUS level 2/3 units
Agricultural Finance
Junior (Level 1) units
Some junior elective units may be required to meet the prerequisites of Level 2/3 units listed for this major
Level 2 and Level 3
FINC2011 Corporate Finance I
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2,Summer Early,Summer Main,Winter Main Classes: 1 x 2hr lecture and 1 x 1hr tutorial per week Prohibitions: FINC2001 Assumed knowledge: (ECMT1010 or BUSS1020) and BUSS1040 or (ECON1001 and ECON1002) Assessment: tutorial participation (10%), early semester quiz (20%), assignment (20%), final 2hr exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
Note: Study in Finance commences in second year. BUSS1020 (or ECMT1010) and BUSS1040 (or ECON1001 and ECON1002) are recommended for all students wanting to study Finance.
This unit provides an introduction to basic concepts in corporate finance and their application to (1) valuation of risky assets including stocks, bonds and entire corporations, (2) pricing of equity securities, and (3) corporate financial policy decisions including dividend, capital structure and risk management policies. An emphasis is placed on the application of ideas and current practices in each of these areas.
FINC2012 Corporate Finance II
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: FINC2011 or FINC2001 Prohibitions: FINC2002 Assessment: mid-semester exam (15%), essay (20%), final exam (65%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit builds on FINC2011 Corporate Finance I, by extending basic concepts in corporate financing, investing and risk management. The first half of the unit is devoted to current theories of corporate financing and their practical application in corporate investment and capital budgeting. The second half of the unit examines securities and securities markets with an emphasis on pricing, investment characteristics and, importantly, their use by corporations to manage risk. The securities examined include: bonds and related fixed income products; futures; options; and securities denominated in foreign currencies. The goal of the unit is to broaden students' knowledge of corporate finance in preparation for further study in finance in third year.
AGEC4104 Industrial Organization of Agribusiness
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr. Shyamal Chowdhury Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: (AGEC2001 or AGEC2101) and (AGEC2003 or AGEC2103) Assessment: 1x2000 wd assignment (20%), 1x1000 wd review (10%), 1x15min presentation (5%), 1x1page evaluation of a peer (5%), and 1x2hr final exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit focuses on applications of economic theory and methods in agribusiness decision making. It provides advanced treatment of the industrial organisation of agribusiness firms. Case studies will be used to examine the economic complexities of global agribusiness systems. Extensive readings make up the central component of the unit.
Textbooks
Collections of readings.
The following unit is NOT available in 2013, but is available in 2014
AGEC4108 Quantitative Planning Methods
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Ross Drynan Session: Semester 2 Classes: (2x1hr lec & 1x2 tut/lab session)/wk, commencing week 1 Prerequisites: AGEC3101 or AGEC3103 or AGEC3031 or AGEC3001 Prohibitions: AGEC4008 Assessment: 1x2hr exam (70%) and 2 assignments (better done one (18%), other (12%)) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit examines the use of mathematical methods and models in planning at both the individual firm level and the sector level. While the principal focus is on formal optimization, simulation and Monte Carlo methods are also discussed. Topics include non-linear programming, stochastic programming, elements of input-output analysis, computable general equilibrium analysis, dynamic problems and methods (e.g. dynamic programming and optimal control). Sectoral level planning applications considered include transportation and plant location studies; spatial equilibrium; and resource utilization across time. Firm level applications may include multi-period planning, queuing problems, inventory analysis, and replacement problems. Extensive use is made of computer-based optimization.
The following unit is available in 2013, but NOT in 2014
AGEC4109 Agricultural Finance and Risk
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Shauna Phillips Session: Semester 2 Classes: (2x1hr lec & 1x2hr tut/lab session)/wk, commencing week 1. Prerequisites: {(AGEC3001 or AGEC3101) and (AGEC2003 or AGEC2103)} OR (AGEC1102 and AGEC3103) Prohibitions: AGEC4009 Assessment: 1x2hr exam (70%) and 2 assignments (better done one (18%), other (12%)) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit has two related components. One component concerns risk and risk management in agriculture; the other deals with issues of agricultural producer finance. Risk topics include: risk measurement, subjective probability, adjusting beliefs as a result of new information; risk attitudes; decision making under risk; expected utility theory; valuing information; generalizations of expected utility theory; E-V analysis; stochastic dominance; internal measures to cope with risk including diversification and flexibility; insurance, futures, options and other market instruments for managing risk. Finance topics include the implications of capital market imperfections and consequential differences between corporate and small business finance; financial relationships between debt/equity levels and risk, optimal debt levels; cost of capital; short term working capital management; and longer term capital (investment) budgeting. Techniques of valuation of projects in risk-free and risk situations are examined.
Plus two FINC3000 units
Agricultural Marketing
Junior (Level 1) units
MKTG1001 Marketing Principles
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prohibitions: MKTG2001 Assessment: Group case study (20%), Mid-semester exam (20%), Group presentation (20%), Tutorial participation (10%), Research component (2%), Final exam (28%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit examines the relationships among marketing organisations and final consumers in terms of production-distribution channels or value chains. It focuses on consumer responses to various marketing decisions (product mixes, price levels, distribution channels, promotions, etc.) made by private and public organisations to create, develop, defend, and sometimes eliminate, product markets. Emphasis is placed on identifying new ways of satisfying the needs and wants, and creating value for consumers. While this unit is heavily based on theory, practical application of the concepts to "real world" situations is also essential. Specific topics of study include: market segmentation strategies; market planning; product decisions; new product development; branding strategies; channels of distribution; promotion and advertising; pricing strategies; and customer database management.
Level 2 and 3 units
AGEC2102 Agribusiness Marketing
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mrs Elizabeth Nolan Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/wk in weeks 6-10 Prerequisites: AGEC1006 or AGEC1102 or RSEC1031 Assessment: Group presentation (15%), 1x2000wd case study (25%), and 1x2hr exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit of study is designed to provide an introductory understanding of agribusiness marketing in a modern context. The unit will provide students in the Sciences degrees with an understanding of how the economic theory taught in first year in AGEC1006 can be treated in an applied context. For BAgrEc students, it is an intermediate level unit in the Agribusiness major.
Students will study the theory relating to the firm-level marketing mix and marketing strategy. The emphasis will be on the organisation and trends of agribusiness marketing including value-adding and market power in the supply chain, market efficiency and international marketing by agribusiness firms.
The unit content is analytical, and draws on applied microeconomics to demonstrate how marketing decisions are made along the marketing chain. At the end of this unit students will be able to use marketing theory to analyse the steps in the marketing chain and be aware of the forces for change within that chain.
By completing this unit, students should have improved their ability to master key theories, identify and frame problems, organise knowledge, carry out individual and group research, and synthesise information. They should also have improved their information literacy skills, and communication skills through group presentations and individual research.
Students will study the theory relating to the firm-level marketing mix and marketing strategy. The emphasis will be on the organisation and trends of agribusiness marketing including value-adding and market power in the supply chain, market efficiency and international marketing by agribusiness firms.
The unit content is analytical, and draws on applied microeconomics to demonstrate how marketing decisions are made along the marketing chain. At the end of this unit students will be able to use marketing theory to analyse the steps in the marketing chain and be aware of the forces for change within that chain.
By completing this unit, students should have improved their ability to master key theories, identify and frame problems, organise knowledge, carry out individual and group research, and synthesise information. They should also have improved their information literacy skills, and communication skills through group presentations and individual research.
AGEC4104 Industrial Organization of Agribusiness
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr. Shyamal Chowdhury Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Prerequisites: (AGEC2001 or AGEC2101) and (AGEC2003 or AGEC2103) Assessment: 1x2000 wd assignment (20%), 1x1000 wd review (10%), 1x15min presentation (5%), 1x1page evaluation of a peer (5%), and 1x2hr final exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit focuses on applications of economic theory and methods in agribusiness decision making. It provides advanced treatment of the industrial organisation of agribusiness firms. Case studies will be used to examine the economic complexities of global agribusiness systems. Extensive readings make up the central component of the unit.
Textbooks
Collections of readings.
MKTG2112 Consumer Behaviour
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: MKTG1001 (or MKTG2001) Prohibitions: MKTG2002 Assessment: Ongoing work portfolio (15%), Class participation (15%), Project interview transcripts (Individual component) (15%), Final project group presentation (10%), Final project group report (20%), Midterm exam (25%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit examines the psychological, social, and cultural aspects of consumer behaviour on the marketing decisions of public and private organisations. Concepts and principles are drawn from disciplines such as cognitive psychology, social psychology, sociology, anthropology, and demography to discover and understand various aspects of consumer behaviour. Specific topics of study include: cultural, demographic and psychographic influences; reference group influences; household decision processes and consumption behaviour; consumer perception and learning; motivation, personality and emotion; consumer attitudes; and purchase decision processes.
or
MKTG3118 Marketing Strategy and Planning
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: MKTG1001 (or MKTG2001), MKTG2112 (or MKTG2002), and (MKTG2113 or MKTG1002 or MKTG2003) Prohibitions: MKTG3201 Assessment: consultant group presentation (20%), rationale for strategies - consultant group (10%), reflective journal entries (18%), participation (10%), final exam (40%), research component (2%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This course will focus on strategic and managerial aspects of marketing. It will cover the development of innovative, business models; segmentation, positioning and lifecycle strategies; and key aspects of managing and organising marketing activities, and measuring performance. The central theme is how marketing strategy and its management can create superior and sustainable value for both customers and shareholders. Assessment will reflect the Unit's strategic decision-making approach, requiring students to take on the roles of marketing advisors and managers.
