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Program Requirements
Graduate students receive rigorous training in economic theory, institutional economics, and quantitative methods, with a focus on applying economic concepts and tools to identify, define, analyze, and solve economic problems in the agri-food sector and the environment. The ideal prior preparation is an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Economics or Economics, including undergraduate courses in intermediate economic theory (micro and macro), calculus, algebra, statistics, and econometrics.
Attention is given to analytical skills in the broad areas of agricultural and environmental economics. Students may specialize, by way of their research program, in agribusiness, resource economics, development, finance, marketing, trade, policy, and environmental economics. The program is intended to prepare graduates for rewarding careers in research, analysis, and decision-making in academia, private, NGO, and government sectors.
Thesis Courses (24 credits)
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AGEC 691 M.Sc. Thesis 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : Thesis proposal development - problem statement.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2019-2020 academic year.
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AGEC 692 M.Sc. Thesis 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : Literature review for the thesis research.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2019-2020 academic year.
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AGEC 693 M.Sc. Thesis 3 (6 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : Develop hypotheses for testing and identify the appropriate method.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2019-2020 academic year.
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AGEC 694 M.Sc. Thesis 4 (6 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : Research to be undertaken on hypotheses testing and interpreting results.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2019-2020 academic year.
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AGEC 695 M.Sc. Thesis 5 (6 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : Writing of the final version of the thesis under the supervision of the Supervisory Committee to be submitted for graduation.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Required Course (3 credits)
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AGEC 690 Seminar in Agricultural Economics (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : Current research on economic problems of agriculture, the agri-food system and the environment through presentations by staff, students and special guests. Article discussion on the latest issues and methods in agricultural economics.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Thomassin, Paul (Fall) Thomassin, Paul (Winter)
Complementary Courses (18 credits)
6 credits, two theory courses chosen from:
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ECON 610 Microeconomic Theory 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Economics (Arts) : This is the first in a two-course sequence in microeconomics. The core microeconomics sequence (ECON 610, ECON 611) provides a rigorous coverage of the economic foundation upon which economic fields are built. Most of the sequence is devoted to building up this foundation of consumer and firm optimisation (including choice under uncertainty), partial and general equilibrium, and welfare economics. The remainder of ECON 611 covers special topics that vary from year to year. These are likely to be drawn from the following: social choice; externalities and public goods; models of asymmetric information; the principal-agent framework; search; basic game theory.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Xue, Licun (Fall)
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ECON 620 Macroeconomic Theory 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Economics (Arts) : This course is the first in a two-course sequence in macroeconomics. The course offers a thorough treatment of the fundamentals of macroeconomic theory. Emphasis is placed on the construction of economic models with microeconomic foundations. Topics include market-clearing and non-market-clearing models, capital accumulation, business cycles, monetary policy and fiscal policy.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Alvarez-Cuadrado, Francisco (Fall)
or a theory course, at the 500 level or higher, approved by the Graduate Program Director.
At least 3 credits of quantitative methods course chosen from:
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ECON 662D1 Econometrics (3 credits)
Overview
Economics (Arts) : A broad treatment of econometric methods, with particular reference to time series processes. Estimation of linear and non-linear models, GLS, IV, Maximum Likelihood, parametric specification testing for linear and non-linear hypotheses, diagnostic testing (autocorrelation, heteroskedasticity, normality, parameter constancy, etc.), modelling technique, non-stationary data processes.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Chaudhuri, Saraswata (Fall)
Students must register for both ECON 662D1 and ECON 662D2
No credit will be given for this course unless both ECON 662D1 and ECON 662D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
ECON 662D1 and ECON 662D2 together are equivalent to ECON 662
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ECON 662D2 Econometrics (3 credits)
Overview
Economics (Arts) : See ECON 662D1 for course description.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Galbraith, John W (Winter)
Prerequisite: ECON 662D1
No credit will be given for this course unless both ECON 662D1 and ECON 662D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
ECON 662D1 and ECON 662D2 together are equivalent to ECON 662
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ECON 665 Quantitative Methods (3 credits)
Overview
Economics (Arts) : A survey of quantitative methods frequently used in economic research. Special emphasis will be placed upon the formulation and evaluation of econometric models. Illustrations will be drawn from the existing empirical literature in economics. Required for all Ph.D. students who have not taken Econometrics as a field.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Grimard, Franque (Fall)
or a quantitative course, at the 500 level or higher, approved by the Graduate Program Director.
A minimum of 3 credits from the following:
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AGEC 630 Food and Agricultural Policy (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : This course examines the role of government in the agriculture and food industry through the nature and causes of the problems addressed, the instruments and institutions by which policy is implemented and the effects of different policies. Emphasis is placed on the application of economic models to analyze policy problems.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2019-2020 academic year.
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AGEC 633 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : An advanced course in the theory and problems of environmental and resource economics and in the analytical techniques used to assess environmental and resource use issues.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Thomassin, Paul (Winter)
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AGEC 642 Economics of Agricultural Development (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : This course focuses on the role of agriculture in economic development. Topics covered will be - development theories, economic efficiency, employment, technology adoption and structural change in developing countries. Also, agriculture, food and development policies and implications for long term planning will be discussed.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2019-2020 academic year.
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AGEC 685 Selected Topics in Agricultural Economics (3 credits)
Overview
Agricultural Economics : This course is designed to permit students to explore agricultural economics topics that are not covered in other courses. Students may be asked to prepare a presentation or lead discussion on the selected topic for the benefit of other students and staff. (Pass/Fail grading.)
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Thomassin, Paul (Fall) Thomassin, Paul (Winter)
Additional Complementary Courses: To complete the 45 credit program requirement from courses in your field or thesis area at the 500 level or higher in consultation with the Agricultural Economics Adviser.
