MSc. in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
With an MSc degree in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, you know how to assess the economic value of the environment. Climate change, environmental changes and the use of the world’s natural resources are having an impact on all of us. Both globally and locally.
The future challenges are huge and numerous – after graduation from the MSc programme in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, you can help solve them.
You know how best to limit pollution using economic instruments, and how we can achieve as much nature restoration as possible for the money. You have an insight into how Denmark meets its international undertakings concerning CO2 emissions in the least expensive way. And you can work, for example, with how to use green taxes to limit pollution.
The language of the study programme is English.
Read an interview with Niall Williams.
Content:
Admission requirements
Profile
Career opportunities
Structure
Teaching
Student life
Application
Contact
To get admitted to the MSc programme, you must have a degree from a relevant BSc programme.
The following BSc programmes give direct access to the MSc programme in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics:
• Agricultural Economics
• Natural Resources (core module course in Environmental Economics)
• Economics
Students with a BSc degree from LIFE – the Faculty of Life Sciences will be admitted if their BSc programme comprises the following courses:
• Mathematics and Data Processing
• Statistical Data Analysis 1
• Environmental and Natural Resource Economics or Environmental Economics
• Microeconomics or Basic Economics
• Public Economics and Policy Analysis
• Thematic course: Applied Economics Analysis
Bachelors from other faculties at the University of Copenhagen or from other national or international universities can apply for admission if their BSc programme includes courses on:
• Microeconomics (minimum 22.5 ECTS)
• Statistics (minimum 7.5 ECTS)
• Econometrics (minimum 7.5 ECTS)
• Mathematics (minimum 7.5 ECTS)
Other BSC degrees in natural science may also give access. Read more about the specific admission requirements here.
The MSc programme in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics is a social scientific and socially relevant programme where you study economics, the environment and natural resources in both a national and global context.
The recurring theme of the programme is how we make the most of the available resources.
Graduates from the MSc programme in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics work using economic theory and methodology on, for example, the sustainable management of our fossil fuel energy reserves and Denmark’s involvement in international environmental agreements.
You have an insight into how Denmark can meet its international undertakings concerning reductions of carbon emissions in the best and least expensive way.
After having graduated from the MSc programme in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, you are, among other things, able to:
• Assess issues in respect of environmental and natural resources and economy and propose solutions based on theory on economic, political, social and ethical interrelations.
• Carry out quantitative and qualitative analyses of environmental and natural resource issues.
The language of instruction is English, and the programme has an international outlook.
As a graduate from the MSc programme in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, you have good career opportunities. You will typically be working with focus on environmental and natural resource economic analyses, project assessment, and management and development assignments.
This may be in both private companies, public institutions or NGOs – both nationally and internationally.
There is a well-established collaboration between the students and the business community that ensures excellent prospects for internships or project collaborations, providing you with a unique experience and a good network.
Recent graduates from the programme have, for example, found jobs in the EU, the Danish Ministry of Climate and Energy, DONG Energy, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, the Danish Energy Agency, Coloplast and the World Conservation Union.
Read a portrait of the career of Gavin Arthur Green, purchaser of CO2 quotas.
During your first year of study, you follow the thematic course Applied Environmental and Resource Economics as well as four compulsory courses:
· Economic Theory of Environmental Policy, where you learn about economic regulation of environmental problems.
· Economic Valuation Methods and Cost Benefit Analysis, where you learn methodologies for evaluating the benefits and costs of environmental initiatives.
· Natural Resource Economics, where you learn optimum use of limited natural resources such as oil compared with renewable natural resources such as forests, which can be replanted.
· Applied Econometrics, where you learn how to carry out empirical studies.
Thematic course
The thematic course ‘Applied Environmental and Natural Resource Economics’ is placed in blocks 3 and 4 in the first year and is based on lectures with internal and external lecturers and project work, where you work in small groups.
The subjects are wide ranging – from heavy pollution to untouched nature – and previous projects have, among other things, concerned:
· Valuation of the functions of ecosystems
· International environmental agreements seen in relation to contract theory
· Pollution control with organic farming
· Externalities from wind turbines
Elective courses
At the same time, you have the option of supplementing your studies with courses within, for example, biology, management, law or economy from other faculties at the University of Copenhagen and from Copenhagen Business School. Some students also take courses at the University of Southern Denmark.
The elective courses offer you the opportunity to personalise your study programme.
Thesis
The programme is concluded with a thesis that gives you the title Master of Science (MSc) in Mathematics and Economics (in Danish: cand.scient.oecon.).
In your thesis, you will be working independently on a theoretical or empirical project. As you can see from thesis subjects from the last few years, the issues range from Danish agriculture to tropical rainforest:
- Valuation of nuisances of living in the vicinity of a pig farm
- Nitrogen contracts – assessment of an environmental policy instrument
- Willingness among Danish consumers to pay for certified timber products
- Economic Assessment of Ecotourism in a Tropical Rainforest
The programme is organised as follows:
|
Year 1 |
Block 1 |
Applied Econometrics |
Natural Resource Economics |
| Block 2 |
Economic Valuation Methods and Cost-Benefit Analysis |
Economic Theory of Environmental Policy |
| Block 3 |
|
Thematic Course: Applied Environmental and Natural Resource Economics |
| Block 4 |
|
|
Year 2 |
Block 1 |
|
|
| Block 2 |
|
|
| Block 3 |
Thesis (30 point) |
A block is 9 weeks long and equals 15 ECTS.
* You must choose at least one of the two courses.
In addition, 15 ECTS must be chosen within the following core courses:
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The dark fields are compulsory courses |
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The medium-coloured fields are core courses, which you must choose from a pool of specialised courses, as well as the thesis |
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The light fields are elective courses |
Instruction is in the form of lectures, seminars, practical and theoretical exercises, and there will be a good deal of project work. You will be working both independently and in project groups.
Student life at LIFE is absolutely unique – both with regard to the physical and the academic environment. The Gardens, which are part of the Frederiksberg Campus, are popular among both students and locals. In the summer months, you can drop by Café Væksthuset located in an old greenhouse for a cup of freshly brewed coffee and a delicious sandwich.
As a student, you can join student clubs and societies of a more or less academic nature. Regardless of whether you are interested in choral singing, sports, the theatre or a special academic subject, there is a club for you.
The faculty has a large number of international students who contribute to the dynamic and exciting student life. You will also have plenty of opportunity to travel abroad in connection with your studies.
Would you like to hear from a student what it is like to study on the MSc programme in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics at LIFE? Then you can read an interview with the student Niall Williams.
Applicants with a BSc degree from Denmark must apply before 1 April to start the programme the following September.
Applicants from Scandinavia, the EU and Lichtenstein must apply before 1 April to start the programme the following September.
Applicants from countries outside Scandinavia and the EU must apply by 1 January to start the programme the following September.
Tuition Fees
Read more about application processes, tuition fees and scholarships.
You are always welcome to contact the faculty’s student counselling service, LIFE Student Services, if you have any questions about the programme, student life etc.
You can contact Student Services on tel. +45 3533 3533 or by email to .
Each spring, the faculty’s MSc programmes host open house events. At these events, you have the chance to meet directors of studies and students, who can tell you more about the programme.
Webmaster, - last update:6 February 2012