Plus two other MKTG3000 units
The following unit is available in 2013, but NOT in 2014
AGEC4101 Agricultural Marketing Analysis
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mrs Elizabeth Nolan Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week, commencing week 1 Prerequisites: (AGEC2001 or AGEC2101) and (AGEC2003 or AGEC2103) Prohibitions: AGEC4004 Assessment: Problem sets (30%) 1x2hr exam (40%) 1x3000wd essay (30%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit of study is designed to provide an understanding of the underlying forces driving agricultural markets. Its content is analytical, and draws heavily on applied microeconomics. The unit addresses price analysis and pricing efficiency, including aspects of form, time and space in agricultural marketing; information and contracts; changing consumer concerns (food safety, ethical production); futures market and other risk sharing devices. The main learning aims of the unit are development of student skills in understanding the fundamental concepts in marketing theory and applying them to the agribusiness industry, and further development of students' analytical abilities in the context of agricultural marketing. Extensive reading will be required.
Textbooks
To be advised
Agricultural Science
Junior (Level 1) units
AGEN1001 Shaping our Landscapes
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr Peter Ampt (Coordinator), Ms Elizabeth Nolan Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x1hr lect, 1x2hr tut, 4x1day (6.5hr) field (ave 2hrs/week) Prohibitions: AFNR1001 Assessment: 1x 2hr exam (40%), Field class reports (10%), Group work participation and reflection (10%), Tutorial group journal (20%), Problem based learning project (20%) Practical field work: Preparation, revision and private study 3hrs/week Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit of study is designed to help students develop understanding of our non-urban landscapes and the physical, biological, economic and cultural factors that have shaped them, with particular emphasis on the interaction between production and environment. It is a core first year unit for students in BScAgr, BEnvSys, BResEc, BAgEc and BAnVetBioSc from the Vet Faculty.
The unit begins with a review of the current global issues around population, food, agriculture and environment and the place of Australia in this global context. Australia's current production (plant and animal based) and environmental systems and landscapes are described with an emphasis on the physical, biological, economic and cultural factors that have shaped them, concluding with an account of future production and environment scenarios.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to describe global production and environment issues and key Australian landscapes and production systems, explain the factors that have shaped them and apply this understanding to a specific location and production system. They should analyse the situation of natural resource managers and evaluate the options available to them to maintain or improve profitable production and achieve sustainability.
The students will gain research and inquiry skills through research based group projects, information literacy and communication skills through on-line discussion postings, tutorial discussions and presentations and personal and intellectual autonomy through working in groups and individually.
The unit begins with a review of the current global issues around population, food, agriculture and environment and the place of Australia in this global context. Australia's current production (plant and animal based) and environmental systems and landscapes are described with an emphasis on the physical, biological, economic and cultural factors that have shaped them, concluding with an account of future production and environment scenarios.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to describe global production and environment issues and key Australian landscapes and production systems, explain the factors that have shaped them and apply this understanding to a specific location and production system. They should analyse the situation of natural resource managers and evaluate the options available to them to maintain or improve profitable production and achieve sustainability.
The students will gain research and inquiry skills through research based group projects, information literacy and communication skills through on-line discussion postings, tutorial discussions and presentations and personal and intellectual autonomy through working in groups and individually.
Textbooks
To be advised during semester.
AGEN1002 Sustaining our Landscapes
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Mark Adams (Coordinator), A/Professor Budiman Minasny, Dr Niggol Seo, Dr Andrew Merchant, Dr Tarryn Turnbull Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2 x lectures + 1 x tutorial / wk, 1 x 4 day field trip Assumed knowledge: School Year 12 level knowledge of mathematics, some biology and chemistry. Assessment: 1 x 2hr exam (50%), 4 x tutorial papers (24%) (Draft tutorial papers to submitted for editing by academic staff), 1 x field trip report (26%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
The quest for sustainability is integral to all land management. The earth's natural systems - especially cycles of water, carbon and nutrients - are critical to economic, social and many other aspects of the world in which we live. As a country dependent on export of commodities, Australia must contend with very significant external forces that shape how we manage land.
This unit of study provides students with critical knowledge and understanding of the economic, biophysical, and chemical principles that must be considered in assessing sustainability, and applies that knowledge to assessing how current Australian landscapes might be managed in the future. Beginning with an exploration of the meaning of sustainability and how scientific and economic methodology is applied to its study, students will progressively engage with more complex and challenging content. By the end of the unit, students will have explored major elements of sustainability and be able to apply their understanding to articulate critical questions that need to be asked when presented with simplistic approaches or ideas. A major field trip will focus on introducing students to quantitative measurement of key processes and developing a greater depth of knowledge of sustainability "in the field". A range of typical Australian landscapes will be considered, ranging from the high country and forests to intensive irrigated agriculture. The field trip and tutorial exercises are intended to help students gain skills in rigorous analysis of the relevant literature and in preparing short pieces of writing. Students direct experience of and exposure to the science and economics of ecological sustainability. Students will work in small groups during field and tutorial sessions.
This unit of study provides students with critical knowledge and understanding of the economic, biophysical, and chemical principles that must be considered in assessing sustainability, and applies that knowledge to assessing how current Australian landscapes might be managed in the future. Beginning with an exploration of the meaning of sustainability and how scientific and economic methodology is applied to its study, students will progressively engage with more complex and challenging content. By the end of the unit, students will have explored major elements of sustainability and be able to apply their understanding to articulate critical questions that need to be asked when presented with simplistic approaches or ideas. A major field trip will focus on introducing students to quantitative measurement of key processes and developing a greater depth of knowledge of sustainability "in the field". A range of typical Australian landscapes will be considered, ranging from the high country and forests to intensive irrigated agriculture. The field trip and tutorial exercises are intended to help students gain skills in rigorous analysis of the relevant literature and in preparing short pieces of writing. Students direct experience of and exposure to the science and economics of ecological sustainability. Students will work in small groups during field and tutorial sessions.
Textbooks
A Critique for Ecology R.H. Peters, 1991, Cambridge University Press
Level 2 and 3 units
PLNT2003 Plant Form and Function
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Tina Bell Session: Semester 2 Classes: 24 lectures; 12 x 3 hr labs Prohibitions: PLNT2903, BIOL2003, BIOL2903, CROP2001 Assumed knowledge: 12 credit points of Junior Biology, or equivalent eg (BIOL1001 or BIOL1101 or BIOL1901 or BIOL1911) and (BIOL1002 or BIOL1902 or BIOL1003 or BIOL1903) Assessment: 1x 2 hr theory exam (40%), 1x practical exam (20%), 3x laboratory projects (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit of study investigates the structure of cells, tissues and organs of flowering plants and relates them to function. Topics include how growth, photosynthesis, translocation, water transport and nutrition relate to the structures that carry out these processes. Laboratory exercises demonstrating plant anatomical features are integrated with laboratory and field experiments to investigate a range of physiological aspects of plant structures. There is a focus on recent advances in plant molecular biology where they have been critical in enhancing our understanding of the form and function of plants. The physiological and anatomical responses of plants to extreme environments such as drought, fire and salinity will also be addressed. This unit of study takes us from the scale of nanometers (e.g. macromolecules) to tens of meters (e.g. a forest tree) and from historical discoveries to 'cutting edge' technology. Attention will be paid to the anatomy and physiology of crop, horticultural and Australian native plants. Plant Form and Function complements other units of study about plant biochemistry and molecular biology and plant growth and development.
Textbooks
Taiz L, Zeiger E (2010) Plant Physiology 5th ed.Sunderland, Mass Sinauer; Recommended reading: Atwell B, Kriedemann P, Turnbull C (1999) Plants in Action
SOIL2003 Soil Properties and Processes
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Balwant Singh (Coordinator), Prof Alex McBratney, A/Prof. Stephen Cattle Session: Semester 1 Classes: 3x1hr lectures and 1x3hr practical/week, commencing week 1, and a compulsory field excursion to be held on the Thursday and Friday in the week preceding the first semester. Assessment: Soil description report (10%), Quizzes (or Essay) (15%), Practical exercise book (20%), Practical exam (15%) and Written exam (40%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
This unit of study is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts within pedology, soil physics and soil chemistry. These concepts are part of the grounding principles that underpin crop and animal production, nutrient and water cycling, and environmental sustainability taught by other units of study in the Faculty. Students will participate in a two-day field excursion in the first week of semester to examine some common soils of the Sydney Basin, they will also learn to describe soil, and measure soil chemical and physical properties in the field. Referring to common soil profiles of the Sydney Basin, students will concentrate on factors affecting soil formation, the rudiments of soil description, and analysis of soil properties that are used in soil classification. Students will also develop knowledge of the physics of water and gas movement, soil strength, soil chemical properties, inorganic and organic components, nutrient cycles and soil acidity in an agricultural context. At the end of this unit students will become familiar with the factors that determine a soil's composition and behaviour, and will have an understanding of the most important soil physical and chemical properties. Students will develop communication skills through essay, report and practical exercises. The final report and laboratory exercise questions are designed to develop team work and collaborative efforts.
Textbooks
Campbell, K.O. & Bowyer, J.W. (eds) (1988). The Scientific Basis of Modern Agriculture. Sydney University Press.
Four other Level 2/3/4 Agricultural Science units of study
Commercial Law
Junior (Level 1) units
CLAW1001 Foundations of Business Law
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 2hrs of lectures and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Assessment: Mid-Semester exam (20%), Case Analysis Assignment (20%), Final exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
The entire fabric of commerce is woven from a complex legal regime, judicial and statutory, which regulates all commercial activity. Every decision in business, and every transaction and relationship, is made in the context of this legal regime. The aim of Foundations of Business Law is to introduce the students to the legal framework and regulatory systems which underlie all business activity and to expose them to the legal implications of commercial conduct. This unit of study introduces the Australian legal system and key areas of substantive business law including contracts, torts (in particular negligence and privacy), property and securities, white collar crime, intellectual property, competition and consumer law (in particular advertising, product liability and unfair contracts), business structures and operations, misleading and unconscionable conduct and dispute resolution.
