Degree requirements Sample curriculum

Focusing on environmental and resource management issues at local, state, national, and international levels, students learn how to assess the economic aspects of resource and environmental issues and find rewarding positions in government, industry, consulting firms, and public interest groups.

students working in a field with an instructor

Learn 

Study challenges in environmental, energy, and resource management from local water pollution to global climate change. Learn how to use economics to understand those challenges and to design effective policy and management solutions for them. Develop data science skills to analyze spatial data and quantify relationships between human well-being, policy, pollution, and resource quality.

Do

Conduct independent research on a topic you choose; past examples include food waste policy and the costs and benefits of recycling. Complete a summer internship at places like the Illinois Department of Natural Resources or Argonne National Lab. Join the Students for Environmental Concern and help evaluate proposals for campus sustainability.

Advance

Go to graduate school in environmental economics, public policy, or law. Influence policy working in legislative offices and government agencies charged with environmental and transportation policy. Help conservation and environmental advocacy groups be more effective. Promote sustainability from within industries like resource production, agribusiness, and energy.

Sample Curriculum

Environmental Economics and Policy 
Agricultural and Consumer Economics (ACE) Major (10KL5008BS)

NOTE: This is merely a sample schedule. It is not the only schedule by which classes may be taken.

First Year

Fall Courses & Hours   Spring Course & Hours  
ACE 100 4 ACE 161 3
ACES 101 2 RHET or CMN 1011 3-4
RHET or CMN 1011 3-4 MATH 124 or 2342 3-4
MATH 124 or 2202 3-4 ECON 103 3
Natural Sciences 3-5 Natural Sciences 3-5

1 An acceptable substitute is CMN 111/112.
2 Other acceptable math sequences are (MATH 125 and MATH 234) or (MATH 220 and MATH 231).

Second Year

Fall Course & Hours   Spring Course & Hours  
ACCY 201* 3 ACE 310* 3
ACE 262** 3 ACE 264** 3
ACE 210 3 ACE 300* 3
Soc/Behavioral Sciences 3 Soc/Behavioral Sciences 3
Cultural Studies 3 Cultural Studies 3
ACE 341 CP 1    

* Prerequisites:
ACCY 201: ACE 100 or ECON 102 or ECON 103; credit for or concurrent enrollment in remaining ACE 100, ECON 102, or ECON 103
ACE 262: MATH 124 
ACE 264: ACE 262 and Math 124 
ACE 300: ACE 100 or ECON 102
ACE 310: ACE 100 or ECON 102
**Students who started ACE/EEP in SP20 or earlier may meet their QR2 requirement with ACE 261 only, ACE 262/264, or ECON 202/203. Contact your advisor with any questions.

Third Year

Fall Course & Hours   Spring Course & Hours  
ACE 411* 3 400-level International1 3
Humanities 3 Humanities 3
Advanced Composition 3 Electives 6+
GEOG 379, NRES 454 or UP 418 3    
Electives 3+    

*Prerequisites:
ACE 411: ACE 300 or ECON 302
1 Choose from ACE 435, 436, 451, 452, or 455; May also be fulfilled by 3 hours of credit from studying abroad in an approved program

Fourth Year

Fall Course & Hours   Spring Course & Hours  
ACE or ACES Electives 6+ ACE or ACES Electives 6+
ACE 406* 3 Other Electives 6+
ACE 410* 3    

*Prerequisites:
ACE 406: ACE 403 or BADM 300 recommended
ACE 410: ACE 300 or ECON 302

Academic Advisor and Experiential Learning Coordinator
Chaya Sandler

304C Mumford Hall
217-300-8131
csandle2@illinois.edu

Concentrations covered: Consumer Economics and Finance; Environmental Economics and Policy; and Policy, International Trade and Development

ACE minors: Environmental Economics and Law, Food and Agribusiness Management, and International Development Economics

Schedule an appointment
Chaya Sandler