Undergraduate Programs: Academic Programs
The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Colorado State University offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Agricultural Business and Agricultural Economics, as well as a minor in Agricultural and Resource Economics. Within the Agricultural Economics degree, the department offers concentrations in Agricultural Economics, Natural Resource Economics, and Farm and Ranch Management. There are also four structured double major programs available through partnerships with Animal Sciences, Equine Sciences, Soil and Crop Sciences, and Natural Resource Management.
Major in Agricultural Business
About the Agricultural Business Major
The agricultural business major teaches students the operating techniques and business skills used in the modern food and fiber industry. The industry requires a variety of businesses to distribute, process, package, and market agricultural commodities including grain elevators, slaughterhouses, farm real estate firms, bakers, egg processors, canners, trucking companies, breweries, fresh produce centers, wholesalers, retailers, and restaurants. Other businesses supply agricultural producers with capital, fuel, machinery, fertilizer, and management services, including farm credit services, commercial banks, farm management companies, farm supply coops, feed mills, machinery dealers, and fertilizer and seed companies.
In addition to general requirements and agricultural economics and business courses, majors take agricultural law, agricultural sciences, communications, and statistics. Advanced courses in business areas are available for more specialized study. Strong interdisciplinary coordination in the department allows majors in agricultural business to strengthen their technical training by simultaneously completing a second major in animal sciences, equine science, or soil and crop sciences.
Learning Outcomes
Successful students will demonstrate:
- Technical competency including appropriate use of economic theory in formulating analytical problems, identifying and gathering appropriate data, and employing appropriate economic methods to analyze those problems, utilizing appropriate available computer technology;
- Ability to solve real-world problems beyond the pedagogical context. Students will be able to identify a problem and its scope, evaluate resources to address the problem, formulate alternative solutions, and select the solution(s) most consistent with a stated objective;
- Proficiency in oral and written communication including the ability to communicate critically and analytically at a professional level.
Potential Occupations
Although several students from farms and ranches choose this major each year, a variety of business-oriented students have found careers in this highly diverse industry. Graduates seek and find careers in management, marketing, sales, and agricultural finance. Participating in internships and cooperative education opportunities is highly recommended to enhance practical training and development. Graduates who pursue advanced studies can attain more responsible positions with the possibility of rising to top professional levels.
Some examples include, but are not limited to, agricultural loan officer; commodity merchandiser; commodity broker; feedlot manager; elevator manager; farm supply manager; flour mill territory manager; landscape contractor; mortgage broker; farm real estate appraiser, grain merchandiser; agricultural chemical representative; and farm machinery company representative.
Major in Agricultural Economics
About the Agricultural Economics Major
Agricultural economics focuses on the production and marketing of agricultural products while natural resource economics focuses on the supply and demand for natural resources and the impacts of economic activity on resource availability and the environment. Economic theory provides a framework for understanding agricultural and resource issues, predicting the likely effects of government policies and regulations, and devising solutions to pressing economic and environment problems. Most decisions by governments, businesses, or individuals must weigh tradeoffs or balance costs and benefits. Most human endeavors involve the production, distribution, or consumption of goods and services.
In addition to general requirements and agricultural economics and business courses, majors take agricultural law, agricultural sciences, communications, and statistics. Advanced courses in business areas are available for more specialized study. Strong interdisciplinary coordination in the department allows majors in agricultural business to strengthen their technical training by simultaneously completing a second major in animal sciences, equine science, or soil and crop sciences.
Agricultural Economics Concentration
The curriculum in the agricultural economics concentration begins with classes in agricultural economics, physical and biological sciences, and technical agriculture. During the junior and senior years, students select courses in advanced agricultural economics, mathematics, statistics, and economic theory.
Farm and Ranch Management Concentration
In addition to economics courses, the farm and ranch management concentration requires courses in physical and biological sciences, technical agriculture, and business.
Natural Resource Economics Concentration
In the natural resource economics concentration, agricultural and natural resource economics, physical and biological sciences, and social sciences are required the first two years. Juniors and seniors complete advanced classes in natural resource economics, economic theory, statistics, and mathematics. To strengthen their technical training, students concentrating in natural resource economics can simultaneously complete a second major in natural resource management with few additional credit hours.
Learning Outcomes
Successful students will demonstrate:
- Technical competency including appropriate use of economic theory in formulating analytical problems, identifying and gathering appropriate data, and employing appropriate economic methods to analyze those problems, utilizing appropriate available computer technology;
- Ability to solve real-world problems beyond the pedagogical context. Students will be able to identify a problem and its scope, evaluate resources to address the problem, formulate alternative solutions, and select the solution(s) most consistent with a stated objective;
- Proficiency in oral and written communication including the ability to communicate critically and analytically at a professional level.
Potential Occupations
Agricultural and resource economists are employed in a wide range of fields from education and research to business and government. Profit and non-profit organizations employ economists in overseas and community development, international relations, and environmental and conservation analyses. Students in the farm and ranch management concentration find careers in management, marketing of agricultural products and sales of feed, fertilizer, and other inputs to farmers and ranchers. Participation in internships, volunteer activities, and cooperative education opportunities is highly recommended to enhance practical training and development. Graduates who go on for advanced studies can attain more responsible positions with the possibility of rising to top professional levels.
Some examples include, but are not limited to, financial analyst; foreign trade analyst; market forecaster; commodities/stock broker; agriculture production analyst; energy resource analyst; environmental researcher/analyst; agriculture and resource policy analyst; natural resource analyst; environmental pollution analyst; environmental policy analyst; economic analyst/forecaster; land use planner; overseas development specialist; rural community organizer; community development specialist; extension agent; wholesaler; importer or exporter; feedlot manager; manager of agricultural business; farm/ranch manager; farm machinery company representative; agricultural loan officer; livestock feed marketing representative; livestock pharmaceutical product representative; commodity futures broker; farm and ranch appraiser; agricultural consultant.
Minor in Agricultural and Resource Economics
The minor identifies students who have completed an integrated set of courses in agricultural and resource economics. Areas of study in the minor include agricultural production management, financial management, marketing management, international development and trade, natural resources, and environmental economics.