First Year Program Coursework
The first year of the program consists of basic coursework in microeconomic theory, econometrics, and mathematical methods. Specifically, the first year consists of: a two-semester sequence in microeconomic theory (ECON 603 and 604); a two-semester sequence in applied econometrics (AREC 623 and 624); a one-semester course on applications of microeconomic theory to agricultural and resource economics (AREC 610); a one-semester course on mathematical optimization (AREC 620). Students must earn a “B” or better in each of these courses. If necessary, students can re-take these courses one time to achieve this standard. The first-year course requirements account for 20 credits. The first year AREC courses are as follows:
- ECON 603 Microeconomic Analysis I
- ECON 604 Microeconomic Analysis II
- AREC 610 Microeconomic Applications in Agricultural and Resource Markets
- AREC 620 Optimization in Agricultural and Resource Economics
- AREC 623 Applied Econometrics I
- AREC 624 Applied Econometrics II
*The program sequence assumes successful completion of all coursework (including math camp) prior to the first fall semester).
Second Year Program Coursework
The second year of the program consists of six elective courses. All students must take four courses from among the following courses offered in AREC. The approved AREC courses are as follows:
- AREC 783 Environmental Taxation and Regulation
- AREC 784 Energy Economics, Empirical Industrial Organization, and Public Policy
- AREC 785 Advanced Economics of Natural Resources
- AREC 815 Experimental and Behavioral Economics
- AREC 825 Advanced Economic Welfare Analysis
- AREC 829 Policy Design and Causal Inference for Social Science
- AREC 832 Agricultural Policy Analysis
- AREC 845 Environment and Development Economics
- AREC 846 Development Microeconomics
- AREC 847 Networks, Social Learning and Technology Adoption
- ECON 781 Valuing Environmental Benefits
- AREC869D Advanced Topics in Agricultural and Resource Economics; Political Economy of Development
The remaining two courses can be selected from the same list or from graduate courses offered by other departments on campus (with approval by the Director of Graduate Studies). During the Fall semester of their second-year, students are also required to take AREC 891 (1 credit), which is finalized to help the choice of possible topics for dissertation work.
The final course requirement is AREC 892 (3 credits), which consists of more intensive preparation for writing a dissertation prospectus. This course is normally taken during the Fall semester of the third year. This requirement is waived for students who have completed a dissertation prospectus and passed the prospectus examination before the Fall semester of the third year.
For more specific information on the courses offered at AREC, see Graduate Courses.
