Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy (Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology)

The Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Agriculture in Agricultural and Resource Economics/Rural Sociology, Master of Science in Agricultural and Resource Economics, Forest Economics, Rural Sociology, and Risk and Community Resilience, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Agricultural and Resource Economics, Forest Economics, and Rural Sociology. A joint program leading to dual degrees of Master of Business Administration and Master of Agriculture is also offered.

Why Study This Program?

Areas of emphasis in graduate programs include: the economics of agricultural markets and price behavior; production economics and agricultural business management; economics of agricultural and rural development; economics of policy intervention; environmental and natural resource economics, forest economics, rural sociology, environmental and resource sociology, community-based resource management, indigenous knowledge systems, resource policy analysis, and agroforestry.

Entrance Requirements

For masters programs, the Departments minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.

For doctoral programs, the Departments minimum admission requirements are an approved masters degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.3 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.

Applicants must meet the minimum English Language Requirement. Applicants to the PhD program are required to submit a test score for a Graduate Record Examination (verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections). Applicants to the MAg/MBA program are required to submit a test score for a Graduate Management Admission Test. Applicants are also required to submit a CV, statement of interests, and three letters of reference.

Program Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 18 units in coursework and a thesis.

Coursework

• Six 3-unit graduate-level courses from the Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology, approved by the department
  • Programs will depend on the students academic background
  • Students are required to take microeconomic and macro-economic theory, graduate-level applied econometrics
  • Additional coursework may be required
• Six 3-unit graduate-level courses approved by the department
  • Programs will depend on the students academic background
  • Students are required to take courses in social theory, quantitative methods, and qualitative methods, plus two courses that are directly or indirectly related to the students field of research
  • Additional coursework may be required

Thesis

• Registration in 900-level THES. All candidates for the PhD must prepare and defend a dissertation on an approved topic

Professional Development and Ethics Requirements

All REES PhD students are expected to participate in department and University professional development and ethics activities to comply with the University requirement of 8 hours of professional development and 8 hours of ethics activities. Students are also expected to participate in the department seminar series.

Comprehensive Exams

To prepare for their candidacy examinations, students in Agricultural/Resource and Forest Economics are required to take preliminary examinations in theory, a field of specialization and a supporting field. Students in Rural Sociology are required to complete two comprehensive examinations: a preliminary examination (based on a pre-established reading list) and a specialization examination.

Candidacy Examination

Candidacy requires an oral examination to defend the students dissertation proposal.

Academic Standing Requirement

To remain in a REES PhD program students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 with no grade less than C+.

Language Requirement

No language other than English is required for the degree.

Length of Program

The time required to complete the PhD will vary according to the academic background of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; however, a minimum of 36 months is normally required. The maximum time to complete the PhD program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is six years.

Courses

Graduate courses can be found under the following subject headings:

• Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC)
• Forest Economics (FOREC)
• Interdisciplinary (INT D)
• Rural Sociology (R SOC)

Tuition and Fees

The Department automatically considers all applicants for graduate teaching and research assistantships. Details of scholarships and other sources of financial assistance are included on the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies site.

Scholarships and Financial Support

The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies administers over $29 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for graduate students, as well as financial and loan advising. Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.