Environmental Economics
- Agricultural Sciences
- 500 level
- 3 credit units
- 148 pages
- 15 units
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of environmental economics, exploring the intricate relationship between economic activities and the environment. It covers essential concepts such as ecosystems, natural resources, and environmental pollution. Students will learn about resource management, sustainability, and the economic implications of environmental policies. The course also addresses agricultural production's impact on the environment, equipping students with the knowledge to promote economic growth while minimizing environmental damage and fostering ecological balance.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 156 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of AEA510, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
AEA510 · UNIT 2 ECOSYSTEMS
Utility: Utility is the measure of satisfaction derived from the consumption of a particular good or service. It also refers to the total satisfaction received by a consumer from consuming a good or service. Utility can be classified into form, place, time and possession utility.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the basic concepts of environmental economics.
- Know what an ecosystem is and its importance.
- Understand the meaning and importance of environmental economics.
- Analyze the nature and scope of environmental economics.
- Apply cost-benefit analysis to environmental conservation projects.
What it prepares you for
- Environmental Economist
- Agricultural Economist
- Resource Manager
- Policy Analyst
- Sustainability Consultant
- Agriculture
- Environmental Management
- Government
- Consulting
- Resource Extraction
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Agricultural Production and the Environment for Sustainable Agricultural Production
Unit 2: Agricultural production decision and theory of production function
Understanding the mathematical relationships between inputs and outputs requires a strong foundation in calculus and optimization techniques.
- Module 5: Economics of Irrigation and Water Use in Agriculture, Measurement of Environmental Degradation and Cost- Benefit Analysis of Environmental Conservation
Unit3 Cost-benefit analysis of environmental conservation
Accurately quantifying environmental costs and benefits involves complex valuation methods and requires understanding of ecological processes.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 30 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Basic Concepts of Environmental Economics
Unit 1: Basic Concepts · 2 hours
Define natural resources and classify them into renewable and non-renewable types.. Explain the concepts of ecology, industrial ecology, and environmental pollution.. Discuss the components and functions of an ecosystem..
- Week 2Module 1: Basic Concepts of Environmental Economics
Unit 2: Ecosystems · 2 hours
Explain the meaning and types of ecosystems (aquatic and terrestrial).. Identify the ecological goods and services provided by ecosystems.. Analyze the impact of human activities on ecosystem functioning..
- Week 3Module 2: Scope and Concept of Environmental Economics
Unit 1: Meaning and Components of Environment · 2 hours
Define the environment and discuss its components.. Identify present environmental challenges such as resource depletion and climate change.. Explain the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem..
- Week 4Module 2: Scope and Concept of Environmental Economics
Unit 2: Meaning and importance of Environmental Economics · 2 hours
Explain the meaning and importance of environmental economics.. Discuss the relationship between environmental economics and other fields like ecological economics.. Apply the laws of thermodynamics to environmental economics..
- Week 5Module 2: Scope and Concept of Environmental Economics
Unit 3: Nature of Environmental Economics · 2 hours
Differentiate between positive and normative economics.. Explain the micro and macro aspects of environmental economics.. Discuss environmental pollution as an economic problem..
- Week 6Module 2: Scope and Concept of Environmental Economics
Unit 4: Scope of Environmental Economics · 2 hours
Identify and describe the scope of environmental economics.. Discuss economy-environment analysis and eco-development.. Explain the welfare approach and the importance of clean technology..
- Week 7Module 3: Agricultural Production and the Environment for Sustainable Agricultural Production
Unit 1: Theory of production · 2 hours
Define production and discuss the types of agricultural resources.. Explain the concepts of utility, scarcity, and potential for depletion.. Analyze the role of land, labor, and capital in agricultural production..
- Week 8Module 3: Agricultural Production and the Environment for Sustainable Agricultural Production
Unit 2: Agricultural production decision and theory of production function · 2 hours
Explain agricultural production decisions and the theory of production function.. Describe factor-product, factor-factor, and product-product relationships.. Discuss the stages of production and the assumptions of production function..
- Week 9Module 3: Agricultural Production and the Environment for Sustainable Agricultural Production
Unit 3: Resource productivity and efficiency · 2 hours
Explain the concept of agricultural resource productivity.. Define efficiency and discuss its types, including technical and allocative efficiency.. Analyze the importance of efficiency in agricultural production..
- Week 10Module 4: Land, Water and Forest Resource Management for Sustainable Agricultural Production
Unit 1: Land Resources and sustainable Management · 2 hours
Explain the meaning and characteristics of land.. Discuss agricultural land policy objectives and strategies.. Analyze the uses of land and factors affecting land availability and use..
- Week 11Module 4: Land, Water and Forest Resource Management for Sustainable Agricultural Production
Unit 2: Forest Resources · 2 hours
Define forest and explain its role in economic development.. Discuss deforestation and its consequences.. Evaluate the constraints to forest development and conservation strategies..
- Week 12Module 4: Land, Water and Forest Resource Management for Sustainable Agricultural Production
Unit 3: Water Resources · 2 hours
Explain the importance and physical properties of water.. Discuss the sources of water use in agriculture.. Analyze water resource planning and sustainable water management strategies..
Unit 4: Conservation and Management of Natural Resources · 2 hours
Explain the meaning and objectives of conservation.. Discuss energy and mineral conservation.. Analyze the conservation of renewable resources, fish, and biodiversity..
- Week 13Module 5: Economics of Irrigation and Water Use in Agriculture, Measurement of Environmental Degradation and Cost- Benefit Analysis of Environmental Conservation
Unit 1: Economics of irrigation and water use in agriculture · 2 hours
Discuss the need for irrigation and its importance.. Explain the sources of irrigation.. Review the economics of irrigation and water use in agriculture..
Unit 2: Measurement of environmental degradation · 2 hours
Explain the meaning and causes of environmental degradation.. Discuss the types and effects of environmental degradation.. Analyze the measurement of environmental degradation..
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed summaries of each unit, focusing on key definitions and concepts.
- Practice applying cost-benefit analysis techniques to real-world environmental projects.
- Review the different types of environmental degradation and their causes.
- Focus on understanding the relationships between economic activities and environmental impacts.
- Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 agricultural concepts to environmental sustainability.
- Practice applying the laws of thermodynamics to economic processes from Units 7-9 weekly.
- Review all TMAs and ensure you understand the solutions and underlying principles.
Questions students ask about this course
What is AEA510 about?
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of environmental economics, exploring the intricate relationship between economic activities and the environment. It covers essential concepts such as ecosystems, natural resources, and environmental pollution. Students will learn about resource management, sustainability, and the economic implications of environmental policies. The course also addresses agricultural production's impact on the environment, equipping students with the knowledge to promote economic growth while minimizing environmental damage and fostering ecological balance.
How many units does AEA510 have?
AEA510, Environmental Economics, has 15 units across 5 modules, over 148 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is AEA510?
AEA510 carries 3 credit units, at 500 level in Agricultural Sciences.
Is AEA510 hard?
AEA510 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does AEA510 take to study?
About 156 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is AEA510 assessed?
AEA510 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What can I do with AEA510?
Environmental Economist, Agricultural Economist, Resource Manager, Policy Analyst and Sustainability Consultant.