197003 v.3 Master of Rural Management

MRuralMgnt(Curtin)

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Introduction
This research course is designed to provide opportunities to develop special interests in selected areas of rural or agricultural management by means of a research dissertation. Students are required to conduct an applied research project in the area ofagricultural or rural management. This includes presentation of a research proposal, collection and analysis of data and its presentation in the form of a dissertation.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites
Completion of a relevant postgraduate diploma or equivalent, to a satisfactory standard. Alternatively, admission may be gained by the possession of an honours degree from an approved institution. In the second case, students may be expected to complete appropriate bridging units in areas relevant to the research topic. In both cases, the student will need to demonstrate a high academic performance and a background in research methodolgy. When the latter is not met, the student will be required to complete an appropriate research methodology unit.

Duration and Availability
The course is by research and normally requires at least two years of full-time study. The course is also available in part-time mode.

Course Organisation
This course is studied as a research degree. The content of the degree should be determined in consultation with the Postgraduate Coordinator, Muresk Insitute of Agriculture. Students without prior studies in research methods and statistical data analysis will be required to undertake relevant preparatory units. This will increase the stated course duration.

Additional Course Expenses
Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other vital study materials. In addition, students may also need to contribute some of the cost of consumables, which varies depending on the area of study.

Special Note
It is a requirement that two-thirds of this course is undertaken by research and only one-third by coursework. Areas of research reflect research interests of the supervising staff and may include - agribusiness, agricultural marketing, animal production, sustainable agriculture, agricultural production systems, agricultural economics, decision support systems, pasture management, resource management, fibre and related technologies, rural education, rural sociology.

Course Structure				Hrs/Wk	Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
99022	v.2		Masters Thesis - Agribusiness