Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

Agricultural Sciences Bachelor Information
Bachelor Studies (Programme Regulations 2010)
5. Semester
Focus Agricultural and Resource Economics
Focus Agricultural and Resource Economics
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
751-0401-00LOptimization of Agricultural Production SystemsW+2 credits2GR. Huber
AbstractIntroduction in to optimization of agricultural production systems with linear and non-linear programming models.
ObjectiveStudents will be able to a) solve linear and non-linear optimization problems in the context of agricultural production; b) properly interpret the results; and c) critically discuss the economic implications.
ContentThe course is an application of Operations Research (OR). First, the theory and application of linear programming (LP) is presented. Students will learn the underlying principles (Optimization, Duality, Simplex) and solve exercises in the context of agricultural production. In the second part of the course, the foundation of non-linear programming (NLP) is introduced (Lagrange, Kuhn-Tucker) and illustrated with various examples.
Lecture notesHanded out during lecture
LiteratureKaiser, H. M., and K. D. Messer. Mathematical programming for agricultural, environmental and resource economics. John Wiley and Sons, Inc, 2011.
751-1307-00LManagerial Economics Agri-Food Chain: Strategic Concepts Information W+2 credits2GM. Weber, B. Höltschi
AbstractLearn and exercise strategic concepts in the Agri-Food chain, i.e. theories of economics based decision making combined with entrepreneurial practice.
ObjectiveThe main objectiv is to understand strategic decisions along the value chain in the Agri-Food Chain.
Content- Basics of strategy & strategic concepts
- Classic process of strategy process
- Selected alternative processes
- Case studies
Lecture notesDokuments will be distributed per lecture.
LiteratureLombriser Roman & Aplanalp Peter: Strategisches Management
752-2120-00LConsumer Behaviour IW2 credits2VM. Siegrist, C. Keller, B. S. Sütterlin
AbstractIntroduction in consumer research. The following aspects will be emphasized in the course: Consumer decision making, indiviudal determinants of consumer behavior, environmental influences on consumer behavior, influencing consumer behavior
ObjectiveIntroduction in consumer research. The following aspects will be emphasized in the course: Consumer decision making, indiviudal determinants of consumer behavior, environmental influences on consumer behavior, influencing consumer behavior
751-8001-00LAgricultural Engineering IW2 credits2VM. Schick, M. Sax
AbstractPresentation of basics in planning of agricultural buildings, work economics. This lecture forms the basis for the ‘Agrartechnik II’ course (indoor and outdoor work processes).
ObjectiveMain objectives: The students acquire comprehensive functional knowledge about agricultural engineering systems (including construction) enabling them to plan and assess the use of those systems in practice.

Subobjectives:

Basics in agricultural construction will show that a professional implementation of functional, animal-friendly, environmentally sound (and economically advantageous) construction of buildings is feasible.

Profound knowledge of planning tools based on work economics will help the students to correctly plan the substitution of agricultural work by efficient technical solutions.
ContentPart 1: Agricultural building
- Basics of structural engineering. Dimensioning of simple supported and cantilevered beams and roof structures. Tension, compression, bending.
- Evaluation of typical roof structures in agricultural buildings.
- Loads: snow, wind, dead and live loads
- Physical properties of building materials: timber, steel, concrete.
- Reinforcement of concrete
- Heat and vapour transfer in building materials. Calculation of insulation, heat transfer in simple building parts.
- Laws, regulations and recommendations for rural buildings. Animal and environmental protection. Landscape.
- Housing systems for cattle, pigs, poultry, horses
- Storage plants for slurry, manure, feed.
- Planning. Space and functioning programme, building concepts, financing, permit of building, detailed plans, contractors
- Planning and designing exercice.


P.S.: Indoor work processes: 'Agrartechnik II' spring term 2009

Part 2: Work economics
- work-economics-related guiding figures (time measurements, statistical processing, data recording using a work diary, sources of work-economics-related planning data, application for 'Agroscope FAT' machine costs lists, 'LBL' planning basics, etc.)
- working time models (work and production process level, process comparisons, process optimisation through growth and/or specialising of farm, cooperation with others, work productivity) including PROOF model to calculate time consumption off different procedures
- 'Agroscope FAT' (agricultural research station in Tänikon) work budget (integration of modules in entire farm, available field work days and weather risk, farm management-related work and special tasks, use of a detailed or global work budget, comparison of target and actual situation in terms of work economics



P.S.: Outdoor mechanisation: 'Agrartechnik II' spring term 2009
751-0903-00LMicroeconomics of the Agriculture and Food SectorW+2 credits2VS. Hirsch
AbstractIn dieser Vorlesung sollen Mikroökonomische Zusammenhänge am Fallbeispiel des Agrar- und Ernährungssektors vermittelt werden. Ziel ist das Verständnis theoretischer mikroökonomischer Methoden und deren Anwendbarkeit auf den Ernährungssektor
ObjectiveZunächst sollen ökonomische Charakteristika des Lebensmittelsektors herausgearbeitet und gegenüber anderen Industriesektoren differenziert werden. Daraufhin sollen theoretische mikroökonomische Modelle und Indikatoren erlernt werden. Insbesondere soll deren Anwendung auf reale Fälle der Schweizer und EU Lebensmittelindustrie vermittelt werden.
Content- Der EU Lebensmittelsektor
- Preiselastizitäten von Angebot und Nachfrage im Ernährungssektor
(Marktmacht, Lancaster Modell)
- Gewinnmaximierung
- Wettbewerbsangebot
- Monopol/ Monopolistischer Wettbewerb/ Monopson
- Oligopol (Stackelberg, Cournot, Bertrand)
- Preisbildung/ Preisdiskriminierung
- Kartelle
- Dominante Firma
- Technischer Fortschritt
Literature- Pindyck und Rubinfeld. Mikroökonomie, 7. Aufl., Pearson Studium.
- Carlton and Perloff: Modern Industrial Organization 4th ed., Pearson Addison Wesley.
Prerequisites / NoticeEmpfohlene Vorkenntnisse:
- Grundkenntnisse der Ökonomie/Agrarökonomie
- Vorlesung Einführung in die Mikroökonomie
  •  Page  1  of  1