Master`s degree programme in Development and Resource Economics

SiT

120 study points, study programme language: English. Contact: Department of Economics and Resource Management: www.umb.no/ior

Master`s degree programme in Development and Resource Economics

Why are some countries poor and some rich? Why have some countries experienced much faster economic growth than others? Why is the environment being degraded when almost everyone agrees that this is bad? Why are resources exploited in an unsustainable way? And how is poverty - and economic growth - linked to the environment? How should policies change to accommodate environmental and poverty concerns?

These are big questions without simple answers. This Master's programme provides students with tools to address such questions. It gives a solid basis in economic theory and methodology, while maintaining an applied profile. The programme is policy-oriented with special emphasis on management of natural resources, poverty and rural development, and the link to national policies and trade.

Policies in developing countries are often inadequate, poorly integrated, contradictory and even counterproductive. There is a great need for policy-oriented economists who are able to integrate and apply knowledge from resource-, environmental-, agricultural- and development economics. This study programme is designed as a response to this need.

Graduates of this programme may work at universities and other teaching and research institutions, or in key positions in national ministries or regional departments of agriculture, forestry, environment, and development planning. Many graduates have been accepted to PhD studies in various universities.

Admission
Bachelor's or equivalent degree with a major or specialization in economics.

Related programmes
Many of the courses in the programme may also be elected by other students at the university, especially other Economics students and students of Development Studies.

Learning outcomes
The course aims to give the students:
- a solid basis in economic theory, with a specialisation in development and resource economics;
- knowledge, training and practical experience with economic methodologies, as a bridge between theories and policy relevant problems;
- deeper insights into the links between the social well-being of rural people, their natural resource base, and the underlying causes of poverty and environmental degradation;
- insight into relevant policies for poverty reduction, promotion of economic development and conservation of the natural resource base.

Teaching- and evaluation methods
The courses emphasize student participation, with exercises, group work, and hands-on experience with modern analytical tools and computer software. Emphasis has been given to ensuring variation in the exam and evaluation methods used in the programme.

Contents and structure of the programme
The programme normally takes two years of full time studies. Of the 120 study points (sp), a minimum of 45 have to be at the 300-level. Three semesters are used for course work, while the last semester is dedicated for writing a thesis based on research in a developing country. Thesis fieldwork (2-3 months) is done between the 2nd and 3rd semester. The typical course schedule:

Fall first year:
- ECN212 Microeconomic theory,
- ECN201 Econometrics,
- ECN270 Resource and Environmental Economics,
- ECN230 The economics of international trade,
Spring first year:
- ECN251 Development Economics - micro,
- ECN352 Development Economics - macro,
- ECN351 Research in Development Economics,
- BUS230 Decision Modelling,
- a course in Resource economics or Environmental Economics,

The summer term (May - August) is used for fieldwork and thesis preparation.

Fall second year (main courses):
- ECN350 Development and environment
- ECN330 International Economics or ECN310 Analysis of agricultural markets

Spring second year
Master's thesis

Student advising
Contact: studieveileder-economics@umb.no

Quality assurance
Teachers and the department actively use information from the UMB routines for Internet-based student course evaluation to improve the courses. In addition, most teachers have mid-term and final evaluations of the courses. For the programme as a whole, there is continuous student evaluation and a more comprehensive, written student-evaluation for the SIU/NORAD application.

The programme is run by an active group of development economists who are heavily involved with and committed to the programme. There is close contact with the international academic environment to ensure that the course content is up to date. This has resulted in continuous changes in the programme, both in course composition, course content, and teaching methods. The programme is regularly (every 3 years) assessed by SIU in relation to the application for NORAD scholarships.

Updated: 10.08.05
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