Agricultural and Resource Economics
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
2200 Symons Hall
301-405-1293
arecumd@gmail.com
www.arec.umd.edu
Agricultural and Resource Economics is a world-class department focused on agricultural economics and policy, environmental and natural resource economics, and economic development. The faculty are renowned for their scholarship and research, policy experience, and professional service. Our top-ranked Ph.D. program has a diverse and high-quality student body from the U.S. and countries around the world. Our undergraduate agricultural and resource economics major and global poverty minor allow students to learn from leading scholars in small classes. Policy and public education programs address issues of importance to stakeholders at local, state, national and international levels.
Chair: L. Olson
Professors: A. Alberini, R. Chambers, J. Hanson, R. Just, E. Lichtenberg, L. Lynch, M. Nerlove, L. Olson, S. Salant (Res Prof), R. Williams
Associate Professors: H. Leathers, K. Leonard
Assistant Professors: S. Gunnsteinsson, J. Holzer Bilbao, S. Houde, P. Jakiela, D. Newburn, M. Zaki
Instructors: A. Ellixson (Extension Legal Specialist), P. Goeringer (Extension Legal Specialist), D. Johnson (Farm Management Specialist)
Affiliate Professors: P. Cramton, M. Cropper
Adjunct Professors: J. Chavas, R. Fare, J. Hoddinott, A. Lange, J. List, J. Quiggin
Adjunct Associate Professor: K. McNew
Professors Emeriti: N. Bockstael, E. Brown, J. Cain, I. Hardie, D. Hueth, D. Lipton, J. Moore, I. Strand, D. Tuthill
Because the program is flexible, advising is mandatory every semester. Please visit this link for more information: http://www.arec.umd.edu/undergraduate/advising
Undergraduate Research Experiences
Because it is part of a land grant university, the Department also has responsibility for research and technology transfer. During undergraduate study, students are encouraged to conduct independent research in faculty laboratories on campus or at the nearby U.S. Department of Agriculture Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and other area locations.
AREC faculty members provide a unique and rewarding research experience for undergraduates through the UMD First-Year Innovation & Research Experience (FIRE) program. The research agenda is continually updated and is designed to engage multiple focus areas in the department’s advanced computational collaborative learning center. Current examples include how species characteristics, ecosystems, markets, technology and trade influence the conservation or overexploitation of natural resources, the impact of renewable energy systems and vehicle ownership on environmental quality and interventions that encourage households and small businesses to invest in cost-effective, energy-saving technologies. Students develop quantitative research skills including: framing research questions for quantitative policy analysis, preparing large data sets for analysis, data analytics and visualization techniques, and preparing research results for presentation, publication and outreach. This opportunity is available to first-year students of all majors. For more information please visit: http://fire.umd.edu/.
Internships
Internship Program
This internship experience is open to current AREC undergraduate students and students in the Global Poverty minor.
Internship Program Description
Students will identify an internship and start the process of getting approval from the Assistant Director. If students need help with identifying an internship, the Assistant Director can provide assistance. Once approval is given and all paperwork is signed, the student will register for the internship course, AREC386. A students must complete the internship in the same semester he/she register for the course.
Please visit this link for additional information: http://www.arec.umd.edu/undergraduate/undergraduate-programs/internship-program
Scholarships and Financial Assistance
AREC offers scholarships to AREC undergrads. These awards are based on merit and are in addition to any funding received from the campus or from the college. Currently, scholarship awards are available to the full-time AREC majors with the highest GPAs. They are determined on a semester basis and depend on the availability of funds. Scholarship awardees are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the rules and regulations of the University.
The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) administers all types of federal, state, and institutional financial assistance programs and, in cooperation with other university offices, participates in the awarding of scholarships to deserving students. For information, visit: www.financialaid.umd.edu.