Environmental and Natural Resource Economics is the study of economics as it applies to environmental and natural resource problems and issues. It provides a powerful analytical framework for examining the relationships between natural resources and the environment, on the one hand, and the economic and political systems, on the other. Resource economists are trained in decision making, carefully weighing the choices about protecting, restoring, developing, and allocating natural resources for the greatest benefit to society.

• Students who want to assist in helping communities, governments, non-profit organizations, and private industry find innovative ways to protect the environment and use natural resources in a economically rational and ecologically sustainable way;
• Students who want to evaluate the impacts of public policies and market forces on the quality of the environment, use of natural resources, and policy options for improving environmental quality;
• Students who want to assess environmental and economic damages caused by pollution, oil spills, and waste disposal.
• Students who want jobs in natural resource related industries, such as tourism, oil, fisheries, agriculture, food, and support industries such as banking and consulting.