Level 2 and 3 units
A minimum of six CLAW2000 and 3000 units
See the [[http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/business_school||Business School Handbook]]
Econometrics
Junior (Level 1) units
ECMT1010 Business and Economic Statistics A
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr lectures/week, 1x2-hr workshop/week Prohibitions: ECMT1011, ECMT1012, ECMT1013, MATH1015, MATH1005, MATH1905, STAT1021, ECOF1010, BUSS1020, ENVX1001 Assessment: homework (15%), quizzes (30%), assignment (15%) and 1x2hr final exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
This unit provides an introduction to basic statistics and its applications in economics and business disciplines. Topics include: methods for data management; analysis and interpretation of data; probability; the normal distribution; an introduction to sampling theory and hypothesis testing; and the concepts of regression analysis. A key component is the provision of instruction and experience in the use of computers and statistical software as an aid in the analysis of data. Students are expected to use data resources on the World Wide Web, retrieve data and analyse this data using Excel.
ECMT1020 Business and Economic Statistics B
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week, 1x2-hr workshop/week Prerequisites: ECMT1010 or ECOF1010 or BUSS1020 Prohibitions: ECMT1021, ECMT1022, ECMT1023 Assessment: 3x quizzes (25%), workshop questions/homework (10%), assignment (15%) and 1x2hr final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
Note: Other than in exceptional circumstances, it is strongly recommended that students do not undertake Business and Economic Statistics B before attempting Business and Economic Statistics A.
This unit broadens the knowledge gained in the unit ECMT1010 Business and Economic Statistics A by introducing further tools (and their applications) for use in economics, finance, marketing and accounting. This unit features practical applications. Possible topics include: further aspects of hypothesis testing including goodness-of-fit models; regression analysis including a brief introduction to logit models, time series and its applications to economics and finance; input-output analysis; index numbers and mathematics of finance. The material is further complemented by mathematical topics including matrices and partial differentiation. In addition, students are expected to use data resources on the World Wide Web, retrieve data and analyse this data using Excel.
Level 2 and 3 units
ECMT2110 Regression Modelling
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: ECMT1010 or ECOF1010 or BUSS1020 Prohibitions: ECMT2010 Assessment: group project (20%), 3x assignments (15%), mid-semester test (25%) and 1x2.5hr final exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
Students undertaking this unit have some background in basic statistics including an introduction to regression analysis. Using this knowledge as a base, an extensive discussion of basic regression theory and some of its extensions is provided. The unit covers how linear regression models can be applied to data to estimate relationships, to forecast, and to test hypotheses that arise in economics and business. Guidelines for using econometric techniques effectively are discussed and students are introduced to the process of model building. It is essential that the discussion of regression modelling be complemented with practice in analysing data. An important task is the computing component using econometric software.
ECMT3110 Econometric Models and Methods
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: ECMT2110 or ECMT2010 Prohibitions: ECMT3010 Assessment: assignments (20%), mid-semester test (20%), 2hr final exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
This unit extends methods of estimation and testing developed in association with regression analysis to cover econometric models involving special aspects of behaviour and of data. In particular, motivating examples are drawn from dynamic models, panel data and simultaneous equation models. In order to provide the statistical tools to be able to compare alternative methods of estimation and testing, both small sample and asymptotic properties are developed and discussed.
At least one unit selected from:
ECMT3120 Applied Econometrics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: ECMT3110 or ECMT3010 Prohibitions: ECMT3020 Assessment: group project (25%), mid-semester test (25%), 2hr final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
Econometric theory provides techniques to quantify the strength and form of relationships between variables. Applied Econometrics is concerned with the appropriate use of these techniques in practical applications in economics and business. General principles for undertaking applied work are discussed and necessary research skills developed. In particular, the links between econometric models and the underlying substantive knowledge or theory for the application are stressed. Topics will include error correction models, unit roots and cointegration and models for cross section data, including limited dependent variables. Research papers involving empirical research are studied and the unit features all students participating in a group project involving econometric modelling.
ECMT3130 Forecasting for Economics and Business
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr lab/week Prerequisites: ECMT2110 or ECMT2010 Prohibitions: ECMT3030 Assessment: assignment (20%), group assignment (25%), mid-semester test (20%) and 2.5hr final exam (35%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
The need to forecast or predict future values of economic time series arises frequently in many branches of applied economic and commercial work. It is, moreover, a topic which lends itself naturally to econometric and statistical treatment. The specific feature which distinguishes time series from other data is that the order in which the sample is recorded is of relevance. As a result of this, a substantial body of statistical methodology has developed. This unit provides an introduction to methods of time series analysis and forecasting. The material covered is primarily time domain methods designed for a single series and includes the building of linear time series models, the theory and practice of univariate forecasting and the use of regression methods for forecasting. Throughout the unit a balance between theory and practical application is maintained.
ECMT3150 The Econometrics of Financial Markets
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lectures/week, 1x1-hr lab/week Prerequisites: (ECMT1010 or BUSS1020), (ECMT2110 or ECMT2010) and (ECMT2130 or ECMT2030) Prohibitions: ECMT3050 Assessment: assignment (20%), group assignment (30%), mid-semester test (15%) and 2.5hr final exam (35%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
This unit studies and develops the econometric models and methods employed for the analysis of data arising in financial markets. It extends and complements the material covered in ECMT2130. The unit will cover econometric models that have proven useful for the analysis of both synchronous and non-synchronous financial time series data over the last two decades. Modern Statistical methodology will be introduced for the estimation of such models. The econometric models and associated methods of estimation will be applied to the analysis of a number of financial datasets. Students will be encouraged to undertake hands-on analysis using an appropriate computing package. Topics covered include: Discrete time financial time series models for asset returns; modelling and forecasting conditional volatility; Value at Risk and modern market risk measurement and management; modelling of high frequency and/or non-synchronous financial data and the econometrics of market microstructure issues. The focus of the unit will be in the econometric models and methods that have been developed recently in the area of financial econometrics and their application to modelling and forecasting market risk measures.
A minimum of three further ECMT2000 and ECMT3000 units
See the [[http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/business_school||Business School Handbook]]
Economics
Junior (Level 1) units
ECON1001 Introductory Microeconomics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Assessment: online quizzes (10%), 1x mid-semester test (30%), 1x essay (10%) and 1x2hr final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
Introductory Microeconomics addresses the economic decisions of individual firms and households and how these interact in markets. It is a compulsory core unit for the Bachelor of Economics and an alternative core unit for the Bachelor of Economic and Social Science. Economic issues are pervasive in contemporary Australian society. Introductory Microeconomics introduces students to the language and analytical framework adopted in Economics for the examination of social phenomena and public policy issues. Whatever one's career intentions, coming to grips with economic ideas is essential for understanding society, business and government. Students are given a comprehensive introduction to these ideas and are prepared for the advanced study of microeconomics in subsequent years. It is assumed that students undertaking this unit will have a prior knowledge of mathematics.
ECON1002 Introductory Macroeconomics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Assessment: tutorial participation (5%), 5x online quizzes (10%), mid-semester test (25%), essay (10%) and 2hr final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
Introductory Macroeconomics addresses the analysis of the level of employment and economic activity in the economy as a whole. It is a compulsory core unit for the Bachelor of Economics and an alternative core unit for the Bachelor of Economic and Social Sciences. Introductory Macroeconomics examines the main factors that determine the overall levels of production and employment in the economy, including the influence of government policy and international trade. This analysis enables an exploration of money, interest rates and financial markets, and a deeper examination of inflation, unemployment and economic policy. It is assumed that students undertaking this unit will have a prior knowledge of mathematics.
Level 2 and 3 units
ECOS2001 Intermediate Microeconomics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: ECON1001 or BUSS1040 Corequisites: ECMT1010 or BUSS1020 Prohibitions: ECON2001, ECOS2901, ECON2901 Assessment: tutorials (10%), 2x in-class tests (40%) and 2hr final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
Note: Certain combinations of Maths/Stats may substitute for Econometrics. Consult the School of Economics Undergraduate Coordinator.
The aim of Intermediate Microeconomics is the development of theoretical and applied skills in economics. It covers applications and extensions of the theory of consumer choice, firm behaviour and market structure. Emphasis is given to the economics of information and choice under uncertainty; industry structures other than monopoly and perfect competition; markets for factors of production; general equilibrium and economic efficiency; market failure and the role of government. This unit provides a basis for the more specialised options that comprise third year economics.
ECOS2002 Intermediate Macroeconomics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: ECON1002 Corequisites: ECMT1020 Prohibitions: ECON2002, ECOS2902, ECON2902 Assessment: mid-semester test (30%), assignments (20%) and 2hr final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
Note: Certain combinations of Maths/Stats may substitute for Econometrics. Consult the School of Economics Undergraduate Coordinator.
This unit of study develops models of the goods, money and labour markets, and examines issues in macroeconomic policy. Macroeconomic relationships, covering consumption, investment, money and employment, are explored in detail. Macro-dynamic relationships, especially those linking inflation and unemployment, are also considered. Exchange rates and open economy macroeconomics are also addressed. In the last part of the unit, topics include the determinants and theories of economic growth, productivity and technology, the dynamics of the business cycle, counter-cyclical policy and the relationship between micro and macro policy in the context of recent Australian experience.
