MSc Programme in Agricultural Economics

MSc Programme in Agricultural Economics

 

The programme is organised in accordance with Danish Ministerial Order no. 814 of 29 June 2010 on bachelor and master’s programmes (candidatus) at universities (the ministerial order of the study programmes). The programme is offered under the Natural Science Study Board.

Graduation from the programme confers the degree Master of Science (MSc) in Agricultural Economics. In Danish: cand.oecon.agro. (candidatus/candidata oeconomiae agronomiae).

 

Chapter 1. The programme’s objective and competence profile

 

1. 1 The programme’s objective

On the basis of economic, mathematical, legal and statistical methodologies, the objective of the MSc programme in Agricultural Economics is to provide students with a more comprehensive and specialised understanding of problems of a general economic character within the main areas of the programme – international economics and development and agribusiness and innovation – than the BSc degree required for admission can provide.

 

1.2 The programme’s general profile

The MSc programme in Agricultural Economics has three general specialisation options. These are:

• International Economics and Development which cover international trade, trade policy, public economics, economic growth, development economics and policy and the economics of globalisation
• Agribusiness and Innovation which cover industrial economics and organisation, innovation and business development as well as the agribusiness industry and supply chain management.
• Agribusiness and Food Economics which cover production economics, industrial economics and organisation, technology assessment, innovation and management as well as public economics and policy.

If students wish to combine the three specialisation options above, courses can be chosen from all programmes and from other courses offered within economics.

 

1.3 The programme’s employment prospects

Depending on the specialisation profile, MSc graduates in Agricultural Economics are likely to find employment within a number of work areas:

• Interest groups and industrial organisations
• Consultancy and analytical work in a broad sense (banks, financial institutions, large companies, consultancy companies, and agricultural organisations etc.)
• Public administration (the EU, government, regions and municipalities)
• Research (private and public)
• Teaching (universities and business schools etc.)
• Management of own company

The MSc programme in Agricultural Economics provides graduates with the opportunity of working in both Denmark and abroad.

 

1.4 The programme’s competence profile

 

A: Specialisation in International Economics and Development

After completion of the specialisation in International Economics and Development, the MSc graduate should also be to:

 

A: 1.4.1 Knowledge

• Demonstrate general knowledge of economic issues, theories and methodologies within trade and international collaboration, international economic policy and development economics
• Identify economic and statistical methods within the above disciplines
• Identify economic agents and the background for their actions, including the significance of national and international institutions, such as the EU, OECD, World Bank and WTO
• Describe the interaction between economic agents and their significance for national and international economics
• Reformulate theories, principles and research findings to independently form hypotheses and theories

A: 1.4.2 Skills

• Pose questions that are characteristic of international economics and produce several possible answers
• Analyse international economics issues, including trade policy and development economics issues and the associated decision-making processes
• Formulate and solve complex economic problems, taking a theoretical, statistical and descriptive approach
• Utilise and evaluate economic methodologies and evaluate the fundamental assumptions behind economic theories as well as their possibilities and limitations
• Employ economic reasoning to explain economic claims
• Communicate own specialist knowledge clearly and precisely – in writing and orally – to various target groups
• Select and use appropriate information and communications technology in all relevant work processes

A: 1.4.3 Competences

• Take a critical and visionary approach to economic methodologies and the fundamental assumptions behind international economics
• Assess the possibilities and limitations of the theories and their potential applications in various work-related contexts
• Handle work and development situations that are complex, unpredictable and require new solution models in the private and public-sector labour markets – both nationally and internationally
• Transfer and apply theories and principles to new but related economic issues
• Implement and carry out monodisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration and assume professional responsibility
• Assume independent responsibility for and evaluate own professional development and specialisation with a view to life-long learning
• Work with others, discuss solutions and achieve consensus

B: Specialisation in Agribusiness and Innovation

After completion of the specialisation in Agribusiness and Innovation, the MSc graduate should be able to:

 

B: 1.4.1 Knowledge

• Demonstrate general knowledge on economic and business economic issues, theories and methodologies within agribusiness, innovation, and industrial economics and organization
• Identify economic and statistical methods within the above disciplines
• Identify economic agents and the background for their actions
• Reformulate theories, principles and research findings to independently form hypotheses and theories

