Resource and Applied Economics
School of Management
Department of Economics
(907) 474-7119
Degree: M.S.
Minimum Requirements for Degree: 30 additional credits.
Economics is the study of those social activities which are concerned with the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. In today's complex world, nearly all social phenomena and problems have economic aspects. Organized knowledge of the functioning of our economy and its relations with other economic systems is therefore essential to an understanding of the world in which we live.
The Department of Economics offers study leading to the Master of Science degree in resource economics. The resource economics program offers a specialization in the economics of natural resources with emphasis in a variety of specific fields possible through interdisciplinary elective courses and thesis research, e.g., fisheries, wildlife management, land resources management, agriculture, oil and minerals, water resources and forest management.
The program consists of core coursework in micro- and macro-economic theory, mathematical economics, economic methods and courses in the economic theory and public policy of natural resources. Master's candidates may select a thesis or non-thesis option. Thesis topics, consistent with students' interest and project requirements, may be selected from current research projects of the department or from one of the several research institutes on campus. Most research projects deal with issues pertinent to the development and management of Alaska's renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Graduate Degree Requirements
Resource and Applied Economics -- M.S.
Admission Requirements
- Baccalaureate degree in appropriate undergraduate major.
- Unconditional acceptance requires completion of intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics, basic statistics, and one semester of calculus. Students may be accepted into the program subject to identified deficiencies being rectified.
- Scores of the general Graduate Record Examination
Degree Requirements
- Complete UAF degree requirements.
- Pass a core-courses comprehensive examination.
- Write a thesis and pass an oral defense of thesis, or take non-thesis option with 3 extra elective courses (9 credits).
- Course Requirements (31 credits):
Thesis Option:
Complete a minimum of 31 credits of coursework in the field of resource economics. All courses must be approved by the graduate advisory committee. At least 25 credits must be at the 600 level. Included in the 31 credit hours are 19 required credit hours, 6 thesis credit hours and 6 elective credit hours.
Non-Thesis Option:
Complete a minimum of 34 credits of coursework in the field of resource economics. All courses must be approved by the graduate advisory committee. At least 25 credits must be at the 600 level. Included in the 34 credit hours are 19 required credit hours and 15 elective credit hours.
Required Courses (19 credits)
ECON 601 -- Microeconomic Theory I (3 credits)
ECON 603 -- Macroeconomic Theory (3 credits)
ECON 623 -- Mathematical Economics (3 credits)
ECON 626 -- Econometrics (3 credits)
ECON 635 -- Resource Economics (3 credits)
ECON 636 -- Microeconomics II (3 credits)
ECON 670 -- Seminar in Research Methodology (1 credit)
Thesis Option
Electives (6 credits)
ECON 699 -- Thesis (6 credits)
Non-Thesis Option
Electives (15 credits)
Total credits required (31 credits)