Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture)

Summary

Prepare yourself to grow into a business leader in horticultural and food industries, where there is strong demand for knowledgeable professionals hungry to address increasing global pressure for high quality food.

There is escalating pressure to meet the growing demands for more quality food as the world population increases. But alongside knowledge of production processes and systems, business skills are equally important. Lincoln University’s Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture) will prepare you for a management role in the horticultural industry.

How you’ll grow

• With an in-depth understanding of the bio-physical environment and biological production systems that relate to horticultural production.
• By building your knowledge of the characteristics of the horticultural industry, along with the theoretical concepts that underpin its operation and management.
• Learning how to analyse the likely impacts of new technologies and innovative new practices in the sector.
• Understanding how to apply the appropriate approaches, methods and tools needed to analyse, evaluate and solve problems related to horticultural production, agribusiness management and marketing issues.
• Being comfortable integrating theory and practice from different disciplines to evaluate complex social, economic and technical aspects of global horticultural systems.
• With the ability to communicate a clear, fluid understanding of real-world horticultural business issues.

Career opportunities

This programme will make a strong candidate for management and advisory positions in either the horticultural industry or food-related organisations. You’ll also have the potential to move into a governance role.

Practical work requirements

During your study, you’re expected to complete:

• At least 30 weeks of hands-on practical experience
• Comprising two horticultural placements of 15 weeks each, or
• Two horticultural placements of 10 weeks each plus an allied placement of 10 weeks
• The minimum placement period is 10 weeks per workplace, with a maximum term of 15 weeks.
• Two reports are required.

Download the Practical Work Handbook (PDF 1700 KB) for this degree.

For more information on the practical aspects of study, practicalwork@lincoln.ac.nz or phone +64 3 423 0061.

The goal of the programme is to provide business and management skills that directly apply to complex, specific nature of the horticulture industry. What we’re hearing from the industry is that higher level academic training is needed for managerial staff.

Professor Alison Bailey

Head of Department, Farms

Graduate Attributes

Graduate Attributes refer to the knowledge, skills, and values that you gain from completing your qualification. These high-level qualities will prepare you for career success, further study or research and making a valuable contribution to society in your chosen field.

• Explain the relevance of biological, economic and social disciplines in the different stages of horticultural production systems.
• Describe in depth the multi- and inter-disciplinary nature of the bio-physical environment and biological production systems, and their relevance to horticultural production.
• Explain the characteristics of the horticultural industry and the theoretical concepts that underpin its operation and management.
• Analyse the likely impacts of new technologies and innovative practices in the horticultural sector.
• Explain the different approaches and dimensions of sustainability relevant to different stakeholders in horticultural production systems.
• Apply appropriate approaches, methods and tools to analyse, evaluate and solve problems related to horticultural production and agribusiness management and marketing production issues.
• Integrate theory and practice from different disciplines to evaluate complex social, economic and technical aspects of global horticultural systems.
• Communicate, in both written and spoken forms, an understanding of real-world horticultural business issues clearly and fluently.