Bachelor of Agriculture in Agri-business Management

The purpose of the qualification is

• To provide qualifiers with the necessary knowledge, specific skills, applied competence and professional attitude in the fields of production, marketing, financial, institutional and policy management in agriculture and related sectors of the economy and to utilise the opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.
• To provide South Africa with significant numbers of graduate in various fields of agricultural management sciences in order to ensure the broadening of the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge- based economic and scholarly activity.
• To stimulate and prepare learners for postgraduate study by provision of the required knowledge, skills and insight to develop as agricultural researchers and managers at a high academic and professional level by.
• To provide South Africa with agricultural management theorists and practitioners who will have a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress of agricultural sciences and agribusiness management and of their responsibilities to plan the provision of food and fibre in an economically viable, sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• Access may be gained to the qualification through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Entry Requirements

• A Matriculation Exemption Certificate with a general average of 50% (D symbol), with Mathematics (HG) with at least an E symbol or (SG) with at least a D symbol and a Natural Sciences subject (SG) with at least an E symbol. The requirement of an average D symbol does not apply to candidates with an age exemption or, in the case of candidates from other countries, in possession of conditional exemption.

Critical cross-field outcomes.

The Bachelor of Agriculture Administration (B Agric Admin) graduate will have demonstrated the following outcomes

1. Identifying and solving problems in which responses indicate that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
2. Working effectively with others as a member of a group, organisation and community.
3. Organising and managing oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively.
4. Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information.
5. Communicating effectively using visual, numerical/mathematical and language skills in the modes of oral and written persuasion.
6. Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment, public health and social welfare.
7. An understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
8. Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:

• Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
• Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.
• Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
• Exploring education and career opportunities.
• Developing entrepreneurial opportunities.

General outcomes.

The B Agric Admin graduate will have demonstrated the following general outcomes

1. A sound understanding of the theoretical background in core aspects of the agricultural management sciences.
2. An introduction to the operation and application of a range of scientific techniques and research approaches.
3. The ability to apply the acquired knowledge to attend to new theoretical and practical problems.
4. An ability to read and interpret scientific literature including the ability to teach themselves from source material.
5. An understanding of the importance of using sound research methods and statistical analyses.
6. An appreciation of the role of scientific modelling in the assembly and understanding of scientific observations.
7. Basic skills in the presentation of scientific reports (both written and verbal), including use of information technology as an aid to effective communication skills.

The graduate will thus have demonstrated the acquisition of a good general and scientific background of sufficient depth and latitude to enable the graduate to practise as a competent scientist.

Specific outcomes.

The B Agric Admin graduate will have

1. An understanding of the operatives of agricultural management sciences and of practical agribusiness management.
2. The ability to manage, detect and to solve problems in agricultural systems.
3. he ability to develop and execute business and marketing plans on strategic and operational levels.
4. An understanding of the interdisciplinary relationships within agricultural management sciences and other agricultural sciences.
5. The ability to use relevant statistical methods and evaluation.
6. An awareness of the social responsibility towards the environment and society.
7. The basic entrepreneurial skills to identify and explore the commercial potential.
8. A grasp of opportunities available in the agro-commercial environment.

The assessment used for these outcomes ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

a) A range of formative and summative assessment methods such as assignments, simulations, presentations, written and oral tests and examinations are used.

b) The required range of modalities is used integratively to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved.

c) The assessment of parts generalising to a domain takes place in a judicious and planned systematic way in order to ensure reliability.

The assessments used meet the standard and level of achievement for Level 6.

The criterion used to assess outcomes

• A and B is largely whether the information and conceptual content of the work the student submits for marking is accurate and valid.

Competence in outcome

• C will be demonstrated if the student shows an ability to correlate and integrate information and concepts learned in a range of modules and propose valid solutions for a range of theoretical and practical problems.

To demonstrate competence in outcomes

• E and G a student must be able to write logical and coherent reports and essays using computer software, undertake and successfully complete a supervised research project and satisfactorily answer test and examination questions.

The student`s written and oral presentations must be of an acceptable standard in terms of use of Afrikaans or English language and the structural organisation of presentations.

The Assessment criteria as stipulated are also applicable here. Additional assessment is mainly by scrutinising the student`s assignments and presentations for proficiency in the set specific outcomes, the standard and level of which are jointly set by Level 6 academic achievements and by what is expected of competent agribusiness management professionals in practice.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Assessment takes place in terms of a variety of procedures, such as various assignments, written and oral presentations, tests and examinations. Oral assessment are used to determine the student`s ability to communicate acquired skills in an integrated and professional manner.