MFARE Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics

Program Overview

The Master of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics focuses on two major fields of emphasis:

• Food and agricultural economics
• Natural resource and environmental economics.

The MFARE program provides an alternative pathway to graduate education related to the economics of food, agriculture, and natural resources, with an emphasis on skills acquisition and development of industry specific expertise. Through expanded course work requirements, students develop a breadth of exposure to empirical methods and analytical approaches to undertaking policy analysis and research, and enhanced communication skills.

Admission Requirements

Students entering the Master of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics program must have achieved  the University required minimum 70% (B-) average or equivalent.  Based on our experience, successful applicants tend to have a higher GPA, closer to 75% or Upper Second Class.  In addition, they are expected to have already taken, the following basic courses:

• Intermediate level micro- and macro-economic theory (ECON*2310 and ECON*2410 or equivalent)  *
• Calculus and matrix algebra with applications to economics (ECON*2770 or equivalent)
• Intermediate level statistics (ECON*3740 or equivalent)

*  Advanced microeconomic theory course at the undergraduate level is strongly recommended as preparation for the course work in the MFARE program.

The Graduate Program Committee examines each application before the student is proposed to the Office of Graduate Studies for admission into the program.

Degree Requirements

In order to satisfy the degree requirements of the course-based MFARE, students will complete successfully five core taught courses, a seminar course, and will select one of two streams. The minimum course work requirements (assuming all undergraduate background requirements have been met) are:

By the end of their first semester, students must choose one of these two streams:

Pass-by course option

In addition to the required courses, students must take four additional graduate courses as approved by the student's advisory committee. Students in this stream are restricted from taking FARE*6140, Major Paper in Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics. At least two of the elective courses must include a research experience, such as a research-based term paper or an independent research course. Students should consult with the Department Graduate Coordinator and Graduate Studies Committee to determine suitability of elective courses in meeting this research experience requirement.

Pass-by major paper option

In addition to the required courses, students must take two additional graduate courses as approved by the student's advisory committee, and:

MFARE Student Advising

All MFARE students in the Department are required to establish an Advisory Committee and submit the Advisory Committee Appointment form to the Office of Graduate Studies not later than the mid-point of the student’s second registered semester.  Until that time, they are advised by the Departmental Graduate Program Committee. 

The advisory committee comprises of at least two graduate faculty members, the chair of which committee is normally the advisor of the student's program.  The other member may be from the Department or another member of graduate faculty (who may be from another department when appropriate). 

The Advisory Committee is responsible for reviewing the progress of the student as well as the student's prescribed schedule of studies.  The Advisory Committee should be consulted prior to registration each semester.  The day-to-day responsibility of the students’ progress rests with the Advisor.  A list of prescribed courses for each student is agreed with the Advisory Committee.

Please note: The Master of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics program offered by the Department must follow all regulations of the Office of Graduate Studies. These are given in the University of Guelph's Graduate Calendar under General Regulations. In addition, there are specific regulations found in the Calendar for MSc degrees. The information provided in these pages is provided for guidance only.