Offered by: Agricultural Economics听(Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
Graduate students receive rigorous training in economic theory, institutional economics, and quantitative methods, with a focus on applying economic concepts and tools to identify, define, analyze, and solve economic problems in the agri-food sector and the environment. The ideal prior preparation is an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Economics or Economics, including undergraduate courses in intermediate economic theory (micro and macro), calculus, algebra, statistics, and econometrics.
Attention is given to analytical skills in the broad areas of agricultural and environmental economics. Students may specialize, by way of their research program, in agribusiness, resource economics, development, finance, marketing, trade, policy, and environmental economics. The program is intended to prepare graduates for rewarding careers in research, analysis, and decision-making in academia, private, NGO, and government sectors.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis Courses (24 credits)
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Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| AGEC 691 | M.Sc. Thesis 1. | 3 |
M.Sc. Thesis 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Thesis proposal development - problem statement.
|
| AGEC 692 | M.Sc. Thesis 2. | 3 |
M.Sc. Thesis 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Literature review for the thesis research. |
| AGEC 693 | M.Sc. Thesis 3. | 6 |
M.Sc. Thesis 3. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Develop hypotheses for testing and identify the appropriate method. |
| AGEC 694 | M.Sc. Thesis 4. | 6 |
M.Sc. Thesis 4. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Research to be undertaken on hypotheses testing and interpreting results. |
| AGEC 695 | M.Sc. Thesis 5. | 6 |
M.Sc. Thesis 5. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Writing of the final version of the thesis under the supervision of the Supervisory Committee to be submitted for graduation.
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Required Course (3 credits)
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Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| AGEC 690 | Seminar in Agricultural Economics. | 3 |
Seminar in Agricultural Economics. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Current research on economic problems of agriculture, the agri-food system and the environment through presentations by staff, students and special guests. Article discussion on the latest issues and methods in agricultural economics. |
Complementary Courses (18 credits)
6 credits, two theory courses chosen from:
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Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| ECON 610 | Microeconomic Theory 1. | 3 |
Microeconomic Theory 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This is the first in a two-course sequence in microeconomics. The core microeconomics sequence (ECON 610, ECON 611) provides a rigorous coverage of the economic foundation upon which economic fields are built. Most of the sequence is devoted to building up this foundation of consumer and firm optimisation (including choice under uncertainty), partial and general equilibrium, and welfare economics. The remainder of ECON 611 covers special topics that vary from year to year. These are likely to be drawn from the following: social choice; externalities and public goods; models of asymmetric information; the principal-agent framework; search; basic game theory. |
| ECON 620 | Macroeconomic Theory 1. | 3 |
Macroeconomic Theory 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course is the first in a two-course sequence in macroeconomics. The course offers a thorough treatment of the fundamentals of macroeconomic theory. Emphasis is placed on the construction of economic models with microeconomic foundations. Topics include market-clearing and non-market-clearing models, capital accumulation, business cycles, monetary policy and fiscal policy. |
or a theory course, at the 500 level or higher, approved by the Graduate Program Director.
At least 3 credits of quantitative methods course chosen from:
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Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| ECON 665 | Quantitative Methods. | 3 |
Quantitative Methods. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A survey of quantitative methods frequently used in economic research. Special emphasis will be placed upon the formulation and evaluation of econometric models. Illustrations will be drawn from the existing empirical literature in economics. Required for all Ph.D. students who have not taken Econometrics as a field. |
or a quantitative course, at the 500 level or higher, approved by the Graduate Program Director.
A minimum of 3 credits from the following:
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Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| AGEC 685 | Selected Topics in Agricultural Economics. | 3 |
Selected Topics in Agricultural Economics. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 This course is designed to permit students to explore agricultural economics topics that are not covered in other courses. Students may be asked to prepare a presentation or lead discussion on the selected topic for the benefit of other students and staff. (Pass/Fail grading.) |
Additional Complementary Courses: To complete the 45 credit program requirement from courses in your field or thesis area at the 500 level or higher in consultation with the Agricultural Economics Adviser.
