Agricultural and Resource Economics (B.S.)

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Program Coordinator/Contact

Nicole Klein, Assistant Department Head
Department of Economics
Harding Hall
605-688-4141

Program Information

The major in Agricultural and Resource Economics provides a rigorous education in economic theory and quantitative methods applied to agriculture and resource management. Students develop analytical and critical-thinking skills, and are well prepared for careers in agricultural policy analysis, natural resource stewardship, or future graduate study. The curriculum emphasizes economic theory, agricultural economics, quantitative methods, and agricultural and biological sciences electives. This program also provides strong preparation for students who wish to pursue a graduate degree in economics or related field.

Student Learning Outcomes

Agricultural and Resource Economics graduates will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of concepts of economics that underlie the agricultural and environmental sectors in the global economy;
Demonstrate the application of quantitative and qualitative analytical methods, related to the discipline, to decision-making;
Interpret and articulate analysis and decisions orally and in writing to diverse audiences; and
Demonstrate the capacity to evaluate ethical matters within the context of the discipline.

Course Delivery Format

The program offers courses on campus, with limited online coursework, usually during the summer.

Requirements for Agricultural and Resource Economics Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: ENGL 101 and ENGL 201 Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication: SPCM 101 Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity : Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity : Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics: MATH 121 or MATH 123 Credits: 4-5
Goal #6 Natural Sciences : Credits: 6

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Requirements

Bachelor of Science Requirements: 11

Students who wish to complete a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences must complete a minimum of 11 credits from the approved list of Group 1 courses. Some departments require specific courses from the list, whereas others leave the selection entirely to the student and the advisor.

System General Education Requirements and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Please review major requirements and the Group 1 list to determine if additional courses are required.

AGEC 271 - Farm and Ranch Management Credits: 3 (Major Requirements)
AGEC 354 - Agricultural Marketing and Prices Credits: 3 (Major Requirements)

Major Requirements

ACCT 210 - Principles of Accounting I (COM) Credits: 3
ACCT 211 - Principles of Accounting II (COM) Credits: 3
AGEC 271 - Farm and Ranch Management Credits: 3
AGEC 352 - Agricultural Law Credits: 3
or AGEC 364 - Introduction to Cooperatives Credits: 3
or AGEC 430-530 - Agribusiness Marketing and Prices Credits: 3
or AGEC 473-473L - Rural Real Estate Appraisal and Lab Credits: 2, 1
AGEC 354 - Agricultural Marketing and Prices Credits: 3
AGEC 478 - Agricultural Finance Credits: 3
or FIN 310 - Business Finance (COM) Credits: 3
AGEC 479 - Agricultural Policy Credits: 3
ECON 119 - First Year Seminar Credits: 1
ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
ECON 202 - Principles of Macroeconomics (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
ECON 301 - Intermediate Microeconomics (COM) Credits: 3
ECON 302 - Intermediate Macroeconomics (COM) Credits: 3
ECON 319 - Seminar with Industry Leaders Credits: 1
ECON 372 - Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics Credits: 3
ECON 423 - Introduction to Econometrics (COM) Credits: 3
ECON 428 - Mathematical Economics Credits: 3
ECON 440-540 - Economics of International Sector Credits: 3
or ECON 450-550 - Industrial Organization (COM) Credits: 3
or ECON 460-560 - Economic Development Credits: 3
or MGMT 431-531 - Managerial Economics Credits: 3
ECON 472-572 - Resource and Environmental Economics (COM) Credits: 3
ENGL 379 - Technical Communication (COM) Credits: 3
STAT 281 - Introduction to Statistics (COM) [SGR #5] Credits: 3

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
System General Education Requirements	31-32 Credit Hours
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Requirements*	11 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	56 Credit Hours
Electives**	27-28 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.