About the programme
The Ecological Economics Masters focuses on how to make sustainability and environmental management work in practice through the application of economic principles.
Ecological Economics is the science and management of sustainability - linking environmental, social and economic systems. Economic principles are applied in virtually all decisions concerning conservation and environmental management.
Students will be taught by research staff who have contributed to highly influential reviews:
- The Stern Review of Climate Change
- The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
- The Review of the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Programme objectives
The programme aims to:
- provide rigorous academic training that also enhances prospects for employment in the field of sustainability and conservation
- outline economics from first principles
- identify the biophysical and socio-cultural limits to growth in the production and consumption that arises from economic activity
- describe theoretical principles of ecological economics associated with these limits
- learn tools that allow these principles to be applied to multi-dimensional environmental problems
- appreciate the systematic interaction between ecology, social systems and economics, which is vital in finding solutions to these problems
- examine and criticise how environmental and social policy is formulated and implemented, in developed and developing world economies, in light of this systematic interaction
- encourage and provoke discussion and debate about environmental controversies
- develop and enhance skills in specialist topics linked to the student's own interest
Teaching and Assessment
MSc teaching is executed through a range of teaching and assessment modes all of which are designed to prepare the student the for the master's dissertation and employment outside of academia.
Teaching modes vary with courses but may include:
- formal lectures on targeted topics and case studies from around the world
- informal lectures with questions and group discussion
- reading lists from key peer-reviewed social and natural science literature
- practical classes including computer and decision tree modelling on some courses
- verbal feedback on previous practical work
- a chance to question lecturers on their expert topics
Assessment modes vary with courses but may include:
- short written responses and reviews of key readings and literature
- formal essays demonstrating critical thinking and analytic of complex topics;
- essay based exams on key content of courses
- group and individual visual and verbal presentations on case study topics
- group and individual poster session materials on case study topics
Please feel free to get in touch if you have any queries.
This article was published on Jan 10, 2011