Environmental Economics and Strategy (ECON90016)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2025

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Overview

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The subject provides an understanding of the economic analysis of market and government decisions affecting the environment. Topics include economic principles used in analysing private sector decisions on resource use and preservation, externalities and public goods reasons for government intervention, the theory and practice of benefit cost analysis, case study illustrations to water, forests, greenhouse gases and biodiversity.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:



  • Apply economic tools of supply and demand, and of benefit cost analysis, to critically evaluate business and government decisions related to the use of the environment as a resource, as a waste disposal and as an amenity;
  • Describe and evaluate private sector decisions;
  • Critically evaluate the reasons for, and effects of, government intervention via taxes, subsidies, specifying property rights, rules and regulations and tradeable permits;
  • Apply economic concepts to analyse examples of real-world environmental issues, including population and economic growth, agricultural land, water, pollution and greenhouse gases and biodiversity.

Generic skills

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

  • Evaluation of ideas, views and evidence
  • Synthesis of ideas, views and evidence
  • Strategic thinking
  • Critical thinking
  • Application of theory to economic policy and business decision making
  • Statistical reasoning
  • Problem solving skills
  • Collaborative learning and team work
  • Negotiation and bargaining
  • Written communication
  • Oral communication

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Admission into or selection of one of the following:

  • MC-MGMT Master of Management
  • MC-MGMTACT Master of Management (Accounting)
  • MC-MGMTAFN Master of Management (Accounting and Finance)
  • MC-MGMTFIN Master of Management (Finance)
  • MC-MGMTHRE Master of Management (Human Resources)
  • MC-MGMTMKT Master of Management (Marketing)
  • GC-SUSTBUS Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business
  • MC-AEMTRCS Master of Applied Econometrics
  • MC-AECOENH Master of Applied Econometrics (Enhanced)
  • MC-IB Master of International Business

OR

Admission into a Graduate Program in Environmental Studies

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

MC-ECO Master of Economics

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Group assignment composed of a group report and a 30-minute presentation in group of 3-4 students. Presentation's slides must be sent to the lecturer who will post them on LMS.

  • 5000 words
Mid semester30%

End-of-semester examination  

  • 3 hours
Hurdle requirement: Successful completion of this subject requires a pass (50%) in the final exam.		During the examination period70%

Additional details

Important online examination information: This examination is the equivalent of a 2-hour assessment; however, students are provided with 3-hours to accommodate the time that will be required for typesetting of mathematical expressions and the uploading of documents.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Dates & times

Not available in 2025

Time commitment details

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours per semester

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.

  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 4 March 2025