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Course List

AAE 150C3 Sustaining Life: The Global Economy of Food

This course describes the operational fundamentals of the global food system, ranging from smaller-scale subsistence or organic production to the larger-scale commercial food trade. Consumer food behavior, both local and international, represents a core analytical issue in this class. A consistent thread throughout the course is the evaluation of the role of markets to efficiently and effectively allocate food resources for individuals and societies.

Course Syllabus: AREC 150C3 Fall 2025

AAE 150E The Colorado River: Competing for Water in the American West

Critical analysis of the development of water and land use in the Colorado River watershed including property rights, water management approaches, and regulatory regimes. Guided interrogation of  issues of power, unequal resource access, enduring effects of colonization, and impacts of land and resource concessions on indigenous communities in the context of the Colorado River Basin. Data about water allocations, agricultural production, and population growth are used to frame and question the trends of sustainable growth in the Southwest in the face of climate change.

AAE 197C Marginal Analysis for Applied Economists

The course focuses on the mathematical foundations for the primary mode of analysis con­ducted in agricultural and resource economics: the gain or loss in an output from an incremental change in an input. The purpose of the course is to provide students with the tools necessary to understand the theoretical models used in economics and conduct marginal analysis on these models.

Course Syllabus: AREC 197C Fall 2025

AAE 210 Understanding the World of Commerce

This course provides students with 1) a survey of business organizations as major institutions and the role of individuals as consumers, future entrepreneurs, and employees; 2) knowledge of the formal business and market structures that make economies work; and 3) informed opinions about socio-cultural issues based on knowledge about economic theory. It offers an overview of entrepreneurial thinking and problem-solving in the context of relations between the world of commerce and life sciences.

Course Syllabus: AREC/PPEL 210 Fall 2025

AAE 217 Economics of Food and Agriculture: Sustainable Solutions for a Changing World

Practical application of economic theory to understand and analyze current issues and events surrounding food, natural resources, the environment, and sustainable solutions to rising problems. Current policy debates and diverse perspectives are used to demonstrate the process of translating economic problems and social science methods into researchable questions, using quantitative methods and tools.

Course Syllabus: AAE 217 Fall 2026

AAE 239 Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis

This is an introductory course in statistics and probability. This course deals with applied data analysis, probability concepts, and statistical inference including confidence intervals and hypothesis testing. Applications and examples will be drawn from life and social sciences.

Course Syllabus: AREC 239 Spring 2026

AAE 297 Excel Applications for Economic Analysis

Data can help us discover the facts and Excel is an effective means to explore data. In general, agricultural economics and management increasingly rely on quantitative analyses to understand the economy and make decisions. The main objective of this course is to help students develop basic skills in quantitative and statistical analysis with Excel to (1) present an agricultural issue with data, graphs, and charts; and (2) confidently interpret and use descriptive statistics encountered everyday as well as in upper-level classes.

Course Syllabus: AREC 297 Spring 2026

AAE 315 Agribusiness Economics and Management

Essential economic concepts and analytical tools for agribusiness managers are developed and applied to current business challenges and opportunities. Emphasis placed on decision tools, budgeting, entrepreneurship, strategy, organization and relationship management.

Course Syllabus: AAE 315 Fall 2026

AAE 360 The Poverty and Development of Nations

Exploration and analysis of the multi-dimensionality of hunger, poverty, and economic growth, with special emphasis on the cases of lower-income nations. Both microeconomic (e.g. technology, education) and macroeconomic (e.g. foreign aid, trade) factors are examined.

Course Syllabus: AREC 360 Spring 2026

AAE 365 The Food Economy - Efficiencies, Gaps and Policies

Few questions are more fundamental than how we feed the world's people. Yet, the coexistence of food insecurity and food waste begs the question: how can we feed the population efficiently, sustainably, and equitably? This course familiarizes students with the food economy and its efficiencies while identifying where gaps occur as food flows from producers to consumers. These gaps frequently lead to food insecurity with a less healthy populous, as well as food waste, an issue in more developed societies. By examining 1) the food supply chain and markets, 2) food insecurity, 3) food loss and waste along the food supply chain and 4) food policies through the lens of marginalized populations, students will gain insights into the economic forces that shape the food system. This course stimulates critical thinking and problem solving through economic, nutritional science and policy-making perspectives, which may lead to potential resolutions for those who struggle to afford and consume healthy, wholesome foods.

Course Syllabus: AREC/NAFS/NSC 365 Fall 2025

AAE 397C Applied Research with Data in Food and Resource Economics

This course gives students hands-on experience with research in the broad area of food and resource economics. Students practice collecting, assembling, and analyzing data for empirical work. Using real-world data, students learn to answer important research questions. As a university-designated Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE) course, this course enables students to develop quantitative skills through an authentic research experience.

Course Syllabus: AREC 397c Spring 2026

AAE 464 Economics of Policy Analysis

Applied economic theory and method of policy analysis and public choice. Emphasis is on policies impacting agriculture and rural America-especially historical and continuing government intervention in agricultural markets.

Course Syllabus: AAE 464 Fall 2026

AAE 478 Economics of the Natural Environment

Economics is used to study the allocation, management, and ownership of such natural resources as air, fisheries, forests, global resources, minerals, natural areas, oil & gas, water, and wildlife. The course is comprised of theoretical models and detailed applications - including the relationship between economic development and environment, the economics of climate change, and the economics of public land management. Emphasis is placed on the causes and effects of alternative institutions governing the use of the natural environment with a focus on property rights, legal rules, regulations, and administrative agencies.

AAE 479 Economic Analysis of Water, Food & Environmental Policies

This course focuses on economic methods for designing and evaluating water, food, and environmental policies. Topics include optimizing water as an input in producing food, energy, recreation, and other ecosystem services; water & environmental issues in food production; pricing and conservation incentives; managing shortage risks; and economic tools for addressing conflicts over water, food, and the environment. Interactive seminar-style course. Calculus proficiency is required.

Course Syllabus: AREC 479/579 Spring 2025

AAE 497A Coding for Applied Economists

This workshop course is designed to give students the skills they need to code for economics, while also providing bits and pieces of information about programming more generally. It's suitable for complete beginners who have never written any code before. Throughout the course, programming assignments will focus on applications important for applied economists. The course also introduces technical concepts for causal inference.