2007-2008 University of Guelph Graduate Calendar

Appendix A - Courses

Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics

AGEC*6070 Research Methods for Managers F [0.50]
The objective of the course is to provide students with a working knowledge of quantitative and qualitative techniques used in the analysis of management problems. The emphasis is on the application and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative methods rather than on theoretical background.
AGEC*6100 The Methodology of Economics W [0.50]
Alternative views on the methodology of economics are reviewed and assessed. The process of problem identification in the development of a research project proposal is investigated.
AGEC*6110 Marketing Research W [0.50]
A study of marketing research analysis in agribusiness firms, with emphasis on the marketing research function and the application of quantitative problem solving techniques.
AGEC*6120 Marketing Management F [0.50]
A study of marketing decision-making in agribusiness firms, with emphasis on the formulation of strategic marketing plans
AGEC*6130 Special Topics in Financial Management U [0.50]
An advanced course for students who wish to explore current and future topics in financial management, trends and problems in financial management, and capital and investment theory related to food and agribusiness firms.
AGEC*6140 Food and Agribusiness Strategic Management U [0.50]
An advanced course requiring the application of conceptual, analytical, problem identification, and problem solving skills to develop organizational strategy. Food, agribusiness and other cases are used to explore the development and implementation of strategy and to assess the dynamic relationship between strategy and competition.
AGEC*6180 Financial and Managerial Accounting F [0.50]
This course emphasizes the gathering and use of financial information to facilitate effective financial and management decisions. Cases are used to approach the subject from the perspective of the user of accounting information rather than that of the supplier.
AGEC*6200 Financial Management W [0.50]
This course takes the viewpoint of the senior financial officer of a commercial enterprise. The focus is on the management of cash, accounts receivable, inventories and capital assets, as well as on the sourcing of funds through short-term liabilities, long-term debt and owners' equity.
Prerequisite(s): AGEC*6180
Restriction(s): Non MBA students only by permission of instructor
AGEC*6230 Food and Agribusiness Economics and Policy W [0.50]
An analysis of economic and policy issues relevant for food and agribusiness managers in affluent economies, with emphasis on the economic and policy environment that exists within North America.
AGEC*6250 Futures and Options W [0.50]
The theory and application of futures, options and other derivative securities for marketing, risk management, and investment purposes. Emphasis is placed on application of the instruments to real business situations, and on the development and implementation of trading strategies designed to meet the precise needs of specific business clients.
AGEC*6260 Managing Business Risk U [0.50]
This course is designed to help students recognize, measure and understand different components of business risk. Case studies are used to explore and evaluate risk management alternatives and to implement and monitor risk mitigating strategies. Corporate responsibility in relation to risk management is also addressed.
AGEC*6360 Mathematical Programming W [0.50]
A study of the algebra, assumptions and economic logic of important optimizing techniques and their application to problems in quantitative economics.
AGEC*6400 Advanced Topics in Agricultural Economics S [0.50]
The application of economic theory and various contemporary tools of economic analysis in solving production problems in the agricultural sector of the economy.
AGEC*6410 Operations Management I S [0.50]
Overview of the management problems involved in planning, operating and controlling the systems used in operations, with emphasis on farm and agribusiness applications.
AGEC*6430 Case Studies in Farm Management U [0.50]
Identification of problems and opportunities on selected representative farms; use of selected management tools for diagnostic analysis and planning; evaluation of relevant management strategies based on the concept of management as a continuous decision-making process.
AGEC*6600 Agriculture in Economic Development F [0.50]
The course is concerned with the role of agriculture as a source of food, fibre and employment in developing countries. The interaction between agriculture and other sectors of the economy and other countries is also examined.
Prerequisite(s): ECON*1050 and ECON*1100
AGEC*6720 Readings in Agricultural Economics F,S,W [0.50]
A reading course on selected topics of special interest. May be offered to individual students or to groups of students in any semester.
AGEC*6750 Problems in Agricultural Business F [0.50]
Seminar course with industry speakers, in preparation to AGEC*6760, and leading to a formal business project proposal.
AGEC*6760 Major Project in Food and Agribusiness Management U [0.50]
Management project leading to a referenced technical report on some aspect of food and agribusiness management. Completion of this course requires a formal presentation o the project to faculty and students.
AGEC*6800 Seminar in Agricultural Economics S [0.00]
Students in the MSc program must give two presentations at the annual MSc research symposium; one in their first year outlining their research plan, and one in their second year on their thesis research results.
AGEC*6910 Applied Policy Analysis I F [0.50]
An overview of domestic and international agrifood policies and an introduction to the concepts and methods used to evaluate domestic trade policies.
Prerequisite(s): ECON*3710
AGEC*6920 Applied Policy Analysis II F [0.50]
A presentation and evaluation of advanced quantitative agrifood policy models and selected special topics related to domestic and trade policy evaluation.
Prerequisite(s): AGEC*6910
Co-requisite(s): ECON*3710
AGEC*6930 Food Firms, Consumers and Market I F [0.50]
This course examines the application of microeconomic theory to food markets. Topics covered include: optimizing behaviour by economic agents, the certainty equivalent profit model and decision making under risk, optimal capital replacement models and their application to food system economics, consumer behaviour with respect to food products and behaviour with respect to food products and behaviour of marketing intermediaries and food processors. New developments in the economic theory of the form are surveyed.
Prerequisite(s): ECON*2310, ECON*3740
AGEC*6940 Food Firms, Consumers and Markets II F [0.50]
This course builds on Food Firms, Consumers and Markets I by extending the breadth and depth of student's understanding and scope of economic analysis. Advanced techniques in producer and consumer theory, as well as advance market analysis techniques are presented and utilized. Understanding of the research process and advanced methods is emphasized throughout.
Prerequisite(s): AGEC*6930, ECON*3710
AGEC*6950 Natural Resource Economics I W [0.50]
Natural Resources I introduces conventional theoretical modeling approaches to renewable resources, e.g. fisheries & forestry. Seminal theoretical literature is discussed. Emphasis is placed on setting up economic models, deriving and interpreting general results. Applied methods include dynamic optimization and regression analysis. Additional topics include Land Economics and the property rights approach.
AGEC*6960 Natural Resource Economics II F [0.50]
Natural Resources II reviews & extends conventional theoretical modeling approaches to renewable resources, e.g. fisheries & forestry. Seminal literature is reviewed and contemp. theoretical work and empirical papers discussed. Emphasis on extending economic models addressing natural resource issues - uncertainty, externalities & policy instruments, and derive reduced-form versions of forestry & fishery for empirical estim. & analysis. Primary method of math analysis involves dyn. opt. techniques. Detailed math derivations & proofs expected. Also- extinction, climate change, carb sequest.
Prerequisite(s): ECON*6010, AGEC*6950
AGEC*6970 Applied Quantitative Methods for Agricultural Economists F [0.50]
This course exposes students to the empirical tools agricultural economists use when conducting research. Emphasis is placed on what tool(s) to use in a variety of circumstances. Topics covered will include advanced econometric techniques, optimization and simulation modelling. Students will also be exposed to the different quantitative software packages used in empirical research.
Prerequisite(s): ECON*3740, ECON*2770
AGEC*6980 Agricultural Trade Relations W [0.50]
An examination of the institutional, theoretical and empirical aspects of international agrifood trade.
Prerequisite(s): ECON*3710, AGEC*6910