Program Overview

Programme: MSc specialising in Environmental Economics (Coursework)

Programme information

This programme is coordinated in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development.

Admission requirements

General Admission Regulations:

1. All applications must be accompanied by the following documents:
   1. Certified full academic transcripts from undergraduate to current level
   2. Certified copy of ID or passport
   3. A research concept note (not applicable to honours or coursework master's degrees)
2. All applicants with international qualifications must submit the following documents:
   1. A SAQA evaluation of the completed qualification or a comprehensive Foreign Qualification Report
   2. TOEFL or IELTS or Pearson Test of English or Oxford Test of English test results (if applicable)
   3. Certified copy of passport
3. All postgraduate applications are subject to departmental admissions processes
4. Admissions is based on the content of and performance in the prior degree, bridging arrangements (where required), academic merit and prior work experience (if applicable)
5. Admission to all qualifications is subject to supervisory capacity and/or research projects in the field of specialisation in a department
6. Complying with the minimum admissions requirements, does not automatically guarantee admission to the degree
7. Proposed research studies for masters and doctoral applicants should align with the research focus of the relevant department
8. All postgraduate applicants must be proficient in English as English is the official language of tuition, communication and correspondence at the University of Pretoria
9. All applicants must be computer literate
10. All students need to have access to an internet enabled device, as well as consistent email and internet access
11. Allowance will be made for the diversity profile of students in accordance with the University strategy

Minimum admissions requirements:

1. Bachelor of Science Honours degree with economics or environmental economics and statistics
2. A weighted average of at least 65% at honours level of the bachelor's or honours degree (NQF level 8)

Promotion to next study year

The progress of all master's candidates is monitored biannually by the supervisor and the postgraduate coordinator. A candidate's study may be terminated if the progress is unsatisfactory or if the candidate is unable to finish his/her studies during the prescribed period.

Curriculum

• Core credits: 135
• Elective credits: 45

Core modules

1. LEK 810: Applied econometrics 810
   • Credits: 15.00
   • Module content: Econometrics, linear regression, hypothesis testing, forecasting, dummy variables, violations of the linear model assumptions
2. LEK 815: Applied micro-economics 815
   • Credits: 15.00
   • Module content: Economic models and empirical applications in food demand and agricultural production, welfare economics, risk analysis, and industrial organisation
3. LEK 826: Environmental valuation and policy 826
   • Credits: 15.00
   • Module content: Environmental valuation and policy, microeconomic theory, market and non-market techniques of valuation of natural resources and environmental services
4. LEK 892: Mini-dissertation: Agricultural economics 892
   • Credits: 90.00

Elective modules

1. LEK 811: Production economics 811
   • Credits: 15.00
   • Module content: Production functions, cost functions, profit functions, duality between cost and production functions, applied topics
2. LEK 814: Quantitative methods for agricultural and environmental policy 814
   • Credits: 15.00
   • Module content: Discrete choice and linear regression models, demand systems, production functions, treatment effects/impact assessment models
3. LEK 880: Natural resource and environmental economics 880
   • Credits: 15.00
   • Module content: Natural resource and environmental economics, sustainable development of renewable, non-renewable and environmental resources
4. LEK 882: Institutional economics 882
   • Credits: 15.00
   • Module content: New Institutional Economics paradigm, analysis of agricultural economic and agricultural development problems and issues
5. LEK 886: The economics of natural resources 886
   • Credits: 15.00
   • Module content: Techniques of optimisation over time, optimal allocation and management of non-renewable and renewable resources, property rights regimes and natural resource use