This is a stand-alone independent study designed by the student and faculty sponsor that involves frequent interaction between instructor and student. Qualitative and quantitative enrichment must be evident on the proposed contract before consent is given to undertake the study.

The Commonwealth Honors College thesis or project is intended to provide students with the opportunity to work closely with faculty members to define and carry out in-depth research or creative endeavors. It provides excellent preparation for students who intend to continue their education through graduate study or begin their professional careers. The student works closely with their 499Y Honors Research sponsor to pursue research on a topic or question of special interest to them in preparation for writing a 499T Honors Thesis or completing a 499P Honors Project.

Honors Thesis expectations are high. The intended end-product is a traditional research manuscript with accompanying artifact(s), all theses:
- are 6 credits or more of sustained research on a single topic, typically conducted over two semesters.
- begin with creative inquiry and systematic research.
- include documentation of substantive scholarly endeavor.
- culminate in an oral defense or other form of public presentation.

Honors Project expectations are high. The intended end-product is a traditional project manuscript with accompanying artifact(s), all projects:
- are 6 credits or more of sustained research on a single topic, typically conducted over two semesters.
- begin with creative inquiry and systematic research.
- include documentation of substantive scholarly endeavor.
- culminate in an oral defense or other form of public presentation.

Application of industrial organization and strategic behavior to industry, consumer and policy issues. Empirical analysis of market power, including market structure and performance, price discrimination, product differentiation, vertical control, cartel formation and sustainability, mergers, strategic behavior and firm organizations. Applied topics include branding, advertising, antitrust policy, consumer behavior and environmental applications.

This is a continuation of Applied Microeconomic Theory I (Res Econ 711). We will cover the following topics: general equilibrium analysis, social choice and welfare economics, introduction to noncooperative game theory and information economics.

Theory and applications of basic econometric methods. The focus is on linear models with multiple independent variables: Least Squares Regressions, including problems caused by violations of model assumptions and possible solutions; hypothesis testing; linear panel data models; treatment effect analysis; introduction to estimating systems of equations. At the end of the class, students will be able to conduct their own empirical research in a wide variety of applications and will be prepared for Res-Econ 703.

Not available at this time

Independent study and research on selected problems in resource economics.

This course introduces students to theoretical foundations and practical procedures of cost-benefit analysis (CBA) as applied to public natural resources and environmental projects, programs, and regulations. The course will cover critical discussion of strengths and weaknesses of CBA. Students will learn discounting, non-market valuation, and social welfare analysis. This course fulfills the General Education Integrative Experience requirement for BS-ResEc majors when taken with Res-Econ 394LI and Res-Econ 472.