Any four further ECOS2000 or ECOS3000 units, of which at least three must be at the 3000 level
See the [[http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/arts||Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Handbook]]
Finance
Junior (Level 1) units
ECMT1010 Business and Economic Statistics A
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr lectures/week, 1x2-hr workshop/week Prohibitions: ECMT1011, ECMT1012, ECMT1013, MATH1015, MATH1005, MATH1905, STAT1021, ECOF1010, BUSS1020, ENVX1001 Assessment: homework (15%), quizzes (30%), assignment (15%) and 1x2hr final exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
This unit provides an introduction to basic statistics and its applications in economics and business disciplines. Topics include: methods for data management; analysis and interpretation of data; probability; the normal distribution; an introduction to sampling theory and hypothesis testing; and the concepts of regression analysis. A key component is the provision of instruction and experience in the use of computers and statistical software as an aid in the analysis of data. Students are expected to use data resources on the World Wide Web, retrieve data and analyse this data using Excel.
Or
ECON1001 Introductory Microeconomics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Assessment: online quizzes (10%), 1x mid-semester test (30%), 1x essay (10%) and 1x2hr final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
Introductory Microeconomics addresses the economic decisions of individual firms and households and how these interact in markets. It is a compulsory core unit for the Bachelor of Economics and an alternative core unit for the Bachelor of Economic and Social Science. Economic issues are pervasive in contemporary Australian society. Introductory Microeconomics introduces students to the language and analytical framework adopted in Economics for the examination of social phenomena and public policy issues. Whatever one's career intentions, coming to grips with economic ideas is essential for understanding society, business and government. Students are given a comprehensive introduction to these ideas and are prepared for the advanced study of microeconomics in subsequent years. It is assumed that students undertaking this unit will have a prior knowledge of mathematics.
Level 2 and 3 units
FINC2011 Corporate Finance I
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2,Summer Early,Summer Main,Winter Main Classes: 1 x 2hr lecture and 1 x 1hr tutorial per week Prohibitions: FINC2001 Assumed knowledge: (ECMT1010 or BUSS1020) and BUSS1040 or (ECON1001 and ECON1002) Assessment: tutorial participation (10%), early semester quiz (20%), assignment (20%), final 2hr exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
Note: Study in Finance commences in second year. BUSS1020 (or ECMT1010) and BUSS1040 (or ECON1001 and ECON1002) are recommended for all students wanting to study Finance.
This unit provides an introduction to basic concepts in corporate finance and their application to (1) valuation of risky assets including stocks, bonds and entire corporations, (2) pricing of equity securities, and (3) corporate financial policy decisions including dividend, capital structure and risk management policies. An emphasis is placed on the application of ideas and current practices in each of these areas.
FINC2012 Corporate Finance II
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: FINC2011 or FINC2001 Prohibitions: FINC2002 Assessment: mid-semester exam (15%), essay (20%), final exam (65%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit builds on FINC2011 Corporate Finance I, by extending basic concepts in corporate financing, investing and risk management. The first half of the unit is devoted to current theories of corporate financing and their practical application in corporate investment and capital budgeting. The second half of the unit examines securities and securities markets with an emphasis on pricing, investment characteristics and, importantly, their use by corporations to manage risk. The securities examined include: bonds and related fixed income products; futures; options; and securities denominated in foreign currencies. The goal of the unit is to broaden students' knowledge of corporate finance in preparation for further study in finance in third year.
FINC3017 Investments and Portfolio Management
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2h lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: FINC2011 Prohibitions: FINC3007 Assessment: Mid-Semester Exam (15%); Assignment (35%); Final Examination (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit is designed to provide a comprehensive analytical approach to the modern theory of investments. Topics covered include: the valuation of bonds and stocks; mean-variance analysis; Markowitz type portfolio analysis; duration and convexity analysis; term structure of interest rates; option pricing; portfolio insurance; performance evaluation; and forecasting. Basic statistics and probability concepts are reviewed at the beginning to ensure that all students have adequate understanding. Although analytical aspects of investments theory are stressed, there is also an equal amount of emphasis on the intuitive as well as practical aspects of the subject.
A minimum of three (18 credit points) further FINC3000 level units
See the [[http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/business_school||Business School Handbook]]
Geography
Junior (Level 1) units and Level 2 units
Some junior elective and intermediate GEOG/GEOS units may be required to meet the prerequisites of Level 3 units for this major.
Level 3 units
24 CP made up of:
GEOS3333 Geographical Concepts, Skills & Methods
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Bill Pritchard, Dr Dan Penny Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1 lecture, 2 tutorials per week Prerequisites: 24 credit points of Intermediate units of study including 6 credit points from one of the following units: GEOS2112/2912, GEOS 2123/2923, GEOS 2115/2915, GEOS 2121/2921, SOILS 2002, LWSC 2002. Prohibitions: GEOS3933 Assumed knowledge: Basic knowledge of ARC GIS software. Assessment: One 2hr exam, one practical report, one 2000w fieldwork report (100%) Practical field work: 24 hours of fieldwork per semester Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
GEOS3333 is designed to be the 'capstone' for a Major in Geography. Its aim is to bring together the core concepts within the discipline; connect these to methodological practices, and further develop the field-based skills associated with geographical research. Reflecting the straddle of the discipline across the natural and social sciences, this unit draws on a wide diversity of material to impart key insights about the essential qualities of 'doing Geography'. This includes (i) a weekly lecture program which addresses three thematic concerns of Geography (human-environment interactions; spatial relations; and politics, policy and practice) using examples from the natural and social science perspectives at global, national and local scales; (ii) a two-hour prac class each week which introduces key methods (relevant to both the natural and social science parts of the discipline) and which leads to a major research proposal exercise; and (iii) 24 hours fieldwork through the semester, which can take the form either of a three-day field trip to rural NSW or three separate day-trips within Sydney. GEOS3333 is one of two compulsory units for the Geography Major (the other is GEOS3053) and is highly recommended for students contemplating Honours in Geography.
or
GEOS3933 Geog. Concepts, Skills & Methods (Adv)
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Bill Pritchard, Dr Dan Penny Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1 lecture, 2 tutorials per week Prerequisites: Distinction average in 24 credit points of Intermediate units of study including 6 credit points from one of the following units: GEOS2112/2912, GEOS 2123/2923, GEOS 2115/2915, GEOS 2121/2921, SOILS 2002, LWSC 2002. Prohibitions: GEOS3333 Assumed knowledge: Basic knowledge of ARC GIS software. Assessment: One 2hr exam, one practical report, one 2000w fieldwork report (100%) Practical field work: 24 hours of fieldwork per semester Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
GEOS3933 has the same thematic content as GEOS3333 however with elements taught at an Advanced level.
GEOS3053 Southeast Asia Field School
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Philip Hirsch Session: Int July Classes: Five pre-departure lectures during Semester 1 2013, three weeks in-country intensive involving lectures, fieldwork and field-based methods training, readings and small group discussions. Prerequisites: 6 credit points of Intermediate units of study in Geography. Department permission is required for enrolment. Prohibitions: GEOS3953 Assessment: One pre-departure background report, one short field essay, group participation, one consolidation report, one exam. Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Students must contact the unit coordinator no later than September in the year before taking this unit.
The unit of study can be taken only with prior permission from the unit of study coordinator. It constitutes a Field School run over a three-week period in July, prior to the commencement of the second semester. In 2013 the Field School will be held in mainland Southeast Asia (three of the Mekong countries China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Viet Nam). In other years it may be held in Indonesia (Java, Sulawesi and Bali). The Field School focuses on three main themes; rural social, environmental and economic change; regional economic integration and its local effects; regional environmental change and natural resources governance. The Field School is run in close association with local universities, whose staff and students participate in some components of the course. Places are limited, and students interested in the 2013 Field School should indicate expression of interest to Professor Philip Hirsch by the end of August 2012.
or
GEOS3953 Southeast Asia Field School (Adv)
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Philip Hirsch Session: Int July Classes: Five pre-departure lectures during Semester 1 2013, three weeks in-country intensive involving lectures, fieldwork and field-based methods training, readings and small group discussions. Prerequisites: 6 credit points of Intermediate units of study in Geography. Department permission required for enrolment. Prohibitions: GEOS3053 Assessment: One pre-departure project proposal, one short field essay, group participation, one field-based research report, one exam. Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Students must contact the unit coordinator no later than September in the year before taking this unit.
The unit of study can be taken only with prior permission from the unit of study coordinator. It constitutes a Field School run over a three-week period in July, prior to the commencement of the second semester. In 2013 the Field School will be held in mainland Southeast Asia (three of the Mekong countries China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Viet Nam). In other years it may be held in Indonesia (Java, Sulawesi and Bali). The Field School focuses on three main themes; rural social, environmental and economic change; regional economic integration and its local effects; regional environmental change and natural resources governance. The Field School is run in close association with local universities, whose staff and students participate in some components of the course. Places are limited, and students interested in the 2013 Field School should indicate expression of interest to Professor Philip Hirsch by the end of August 2012.
Plus any of the following units:
GEOS3103 Environmental and Sedimentary Geology
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Adriana Dutkiewicz (co-ordinator), Dr Dan Penny Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 3 hour tutorial/practical class per week Prerequisites: (GEOS2124 or GEOS2924) and (GEOS2111 or (GEOS2911) or (GEOS2114 or GEOS2914) or (GEOS2113 or GEOS2913); or (GEOS1003 or GEOS1903) and 24 credit points of Intermediate Science units of study with permission of the Head of School. Prohibitions: GEOS3803 Assumed knowledge: GEOS1003, GEOS2124 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, practical reports and quizes (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
Sediments and sedimentary rocks cover most of the Earth's surface, record much of the Earth's geological and climatic history and host important resources such as petroleum, coal, water and mineral ores. The aim of this unit is to provide students with the skills required to examine, describe and interpret sediments and sedimentary rocks for a variety of different purposes. Specific foci of the unit will be the identification of the recent or ancient environment in which sedimentary materials were deposited, the environmental controls which produce sedimentary structures, and the processes that control the production, movement and storage of sediment bodies. On completion of this unit students will be familiar with the natural processes that produce and modify sediments across a range of environments at the Earth's surface, including fluvial, aeolian, lacustrine, marginal marine and deep marine environments. The various controls on the sedimentary record such as climate and sea-level change, as well as diagenesis and geochemical cycles will also be discussed. Practical exercises will require students to examine global datasets, and determine the properties and significance of sediments and sedimentary rocks. The course is relevant to students interested in petroleum or mineral exploration, environmental and engineering geology as well as marine geoscience.
