B.Sc. Natural Resource Sciences (Specialisation «Environmental Systems and Sustainable Development»)

The Agricultural and Resource Economics Research Group engages in sich in the Specialisation «Environmental Systems and Sustainable Development» of the Bachelor studies Natural Resource Sciences.

Module Nature and Society 2

Megatrends are transforming the face of our world. Slowly, but considerably and long-lasting. Globalisation, urbanisation and digitisation show changes, that are currently taking place and will shape our life and economy.

Further information: Module Nature and Society 2, Block neo-ecology and dealing with complexity (in German only)

Semester and Bachelor theses

During the program, 2 term papers and the bachelor thesis are carried out. The Research Group Agricultural and Resource Economics provides up to 10 topics for selection each year. These topics often refer to the current research projects carried out by the research group. Examples for topics:

• How Climate Change Influences Grain Maize Yield: A Case Study for the Canton of Berne
• Economic valuation of biodiversity in Switzerland and selected EU countries: a systematic review of the literature.
• Nudging companies to promote sustainable use of natural resources: a systematic literature review
• Weather index insurance for smallholder farmers in Ghana
• Emmi Group's contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – overall assessment and focus analysis
• An analysis of the effectiveness of political measures to protect biodiversity using the example of the Swiss cantons
• How can European agriculture contribute to EU climate protection goals?
• Benefit indicators for the valuation of ecosystem services in Switzerland
• Tragedies of alpine pasture: Types of alpine pasture goods and solution sets for the sustainable use of limited natural resources
• How can policy promote the provision of ecosystem services?
• How much does water cost in Switzerland?
• Links between climate change and trade in agricultural and food products

Master of Science (MSc) in Environment and Natural Resources

The Agricultural and Resource Economics Research Group engages in the Master of Science (MSc) in Environment and Natural Ressources in the the Agroecology and Food Systems specialisation.

Module Environmental Economics

Content

• introduction and overview of environmental economics, sustainability, economic growth, principle of (micro-)economics
• ​environmental economics, sustainability, economic growth 
• climate change economics + introduction to group work assignment
• market failures and the need for environmental policy
• pollution as a market failure
• conomics of pollution control: Instruments (an overview)
• economic growth and the environment
• valuing the environment via stated and revealed preferences
• exploiting and managing natural resources – non-renewables
• renewable resources - fisheries
• written exam
• presentation and discussion of group work

Project Work in Research Group (PWRU) and Master's Theses

When registering for the program, students must choose one of three MRUs (Master Research Unit) and a research group. Approximately half of the MSc program takes the form of project work (Project Work in Research Group PWRG1 and PWRG2) and a master's thesis. Research group staff guide students through this process.

PWRGs and master theses within the Research Group Agricultural and Resource Economics usually relate to the current research projects being conducted by the Research Group. However, students also have the opportunity to suggest their own topics.

The following list of topics for PWRGs and master theses gives a first impression of the research topics in our research group:

• Assessing economic value of the ecosystem service «Regulation of organisms detrimental to humans»
• Developing a concept for a choice experiment to assess Swiss population willingness-to-pay for biodiversity conservation
• Achieving net-zero 2050 – Investigating the potential for reducing CO2 emissions in the construction sector
• Perception and appreciation of biodiversity: ethical and socio-economic aspects
• Deriving a monetary value for the Nature Contribution to People (NCP) «Physical and Psychological Experience»
• A critical overview of Financial Sector Biodiversity Assessment Tools
• Maschinen-Sharing in der Schweizer Landwirtschaft: eine verhaltensökonomische Analyse zur Bereitschaft der Schweizer Landwirte für kooperative Formen der Maschinennutzung