Agricultural Economics

Economics is a diverse, fascinating discipline that studies a wide range of issues that shape the broad framework of society – political, social and commercial. The School of Economics has a proud history as one of the most highly ranked centres in economics. This is reflected in our degrees, which promote a deep understanding of the key concepts of economics with a focus on contemporary issues of Australian and international importance. Our graduates are leaders in their fields – at the Reserve Bank, Treasury and other government departments, in global financial institutions, business, and with international agencies and non-government organisations. They also go on to further study at some of the finest institutions in the world.

The major in Agricultural Economics provides a valuable understanding of commodity markets and the economics of agricultural production. This major focuses on the development of analytical, quantitative and communication skills. It adds considerably to the prospects of students interested in working as applied economists in commodities and futures markets, merchant and trading banks, government departments, large agribusiness firms, corporate farms, and in the media as economic journalists.

For the award of a major in Agricultural Economics, students complete 24 credit points of core junior prerequisite units and 36 credit points of senior units.

For the award of a major in Agricultural Economics students complete:

(i) four junior prerequisite units of study (24 credit points), as follows:

• ECMT1010 Introduction to Economic Statistics (or BUSS1020 Quantitative Business Analysis#)
• ECMT1020 Introduction to Econometrics
• ECON1001 Introductory Microeconomics
• ECON1002 Introductory Macroeconomics

(ii) three compulsory senior units of study (18 credit points), as follows:

• ECOS2001 Intermediate Microeconomics; OR ECOS2901 Intermediate Microeconomics Honours##
• AREC2001 Economics of Biological Production Systems
• AREC2002 Commodity Market and Price Analysis

(iii) a minimum of two senior elective units of study (12 credit points) selected from the following:

• AREC2004 Benefit-Cost Analysis
• AREC3001 Production Modelling and Management
• AREC3002 Agricultural Markets

(iv) one senior elective unit of study (6 credit points) selected from the following:

• AREC2004 Benefit-Cost Analysis
• AREC3001 Production Modelling and Management
• AREC3002 Agricultural Markets
• AREC3005 Agricultural Finance and Risk
• ECMT2150 Intermediate Econometrics
• ECOS3002 Development Economics
• ECOS3005 Industrial Organisation
• ECOS3006 International Trade

#BUSS1020 is a core unit for the Bachelor of Commerce and related degrees and substitutes for the junior prerequisite unit ECMT1010 for students enrolled in those courses.

Any senior unit can only be counted toward one major (be it Agricultural Economics, Economics or any other major).

##Where students are completing both an Economics and an Agricultural Economics major, an additional senior elective (at ECOS2000 or ECOS3000 level) should be completed for one of the majors, as both majors require the compulsory unit ECOS2001/ECOS2901. Both majors need to include at least 36 senior credit points without counting a senior unit ie ECOS2001/ECON2901 towards two separate majors.

Contact/further Information

School of Economics
sydney.edu.au/arts/economics
Room 370, Merewether H04
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