Program Overview

Food and Resource Economics (BSc)

The Food and Resource Economics (FRE) program combines economics, data analysis, business, and physical sciences to provide students with a unique set of interdisciplinary skills. Throughout the program, students explore how economic policy impacts international food markets, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable food systems in a changing climate. Students will combine economic and business models and the analysis of relevant data to address real-world food challenges.

Majors Offered

• Data Analytics: A major in Data Analytics will provide students with a strong core in applied economics and data analysis. This combination is highly marketable to future employers since it is fundamental for the analysis of food markets and natural resource conservation.
• Business and Markets: The Business and Markets major is for students interested in using applied economics to help understand how market structures, business practices, and international trade impact food supply and security worldwide.

Meet the Instructors

• Karen Taylor: Lecturer, Food and Resource Economics
• Jonathan Proctor: Assistant Professor, Food and Resource Economics
• Joséphine Gantois: Assistant Professor, Food and Resource Economics (joint appointment with UBC IRES)
• Matias E. Margulis: Associate Professor, Food and Resource Economics (jointly appointed with the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs)
• James Vercammen: Professor, Food and Resource Economics (jointly appointed with the Sauder School of Business)
• Carol McAusland: Professor, Food and Resource Economics, Food and Resource Economics Program Director
• Frederik Noack: Associate Professor, Food and Resource Economics, Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Environmental Economics
• Kelleen Wiseman: Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE) Academic Director
• Sumeet Gulati: Professor, Food and Resource Economics
• Richard Barichello: Professor, Food and Resource Economics

Meet Our Community

• Tuan Hoang: Data Analytics After completing his degree, Tuan hopes to apply his skills in food policy and market analysis to help build a more sustainable and equitable food system.
• Judith Haryanto: Bachelor of Science in Food and Resource Economics Judith earned her Bachelor of Science in Food and Resource Economics in 2024. She hopes to continue exploring her interests through work, graduate studies, or creative pursuits like digital art and writing.
• Chang Che: Bachelor of Science in Food and Resource Economics Chang earned his Bachelor of Science in Food and Resource Economics in 2024. His goal while in the program was to work in public policy. In 2023, he travelled to Indonesia with a small cohort of UBC students to take part in Go Global’s LFS 303: International Field Studies in Policy Analysis for Agriculture and Natural Resources.