Economics (B.S.) - Agricultural Economics Specialization

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

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Students in a finance lab.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Nicole Klein, Associate Director
Ness School of Management and Economics
Harding Hall 100
605-688-4141

Program Information

The specialization in Agricultural Economics is an applied field of economics concerned with the application of economic theory in optimizing the production and distribution of food, biofuel and fiber. 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, agricultural economics, law, or related fields.

Course Delivery Format

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

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

Be able to use analytical methods to make effective decisions.
Be able to communicate effectively.
Be able to evaluate matters of ethics in the profession and the culture more broadly.
Have the requisite body of knowledge in management and economics.

Academic Requirements

Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in ECON 485 - Economics Capstone .

If a student chooses to double major in two majors offered through the Ness School of Management and Economics (Economics, Agricultural Business, Business Economics and Entrepreneurial Studies), the second major needs to have at least 15 credits that are distinct from the first major.

Requirements for Economics Major - Agricultural Economics Specialization: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: SGR #1 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication: SGR #2 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences: ABS 203 - Global Food Systems [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3 (Supporting Coursework) and ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3 (Major Requirement)
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities: SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics: MATH 121 - Survey of Calculus (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 4 and MATH 121L - Survey of Calculus Lab [HSDC] Credits: 1 or MATH 123 - Calculus I (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 4
Goal #6 Natural Sciences: SGR #6 Electives Credits: 6

Major Requirements

ACCT 210 - Principles of Accounting I (COM) Credits: 3
ACCT 211 - Principles of Accounting II (COM) Credits: 3
AGEC 354 - Agricultural Marketing and Prices Credits: 3
AGEC 479 - Agricultural Policy Credits: 3
or ECON 413 - Macroeconomic Policy Credits: 3
or ECON 433 - Public Finance (COM) Credits: 3
AGEC Electives (300-level or higher) Credits: 6
AGEC, ECON, or FIN Electives (300-level or higher) Credits: 6
ECON 119 - First Year Seminar Credits: 1
ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
ECON 202 - Principles of Macroeconomics (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] 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 423 - Introduction to Econometrics (COM) Credits: 3
ECON 428 - Mathematical Economics Credits: 3
ECON 485 - Economics Capstone Credits: 3

Supporting Coursework

ABS 203 - Global Food Systems [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
ABS (excluding ABS 203), AS, AST, DS, EES, FS, HO, NRM, PRAG, PS, RANG, VET, WL Credits: 4-6
ENGL 379 - Technical Communication (COM) Credits: 3
STAT 281 - Introduction to Statistics (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 3

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements*	25-26 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	47 Credit Hours
Supporting Coursework	13-15 Credit Hours
Electives**	32-35 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements and Supporting Coursework.
**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.