Master of Science in Agricultural and Food Economics

Transcription

1 Master of Science in Agricultural and Food Economics Laurea Magistrale in Economia e Gestione del Sistema Agro-Alimentare Double Degree Laurea Magistrale (Master of Science) Accreditata

2 2 Why to apply? Key factors of the MSc in Agricultural and Food Economics are: The school. The course is organised in the context of the SMEA Graduate School of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC). The School has more than 30 years of experience in graduate education in the field of agricultural and food economics and business. It is part of the Postgraduate School s System of UCSC, a recognition of the institute s excellence in university education. The method. You will experience an intensive teaching activity with active in-class participation, a direct interaction with the faculty members, and a constant relationships with academics, companies, and stakeholders of the agricultural and food supply chain. The university network. The MSc also promotes a study experience at a foreign university within the UCSC network. Selected students can spend one or two semesters of the second year of the MSc at a partner university in Europe or North America. The uniqueness. The MSc in Agricultural and Food Economics at UCSC is the only Italian MSc programme in the agri-business area entirely taught in English. The results. The school, the method, the university network, together with motivation and commitment of the student, help to obtain good academic results and a strong position in the job market. 27% FOOD PROCESSING COMPANIES Laurea Magistrale (Master of Science) Accreditata Sector of employment of graduates 23% RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS 19% BANKING, PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND OTHER SERVICES The MSc in Agricultural and Food Economics is the first and only master degree in Italy certified by ASFOR (the Italian Association for Management Education Development) in the category Master of Science in Business & Management. This prestigious recognition, awarded in June 2012, acknowledges SMEA graduate school s performance in shaping talents to take on the challenges of the Italian and international agro-food systems. 8% 6% 6% 2% 8% AGRICULTURE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION SEEDS AND CHEMICAL COMPANIES FOOD RETAILING OTHERS

3 Programme structure First Year Courses ECTS Credits October January Management basics 8 Technology for food safety Semester March June ~ ~ Principles of food protection 5 ~ ~ Principles of food hygiene 5 Quantitative methods ~ ~ Applied statistics for the agri-food system ~ ~ Applied agricultural and food economics Economic fundamentals of the agri-food system ~ ~ Economics of the agri-food system ~ ~ Agricultural and food legislation 4 Industrial organization 8 Financial accounting and business evaluation Optional courses* 8 Seminars 1 Second Year Courses Agricultural and food market institutions ECTS Credits *Suggested optional courses: Topics in Agricultural and Food Economics I and II. Selected students can attend one or two semesters in the following partner universities: Technical University of Munich, University of California at Davis, University of Connecticut, North Dakota State University, University of Wageningen. October January Agricultural and food marketing Economics of agricultural and food markets 8 Semester March June Business planning and control Strategy and leadership Thesis 25 3

4 A strong international orientation Studying in English The whole program of the MSc in Agricultural and Food Economics is taught in English Studying abroad In the context of the exchange programs of UCSC, the students of the MSc in Agricultural and Food Economics have exclusive access to: University of Wageningen (Double Degree programme), Technical University of Munich, University of Connecticut, Nor th Dakota State University. Moreover, they can compete with other MSc student s of the Faculty of Agriculture for accessing the University of California at Davis. All these exchange programs are financed by specific grants. The number of available places is limited and s tudent s par t icipat ing in all t he exchange programs are selec ted based on merit and knowledge of English. 4

5 The Double Degree programme The Double Degree programme is an agreement between SMEA and the University of Wageningen (The Netherlands) that gives both students of the Master of Science in Agricultural and Food Economics and students of the Masters course in Management, Economics and Consumer Sciences the chance to attend the second year of their course at the partner University. Thanks to the mutual recognition of ECTS credits and to a thesis supervised by professors from both universities, students participating in the Double Degree will receive both degrees. The aim of the Double Degree is to pursue the objectives of the two courses, which are both targeted to prepare professionals for the agricultural and food sector, giving students a stronger international background. The Double Degree gives students the opportunity to experience a multicultural studying environment, to get used to a different teaching and learning methodology and to take part to a larger network of job market contacts. Admission to the programme is based on merit and knowledge of English (92-93 TOEFL ibt Test). For each academic year there are a maximum of 3 places available. 5

6 Fees & Scholarships Fees The annual tuition fees vary depending on the applicant s financial background. For further information and the exact computation of the fee please refer to Scholarships Several types of scholarships are available for UCSC students. For all the details, please refer to Moreover, thanks to an agreement between USCS and Banca Intesa, students enrolled in the Master of Science may apply for a loan of up to 5,000 euros a year with no personal guarantees property. Language prerequisites A good knowledge of English is a must for an effective participation to the course. Therefore students - except those with English as first language or having successfully completed a degree program taught in English must certify their English language level, either ~ ~ Having an overall TOEFL / IBT score of at least 64 or an Academic IELTS overall score of at least 5.0; other English certifications can be considered; ~ ~ Taking an on-site English language test at the Linguistic Centre of UCSC, in Cremona, with a score of at least B1. ~ ~ Official dates for the language test will be communicated upon application. Admission requirements To get admitted to the program, applicants need to hold an Italian undergraduate degree, obtained after a minimum of 3 years of study (180 ECTS). We will assess the student s academic and personal background and decide if the specific conditions for admission to the graduate degree are met. 6 On the website candidates can also check the curricular requirements, using a dedicated procedure and obtain more detailed information about registration.

7 Improve your English Living in Cremona Knowing English is important, not only for an easier study of the MSc courses, but also to seize the best job opportunities that the market can offer. Students of the MSc will be accompanied in their approach to a course entirely taught in English. In the first year of studies, in fact, SMEA supports its students by organizing English courses which will help them to improve their level of knowledge. One of these courses is specifically targeted to the preparation of the TOEFL test. Cremona is in the heart of Italian agricultural food production. The city is ideal for living and studying. Cremona boasts Roman origins and a long history of agriculture interwoven with art and culture. This can be seen in the historic centre, organised around the central piazza and its medieval and Renaissance monuments: the cathedral, the baptistery, the tower and the council buildings. Cremona is easy to reach, being directly linked with other cities in Lombardy and the main centres of Piedmont, Emilia Romagna and Veneto. 7

8 Contacts: UNIVERSITÀ CATTOLICA DEL SACRO CUORE SMEA Via Milano, Cremona Tel Fax SME A was founded in 1984 as par t of the UCSC Faculties of Agriculture and Economics, in Cremona. Since 2005, SMEA is par t of the Pos tgr aduate School s Sy s tem of UC SC, a recognition of the institute s excellence in uni ver si t y educat ion and research. Since 1997, SMEA has been a member of Asfor, the Italian Association for Management Education D e vel o p men t, w hic h ai m s t o de vel o p a managerial culture in Italy and to of fer training in management. The mission of the School is to create economic and managerial interest in the agricultural and food sector, of fering education, research and consultanc y, and raising awareness of this subject. Education programs include: Master of Science in Agricultural and Food Economics (Laurea Magistrale in Economia e Gestione del Sistema Agro-Alimentare certified by ASFOR) Master in Management Agro-Alimentare (certified by ASFOR); Double Degree; Summer School of Agriculture and Food Economics; Lifelong learning. Partners: Research &Consulting in Economics SMEA s education programs are also organized with the financial support of: Regione Lombardia / Provincia di Cremona / Comune di Cremona / Camera di Commercio Industria, Artigianato ed Agricoltura di Cremona.