Textbooks
Course notes will be available from the Copy Centre and an appropriate set of reference texts will be placed on special reserve in the library.
ENVI3111 Environmental Law and Ethics
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Josephine Gillespie Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 2 hour lectures per week. Prerequisites: 12 credit points of Intermediate Science or Agriculture units. Assumed knowledge: Intermediate Environmental Studies (GEOS2121 or GEOS2921) Assessment: Essays, tutorial papers (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
This unit of study is divided into two parts and covers topics in environmental law and governance (Part 1) and environmental ethics (Part 2). Environmental regulation and governance plays an important role in regulating human impacts on the environment. The law and governance part of this unit provides an introduction and overview to environmental regulation. We look at key environmental issues through an examination of legal policies, legislation and case law at a variety of scales (international, national and state/local). This unit also highlights the ways in which environmental law and governance is increasingly interconnected to other areas of environmental studies. The ethics component helps students develop thoughtful and informed positions on issues in environmental ethics using arguments derived from traditional ethics as well as environmentally specific theories. Ethical conflicts are often inevitable and difficult to resolve but using the resources of philosophical ethics and regular reference to case studies, students can learn to recognize the values and considerations at stake in such conflicts, acknowledge differing viewpoints and defend their own well considered positions.
ENVI3112 Environmental Assessment
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Phil McManus Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two 2 hour lectures per week. Prerequisites: 12 credit points of Intermediate Science or Agriculture units. Prohibitions: ENVI3002, ENVI3004 Assumed knowledge: Intermediate Environmental Studies (GEOS2121 or GEOS2921) Assessment: Essays, tutorial papers, report (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
This unit of study focuses on environmental impact assessment as part of environmental planning. It seeks to establish a critical understanding of environmental planning and the tools available to improve environmental outcomes. The unit of study addresses the theory and practice of environmental impact statements (EIS) and environmental impact assessment processes (EIA) from scientific, economic, social and cultural value perspectives. Emphasis is placed on gaining skills in group work and in writing and producing an assessment report, which contains logically ordered and tightly structured argumentation that can stand rigorous scrutiny by political processes, the judiciary, the public and the media.
GEOS3520 Urban Citizenship & Sustainability
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Phil McManus, Dr Kurt Iveson Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2 hour lecture and 2 hour tutorial per week Prerequisites: 24 credit points of Intermediate units of study including 6 credit points from one of the following units: GEOS2112, GEOS2912, GEOS2123, GEOS2923, GEOS2115, GEOS2915, GEOS2121, GEOS2921, SOILS2002, LWSC2002 Prohibitions: GEOS3920 Assessment: One 2hr exam, one 2000w essay, one 2000w group-based prac repor (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
Cities are now the predominant home for humanity. More than half of the world's population reside in cities. The contemporary growth of cities, however, is attached to profound political questions about what it means to be urban, and what 'being urban' means for the planet. This Unit of Study provides grounding to these crucial questions. During the first half of the semester, lectures ask the question what does it mean to be a 'citizen', and what has this got to do with cities? This includes consideration of historical and contemporary configurations of citizenship. Case studies illustrate ways in which new forms of citizenship are produced through struggles over rights to the city, looking at issues including new informatics and surveillance technologies, homelessness, child spaces, indigeneity, asylum-seekers, 'culture jamming', and sexuality. In the second half of the semester, lectures address the question: are cities sustainable? Why or why not? And for whom? This focus addresses utopian visions for cities, urban history, ecological footprint analysis, bioregionalism, transport options, urban form and urban policy, with reference to sustainable futures and the role of custodianship. Through the semester a practicals program enables students to develop urban-based research projects.
or
GEOS3920 Urban Citizenship & Sustainability (Adv)
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Phil McManus, Dr Kurt Iveson Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2 hour lecture and 2 hour tutorial per week Prerequisites: Distinction average in 24 credit points of Intermediate units of study including 6 credit points from one of the following units: GEOS2112/2912, GEOS 2123/2923, GEOS 2115/2915, GEOS 2121/2921, SOILS 2002, LWSC 2002 Prohibitions: GEOS3520 Assessment: One 2hr exam, one 2000w essay, one 2000w group-based prac report. Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
GEOS3920 has the same thematic content as GEOS3520 however with elements taught at an Advanced level
or
GEOS3009 Coastal Environments and Processes
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Gavin Birch, Dr Ana Vila-Concejo, Dr Jody Webster Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour practical per week; weekend excursion. Prerequisites: (6 credit points of Intermediate Geoscience units) and (6 further credit points of Intermediate Geoscience or 6 credit points of Physics or Mathematics or Information Technology or Engineering units) or ((MARS2005 or MARS2905) and (MARS2006 or MARS2906)) Prohibitions: GEOS3909, MARS3003, MARS3105 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, research reports and an online quiz (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
Note: * Geoscience is the disciplines of Geography, Geology and Geophysics.
The aim of this course is to introduce students to a variety of Coastal Environments and the major physical and chemical processes which control the morphodynamic evolution of these systems. The course offers a unique opportunity of learning the full spectrum of marine sedimentary environments from siliciclastic, temperate, highly urbanised and impacted estuarine ecosytems to carbonate, tropical, pristine and undeveloped/protected coastal and continental margin environments. The course includes field work at two of the Universities research stations, i. e. at Chowder Bay, Port Jackson and One Tree Island on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). The two parts of the course comprise physical and chemical processes in estuarine and carbonate-dominated coastal and continental margin environments.
The first part of the course covers basic morphodynamics and physical processes in estuarine environments and focuses on methods of assessing the magnitude of human impact on these valuable and sensitive ecosystems and judging the risks of sedimentary contaminants on benthic animals. A major part of this section is a project aimed at assessing the environmental status of a major embayment of the Sydney estuary.
The second part of the course covers the basic morphodynamics and processes impacting carbonate-dominated coastal and continental margin environments. The focus is on carbonate reefal and margin systems and their geologic and biologic responses to past, present and future environmental changes. These systems will also be studied in the field at The University of Sydney One Tree Island Research Station in the GBR and in some practicals. This fieldtrip is not compulsory but is strongly recommended as it will expose students first hand to a pristine, world class coral reef system. Students who are unable participate in the GBR field trip will be given an alternative assignment.
The first part of the course covers basic morphodynamics and physical processes in estuarine environments and focuses on methods of assessing the magnitude of human impact on these valuable and sensitive ecosystems and judging the risks of sedimentary contaminants on benthic animals. A major part of this section is a project aimed at assessing the environmental status of a major embayment of the Sydney estuary.
The second part of the course covers the basic morphodynamics and processes impacting carbonate-dominated coastal and continental margin environments. The focus is on carbonate reefal and margin systems and their geologic and biologic responses to past, present and future environmental changes. These systems will also be studied in the field at The University of Sydney One Tree Island Research Station in the GBR and in some practicals. This fieldtrip is not compulsory but is strongly recommended as it will expose students first hand to a pristine, world class coral reef system. Students who are unable participate in the GBR field trip will be given an alternative assignment.
Textbooks
Recommended:
or
GEOS3909 Coastal Environments and Processes (Adv)
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Gavin Birch, Dr Ana Vila Concejo Session: Semester 1 Classes: Three 1 hour lectures, two 3 hour practicals per week, fieldwork. Prerequisites: Distinction average in ((6 credit points of Intermediate Geoscience* units) and (6 further credit points of Intermediate Geoscience or 6 credit points of Physics, Mathematics, Information Technology or Engineering units) or ((MARS2005 or MARS2905) and (MARS2006 or MARS2906))) Prohibitions: GEOS3009, MARS3003, MARS3105 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, two 1500 word reports (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
Note: A distinction average in prior Geography or Geology units is normally required for admission. This requirement may be varied and students should consult the unit of study coordinator.
Advanced students will complete the same core lecture material as for GEOS3009 but will carry out more challenging projects, practicals, assignments and tutorials.
GEOS3014 GIS in Coastal Management
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Eleanor Bruce, Dr Ana Vila Concejo Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 3 hour practical per week. Prerequisites: (MARS2005 or MARS2905) and (MARS2006 or MARS2906), or 12 credit points of Intermediate Geoscience* units, or ((GEOS2115 or GEOS2915) and (BIOL2018 or BIOL2918)) Prohibitions: GEOS3914, MARS3104 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, two project reports, quizzes (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
Note: * Geoscience is the disciplines of Geography, Geology and Geophysics.
Coastal Management is about how scientific knowledge is used to support policy formulation and planning decisions in coastal environments. The course links coastal science to policy and practice in management of estuaries, beaches and the coastal ocean. The principles are exemplified through specific issues, such as coastal erosion, pollution, and impacts of climate-change. The issues are dealt with in terms of how things work in nature, and how the issues are handled through administrative mechanisms. These mechanisms involve planning strategies like Marine Protected Areas and setback limits on civil development in the coastal zone. The coastal environments and processes that are more relevant to coastal management including: rocky coasts; beaches, barriers and dunes; and coral reefs will also be introduced. At a practical level, the link between science and coastal management is given substance through development and use of 'decision-support models'. These models involve geocomputing methods that entail application of simulation models, remotely sensed information, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The course therefore includes both principles and experience in use of these methods to address coastal-management issues. (It thus also involves extensive use of computers.) Although the focus is on the coast, the principles and methods have broader relevance to environmental management in particular, and to problem-solving in general. That is, the course has vocational relevance in examining how science can be exploited to the benefit of society and nature conservation.
or
GEOS3914 GIS in Coastal Management (Advanced)
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Eleanor Bruce, Dr Ana Vila Concejo Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two hours of lectures, one 3 hour practical per week comprising one 1 hour practical demonstration and one 2 hour practical Prerequisites: Distinction average in 12 credit points of Intermediate geography or geology units or ((GEOS2115 or GEOS2915) and (BIOL2018 or BIOL2918)). Prohibitions: GEOS3014, MARS3104 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, project work, two practical-based project reports, fortnightly progress quizzes (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: A distinction average in prior Geography, Geology or Marine Science units of study is normally required for admission. This requirement may be varied and students should consult the unit of study coordinator.
