ECON 3500 - Resource and Environmental Economics III
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code ECON 3500 Course Resource and Environmental Economics III Coordinating Unit Economics Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Assumed Knowledge ECON 2514 or ECON 2516 Assessment Typically a project, presentations, tutorial assignments and final exam Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Stephanie McWhinnie
Office location: Nexus 10, Level 3, Room 3.34
Office hour: will be posted on MyUniCourse Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:1 Apply economic analysis to the management of the environment and natural resources. 2 Analyse theoretical and empirical research in environmental and natural resource economics. 3 Explain how relevant economic theory and empirical applications can be used to address contemporary environmental and natural resource issues. 4 Demonstrate good inter-personal and communication skills through giving group presentations, policy communication, and contributing to critical discussion. University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1, 2 & 3 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1, 2 & 3 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
4 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
3 & 4 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
3 & 4 Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
3 & 4 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
3 & 4 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Textbook: Aruga, Kentaka (2022) Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Springer International Publishing. Available to download on MyUni via library, no purchase required.
In addition to the textbook we will be specifically referring to a selection of journal articles, these will be linked on MyUni.Recommended Resources
Access to a textbook from Intermediate Microeconomics/Managerial Economics may be helpful as the content is the assumed knowledge of this course.
There are many interesting references in this field as it is a very active and issue-driven area of economics. For your further reference you might like to consider the following journals, available at, or online through, the Library. I am happy to recommend further material upon request.
- Journal of Environmental Economics and Management
- Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists
- Land Economics
- Ecological Economics
- Environment and Resource Economics
- Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Online Learning
All course material including lecture notes and recordings, assessment information and material, readings and announcements will be provided on MyUni. Students are expected to check there regularly. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Lectures cover the key concepts of each topic through a combination of theoretical analysis and empirical evidence. Tutorials will consolidate your understanding of course material by working through analytical problems and expand your understanding of related material through group discussion of academic journal articles. You should use the relevant sections of the textbook and other assigned readings to enhance your understanding of topics covered in the lectures and tutorials.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This translates to 12 hours per week for a semester course.Learning Activities Summary
The first part of the course deals with the environment, paying particular attention to pollution and policy. We will introduce and consider issues relating to externalities, sustainability and valuation of the environment.
The second part of the course deals with models of renewable resources, with a particular focus on fisheries and forests. We will consider the domestic and international management implications of these models and discuss the empirical evidence on fisheries depletion, deforestation and management techniques.Teaching & Learning Activities Related Learning Outcomes Lectures - core concepts 1,2 Tutorials - working through examples 1,2 Tutorials - group presentations of academic articles 2,3,4 -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Due Date/ Week Weight Length(Word,Time) Learning Outcomes Tutorial Assignments (best 4 out of 5) 20% N/A 1,3 Group Presentation Week TBA 10% 1,2,3,4 Active Tutorial Participation Weeks TBA 5% N/A 2,4 Policy Communication Week TBA 20% 1,2,3,4 Final Exam Week TBA 45% 3 hours 1,2 Total 100% Assessment Related Requirements
Legible hand-writing and the quality of English expression are considered to be integral parts of the assessment process, and may affect marks.Assessment Detail
Assignments: The five assignments will include a mix of question types including: analytical and numerical problems; and short answer and essay questions. Only your best four out of five assignments will count towards your grade.
Group Presentation: Each tutorial section will be broken into small groups of students, each group will together be responsible for giving one 15-20 minute critical presentation of an academic journal article. A detailed assessment outline and criteria will be given at the start of the course.
Active Tutorial Participation: Participation in discussion of analytical problems and the articles presented by other groups is important to aid development of critical analysis skills.
Policy Communication: Students will prepare an explanatory, analytical, summary of a contemporary resource or environmental policy change. The summary will be submitted as either a short video communication or short written policy brief. A detailed assessment outline and criteria will be given at the start of the course.
Final Exam: The three-hour final exam will include analytical and numerical problems, and short answer and essay questions.Submission
All assignments are to be submitted as directed on the due dates. Should you wish to hand your assessment in late, it will be accepted but will be subject to a 20% penalty per day late (i.e. up to 24 hours late = 20% penalty, 24 to 48 hours late = 40% penalty, ... 96 to 120 hours late = 100% penalty). Lateness due to medical or compassionate reasons, supported by appropriate documents, will not be subject to penalty.
It is intended that all assessment will be returned within two weeks.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
A summary of and response regarding past SELTs for this course is available on MyUni. -
Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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