PhD Emphasis in Economics and Environmental Science

EES Emphasis Director: Christopher Costello

Environmental and resource economics is the study of the connections between economics and the environment.

At the core of environmental economics is the recognition that markets often do not provide the right amount of environmental protection, and that some intervention by government, typically through regulation, tax policy, or the establishment of property rights, is frequently needed to strike the right balance between conflicting societal needs.

UCSB PhD students in the Bren School or the Economics Department may choose to supplement their PhD program by establishing an emphasis in Economics and Environmental Science (EES). Students who pursue this option acquire a deep and expert knowledge of economics, as well as an understanding and appreciation of the research questions and methods of a natural science that complements their economics research. The EES program typically starts in the second year of the PhD program, following successful completion of a first-year core sequence in microeconomics and econometrics.

Career Preparation

In an age when economic activity stresses the environment and utilizes fisheries, forests, minerals, energy sources, and other environmental resources, it is increasingly important to use economic tools in developing environmental approaches and policies. Armed with these tools, environmental economists are able to conceptualize economic problems related to environmental issues, then apply appropriate quantitative and qualitative techniques to design and implement appropriate research methods.

This dual emphasis uniquely prepares students for a wide variety of careers, including faculty positions in disciplinary departments (e.g. economics or agricultural economics) and multidisciplinary departments (environmental studies programs and graduate schools of the environment), and for non-academic careers in government, industry, and consulting.

Academic Preparation

Prospective UCSB students who are considering the EES emphasis should have interest in economics and the problems of environmental protection and natural-resource use. Because of the multidisciplinary nature of the emphasis, a variety of student backgrounds are entirely appropriate for EES. A master's degree is not necessary, though having one is a plus.

Although students need not have majored or minored in economics prior to entering the program, they should have been successful in their economics coursework, have an understanding of basic principles, and demonstrate a strong interest in the field. Students having little formal training in economics should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the nature of an economics graduate program and a career in economics.

It is desirable that participants have some training in natural science at the university level. Students should have taken one or more of the introductory sequences in biology, chemistry, and physics offered for science majors at most universities. Students having relatively little preparation in natural science are advised to remedy this deficiency during the year and the summer immediately preceding their enrollment in the EES emphasis at UCSB. This can be achieved, for instance, by enrolling in university physics and/or chemistry during the fall when applying to graduate school and then continuing the sequence through the remainder of the academic year.

It is important that all prospective students be well prepared in mathematics and have comfort and facility with quantitative methods and problems. Most successful EES students have done well in a rigorous course sequence in single and multivariate calculus. It is helpful to have taken such additional coursework as linear algebra, differential equations, real analysis, or mathematical statistics.

Academic Requirements

PhD students must satisfy all requirements in their home departments in addition to the emphasis requirements. Work completed in satisfaction of departmental PhD requirements may also be used to satisfy emphasis requirements. Students must complete and submit the EES Emphasis Verification Form after completing the requirements to formally add the emphasis to their degree. 

• Environmental and natural resource economics coursework. 16 units, including 8 units from the core courses in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (ECON 260 D, E, F, G, H, I, J), is required.
• Establish proficiency in a second field of economics. Establish proficiency in a second field of economics (in addition to environmental and natural resource economics) as defined by the Department of Economics, or alternatively, design a custom field that is approved by the EES Emphasis Director with the following components: The existence of a significant body of economic literature, sufficient breadth to be recognized as a field for teaching or research, and availability of Ph.D.-level coursework in support of the field.
• Seminar in economics and environmental science. Students must complete four quarters of Special Topics in Economics - Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (ECON 290).
• Field seminar. Students must enroll in one quarter of Collaborative Interdisciplinary Research at the Bren School (ESM 514).
• Natural science focus. Prior to being admitted to the emphasis, students work with their advisory committee to define an area of natural science to establish competency, such as applied ecology, climate, hydrology, or marine science. The focus will involve four to six courses of lectures, seminars, lab, research, and more. Students must select a UCSB faculty member to serve as their Natural Science Faculty Advisor. The faculty advisor may or may not be on their PhD committee, but the proposed natural science focus must be approved by their PhD committee. 
• Dissertation. Although the expectation is that a student's dissertation be a contribution to economics, the specific subject of the dissertation is a matter between the student and their PhD committee.