Advanced students will complete the same core lecture material as for GEOS3014 but will carry out more challenging projects, practicals, assignments and tutorials.
Different pathways are available for this major.
See the [[http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/science|Faculty of Science Handbook]]
Government and International Relations
Junior (Level 1) units
Two level 1000 Government (GOVT) units
Level 2 and 3 units
Six GOVT2000 units
Note. Students may also complete a maximum of 12 credit points in cross-listed non-'GOVT' senior units of study as electives for this major. For details of all non-'GOVT' units of study that may be cross listed with this major, see the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences website
Management
Junior (Level 1) units
Some junior elective WORK, IREL, ECOS or IBUS may be required to meet the prerequisites of Level 2/3 units listed for this major
Level 2 and 3 units
WORK2201 Foundations of Management
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x 2 hour lecture and 1x 1 hour tutorial hour per week Prerequisites: 24 credit points of junior units of study Prohibitions: IREL2001, WORK2001 Assessment: Tutorial participation (10%), Tutorial quizzes (10%), Essay (40%), Exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
Note: This a compulsory unit of study for the Management major.
This unit serves both as a stand-alone unit for students who wish to obtain an overview of management methods and approaches and as the basis of study for advanced and specialised undergraduate units listed in the Management major. It examines management as a process of planning, organising, leading and controlling the efforts of organisational members and discusses how recent trends such as globalisation, economic change and the effects of new technology have led to profound changes in how organisations are managed. It explores these issues with respect to both large and small, public and private, and domestic and foreign organisations.
WORK2210 Strategic Management
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2 hour lecture and 1x 1hour tutorial hour per week Prerequisites: 40 credit points worth of units of study Prohibitions: WORK2010 Assessment: Test (10%), tutorial presentation (30%), case study (30%), exam (30%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
Note: This is the compulsory unit of study for the Management major.
The aim of this unit is to critically examine the concept of strategy in the management of organisations. It examines different approaches to strategy and strategic management and traces the development of strategic management as an academic discipline. It takes students though the classical strategic management process as it is presented in most textbooks and it also introduces students to a range of current debates in strategic management. This unit can be taken as a stand alone introduction to strategy or as part of a broader program of study in management.
WORK2217 International Human Resource Management
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x 2 hour lecture and 1x 1 hour tutorial hour per week Prerequisites: 40 credit points worth of units of study including either (WORK1003 or WORK1001) OR (IBUS2101 or IBUS2001) Prohibitions: WORK2017 Assessment: Major Assignment (50%); Exam (40%); Tutorial Attendance (10%); Academic Honesty Module (0%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit considers the opportunities and challenges associated with managing employees in international and cross-cultural contexts, with specific emphasis on international recruitment, selection, preparation, placement, management development, performance management, reward and remuneration in the international, multi-national and trans-national corporation. Within the context of global labour markets, the unit considers the implications of internationalisation and globalisation for human resource management (HRM), the difference between domestic and international HRM, and the challenges of cross-cultural management. This unit will provide students with a theoretical understanding of IHRM and cross-cultural management, as well as a practical understanding of the issues and challenges associated with managing employees in international, global and cross-cultural contexts.
A minimum of three units from:
ECOS2306 Managerial Firms: Evolution & Attributes
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: ECON1001 or BUSS1040 Prohibitions: ECHS2306, ECOS3003, ECON3003 Assessment: 5x assessed on-line forums (25%), in-class test (25%) and 2hr final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
The large managerial firm, operating in a number of product and geographic markets and controlled by managers rather than owners, plays a major role in modern economies. Although it is now being challenged by new institutions such as LBOs and strategic alliances, the large managerial firm is itself a recent phenomenon which only began to emerge in the 1880s. This unit of study analyses the development of the large managerial firm since the 1880s, distinguishing between firms in standardised mass production industries and those in industries where technology has changed rapidly since the 1970s. It also distinguishes between managerial firms that emerged in the West with those in Japan. In analysing the attributes of managerial firms in different regimes, the unit focuses on two main issues: the nature of corporate competencies, and the role of imperfect information within managerial firms and markets, alliances, and networks. The unit includes detailed analysis of case studies drawn from the USA, Australia, and Japan.
ECOS3003 Hierarchies, Incentives & Firm Structure
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/fortnight Prerequisites: Either (ECOS2001 or ECON2001) or (ECOS2901 or ECON2901) Prohibitions: ECON3003, ECOS2306 Assessment: group assignment (25%), mid-semester test (20%) and 2hr final exam (55%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
This unit deals with the coordination and motivation problems faced by firms. More specifically this unit examines: whether firms use price or command mechanisms to allocate resources within firms; the problems associated with designing incentive contracts; the principles of efficient contract design and; the real world applications of those principles. The final section deals with the manner in which the coordination and motivation problems faced by firms determines their financial, vertical and horizontal structure.
ECOS3005 Industrial Organisation
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/fortnight Prerequisites: ECOS2001 or ECON2001 or ECOS2901 or ECON2901 Prohibitions: ECON3005, ECOS2201 Assessment: mid-semester test (35%), problem sets (5%) and 2hr final exam (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
This unit of study examines the nature of inter-firm rivalry in industries with market power. It explores the various ways in which firms can increase their market power by: extracting more surplus from consumers, by colluding with rivals or by excluding entrants. The unit also analyses the international competitiveness of industries in the context of industry assistance and the prevalence of foreign multinationals. Competition policy is also discussed.
ECOS3008 Labour Economics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/fortnight Prerequisites: One of (ECOS2001 or ECON2001 or ECOS2901 or ECON2901 or ECOP2011 or ECOP2001) and one of (ECOS2002 or ECON2002 or ECOS2902 or ECON2902 or ECOP2012 or ECOP2002) Prohibitions: ECON3008 Assessment: essay (25%), mid-semester test (25%) and 2hr final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
This unit aims to provide an understanding of labour markets and related issues such as work conditions, pay and employment levels. Labour supply and demand, theories of wage determination, labour mobility and discrimination are examined. It also analyses the role of trade unions and labour market contracts. These topics are applied to current issues in Australian labour markets such as enterprise bargaining, the role of centralised wage fixing systems, training and other labour market programs. Policies designed to improve the functioning of the labour market are examined and particular attention is given to the problem of persistent unemployment.
ECOS3012 Strategic Behaviour
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/fortnight Prerequisites: ECOS2001 or ECON2001 or ECOS2901 or ECON2901 Prohibitions: ECON3012, ECOS3901 Assessment: mid-semester test (35%), online quizzes (20%) and 2hr final exam (45%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
To think and act strategically, one needs to evaluate the effect of one's actions on the actions of others. As most economic decisions are strategic, such as the decision to lower a price or introduce a new tax, economics, if it is to avoid simplistic models, requires a theoretical framework capable of illuminating strategic behaviour. This unit offers a comprehensive, critical introduction to the theory which purports, not only to satisfy this theoretical need, but also potentially to unify the social sciences: game theory. After examining important concepts of game theory, the unit investigates the repercussions for the theory of bargaining and for the evolution of social institutions.
WORK2205 Human Resource Processes
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x 2 hour lecture and 1x 1hour tutorial per week Prerequisites: 24 credit points of junior units of study including (WORK1003 or WORK1002) Prohibitions: WORK2005 Assessment: Academic Honesty Module (0%); In-class lecture content quiz (10%); In-class team debate (10%); Team debate paper (20%); Major assignment (30%); Final exam (30%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
Note: This is the compulsory unit of study for the Industrial Relations/Human Resource Management major.
Building on the foundational coverage of Human Resource Management (HRM) issues and concepts provided in WORK1003, this unit provides an advanced understanding of key HRM concepts, processes and practices, including the employee psychological contract; engagement, motivation and satisfaction; recruitment and selection; learning and development; career planning and development; mentoring and coaching, performance management; reward management; high involvement management, employee wellbeing; HRM and ethics; international HRM; and HRM system evaluation and change. The unit's 'micro'/psychological focus is designed to complement and support the 'macro'/strategic focus taken in the advanced elective unit WORK2211 Human Resource Strategies.
WORK2209 Organisational Analysis and Behaviour
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2 hour lecture and 1x 1 hour tutorial hour per week Prerequisites: 40 credit points worth of units of study Prohibitions: WORK2009 Assessment: Participation (10%), essay (40%) and exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
The aim of this unit is to provide an understanding of the actual processes and structures that influence the way people behave in organisations. It examines different approaches beginning with the individual (micro) level through to the organisational (macro) level. It takes students through a range of topics including attitudes, perceptions, organisational citizenship, workaholism, humour at work, rumour/gossip, romance/sex in organisations, bullying and violence, group dynamics, organisational power and politics and organisational culture. At the end of the unit students have developed the ability to reason, debate and critically examine a range of topical organisational issues.
