The Master of Science in Applied Natural Resource Economics is a unique blend of business, economics, forestry, and geology, plus engineering, social sciences, and technical communications.
Put your interest in natural and environmental resources to work for you. The curriculum emphasizes real-world topics like industry cost structures, environmental issues, public policy analysis, economic theory, and commodity markets.
Start with core courses, then add the electives of your choosing—our program is diverse and customizable to your individual interests. You'll have the opportunity to work on a wide array of innovative research projects. Active research areas—many of which emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration—include studies of:
- Mine safety in China
- Petroleum fiscal regimes under oil price uncertainty
- The impact of urban sprawl on natural resources in Michigan
- World copper demand and trade
- Fish harvesting in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados
-
No. 13in the US for public university graduate midcareer engineering salaries
-
30credit hours to complete the coursework-only program
-
100%placement rate for graduate students in the College of Business
Our Faculty: Work With the Best
Our applied natural resource faculty are researchers, scholars, and leaders in their fields. They are incredibly active in research and professional organizations at the regional, national, and international level. Recently, members of our faculty have:
- Served on the Committee of Earth Resources for the National Research Council
- Presented short courses in China, Mongolia, and South Africa
- Served on the Michigan Land Resource Project for the Michigan Economic and Environmental Roundtable
- Been named a Fulbright Scholar in Ethiopia
Prerequisites
There are no required prerequisites for the MS in Applied Natural Resource Economics. You should have a background in statistics, analytics, and mathematics. The courses below, or their equivalents, would help you excel in this program.
- Calculus (MA1160 or equivalent)
- Principles of Economics (EC2001 or equivalent)
- Economic Decision Analysis (EC3400 or FIN4100 or equivalent)
- Statistics (MA2720 or equivalent)
Course Schedule
The 30-credit program is comprised of three components.
Core courses in statistics, finance, and economics—15 credits
- Approved course in statistical methods, usually EC4200 Econometrics
- EC5000 Microeconomic Theory or EC5300 Managerial Economics
- EC5400 Advanced Engineering Economics or FIN4100 Advanced Financial Management
- Two courses from:
Approved electives in specific field of interest—9 credits
Master's thesis—6 credits
Degree Options
MS in Applied Natural Resource Economics Program Objectives
- Graduates are expected to develop specialized knowledge in the economics of natural resources and the environment.
- Graduates are expected to develop an ability to evaluate resource projects.
- Graduates are expected to be capable of independent analysis using appropriate research tools and will be able to effectively communicate the results of this analysis in oral and written forms.