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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Celebrating excellence in agriculture and natural resources
May 16, 2024 | Written by Dante LaPentaAs the spring semester headed into its final stretch run, the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources gathered together to honor a few deserving faculty and staff. At the college’s Celebrating Excellence event, the 2024 stars of the show were Sue Barton, Larry Armstrong, and Kent Messer. -
U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small sits down with Blue Hen students, tours UD’s Newark Farm and laboratory facilities
May 13, 2024 | Written by Dante LaPentaOn her cross-country college tour of our nation’s land-grant universities, U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small toured the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and sat down with Blue Hen students. UD faculty and staff showed off UD’s 350-acre Newark Farm and laboratory facilities. Torres Small conversed with students about opportunities for young people, what USDA is doing for the next generation of agriculture, and the benefits for people in every sector of agriculture, food, and forestry. -
Advancing knowledge on wooden breast syndrome
May 08, 2024 | Written by Katie Peikes | Photo by Michele WalfredUniversity of Delaware researchers in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources have made a new discovery in their work on wooden breast syndrome in chickens. The UD team found white blood cells filled with fat surrounding broiler chickens’ veins and showing signs of swelling are key contributing factors to this muscle degeneration disease in these birds that can ultimately affect their meat quality.