The Department

Resource Economics has been taught at the University of Nevada since 1887. The Department of Resource Economics is one of five departments within the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources. 

Professor Jeffrey Englin ( englin@unr.edu ) has been Department Chair since October of 2001. The Dean of the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources is David Thawley ( thawley@cabnr.unr.edu ).

The Department is comprised of 4 Full Professors, 4 Associate Professors, 3 Assistant Professors, 3 Research Faculty, 11 Graduate Students and 4 Administrative Assistants. Its academic faculty pride themselves on their exceptional research as well as the quality of their teaching.

The Department is currently located on second floor of the Max Fleischmann Agricultural Building and the staff work in an advanced information technology environment.  The Department provides computer classrooms and laboratories for undergraduate and graduate student use.

Department Mission

Our mission is to contribute to economic development statewide through research and educational activities both on and off campus for the benefit of the citizens of Nevada.

The programs we offer emphasize the application of economic principles and statistical analysis to issues involving growth, infrastructure, agriculture, natural resources and the environment. 

We commit to work with public and private enterprises, communities, volunteers, governments and their agencies to identify issues and help develop solutions through generation and dissemination of economic information.

Academics

Two Bachelor of Science degree programs are available at the undergraduate level:  Agriculture and Applied Economics and Environmental Policy Analysis .  

Graduate students may elect to earn a masters degree in Resource and Applied Economics .  Two study plans are a vailable to students pursuing the masters of science degree.  Plan A requires students to write a thesis. The Plan B requirement includes additional course work and satisfactory performance on a comprehensive examination.  A professional paper may also be required of Plan B students.

Research

Research in the Department spans most branches of agricultural economics and related areas.  Our Department is strong in economic theory, applied economics, econometrics and actuarial studies.  A significant amount of the research done in the department is policy-oriented. We have a significant track record in obtaining external research funding.  Additionally, a number of the Department's academic faculty are engaged as consultants to various government departments and agencies.