WORK2211 Human Resource Strategies
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2 hour lecture and 1x 1 hour tutorial hour per week Prerequisites: 40 credit points of units of study including (WORK1003 or WORK1002) Prohibitions: IREL2011, WORK2011 Assessment: Essay (40%); Tutorial attendance and participation (10%); Group tutorial facilitation (10%); Exam (40%); Academic Honesty Module (0%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit examines the links between human resource management and strategic management in different kinds of organisations, both in Australia and overseas. It provides a critical and in-depth analysis of the human resource management theories, paying particular attention to the concepts of strategy, people management and organisational performance. The unit considers contemporary and controversial issues in human resource management, which may include downsizing, outsourcing, knowledge management, governance and social responsibility.
WORK2217 International Human Resource Management
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x 2 hour lecture and 1x 1 hour tutorial hour per week Prerequisites: 40 credit points worth of units of study including either (WORK1003 or WORK1001) OR (IBUS2101 or IBUS2001) Prohibitions: WORK2017 Assessment: Major Assignment (50%); Exam (40%); Tutorial Attendance (10%); Academic Honesty Module (0%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit considers the opportunities and challenges associated with managing employees in international and cross-cultural contexts, with specific emphasis on international recruitment, selection, preparation, placement, management development, performance management, reward and remuneration in the international, multi-national and trans-national corporation. Within the context of global labour markets, the unit considers the implications of internationalisation and globalisation for human resource management (HRM), the difference between domestic and international HRM, and the challenges of cross-cultural management. This unit will provide students with a theoretical understanding of IHRM and cross-cultural management, as well as a practical understanding of the issues and challenges associated with managing employees in international, global and cross-cultural contexts.
WORK2219 Management and Organisational Ethics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2 hour lecture and 1x 1 hour tutorial hour per week Prerequisites: 40 credit points worth of units of study Assessment: Individual reflection (15%); Individual Essay (30%); Poster (25%); exam (30%); Tutorial attendance and preparation (0%); Academic Honesty Module (0%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
Ethical issues are occupying an increasingly prominent place in work, organisation and management studies. This unit of study focuses on ethical aspects of management and organisational practice. By applying relevant ethical frameworks, students will be encouraged to enhance their understanding of the role and responsibilities of management, the impact of organisations on employees and the ethical implications of contemporary trends in employment. This unit builds on foundational units of study in Management, Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management.
WORK2221 Organisational Communication
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: 40 credit points worth of units of study Assessment: Case study (20%), Persuasive message and analysis (30%), Final 2hr exam (40%), Participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
Communication is integral to many organisational processes; for instance, effective planning, decision-making, negotiation, conflict management, change management and leadership all rely upon effective communication by organisational actors. At the same time, organisational communication has become more complex due to increasing levels of diversity in the workplace and an increasing reliance on emergent and rapidly changing communication technologies. Drawing on communication research models, theories and case studies, the unit will provide students with insight into how to manage the complexities of contemporary organisational communication. The unit will focus primarily on internal organisational communication and will examine communication processes at various levels: interpersonal (dyadic), group and organisation.
WORK2222 Leadership in Organisations
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x 2 hour lecture and 1x 1 hour tutorial hour per week Prerequisites: 40 credit points worth of units of study Assumed knowledge: WORK2201 or WORK2218 Assessment: Reflective journal (30%); Group film analysis (20%); Tutorial attendance and participation (10%); Final exam (40%); SPARK self and peer assessment (Failure to complete SPARK on time results in a 2% penalty on your final mark) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
Leadership is increasingly seen to be a key factor affecting the performance of contemporary organisations and is an important area of study in the fields of management and organisational behaviour. While leadership principles are often associated with the work of senior management, they also have potential application to all members of organisations. This unit explores conventional and alternative perspectives on leadership and also examines the practice of leadership in diverse organisational contexts. Practitioner perspectives, experiences and case studies of business leaders are also presented. The unit builds on foundational units of study in Management, IR and HRM and International Business.
WORK2224 Globalisation, Work and Employment
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1 x 2 hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: 24 credit points of junior units of study including WORK1003 Prohibitions: WORK2223, WORK2214 Assumed knowledge: WORK1003 Assessment: Participation (10%), short essay (20%), major essay (30%), exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit of study examines the way in which the internationalisation of economic activities impacts on the nature of employment, jobs and regulation across different countries and regions. It considers how economic development in different countries has contributed to the growth of particular employment arrangements. It focuses in particular on the country specific interplay between economics, politics, and society which has contributed to the development of particular employment regulatory regimes. Further, it maps economic changes on a global scale identifying international economic forces, agents and political arrangements and seeks to highlight pressures and tensions on employment arrangements that result from these global interactions.
WORK2227 Regulation at Work
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x 2 hour lecture and 1x 1 hour tutorial hour per week Prerequisites: 24 credit points of junior units of study including WORK1003 Prohibitions: WORK2207, WORK2208 Assumed knowledge: WORK 1003 Assessment: Essay (40%), workplace/company exercise (25%), final exam (35%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit of study examines the regulatory framework that exists around paid work in Australia. It examines the development of employee and employer rights and responsibilities through the employment contract and labour law. It focuses on both individual and collective regulation of work in Australia paying particular attention to the industrial sphere, as well as health and safety and discrimination. Both the aim and purpose of industrial regulation and the impact of this regulation on workplace relations is analysed.
See the [[http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/business_school||Business School Handbook]]
Marketing
Junior (Level 1) units
MKTG1001 Marketing Principles
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prohibitions: MKTG2001 Assessment: Group case study (20%), Mid-semester exam (20%), Group presentation (20%), Tutorial participation (10%), Research component (2%), Final exam (28%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit examines the relationships among marketing organisations and final consumers in terms of production-distribution channels or value chains. It focuses on consumer responses to various marketing decisions (product mixes, price levels, distribution channels, promotions, etc.) made by private and public organisations to create, develop, defend, and sometimes eliminate, product markets. Emphasis is placed on identifying new ways of satisfying the needs and wants, and creating value for consumers. While this unit is heavily based on theory, practical application of the concepts to "real world" situations is also essential. Specific topics of study include: market segmentation strategies; market planning; product decisions; new product development; branding strategies; channels of distribution; promotion and advertising; pricing strategies; and customer database management.
Level 2 and 3 units
MKTG2112 Consumer Behaviour
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: MKTG1001 (or MKTG2001) Prohibitions: MKTG2002 Assessment: Ongoing work portfolio (15%), Class participation (15%), Project interview transcripts (Individual component) (15%), Final project group presentation (10%), Final project group report (20%), Midterm exam (25%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This unit examines the psychological, social, and cultural aspects of consumer behaviour on the marketing decisions of public and private organisations. Concepts and principles are drawn from disciplines such as cognitive psychology, social psychology, sociology, anthropology, and demography to discover and understand various aspects of consumer behaviour. Specific topics of study include: cultural, demographic and psychographic influences; reference group influences; household decision processes and consumption behaviour; consumer perception and learning; motivation, personality and emotion; consumer attitudes; and purchase decision processes.
MKTG2113 Marketing Research
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: MKTG1001 Prohibitions: MKTG1002 Assessment: Group project (planning and executing market research (18%) and analysing quantitative data (18%)); Tutorial participation (10%); Research participation (6%); Exams (mid-semester (20%) and final (28%)) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
Fundamental to marketing is a requirement to understand who your customers are and what they want. Marketing research is the essential activity of discovering information and presenting it in a useful format to marketing decision makers. This unit introduces the skills and knowledge necessary to allow students to accurately formulate research questions and then discover answers ensuring that these are accurate, reliable and timely. Particular focus is given to different approaches to and aspects of data collection, including: qualitative research; secondary data collection; questionnaire design; sampling; experimental design; validity and basic data analysis.
MKTG3118 Marketing Strategy and Planning
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2hr lecture and 1x 1hr tutorial per week Prerequisites: MKTG1001 (or MKTG2001), MKTG2112 (or MKTG2002), and (MKTG2113 or MKTG1002 or MKTG2003) Prohibitions: MKTG3201 Assessment: consultant group presentation (20%), rationale for strategies - consultant group (10%), reflective journal entries (18%), participation (10%), final exam (40%), research component (2%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Business (Business School)
This course will focus on strategic and managerial aspects of marketing. It will cover the development of innovative, business models; segmentation, positioning and lifecycle strategies; and key aspects of managing and organising marketing activities, and measuring performance. The central theme is how marketing strategy and its management can create superior and sustainable value for both customers and shareholders. Assessment will reflect the Unit's strategic decision-making approach, requiring students to take on the roles of marketing advisors and managers.
Plus three other MKTG2000 or 3000 units
See the [[http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/business_school||Business School Handbook]]
Psychology
Note: A Psychology major requires the completion of 60 credit points of PSYC units
Junior (Level 1) units
PSYC1001 Psychology 1001
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Caleb Owens Session: Semester 1,Summer Main Classes: Three 1 hour lectures and one 1 hour tutorial per week, plus 1 hour per week of additional web-based (self-paced) material related to the tutorial. Assessment: One 2.5hr exam, one 1000w essay, multiple tutorial tests, experimental participation (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
Psychology 1001 is a general introduction to the main topics and methods of psychology, and is the basis for advanced work as well as being of use to those not proceeding with the subject. Psychology 1001 covers the following areas: science and statistics in psychology; behavioural neuroscience; applied psychology; social psychology; personality theory; human development.
This unit is also offered in the Sydney Summer School. For more information consult the website:
http://sydney.edu.au/summer_school/
This unit is also offered in the Sydney Summer School. For more information consult the website:
http://sydney.edu.au/summer_school/
Textbooks
Psychology 1001 manual, Weiten, W. Psychology. Themes and variations. 9th Ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. 2012
PSYC1002 Psychology 1002
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Caleb Owens Session: Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: Three 1 hour lectures and one 1 hour tutorial per week, plus 1 hour per week of additional web-based (self-paced) material related to the tutorial. Assessment: One 2.5 hour exam, one 1250 word research report, multiple tutorial tests, experimental participation (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
Psychology 1002 is a further general introduction to the main topics and methods of psychology, and it is the basis for advanced work as well as being of use to those not proceeding with the subject. Psychology 1002 covers the following areas: human mental abilities; learning, motivation and emotion; visual perception; cognitive processes; abnormal psychology.
