IX. Graduate Programs

Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics

MFARE Program

The Master of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics focuses on two major fields of emphasis: 1) food and agricultural economics; and 2) 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

All students entering the MFARE program must have achieved the University required minimum 70% (B-) average or equivalent. In addition, they are expected to have already taken, the following basic courses:

  • Intermediate level micro-economic theory (ECON*2310 or equivalent)

  • Calculus and matrix algebra with applications to economics (ECON*2770 or equivalent)

  • Intermediate level statistics (ECON*3740 or equivalent).

  • Advanced microeconomic theory 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 & Postdoctoral Studies for admission into the program.

Program Requirements

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).

By the end of their first semester, students must choose one of the following two options.

Course Work and Major Research Paper

In order to satisfy the degree requirements of the course work and major research paper option, students will complete successfully five required courses, a seminar course (FARE*6800) and a research project course (FARE*6140) and two graduate courses approved by the student's advisory committee. The five required courses (assuming all undergraduate background requirements have been met) are:

FARE*6100 [0.50] The Methodologies of Economics
FARE*6380 [0.50] Applied Microeconomics for Agricultural Economists
FARE*6400 [0.50] Advanced Topics in Agricultural Economics
FARE*6910 [0.50] Applied Policy Analysis I
FARE*6970 [0.50] Applied Quantitative Methods for Agricultural Economists

Two graduate courses as approved by the student's advisory committee

FARE*6800 [0.00] Seminar in Agricultural Economics
FARE*6140 [1.00] Major Paper in Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics
Course Work

In order to satisfy the degree requirements of the course work option, students will complete successfully five required courses listed below plus four additional graduate courses approved by the student's advisory committee. Students in this option are restricted from taking FARE*6140.

FARE*6100 [0.50] The Methodologies of Economics
FARE*6380 [0.50] Applied Microeconomics for Agricultural Economists
FARE*6400 [0.50] Advanced Topics in Agricultural Economics
FARE*6910 [0.50] Applied Policy Analysis I
FARE*6970 [0.50] Applied Quantitative Methods for Agricultural Economists

Four additional graduate courses approved by the student’s advisory committee

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