B: 1.4.2 Skills

• Pose questions that are characteristic of agribusiness and innovation and produce several possible answers
• Analyse issues within agribusiness and innovation and the associated decision-making processes
• Formulate and solve complex economic and business economic (innovation) problems, taking a theoretical, statistical and descriptive approach
• Utilise and evaluate economic and business economic methodologies and evaluate the fundamental assumptions behind economic and innovation theories as well as their possibilities and limitations
• Employ economic and business economic reasoning to explain economic and business econonimc claims
• Communicate own specialist knowledge clearly and precisely – in writing and orally – to various target groups
• Select and use appropriate information and communications technology in all relevant work processes

B: 1.4.3 Competences

• Take a critical and visionary approach to methodologies within agribusiness, economics and innovation
• Assess the possibilities and limitations of the theories and their potential applications in various work-related contexts
• Handle work and development situations that are complex, unpredictable and require new solution models in the private and public-sector labour markets – both nationally and internationally
• Transfer and apply theories and principles to new but related economic issues
• Implement and carry out monodisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration and assume professional responsibility
• Assume independent responsibility for and evaluate own professional development and specialisation with a view to life-long learning
• Work with others, discuss solutions and achieve consensus

C: Specialisation in Agribusiness and Food Economics

After completion of the specialisation in Agribusiness and Food Economics, the MSc graduate should be able to:

 

C: 1.4.1 Knowledge

• Demonstrate general knowledge on economic issues, theories and methodologies within agribusiness, regulation and production economics
• Identify economic and statistical methods within the above disciplines
• Identify economic agents and the background for their actions
• Reformulate theories, principles and research findings to independently form hypotheses and theories

C: 1.4.2 Skills

• Pose questions that are characteristic of agribusiness and food economics and produce several possible answers
• Analyse issues within agribusiness and food economics and the associated decision-making processes
• Formulate and solve complex economic and food economic problems, taking a theoretical, statistical and descriptive approach
• Utilise and evaluate economic and food economic methodologies and evaluate the fundamental assumptions behind food economic theories as well as their possibilities and limitations
• Employ economic reasoning to explain economic claims
• Communicate own specialist knowledge clearly and precisely – in writing and orally – to various target groups
• Select and use appropriate information and communications technology in all relevant work processes

C: 1.4.3 Competences

• Take a critical and visionary approach to methodologies within food economics and the fundamental assumptions behind agribusiness
• Assess the possibilities and limitations of the theories and their potential applications in various work-related contexts
• Handle work and development situations that are complex, unpredictable and require new solution models in the private and public-sector labour markets – both nationally and internationally
• Transfer and apply theories and principles to new but related economic issues
• Implement and carry out monodisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration and assume professional responsibility
• Assume independent responsibility for and evaluate own professional development and specialisation with a view to life-long learning
• Work with others, discuss solutions and achieve consensus

Chapter 2. Degree programme content

 

2.1 Content

The programme is set at 120 credits. There are three specialisations: Specialisation in International Economics and Development, Specialisation in Agribusiness and Innovation and specialisation in Agribusiness and Food Economics. The specialisations differ in the amount of compulsory courses and core courses. Core courses, compulsory course and thesis must comprise at least 90 credits.

 

The programme is completed with a 30- or 45-credit thesis. Thesis of 45 credits must have experimental caracter i.e. collection of primary data.

 

In connection with a thesis of 30 credits core courses must comprise at least 45 credits
In connection with a thesis of 45 credits core courses must comprise at least 30 credits

 

The programme may include LFKK10387 Erhvervsprojekt/LFKK10387E Project in Practice

 

2.1.1 Specialisation in International Economics and Development

Year 1	Block 1	Thematic Course: Trade and International Cooperation	Applied Econometrics
	Block 2
	Block 3
	Block 4

Year 2	Block 1
	Block 2
	Block 3	Thesis (30 or 45 credits)
	Block 4

	Compulsory courses and thesis
	Core courses (the suggested block placement of core courses above is not mandatory. The placement strictly depends on which core courses are chosen - see list below).
	Elective courses

 

 

The programme is set at 120 credits. The following courses are compulsory:

 

LOJK10239	Thematic Course: Trade and International Cooperation	15 credits
LOJK10272	Applied Econometrics	7,5 credits

Core courses - Specialisation in International Economics and Development, at least 15 credits must be selected from below: 

 

LOJK10255	Agricultural and Food Policy	7.5 credits
LOJK10258	Economic Growth and Development	7.5 credits
LOJK10265	Studies in Development Economics	7.5 credits
LOJK10271	The Economics of Globalization	7.5 credits

  

Other core courses:

 

