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FRECO Program design

(1) The first semester: semester 1 is mainly dedicated to mandatory (Methodological Basics and Focus Basics) courses which either cover general methodological and research skills or introduce the basics of the subsequent specialisations. Students who are able and willing to take on a larger than normal workload may already enrol in specialisation courses (not generally recommended).

(2) Second and third semester: During these semesters, students mainly take courses and seminars in one of three possible specialisations requiring a decision latest at the beginning of the second semester:

  • Line A (Management): business and organisation behaviour, marketing, supply chain management
  • Line B (Policy and Markets): national and international policies and policy making, market research and marketing, environmental and resource economics.

Basics: Semester 1

Methodological Basics Focus Basics for Lines A, B
 

Specialisations: Semester 2 - 3

Line A
Management		 Line B
Policy and Markets
Core courses
incl. seminars		 Core courses
incl. seminars
Advanced courses Advanced courses
Electives + Colloquium
   

Master Thesis: Semester 4

Project seminar Project seminar
Master thesis Master thesis
   

 

All lines follow the same structure and for all lines a minimum number of credits have to be achieved (module list).

  • Core courses cover the main body of methods, theory, and topics related to the three lines of specialisation.
  • Advanced courses address more specialised tools and skills within the lines. During the third semester, a project seminar is offered by each line, where students shall work on one topical issue from the different perspectives within this line and produce a concrete output of the seminar (book, CD, …) in a team effort. Together with other seminars offered, this project seminar will improve each student's ability of independent research and group presentation.
  • A certain contingent of "Electives" allows the free choice of additional core or advanced courses from any line of specialisation in FRECO or from other master level study programs in the faculty of agriculture.
  • A colloquium will address a self-responsible literature survey on a defined topic to address the state of the art of research and to be defended by the candidate. This will strengthen the student’s ability to uphold in scientific discussions and help in preparing the content of the master thesis.

(3) In the fourth semester students write their master thesis.

Courses in detail

Download course list (pdf)

Regulations for examinations

- Version based on the first version of May 21, 2004 and the changes of July 28, 2006 (pdf)
- Changes of August 31, 2007 (pdf)

Objectives

  • To teach theoretical and methodological skills for top-level research in economic issues of the food system.
  • To provide knowledge on relevant and recent developments in the food chain, the food policies and natural resource issues in the agro-food system.
  • To train soft skills by allowing for active participation in and providing feedback on team work, exercises, written seminar papers, and oral presentations.

Teaching methodology

Different modes of teaching are applied as combination in all courses. Such methods include

  • lectures
  • interactive group discussions
  • simulation games e.g. on international negotiations
  • regular homework assignments to be discussed in the course
  • project-based analysis of a selected issue for a thesis and presentation

Precondition and contact

  • BSc (or equivalent) with an overall classification of at least 'good' (B) in Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Economics, Food or Household Economics, Agribusiness Management, Economics, Business Management or similar study programs.
  • Sufficient knowledge of English (Toefl test).
  • Application deadline April 30 at the application office of the university; additional administrative information:
  • Dr. Ralf Nolten
    Institute of Food and Ressource Economics (ILR), University of Bonn
    Nussallee 21, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
    Tel. +49 (0)228 73-3036
    e-mail:

Required Documents

Following Documents should be submitted:

  • Certificate (BSc, Diplom, MSc) with an overall classification of at least 'good' (B).
  • Curriculum Vitae with photo.
  • Certificate English-test (Toefl test550, Computer-TOEFL213, IELTS 6.0 or any other comparable test).
  • Further information (facultative): letter of motivation, internships, professional experience.
Last updated: Thursday, March 24, 2011