IX. Graduate Programs

Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics

PhD Program

The PhD program in Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics focuses on two major fields of emphasis: 1) food and agricultural economics; and 2) natural resource and environmental economics.

Across these areas there is a focus on both developed and developing countries. Students in the PhD program focus on an area of specialization relevant to their thesis research, plus complete courses in microeconomic theory and economic research methods. All students must complete and defend a thesis in their chosen area of specialization.

Admission Requirements

Minimum University of Guelph admission requirements for a Doctoral program include: 1) a satisfactory baccalaureate; and 2) at the very minimum a 'B' average in a recognized Master's degree. Students entering the PhD program are expected to have satisfied the requirements, or their equivalents, of the department's MSc degree in Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics. All applicants are required to submit valid GRE (General exam only) scores directly to the department prior to the departmental application deadline.

In cases where a student's master's degree is not equivalent to that offered by the department, the student may initially be accepted into the MSc program and may then apply for transfer to the PhD program at some time during the first three semesters. Applications for transfer must be supported by the Graduate Program Committee and approved by the Board of Graduate Studies. The student does not have to complete all the requirements of the MSc before transferring to the PhD program, but must achieve high academic standing.

Degree Requirements

Students enrolled in the PhD program must successfully complete a program of at least ten taught courses that prepare them for the various elements of the qualification examination and thesis research, as outlined below. However, students that are able to demonstrate a satisfactory level of competence in any of these requirements may have these course requirements adjusted accordingly, subsequent to evaluation and the decision of the Graduate Program Committee.

Microeconomic Theory:
ECON*6000 [0.50] Microeconomic Theory I
ECON*6010 [0.50] Microeconomic Theory II
Economic Research Methods:
ECON*6140 [0.50] Econometrics I
ECON*6160 [0.50] Econometrics II
FARE*6100 [0.50] The Methodologies of Economics
FARE*6970 [0.50] Applied Quantitative Methods for Agricultural Economists
Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics
FARE*6920 [0.50] Applied Policy Analysis II
FARE*6400 [0.50] Advanced Topics in Agricultural Economics
Plus ONE from the following:
FARE*6940 [0.50] Food Firms, Consumers and Markets II
FARE*6960 [0.50] Natural Resource Economics II

Plus ONE other graduate course approved by the student’s advisory committee.

Students may also be permitted to take other courses as substitutes for the above, subject to approval by the Departmental Graduate Program Committee.

Qualifying Examination

It should be noted that successful completion of the above courses is not necessarily sufficient for qualification to PhD candidacy.

Students are expected to complete successfully the qualifying examination in microeconomic theory that aims to assess a student's understanding of key theoretical concepts. Students are allowed two attempts at this qualifying examination. Students are expected to write the first attempt at this exam in the Summer semester of their first year and (i.e. their third semester in the program), if necessary, the second attempt in the Fall semester of their second year (i.e. their fourth semester in the program).Students that fail the examination at the second attempt will not be permitted to continue.

University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
519-824-4120