LOJA10279	Industrial Organization	7.5 credits
LOJA10280	Contracts and Cooperatives	7.5 credits
LFKA10285	Business Development and Innovation	7.5 credits
LFKA10286	Business Development in Practice	7.5 credits
CM_V74	Thematic course: Agribusiness and Innovation (1 & 2A) at CBS	15 credits
CM_T77	Operations and Supply Chain Management (3A) at CBS	7.5 credits
LLEF10253	The Food Industry: Structure and Economics	7.5 credits
LOJK10214	Economic Theory of Environmental Policy	7.5 credits
LOJF10220	EU-ret: Fødevare, miljø og jordbrug	7.5 credits
LOJF10224	Forvaltningsret	7.5 credits
LOJK10229	Natural Resource Economics	7.5 credits
LOJK10248	Economic Valuation Methods and Cost-Benefit Analysis	7.5 credits
LOJK10256	Applied Microeconomic Analysis	7.5 credits
LOJF10261	Miljø- og planlovgivning - natur og vand	7.5 credits
LOJK10267	Applied Production Analysis	7.5 credits
LOJF10275	Law, International Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility	7.5 credits
LOJK10278	Technology Assessment	7.5 credits
LFKK10253	Rådgivning	7.5 credits
LFKK10278	Project Management	7.5 credits

  

In addition to the above courses, elective economics courses from the MSc programme in Economics and Business Administration at CBS and the MSc programme in Economics at SAMF as well as advanced courses in economics, mathematics and statistics at LIFE, SCIENCE and other universities may form part of the core courses.

Thematic courses, core courses and the thesis constitute the core subjects of the programme (90 credits). There are 30 credits for elective courses and other study activities.

 

2.1.2. Specialisation in Agribusiness and Innovation:

Year 1	Block 1	Thematic Course:Agribusiness and Innovation	Industrial Organisation
	Block 2		Contracts and Cooperatives
	Block 3
	Block 4

 

Year 2	Block 1
	Block 2
	Block 3	Master Thesis
	Block 4

 

	Compulsory courses and thesis
	Core courses (the suggested block placement of core courses above is not mandatory. The placement strictly depends on which core courses are chosen - see list below).
	Elective courses

 

The programme is set at 120 credits. The following courses are compulsory:

CM_V74	Thematic Course: Agribusiness and Innovation (1&2A) at CBS	15 credits
LOJA10279	Industrial Organization	7,5 credits
LOJA10280	Contracts and Cooperatives	7,5 credits

 
Core courses - Specialisation in Agribusiness and Innovation, at least 15 credits must be selected:

 

LFKA10286	Business Development in Practice	7.5 credits
LFKA10285	Business Development and Innovation	7.5 credits
CM_T77	Operations and Supply Chain Management (3A) at CBS	7.5 credits

 

Other core courses:

 

LLEF10253	The Food Industry: Structure and Economics	7.5 credits
LOJK10214	Economic Theory of Environmental Policy	7.5 credits
LOJF10220	EU-ret: Fødevare, miljø og jordbrug	7.5 credits
LOJF10224	Forvaltningsret	7.5 credits
LOJK10229	Natural Resource Economics	7.5 credits
LOJK10239	Thematic Course: Trade and International Cooperation	15 credits
LOJK10240	Trade and International Cooperation	7.5 credits
LOJK10248	Economic Valuation Methods and Cost-Benefit Analysis	7.5 credits
LOJK10256	Applied Microeconomic Analysis	7.5 credits
LOJK10258	Economic Growth and Development	7.5 credits
LOJF10261	Miljø- og planlovgivning - natur og vand	7.5 credits
LOJK10265	Studies in Development Economics	7.5 credits
LOJK10267	Applied Production Analysis	7.5 credits
LOJK10271	The Economics of Globalization	7.5 credits
LOJF10275	Law, International Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility	7.5 credits
LOJK10278	Technology Assessment	7.5 credits
LFKK10253	Rådgivning	7.5 credits
LFKK10278	Project Management	7.5 credits

 

In addition to the above courses, elective economics courses from the MSc programme in Economics and Business Administration at CBS and the MSc programme in Economics at SAMF as well as advanced courses in economics, mathematics and statistics at LIFE, SCIENCE and other universities may form part of the core courses.

Thematic courses, core courses and the thesis constitute the core subjects of the programme (90 credits). There are 30 credits for elective courses and other study activities.

