NA0202, Resources, economics, and markets, 7.5 Hp
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Syllabus

Finalized by: Ordföranden för programnämnden för utbildning inom skog (PN-S), 2024-12-10
Valid from : Autumn semester 2025 (2025-09-01)

Level

Second cycle (A1N)

Main field of study

Economics

Grading Scale

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Course language

English

Entry Requirements

Objectives

After completing the course, the student will be able to

• explain and discuss the multiple roles of forest resources for sustainable development;
• explain the economic principles of natural resource management;
• explain and discuss supply of and demand for forest-based materials and final forest products;
• describe and explain common forms and effects of market failures; and
• analyse, discuss and evaluate trade-offs between ecosystem services, and multiple-use forest management.

Content

The course starts by discussing the role of forests in sustainable development and continues by explaining how economic principles affect the management of natural resources, particularly forest resources. Supply and demand for forest raw materials, both timber and biomass, are then discussed, along with the supply and demand for forest-based products. Questions that are analyzed are fore example how the demand for sawn timber products affects the supply of biomass for, e.g., bioenergy. The course then analyzes how markets are influenced by market failures, such as monopolies, and how this affects the supply of forest-based products. Finally, the course analyzes and evaluates the trade-offs that forest owners need to make between different types of ecosystem services using numerical optimization and simulation methods.

The course includes lectures and exercises where the student analyses and assess real cases, as well as tasks to communicate their conclusions both orally and in writing.

Further the course includes active participation in seminars and guest lectures.

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

- Approved examination - Passed assignments

Responsible Department/Equivalent

Department of Forest Economics

Supplementary information

Module set

Title	Credits	Code
Resources and markets - exam	5.0	0001
Seminar	2.5	0002

The Course Replaces

NA0200

Other Information

SLU is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001. Many of our courses address knowledge and skills that contribute positively to the environment. To further strengthen this, we have specific environmental goals for education. Students are welcome to suggest measures in the course design and implementation that lead to environmental improvements. For more information, see SLU’s website, www.slu.se. SLU is also a PRME-certified university, Principles for Responsible Management Education (http://www.unprme.org/).