Getting Started

School: SBS

Information below is meant to guide first year students in getting starting with this major and choosing appropriate courses. More advanced students interested in this major would also likely start with proposed foundation/pre-requisite courses. Please refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn about the full major requirements.

How to Explore/Get Started in the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

All undergraduates are required to satisfy the General Education requirements. Guidelines for students are available at https://www.umass.edu/gened. Students should choose a wide variety of Gen Ed courses, providing breadth of experience.

MATH 127 Calculus for Life and Social Sciences (or MATH 131)
RES-ECON 102 Introduction to Resource Economics (or ECON 103)
ECON 104 Introduction to Macroeconomics
RES-ECON 212 Introductory Statistics for the Social Sciences (or STATISTC 240)
RES-ECON 121 Hunger in a Global Economy or RES-ECON 162 The Consumer in Our Society
RES-ECON 262 Environmental Economics
RES-ECON 263 Natural Resource Economics

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite courses

Required prerequisites

RES-ECON 102 Introduction to Resource Economics (or ECON 103) and ECON 104 Introduction to Macroeconomics. MATH 127 Calculus for Life and Social Sciences (or MATH 131) and RES-ECON 212 Introductory Statistics for the Social Sciences (or STATISTC 240).

If previous Math background is not adequate to enable placement in MATH 127 or 131, students should also take appropriate lower-level math course(s). Potential majors should note that Resource Economics requires two quantitative courses at the junior/senior levels (RES-ECON 213, Intermediate Statistics for Business and Economics and RES-ECON 313, Quantitative Methods) that are rigerous.

Transfers with sophomore/junior standing should take the following:

MATH 127 Calculus for Life and Social Sciences (or MATH 131)
RES-ECON 102 Introduction to Resource Economis (or ECON 103)
ECON 104 Introduction to Macroeconomics
RES-ECON 212 Introductory Statistics for the Social Sciences (or STATISTC 240)
RES-ECON 121 Hunger in a Global Economy or RES-ECON 162 The Consumer in Our Society
RES-ECON 262 Environmental Economics
RES-ECON 263 Natural Resource Economics

If students have already completed all of these courses, they should speak with a Resource Economics advisor for recommendation of appropriate selection of courses.

How to Declare/Change into the Major

This major is unrestricted, which means any student may declare the major. Unrestricted majors may still have an entry process such as meeting with an advisor or attending an informational meeting.

Information on the process to join the Resource Economics major is available on the “Declaring a Major” webpage at: https://www.umass.edu/resec/undergraduate-program/declaring-res-ec-major. Students should pay particular attention to the Undergraduate Handbook. After reviewing the material available on the website, students interested in the Resource Economics major should complete the online Statement of Interest AND reserve a spot in and attend an information session. These sessions are held several times throughout the semester. Info session times and the reservation request form can be found on the website.

Once students have completed the online Statement of Interest and attended an information session, they will be contacted by a member of the advising staff regarding major declararation.

Transfer Students

Students can declare when they enter the university. Meet with a Resource Economics advisor before the first day of classes.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Refer to the Major Page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

Minimum total # of credits required: 69

Twelve departmental core courses (including Junior Year Writing and I.E. Seminar), five required courses related to environmental and natural resource issues, and five upper-level electives.

Is there a minor?
Yes, a minor is available. Refer to the Minor page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

For further information, contact:
Alesia Brennan, Director of Advising
208C Stockbridge Hall; (413) 545-2490
email: abrennan@resecon.umass.edu

Ruth Glickman DeLisle, Senior Academic Advisor
208A Stockbridge Hall; (413) 545-5714
email: rglickmandel@umass.edu

Department website: www.umass.edu/resec