Master of Science—Environmental Economics
This program provides students with the expertise to meet important needs within the area of environmental economics. Students will be provided with the skills and knowledge needed to help firms make optimal economic decisions which account for the myriad of complex environmental regulations facing businesses today. Graduates of the program will also be capable of assisting local, state, and federal agencies that deal with issues concerning the environment.
Environmental economics is concerned with economic interrelationships between mankind and the environment. It involves the study of the impact of economic activity on the environment, the influence of the environment on economic activity, and the relationship of the environment to human welfare. Through an emphasis on economic theory, quantitative methods, environmental literacy, and appropriate concentration on substantive materials, this program is designed to train persons to provide economic advice for decision makers.
Completion of a minimum of 27 hours of course work at the graduate level in Environmental Economics and related fields with an overall grade of 3.0, plus a minimum of 6 hours of thesis (AAEC 7300) or 3 hours of thesis (AAEC 7300) and 3 hours of research (AAEC 7000) must be included in the program of study. At least 12 hours (excluding AAEC 7000 and AAEC 7300) must be courses open only to graduate students. Students admitted should have completed a curriculum including calculus and intermediate microeconomic theory, and students not having this background may be required to enroll in and pass courses in which they are deficient. Determination of such deficiencies will be made by the Department's Graduate Committee.
Environmental literacy to provide for decision making in environmental economics is founded on three broad areas of knowledge: basic environmental economics, environmental law, and resource economics. The Course work would consist of a minimum of 7 hours of required theory, 9 hours of major course requirements, 6 hours of concentration, 1 hour of workshop (AAEC 8020), one 1–3 hour elective course, and 6 hours of thesis (AAEC 7300) or 3 hours of thesis (AAEC 7300) and 3 hours of research (AAEC 7000):
A. Theory and Quantitative Requirements (7 hours)
D. Workshop in Current Topics in Environmental Economics (1 hour)
A. Calculus, intermediate microeconomics, and probability, statistics, or econometrics are prerequisites for the M.S. program. Econometrics, intermediate microeconomics, and linear algebra are recommended for the M.S. program. Any student not meeting these prerequisites will take course work to meet the requirements in addition to the 27-hour minimum.
B. A minimum program constitutes 27 hours of course work, one half of which must be University of Georgia courses open only to graduate students. A student must also register for a minimum of 3 hours of AAEC 7300 in addition to the 27 hours of course work.
C. Preparation of an acceptable thesis and passing of a final oral examination.
E. Thesis | Research | Electives (7 hours)
Students are required to pass a comprehensive oral examination covering both thesis research and all course work prior to the awarding of the degree.
The program is an extension of the existing teaching and research activities of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. From a research perspective, the program is consistent with the Department's current Hatch research projects. Students can structure their theses on a topic that would assist in these existing research projects:
Faculty in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics are nationally recognized for their teaching and research expertise in environmental and natural resource economics. Moreover, four outstanding researchers from the School of Forestry and U.S. Forest Service have joined the Department through adjunct appointments. The following faculty of the Department have substantial expertise in various aspects of the subject matter of the program.
John C. Bergstrom (Professor) Specializes in natural resource economics and the economics of recreation. Teaches Resource Economics and Applied Resource Policy and Project Analysis.
Terence J. Centner (Professor) Specializes in agricultural and environmental law and cooperatives. Teaches Environmental Law and Governmental Regulation; Agribusiness Law, Public Health and Environmental Law.
Warren P. Kriesel (Associate Professor) Specializes in economic development and resource economics. Teaches Applied Econometrics and Rural Economic Development.
Luanne Lohr (Associate Professor) Specializes in sustainable agriculture and resource economics. Teaches Mathematical Programming and Resource Economics.
Jeffrey Mullen (Assistant Professor) Specializes in production and resource economics. Teaches Econometrics and Natural Resource and Environmental Economics.
David H. Newman (Adjunct Associate Professor) Specializes in forestry economics and policy. Teaches Resource Economics and Management.
Michael E. Wetzstein (Professor) Specializes in natural resource economics, production economics, and risk management. Teaches Microeconomics and Natural Resource and Environmental Economics.
Moreover, Drs. Jack E. Houston and Jeffrey Dorfman have budgeted additional research involving environmental and resource issues.