MSc Programme in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics

The programme is organised in accordance with Executive Order no. 338 of 6 May 2004 on bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in universities. The programme is under the Natural Sciences Study Board.

Graduation in the programme confers the degree Master of Science in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics. In Danish: Cand.scient.oecon. (candidatus/candidata scientarium oeconomiae).

Chapter 1. The programme’s objective and competence profile

1.1 The programme’s objective

The objective of the programme is to offer students a coherent and profession-oriented education within the field of environmental and natural resource economics. On completion of the programme, participants will have acquired the skills required to conduct a broad spectrum of environmental and natural resource economic analyses. Among other things, students will become familiar with environmental policy and project appraisal, and such policy issues as how to use economic instruments to control pollution problems and how to optimise the extraction of natural resources over time.

1.2 The programme’s general profile

During the programme, students will develop broad and professional competences enabling them to:

• understand economic theory and assess the validity of economic statements
• perform qualitative as well as quantitative analyses based on the theory and methodology of environmental and natural resource economics
• understand basic information on environmental phenomena in natural science
• assess the statements of environmental and resource economics in a comprehensive political, social and ethical context.

A number of compulsory discipline-oriented courses ensure that participants obtain a comprehensive and coherent understanding of environmental and natural resource economics. An introduction to applied ecology or environmental eco-technology keeps the focus on the physical and biological circumstances underlying environmental and natural resource policy problems.

The programme offered is a two-year Master of Science degree conducted in English. The core curriculum is focussed on the theoretical and methodological aspects of environmental and natural resource economics. The programme is open to students holding a BSc in Social or Natural Science and a good knowledge of mathematics, statistics and basic economics.

 Admission of students with different scientific backgrounds provides the programme with an interdisciplinary anchoring. Throughout, the programme maintains an emphasis on incorporating the biophysical aspects of environmental problems into the framework of environmental and resource economics analysis. Teaching is given in the form of lectures, seminars and tutoring in relation to project work. Project work is usually carried out in groups.

1.3 The programme’s employment prospects

One of the primary job functions is environmental and resource economic analyses – for example applied to the implementation of environmental policy instruments. Another important field is environmental policy and project appraisal. Often graduates from this programme will be charged with solving broad-spectrum problems where economic disciplines, natural science and law are combined. Job opportunities are found in government agencies, research institutes, consulting companies and other private businesses. Graduates are also eligible to apply for a PhD position.

Faculty of Life Sciences has offered a master of science programme in environmental economics since 1996. Many graduates have found employment in ministries and government agencies. The private sector has also provided good job opportunities. Examples are the pharmaceutical industry and energy sectors. Several graduates have obtained PhD scholarships at universities and government research institutions.

1.4. Competence profile

During the master’s programme in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics students must obtain the knowledge, skills and competences described below. These qualifications are obtained partly through participation in core modules partly through the participation in elective courses and the preparation of a master’s thesis.

The Master of Science in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics should be able to:

1.4.1 Knowledge

• Define the welfare economic foundation of environmental and natural resource economics.
• Display an overview of environmental and natural resource economic disciplines and the analytical methodologies applied within these disciplines
• Refer to other economic disciplines relevant to the analysis of environmental and natural resource problems
• Show acquaintance with relevant environmental phenomena within natural science
• Refer to major environmental policy issues and discussions
• Identify relevant policy instruments to manage environmental problems and the utilization/extraction of natural resources
• Reflect about the value concepts underlying environmental and natural resource economics as well as alternative ethical positions.

