M.S. RESOURCE ECONOMICS
A program that provides training in empirical microeconomics and applied econometrics. It allows concentration in fields like Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, Empirical Industrial Organization, and Experimental and Behavioural Economics.
Graduates of this program will have the ability to analyse how consumers and firms make choices, how markets behave, and what data are needed to inform decisions. It will prepare students for careers in analysis and decision making for management, marketing, resource-based industries and economic consulting.
The U.S. Federal Government's STEM OPT program will allow international students to work in the U.S. for up to 36 months after graduating from this program.
CURRICULUM
Year 1 | JKLU
Micro Economics
Credits - 4
Probability & Statistics
Univariate Calculus
Spreadsheet Applications
Credits- 2
Critical Thinking for Developing Perspectives
Credits- 2
Further building on the Cognition & Critical Thinking Course of Semester I, this course will be introduced in Semester II. It will enhance skills on formulating relevant and investigative questions, evaluating information and evidence for correctness, consistency, and relevance. Students will learn to recognize their own beliefs, biases, claims and assumptions in solving problems through a medium of case studies, group simulations, debates etc.
Multivariate Calculus
Credits - 3
This course is an extension of univariate calculus to more than one variable, key difference being that more variables mean more geometric dimensions. This makes visualization of graphs both harder and more rewarding.
Topics include partial derivatives, double integrals, vector calculus, optimization of functions with two or more variables (e.g., maximization of profit by suitably choosing the amount of capital and labor).
Seminar on Macroeconomics
Credits - 2
Research Design
Credits- 3
This course will teach the ideas of hypothesis, measurement, survey design, behavioral and experimental research.
Academic Writing
Credits- 4
Academic writing is a critical skill in the success of one's graduate studies in policy and social sciences, and the professional life thereafter. This course will cover skills such as formulating a problem, doing a literature review using various tools (databases, citation software), structuring and presenting the writing in an appropriate format etc., all geared towards formulating a “Fellowship proposal” project.
Cognition & Critical Thinking
Credits- 2
This course will be introduced in Semester 1. It will help students build the foundational ability to clearly reason through problems and to present arguments in a logical, compelling way which has become a key skill for survival in today’s world.
Linear Algebra
Computer Programming
Credits- 3
Year II | UMass Amherst
Mathematical Methods for Resource Economists
Credits- 3
Quantitative Methods
Credits - 3
Applied Microeconomic Theory I
Credits- 3
Econometric Methods
Credits- 3
Applied Microeconomic Theory II
Credits- 3
Seminar in Resource Economics
Elective (Fall)
Electives (Spring)
Research Project
Credits- 3

JOHN SPRAGGON
Professor and Chair, Department of Resource Economics, UMass Amherst
"Through our graduate programme in Resource Economics, we’re interested in developing creative solutions to complex problems. This programme will prepare students for careers in analysis and decision making for management, marketing, resource-based industries such as electric utilities and petroleum, government and policy positions, environment and economic consulting.”