 

 

2.1.2. Specialisation in Agribusiness and Food Economics:

Year 1	Block 1	Thematic Course: Industrial Organization	Applied Econometrics
	Block 2	Contracts and Cooperatives or Applied Production Analysis
	Block 3
	Block 4

 

Year 2	Block 1
	Block 2
	Block 3	Thesis (30 or 45 credits)
	Block 4

 

	Compulsory courses and thesis
	Core courses (the suggested block placement of core courses above is not mandatory. The placement strictly depends on which core courses are chosen - see list below).
	Elective courses

 

The programme is set at 120 credits. The following course is compulsory:

Thematic Course: This course consist of:

LOJA10279	Industrial Organization	7.5 credits
and
LOJA10280	Contracts and Cooperatives	7.5 credits
or
LOJK10267	Applied Production Analysis	7,5 credits
and
LOJK10272	Applied Econometrics	7.5 credits

Core courses - Specialisation in Agribusiness and Food Economics, at least 15 credits must be selected:

 

LOJK10255	Agricultural and Food Policy	7.5 credits
LOJK10256	Applied Microeconomic Analysis	7.5 credits
LOJK10267	Applied Production Analysis (if not chosen to be part of Thematic course)	7.5 credits
LOJK10278	Technology Assessment	7.5 credits
LOJA10280	Contracts and Cooperatives (if not chosen to be part of Thematic course)	7.5 credits
LFKA10285	Business Development and Innovation	7.5 credits
LFKA10286	Business Dvelopment and Practice	7.5 credits

 

Other core courses

 

LLEF10253	The Food Industry: Structure and Economics	7.5 credits
LOJK10214	Economic Theory of Environmental Policy	7.5 credits
LOJF10220	EU-ret: Fødevare, miljø og jordbrug	7.5 credits
LOJF10224	Forvaltningsret	7.5 credits
LOJK10229	Natural Resource Economics	7.5 credits
LOJK10239	Thematic Course: Trade and International Cooperation	15 credits
LOJK10240	Trade and International Cooperation*	7.5 credits
LOJK10248	Economic Valuation Methods and Cost Benefit Analysis	7.5 credits
LOJK10258	Economic Growth and Development	7.5 credits
LOJF10261	Miljø- og planlovgivning - natur og vand	7.5 credits
LOJK10265	Studies in Development Economics	7.5 credits
LOJK10271	The Economics of Globalization	7.5 credits
LOJF10275	Law, International Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility	7.5 credits
LNAK10043	Environmental Management in Europe	15 credits
LFKK10253	Rådgivning	7.5 credits
LFKK10278	Project Management	7.5 credits
LFKF10281	Sociologiske metoder for biovidenskab	7.5 credits
CM_T77	Operations and Supply Chain Management (3A) at CBS	7.5 credits

 

In addition to the above courses, elective economics courses from the MSc programme in Economics and Business Administration at CBS and the MSc programme in Economics at SAMF as well as advanced courses in economics, mathematics and statistics at LIFE, SCIENCE and other universities may form part of the core courses.

 

Chapter 3. Admission requirements and admission

 

3.1 Admission requirements to MSc with specialisation in International Economics and Development

The BSc Programme in Agricultural Economics (jordbrugsøkonomi) qualifies graduates directly for admission to the MSc programme in Agricultural Economics.

Students holding a BSc degree in Natural Resources (naturressourcer) with the core module course in Environmental Economics (miljøøkonomi) are admitted provided that their examination includes the following specified courses:

 

• LOJF10244 Economic Policy (Økonomisk politik) (7.5 credits)
• LOJF10249 Investment and Finance (Investering og finansiering) (7.5 credits)

Students holding af BSc degree in Economics from a Danish university are admitted without further prerequisites.

Bachelors from other faculties under the University of Copenhagen or from other national and international univeristies must have equivalent qualifications and as minimum it is required that their examination includes courses in:

• Micro Economics (at least 22.5 ECTS credits)
• Macro Economics (at least 15 ECTS credits)
• International Economics (at least 7.5 ECTS credits)
• Statistics (at least 7.5 ECTS credits)
• Econometrics (at least 7.5 ECTS credits)
• Mathematics (at least 7.5 ECTS credits)

3.2 Admission

Students are admitted to the MSc in Agricultural Economics twice a year (1 September and 1 February).

 

Transfer Agreement 2010-2011

Students admitted before 1 September 2011 who haven't passed the thematic course: LOJK10266 Agribusiness Economics must pass LOJA10279 Industrial Organization and one of the following two courses: LOJA10280 Contracts and Cooperatives or LOJK10267 Applied Production Analysis instead of the thematic course. The core course LOJK10268 Innovation, Strategy and Leadership will be replaced by LFKA10285 Business Development and Innovation.