Environmental and Resource Economics Track
Starting this semester, the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics is officially offering a new Environmental and Resource Economics (EREC) track, with a focus on the application of economics to a variety of issues related to the environment and natural resources.
Students will be able to study current topics including environmental policy, the economics of climate change and how economic development impacts the environment. Courses included within the new major cover a wide range of subjects such as environmental economics, energy economics, natural resource economics, water quality and more. In addition, the track offers a brand new course on data science that will enable undergraduate students to acquire skills in data analytics and visualization that are in high demand beyond the University of Maryland campus.
“I think this will be a fantastic new course for us,” said AREC Professor Lars Olson. “It uses open source software and provides students with training that is very valuable in today’s job market.”
Professor Olson also explained that the new major will be attractive to students who are interested in environmental issues, but want to look at them from a policy-based perspective and learn the analytical methods that inform policy and promote better resource management.
The department has hired several faculty with outstanding credentials in the field that will benefit this new track, including Professor James Archsmith and Professor Josh Linn, according to Professor Olson. Courses within the concentration will be taught by both Archsmith and Linn, as well as other long-time AREC professors including Anna Alberini, Robert Chambers, Erik Lichtenberg, Dave Newburn and Rob Williams.
“This track is helpful for those who may have a general interest in protecting and managing resources for the environment,” said Professor Josh Linn about the Environmental and Resource Economics major. “There are many types of professions where this kind of economic background will be really helpful, especially in D.C. and Maryland.”
Professor Linn will be teaching a course titled Energy and Environmental Economics, AREC456, which is offered in the spring semester. Students will dive into energy economics through discussions regarding the structure and function of varying markets, including electricity, oil, gas and transportation, and also evaluate the policies that stem from issues within those markets.
For more information on the Environmental and Resource Economics track, please visit this site.
