Derailing property values
Agricultural and Resource Economics M.S.
Contact Us
302-831-1325
Leah Palm-Forster, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director
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
Stephen Bull
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Research interests: Renewable energy transition; Public infrastructure externalities; Utility and transportation household preferences.
Hobbies: Cheering on my sports teams, fly fishing, finding new craft breweries, and cooking different recipes
Madison Czerniawski
Hometown: Chicopee, Massachusetts
Research interests: Experimental economics, climate change, coastal issues, natural resources, and sustainability
Hobbies: Traveling, cooking/baking, softball, and spending time with family/friends
Caroline Johnson
Hometown: Hopkinton, Massachusetts
Research interests: Climate change, influencing prosocial behavior, and food security
Hobbies: Traveling, hiking, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends
Davidson Obilor Nwaonu
Hometown: Mbaise, Nigeria
Research interests: Climate Driven Consumer Choice Analysis, Development Economics, Rural Development and Policy
Hobbies: Surfing the Internet, Writing, Playing Soccer, Drinking Garri
Julia Parker
Hometown: Wilmington, Delaware
Research interests: Sustainable development and incentivizing prosocial behavior
Hobbies: Tennis, reading, and keeping houseplants alive
Laura Taylor
Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland
Research interests: Sustainable development, environmental economics, consumer decision-making, climate change
Hobbies: Traveling, baking, listening to music, sports events, spending time with friends and family
Abigail Crittenden
Hometown: Frederick, Maryland
Research interests: Nutrition and development economics
Hobbies: Ice hockey, CrossFit, eating at restaurants
Mujahidul Islam
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Research interests: Dynamics of economic and ecological system, Economics of land use, Environmental policy design and evaluation
Hobbies: Travelling, road biking, and sports
Mona Mapunda
Hometown: Morogoro, Tanzania
Research interests: Women in agriculture and women empowerment
Hobbies: Gardening, exploring natural vegetation, and singing
Md Abedur Rahman
Hometown: Khulna, Bangladesh
Research interests: Environmental economics, Economics of climate change, Agricultural, food and resource Economics
Hobbies: Travelling and fishing
Mitchell Stallman
Hometown: Amherst, New Hampshire
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
Ahamed Zakaria
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Research interests: Non market valuation, Environmental quality assessment, climate change, human environment interaction
Hobbies: Soccer, playing video games
Faculty advisors
Research News
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Spotted lanternflies - Scientists find potential solution to invasive bug
June 05, 2023 | Written by Ross Dimattei of CBS NewsInside a USDA laboratory on the University of Delaware's campus, researchers have been studying spotted lanternflies ever since they arrived in Berks County, Pennsylvania, nearly 10 years ago. -
Test before you taste
May 17, 2023 | Written by Dante LaPentaUD plant science professors work with Delaware startup to create novel, rapid detection of foodborne pathogens. -
Alumni, faculty and staff honored during 2023 Celebrating Excellence event
May 11, 2023 | Written by Dante LaPenta and Lauren BradfordUniversity of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) crossed the street to Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus this May to celebrate alumni, faculty and staff. Interim Dean Calvin Keeler oversaw the recognition of 2023 award winners at the appropriately dubbed Celebrating Excellence event.
