Management and Consumer Studies (BBC) / BSc

Profile

The focus of the BSc Programme Management and Consumer studies is on the managerial, economic, environmental, and social aspects of the production and consumption of food and other agricultural products within households and businesses in a sustainable and dynamic environment. Business and information management, Economics, Sociology and Marketing are the main disciplines from which the central themes are studied. After introductory and intermediate courses the student has to choose one of the two majors. Within the major 'Business Studies', the focus is on management processes from a strategic, organizational, marketing and financial point of view. Within the major 'Consumer Studies' the focus is on household decision-making, buying and consumption behaviour, and communication between consumers and organizations.
Students have the possibility to study at one of European or American partner universities for part of their bachelor, if they are selected. Contact the study advisor for more information.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this BSc programme graduates are expected to be able to:
1. reflect on the complexities, challenges, subtleties and specific issues that set the multidisciplinary, sustainable agri-food chain apart from other business and consumer chains;

Theory and interpretation learning outcomes
2. explain theories relevant to the production and consumption of food within households and businesses with a focus on business and consumer science;
3. Interpret issues in agri-food chains from a multidisciplinary perspective;
4. depending on the major:
A. Analyse business specific issues with the use of business science theories;
B. Analyse consumer specific issues with the use of consumer science theories;

Conducting academic work: Methods learning outcomes
5. identify and compare scientific literature to solve research questions in consumer and business studies with an emphasis on sustainable agri-food chains;
6. write and implement a research design to study consumer or business issues under supervision;
7. collect relevant data to solve research questions for consumer or business issues with supervision;
8. analyse data using the relevant socio-economic analytical methodology including interpretative, mathematical and statistical methods;

Professional and Academic skills and attitude learning outcomes
9. make judgements based on social, political and ethical issues that arise in work or study of sustainable agri-food chains;
10. collaborate effectively in a team of peers to jointly carry out multidisciplinary research;
11. communicate (verbally and in writing) ideas, problems and solutions to a multidisciplinary audience of both specialists and non-specialists;
12. design and plan own learning path (under supervision) based on continuous evaluation upon personal knowledge, skills and performance to stimulate lifelong learning.

Majors

- Business Studies;
- Consumer Studies.

Programme Director

Dr. ir. P.B.M. Berentsen
Phone: 0317-(4)83485
Email: paul.berentsen@wur.nl

Study Adviser(s)

- Ir. R.M. Boven-van der Spoel
Email: gineke.boven@wur.nl
Phone: 0317-(4)82673
- K. Dolman MSc
Email: kim.dolman@wur.nl
Phone: 0317-(4)80424

Programme Committee

Chair: dr. ir. J.H.M. Peerlings
Secretary: dr. ir. P.B.M. Berentsen

Internet

www.wur.nl/bbc

Study Association

Mercurius Wageningen
Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen
Email: bestuur.mercurius@wur.nl
Internet: http://www.mercuriuswageningen.nl

Unconditional Admission to the MSc

MFQ Food Quality Management
MME Management, Economics and Consumer Studies
MLE Leisure, Tourism and Environment