GY222
Applied Environmental Economics
This information is for the 2015/16 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Susana Mourato STC. S420 and Prof Eric Neumayer STC. S503
Availability
This course is compulsory on the BSc in Environment and Development and BSc in Environmental Policy with Economics. This course is available on the BA in Geography and BSc in Geography with Economics. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.
Course content
This course is an introduction to economic principles in the analysis of environmental change and natural resource use, and in designing appropriate policy responses. The first part of the course largely covers the concepts and tools of environmental economics, while the second part applies these concepts and tools to specific challenges for real world policy-making. Topics to be covered include: the evaluation of regulatory and market based instruments in controlling pollution; moral suasion and voluntary regulation; economics of natural resource use; economic growth, the environment and sustainable development; cost-benefit analysis and environmental valuation; economics of biodiversity and ecosystem services conservation; trade and the environment; green finance; behavioural and happiness economics and the environment.
Teaching
15 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the MT. 15 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT.
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce a minimum of two (non-assessed) essays during the year and will also be expected to give class presentations.
Indicative reading
Detailed reading lists will be provided to support each course component. For an overview and introduction to the main issues covered by the course students may wish to consult the following: N Hanley and EB Barbier, Pricing Nature: Cost-Benefit Analysis and Environmental Policy, 2009; J Kahn, The Economic Approach to Environmental and Natural Resources, 3rd ed. 2005; B Field and M Field, Environmental Economics, 6th ed. 2012; DW Pearce, G Atkinson and S Mourato, Cost-Benefit Analysis and the Environment: Recent Developments, 2006; E Neumayer, Weak Versus Strong Sustainability: Exploring the Limits of Two Opposing Paradigms, 4th Edition, 2013.
Assessment
Exam (75%, duration: 3 hours) in the main exam period.
Essay (25%, 2000 words).
Student performance results
(2012/13 - 2014/15 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| First | 27.3 |
| 2:1 | 43.8 |
| 2:2 | 20.3 |
| Third | 3.9 |
| Fail | 4.7 |
Key facts
Department: Geography & Environment
Total students 2014/15: 77
Average class size 2014/15: 15
Capped 2014/15: No
Lecture capture used 2014/15: Yes (MT & LT)
Value: One Unit
PDAM skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
Course survey results
(2012/13 - 2014/15 combined)
1 = "best" score, 5 = "worst" scoreThe scores below are average responses.
Response rate: 78%
Question |
Average | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reading list (Q2.1) |
2.3 | ||||||
Materials (Q2.3) |
2.2 | ||||||
Course satisfied (Q2.4) |
1.9 | ||||||
Lectures (Q2.5) |
1.8 | ||||||
Integration (Q2.6) |
1.7 | ||||||
Contact (Q2.7) |
2 | ||||||
Feedback (Q2.8) |
2.1 | ||||||
Recommend (Q2.9) |
|
