Agricultural and Resource Economics M.S.
Program overview
The program in Agricultural and Resource Economics leads to the Master of Science degree and offers students the perspectives and skills necessary to understand and work in the general fields of applied economics, agricultural and food economics, resource economics, environmental economics, agribusiness, or government sectors of the economy. Also, a strong intermediate level of training is offered so that students may continue graduate work and obtain a PhD degree. Students completing the M.S. degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics are expected to acquire:
theoretical knowledge in microeconomics and primary data collection necessary to complete human dimensions research;
quantitative skills in econometric modelling as well as best methods for data collection, management, and analysis;
competencies in agriculture and food policy, behavioral economics, environmental economics, experimental economics, research methods, resource economics, and/or stated preferences;
critical thinking, oral and written communication skills by composing and presenting a thesis.
Course spotlights
Graduate students study consumer theory (e.g., deriving demand), theory of the firm (deriving supply), market equilibrium (putting demand and supply together) and market forms (perfect and not so perfect ones). Instructors then cover more advanced approaches to microeconomic theory, such as social preferences, behavior in the commons, market failures, risk and uncertainty, and we will review some recent literature.
This course introduces the foundational models and ideas of behavioral economics. Behavioral economics aims to increase the realism of standard economic models by accounting for more nuanced behaviors grounded in psychological and sociological insights. The goal is to better understand human decision making and to improve policy recommendations and welfare estimations in cases where traditional economic models fail to capture relevant behaviors. Applications tie to issues in environmental, food, energy and agricultural economics.
Students explore the use of lab and field experimental techniques and randomized controlled trials and their application to economic research. Instructors Introduce students to the classic experimental games and related literature that provide the foundation for ongoing experimental economics research. Material is introduced through hands-on participation in experiments and lectures. Students also conduct their own replication of previously published experiments and write-up results as a final research project for the course.
Graduate students
Mitchell Stallman
Research interests: The intersection of environmental and development economics, agri-environmental policy, ecological economics, feminist economics
Hobbies: Any outdoor activity, but mostly climbing and running, cooking delicious vegan meals, guitar
Faculty advisors
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UD receives $6 million in research funding on best practices for how coastal communities can combat sea level rise
September 13, 2024 | Written by Dante LaPentaIn the lowest-lying state in the country, the UD researchers are focused on the project “Risks, Impacts, & Strategies for Coastal Communities.” The project received $6 million in funding; UD will receive more than $3 million for the research. Led by principal investigator Leah Palm-Forster, the team will focus primarily on the risks of flooding and salinization on coastal land. These issues are significant not only in Delaware but also in states like Rhode Island and South Carolina, where UD partners will collaborate on the work. Emi Uchida is leading the Rhode Island team, and Norman Levine is leading the South Carolina team. -
Valuing our ecosystem
September 09, 2024 | Written by Katie Peikes | Photos by Kathy F. AtkinsonUniversity of Delaware researchers receive $1.5 million federal grant to assess the value of ecosystem services. -
Isotope fingerprints of environmental contaminants
September 06, 2024 | Written by Katie Peikes | Photos by Kathy F. AtkinsonUD researchers use new method to track pollutants in the environment.