1.4.2 Skills

• Carry out quantitative as well as qualitative analyses of environmental and natural resource policy problems based on appropriate theories and methods
• Use state-of-the-art statistical and analytical techniques used in environmental policy and project appraisals such as economic valuation methods and cost-benefit analysis
• Discuss alternative economic theories and recommendations regarding environmental and natural resource issues
• Critically assess the validity and limitations of economic theories, models and methodologies when dealing with different scientific problems
• Plan and coordinate projects
• Communicate issues regarding environmental and natural resource economics effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences, at a variety of levels, using modern information and communication tools

1.4.3 Competences

• Assess environmental and natural resource policy and economic problems and propose solutions based on a solid theoretical foundation in complex economic, political, social and ethical contexts
• Adapt different analytical approaches to unforeseen problems
• Show awareness of and enter into scientific discussions and political disputes within areas of interest to environmental and natural resource economics.
• Integrate new scientific findings in professional or research activities at a high academic level
• Work effectively in teams or on an individual basis in multi-disciplinary settings, exercising initiative, personal and management responsibilities as required
• Value lifelong learning as a principle and demonstrate the independent learning ability to structure ongoing learning processes effectively

Chapter 2. Degree programme content

 * Compulsory courses, core courses and thesis must comprise at least 90 credits

2.1 Content

The programme is set at 120 credits. The following courses are compulsory:

    290009     Economic Theory of Environmental Policy - 7.5 credits

    290024     Natural Resource Economics - 7.5 credits

    290034     Thematic Course: Applied Environmental and Resource Economics - 15 credits

    290068     Applied Econometrics - 7.5 credits

    290044     Economic Valuation Methods and Cost-Benefit Analysis - 7.5 credits

At least 15 credits must also be chosen within the core courses:

    290036     Trade and International Cooperation - 7.5 credits  

    290049     Agribusiness Economics I – 7.5 credits

    290050     Agribusiness Economics II – 7.5 credits

    290051     Agricultural and Food Policy - 7.5 credits

    290052     Applied Microeconomic Analysis – 7.5 credits

    290054     Economic Growth and Development - 7.5 credits

    290060     Rural Development and Regional Economics – 7.5 credits

    290061     Studies in Development Economics - 7.5 credits

    290063     Applied Production Analysis – 7.5 credits

    290066     Technology Assessment – 7.5 credits

    310043     Environmental Management in Europe - 15 credits

The programme is completed with a thesis (30 or 45 credits) based on a subject within the field of environmental or natural resource economics.

The compulsory courses, core courses and thesis comprise the core subjects in the programme (90 credits). Optional courses, which can be chosen within the different fields of economics, law, and natural science, comprise 30 credits.

The programme may include 400040 Erhvervsprojekt / Project in Practice.

Chapter 3. Admission requirements and admission 

3.1 Admission requirements

The BSc Programme i Agricultural Economics (Jordbrugsøkonomi) qualifies graduates directly for admission to the MSc Programme in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics.

Students holding the following BSc degree are admitted without further prerequisites:

    BSc in Natural Resources (Naturressourcer) with the core module Environmental Economics (Miljøøkonomi)

    BSc in Economics or Business from either a Danish or an international university

Students holding the following BSc degrees are admitted provided that their examination includes specified courses:

    BSc in Natural Resources (Naturressourcer) with other core modules than Environmental Economics (Miljøøkonomi)

    BSc in a natural scientific area from the Faculty of Life Sciences

• 210002 Mathematics and Data Processing (Matematik og databehandling) (7.5 credits)
• 210005 Statistical Data Analysis 1 (Statistisk dataanalyse 1) (7.5 credits)
• 290013 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, or 290023 Environmental Economics (Miljøøkonomi for ikke-økonomer) (7.5 credits)
• 290055 Microeconomics (Mikroøkonomi), or 290020 Basic Economics (Indledende økonomi) (7.5 credits)
• 290059 Public Economics and Policy Analysis (7.5 credits)

Bachelors from other faculties under University of Copenhagen or from other national and international universities must have equivalent qualifications and their admission will be assessed on an individual basis.

3.2 Admission

Students are admitted to the MSc in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics once a year (1 September).

Transfer Agreement 2007-2008

Students admitted before 1 September 2008 who haven't passed one of the the compulsory courses 240003 Applied Ecology or 280002 Environmental and Ecotechnology must pass the new course 240042 Applied Econometrics.