This unit is also offered in the Sydney Summer School. For more information consult the web site:
http://sydney.edu.au/summer_school/
This unit is also offered in the Sydney Summer School. For more information consult the web site:
http://sydney.edu.au/summer_school/
Textbooks
Psychology 1001 manual, Weiten, W. Psychology. Themes and variations. 9th Ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. 2012
Level 2 and 3 units
PSYC2011 Brain and Behaviour
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Ian Johnston Session: Semester 1 Classes: Three 1 hour lectures and one 1 hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: PSYC1001 and PSYC1002. Prohibitions: PSYC2111 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, major assignment (1500-2000 word essay/report), minor assignment (short written practical exercise and/ or tutorial quizzes (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
This Unit of Study examines a range of phenomena and principles in behaviour, learning and perception, and their relations to underlying neural substrates. The emphasis in learning is on instrumental conditioning and the principle of reinforcement, ranging from applications of this principle to its neural substrates. Also covered are motivational aspects of behaviour, such as punishment and avoidance, anxiety and depression, addiction, sex and appetite, together with related neurochemical mechanisms and the effects of various psychopharmacological agents on these processes. A number of perceptual phenomena will be studied, such as motion detection, recognition of faces, identification of emotion, hearing and hearing loss, taste discrimination, and chronic pain. The practical classes are designed for students with an interest in clinical and therapeutic Psychology, and will allow students to design and implement a behaviour modification programme.
Textbooks
See school website
PSYC2012 Statistics & Research Methods for Psych
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 1 hour tutorial per week, plus one 1 hour lecture and one 1 hour tutorial per fortnight. Prerequisites: PSYC1001 and PSYC1002 Prohibitions: PSYC2112 Assumed knowledge: Recommended: HSC Mathematics, any level Assessment: One 2 hour exam, class tests, online quizzes, one 1500 word group project, one 45 minute mid-semester exam (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
The aim is to introduce students to fundamental concepts in statistics as applied to psychological research. These include summary descriptive statistics, an introduction to the principles and practice of research design, and the use of inferential statistics. Building upon this framework, the unit of study aims to develop each student's expertise in understanding the rationale for, and application of, a variety of statistical tests to the sorts of data typically obtained in psychological research.
Textbooks
See school website
PSYC2013 Cognitive and Social Psychology
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Karen Gonsalkorale Session: Semester 2 Classes: Three 1 hour lectures and one 1 hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: PSYC1001 and PSYC1002. Prohibitions: PSYC2113 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, major assignment (1500-2000 word essay/report), minor assignment (short written practical exercise and/or tutorial quiz) (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
This unit expands the depth and range of topics introduced in the first year lectures on Cognitive Processes, Developmental Psychology and Social Psychology. The section on Cognitive Processes focuses on current theories of memory, attention, problem solving and decision making and discusses the methods and issues involved in investigating these processes in both healthy individuals and people with cognitive disorders. The section on Developmental Psychology discusses early social and cognitive development. The section on Social Psychology examines salient topics in social psychology, such as impression management, social cognition, and prejudice.
Textbooks
See school website
PSYC2014 Personality and Intelligence 1
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Niko Tiliopoulos Session: Semester 2 Classes: Three 1 hour lectures and one 1 hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: PSYC1001 and PSYC1002 Prohibitions: PSYC2114 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, major assignment (1500-2000 word essay/report), minor assignment (short written practical exercise and/or tutorial quizzes (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
The main aim of this course is to introduce students to a number of influential theories in personality and intelligence. Students will be exposed to some conceptual analysis and will be expected to gain an understanding and be able to examine critically the various theories covered. Furthermore, students will be introduced to key topics in the scientific study and assessment of individual differences (Psychometrics) in personality and intelligence. The course will cover both conceptual (e.g. validity and reliability) and applied (e.g. Factor Analysis) elements of statistical psychometric inference.
Textbooks
See School website
24 credit points PSYC3000 units, which must include:
PSYC3018 Abnormal Psychology
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Marianna Szabo Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: At least two intermediate Psychology units of study from PSYC2011, PSYC2911, PSYC2111, PSYC2012, PSYC2112, PSYC2013, PSYC2113, PSYC2014 and PSYC2114 Prohibitions: PSYC3203 Assumed knowledge: (PSYC2012 or PSYC2112) and (PSYC2014 or PSYC2114) Assessment: One 2 hour exam, one 2000 word essay, quiz, tutorial presentation (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
This unit of study critically examines core issues in Abnormal Psychology, concerning the description, explanation and treatment of psychological disorders. The unit of study will include topics such as:
(a) Adult abnormal psychology: Anxiety disorders (specific phobias, panic disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, OCD); Addictive disorders (drug, alcohol, gambling); Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa); Mood disorders (dysthymia, major depressive disorder, cyclothymia, bipolar disorder); Schizophrenia, Personality disorders.
(b) Child abnormal psychology: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder; Conduct disorder; Anxiety disorders, Depression.
(a) Adult abnormal psychology: Anxiety disorders (specific phobias, panic disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, OCD); Addictive disorders (drug, alcohol, gambling); Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa); Mood disorders (dysthymia, major depressive disorder, cyclothymia, bipolar disorder); Schizophrenia, Personality disorders.
(b) Child abnormal psychology: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder; Conduct disorder; Anxiety disorders, Depression.
Textbooks
See School website.
and at least one of:
PSYC3011 Learning and Behaviour
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Evan Livesey Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: (PSYC2011 or PSYC2911 or PSYC2111) and at least one other Intermediate Psychology Unit from PSYC2012, PSYC2112, PSYC2013, PSYC2113, PSYC2014 or PSYC2114. Prohibitions: PSYC3209 Assumed knowledge: PSYC2012 or PSYC2112 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, one 2000 word prac report, tutorial quizzes (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
This unit addresses the fundamental concepts and more important research findings related to contemporary theories of associative learning in animals and humans. It examines the application of such fundamental research to issues such as drug use and food choice. It is designed to foster skills in reading primary sources in this area, and provide the opportunity for hands-on experience in carrying out a research project.
Textbooks
See School website
PSYC3012 Cognition, Language and Thought
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour practical per week. Prerequisites: (PSYC2013 or PSYC2113) and at least one other Intermediate Psychology unit from PSYC2011, PSYC2911, PSYC2111, PSYC2012, PSYC2112, PSYC2014 or PSYC2114. Prohibitions: PSYC3205 Assumed knowledge: PSYC2012 or PSYC2112 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, 2000 word prac report, practical exercise(s) (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
This unit extends the theories and methods of investigating memory and attentional processes discussed in PSYC2013 to consider a number of domains of higher cognitive processing. One strand of the course will focus on the cognitive processes involved in speech perception, language comprehension, language production, and reading. The remainder of the course will deal with the cognitive processes involved in reasoning and skill acquisition. The practical program will expose students to a variety of the research methods used to investigate higher cognitive processes, develop their understanding of how these methods can be used to investigate hypotheses about mental processes and consider applications of cognitive research to real-world problems and issues.
Textbooks
See School website
PSYC3013 Perceptual Systems
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Frans Verstraten Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour tutorial per week. Prerequisites: (PSYC2011 or PSYC2911 or PSYC2111) and at least one other Intermediate Psychology Unit from PSYC2012, PSYC2112, PSYC2013, PSYC2113, PSYC2014, PSYC2114 or ANAT2010 Prohibitions: PSYC3210 Assumed knowledge: PSYC2012 Assessment: One 2-hour exam, one 2000 word report, tutorial quiz, group presentation (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
Perception poses many challenges: how do we see colour and movement? How do we perceive surfaces and materials? How does combining information from multiple senses improve our perception? This unit draws on behavioural and neurophysiological perspectives to deepen understanding of current research topics in perception. The emphasis is on how visual information is processed to accomplish functions such as perceiving a single edge, extracting the contours that form a face, or the spatial relations needed to call offside on the sports field. Students also gain conceptual tools for evaluating the empirical and theoretical worth of recent research in perception. During the tutorial component of the course students will develop a practical experiment in which they formulate and test a hypothesis. In this way students gain important research experience that gives them valuable insight into the scientific process as it exists both in professional work and in the empirical research project required for the Honours degree.
Textbooks
Sensation & Perception, Third Edition
PSYC3014 Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour practical per week. Prerequisites: Either ((PSYC2011 or PSYC2911 or PSYC2111) and at least one other Intermediate Psychology Unit from (PSYC2012 or PSYC2112), (PSYC2013 or PSYC2113), (PSYC2014 or PSYC2114)) OR ((PSYC2011 or PSYC2911 or PSYC2111 or PSYC2013) and ANAT2010 and PCOL2011) Prohibitions: PSYC3914, PSYC3204, PSYC3215 Assumed knowledge: PSYC2113 or PSYC2013 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, one major essay/report 2000-2500 words, tutorial quiz and participation (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day Faculty: Science
This unit of study will focus on approaches to studying neurosciences incorporating molecular, pre-clinical and clinical models of brain function. These biological models of brain function will be linked with behavioural, affective and cognitive function and dysfunction. The implications of focal cognitive deficits in neurological patients for models of normal cognitive function will also be explored. Specific topics to be covered will be selected from the following areas: sensorimotor integration, and the neural and molecular basis of learning and memory, attention, language, visual cognition and praxis. In addition to lectures, a practical component will cover basic neuroanatomy, histology and neuropharmacology, and will introduce students to experimental and case-study approaches to studying neurosciences.
Textbooks
See School website
See the [[http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/science||Faculty of Science Handbook]]