Agricultural & Consumer Economics: Environmental Economics & Policy, BS

Overview

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Consumer Economics, Environmental Economics & Policy Concentration


Students in Environmental Economics and Policy study environmental and resource management issues at the local, state, national, and international levels. Graduates are prepared for positions in governmental, environmental, and resource management agencies; interest groups; and the environmental area of private firms. Course concentrations include law, policy, management, administration, quantitative methods, and sociology, as well as economics.

Degree Requirements

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Consumer Economics, Environmental Economics & Policy Concentration


Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours.

University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300 and 400 level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
fulfilled by ACE 100, ECON 103, ACE 210, and two other course approved as Social and Behavioral Sciences
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: U.S. Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-8
fulfilled by MATH 220, MATH 221, or MATH 234; and ACE 262
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15
Department Foundation
ACE 123Introduction to ACE2
ACE 100Introduction to Applied Microeconomics4
ECON 103Macroeconomic Principles3
ACE 161Computer Concepts & Applications3
or CS 105 Intro Computing: Non-Tech
Calculus Option - Select one of the following:4
Calculus
Calculus I
Calculus for Business I
ACCY 201Accounting and Accountancy I3
ACE 262Applied Statistical Methods and Data Analytics I3
ACE 264Applied Statistical Methods & Data Analytics 23
Communication Option3 or 6
Public Speaking
Let’s Talk about Food, Agriculture, and the Environment
Oral & Written Comm I
and Oral & Written Comm II
Minimum of 6 additional hours of Social & Behavioral Sciences 6
ACE 341Careers and Professionalism1 or 2
ACE 300Intermediate Applied Microeconomics3
ACE International Course or Study Abroad Experience Option - Select one of the following:3
Environment and Development
Global Agribusiness Management
International Business Immersion
Agriculture in Intl Dev
The Latin American Economies
International Trade in Food and Agriculture
Environmental Economics & Policy Concentration19
ACE 210Environmental Economics & Policy3
ACE 310Natural Resource Economics3
ACE 406Environmental Law3
ACE 410Energy Economics and Policy3
ACE 411Environment and Development3
Advanced Environmental Economics & Policy Option - Select one of the following:4
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
GIS in Natural Resource Mgmt
Intermediate GIS and Spatial Analysis
Minimum hours in the College of ACES, 20 of which must be in the Department of ACE35
Total Hours126

Sample Sequence

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Consumer Economics, Environmental Economics & Policy Concentration


This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. The introduction to applied microeconomics and macroeconomics courses do not count toward the social science general education requirement. Students must take 6 hours above and beyond these two courses to meet the social and behavioral sciences requirement.  For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year

First Semester

RequirementsHours
ACE 100 - Introduction to Applied Microeconomics4
ACE 123 - Introduction to ACE2
Calculus Option4
Communication Option or Composition I3
Language Other Than English (3rd level)4
Semester Hours17

Second Semester

RequirementsHours
ACE 161 - Computer Concepts & Applications or CS 105 - Intro Computing: Non-Tech3
Composition I or Communication Option4
General Education course3
ECON 103 - Macroeconomic Principles3
General Education course3
Semester Hours16

Second Year 

First Semester

RequirementsHours
ACCY 201 - Accounting and Accountancy I3
ACE 262 - Applied Statistical Methods and Data Analytics I3
ACE 210 - Environmental Economics & Policy3
General Education course3
General Education course3
Semester Hours15

Second Semester

RequirementsHours
ACE 310 - Natural Resource Economics3
ACE 264 - Applied Statistical Methods & Data Analytics 23
ACE 300 - Intermediate Applied Microeconomics3
ACE 341 - Careers and Professionalism1
General Education course3
General Education course3
Semester Hours16

Third Year 

First Semester

RequirementsHours
ACE 411 - Environment and Development3
General Education course3
Advanced Environmental Economics & Policy Option4
ACE or ACES Elective course3
Free Elective course3
Semester Hours16

Second Semester

RequirementsHours
ACE International course or Study Abroad Experience3
General Education course3
General Education course3
Free Elective course4
Free Elective course3
Semester Hours16

Fourth Year 

First Semester

RequirementsHours
ACE 406 - Environmental Law3
ACE 410 - Energy Economics and Policy3
ACE or ACES Elective course4
Free Elective course2
Free Elective course3
Semester Hours15

Second Semester

RequirementsHours
ACE 476 - Behavioral Economics and Financial Decision Making3
ACE or ACES Elective course3
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course or 400-level ACE Elective course3
Semester Hours15

Total Hours

Total hours for all requirements: 126

Learning Outcomes

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Consumer Economics, Environmental Economics & Policy Concentration


  1. ACE students will acquire broad and deep knowledge of Agricultural and Consumer Economics.
  2. ACE students will develop a critical and reflective orientation toward global systems (such as natural, environmental, social, cultural, economic, and political) and cultural differences (such as race, indigeneity, gender, class, sexuality, language, and disability).
  3. ACE students will develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
  4. ACE students will develop their ability to communicate in a variety of settings.
  5. ACE students will build and sustain productive relationships to be effective leaders who can respond to civic and social challenges at local, national, and global levels, creating positive change in their communities.
  6. Study challenges in environmental, energy, and resource management from local water pollution to global climate change. Learn how to use economics to understand those challenges and to design effective policy and management solutions for them. Develop data science skills to analyze spatial data and quantify relationships between human well-being, policy, pollution, and resource quality.

Contact Information

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Consumer Economics, Environmental Economics & Policy Concentration


Agricultural Consumer Economics

Agricultural Consumer Economics Website
326 Mumford Hall
1301 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-1810
ace-aces@illinois.edu

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

College Website

Office of Academic Programs

128 Mumford Hall
1301 West Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-3380
aces-academics@illinois.edu

Advising

ACE Advising Website
217-333-1810
ace-aces@illinois.edu

Admissions

ACES Undergraduate Admissions
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
217-333-3380
visitACES@illinois.edu