Updated on 29 January 2015

Eco 373: Economics of Environment and Natural Resources

Spring 2015

Instructor: Bo Li (bo.li.3@stonybrook.edu)

Lectures: MON and FRI 1:00-2:20 PM, Melville Library W4540

Office Hours: MON 2:30-3:30 PM, Social Behavior Science Building N624

Textbook: Environmental and Natural Resource Economics 10th edition, Author: Tom Tietenberg, Lynne
Lewis

Description:
The environment and natural resources are valuable assets. This course uses economics to develop guidelines
for choices about use and management of these scarce resources in the context of competing private and
public demands. The roles of incentives and market forces in creating and solving environmental problems
are central. Selected topics include valuation of environmental services, valuing human life, benefit-cost
analysis, sustainability, recycling, and climate change policy. Successful completion of this course should
facilitate application of economics to current environmental problems and policy.

Prerequisites: C or higher in ECO 303

Exam Grading:
There will be 3 midterms and a final, which will be cumulative. The final is optional. If you take the final,
the highest three scores will be picked and calculated into your final grade. Each one counts 28%. If you are
satisfied with your 3 midterm grades, you can avoid the final. In this case, each midterm counts 28%. The
exam part will count for 84% in you final grade. There are no make-up exams. The only way to make up for
a missed midterm is to take finals. The final exam is schedule on May 19, 2:15-5:00 PM.
For each exam, you can use a calculator but cannot share calculators during exams. Exams will not be
returned, but you will always be able to come during office hours to discuss your grades and how you can
improve on the material. If you are caught cheating in any exam, your case will be taken to the appropriate
administration official.

In Class Presentation:
You are required to give a 15 minutes presentation within the field of environmental economics and resource
economics. You must discuss with me about the topic, papers or report that you choose before the third
midterm. All presentation topics should get approved by me. You will get priority to choose the time slot if
you talk to me earlier and decide your topic earlier. The presentation will need 5 students in a group. Each
team member should make contributions to the presentation. The presentation will be scheduled in the last 3
lectures, each lecture five or four groups. The performance of presentation will count for 16% in the final
grade. Each member in the group will get the same grade for the presentation part.

Blackboard:
You can access class information on-line at: http://blackboard.stonybrook.edu.

Please check Blackboard regularly for posted assignments and other announcements. For problems logging
in, go to the helpdesk in the Main Library SINC Site or the Union SINC Site, you can also call: 631-632-9602
or e-mail: helpme@stonybrook.edu

Important notes:

Important updates will be posted on Blackboard. You should check it frequently.

Please write your exam answers clearly. If I can't read it, you will not get credit.

You are required to use PPT or substitutes to give presentation, and send me the file by email after
the presentation.

Disclaimer:
Subsequent changes can be made to any part of this Syllabus when necessary. Any changes will be
announced in class and the new version of the syllabus will be posted in blackboard.

Americans with Disabilities Act:

If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course
work, please contact Disability Support Services, ECC (Educational Communications Center)
Building, room128, (631) 632-6748. They will determine with you what accommodations, if any,
are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.

Academic Integrity:

Each student must pursue his or her academic goals honestly and be personally accountable for all
submitted work. Representing another person's work as your own is always wrong. Faculty are
required to report any suspected instances of academic dishonesty to the Academic Judiciary.
Faculty in the Health Sciences Center (School of Health Technology & Management, Nursing,
Social Welfare, Dental Medicine) and School of Medicine are required to follow their school-
specific procedures. For more comprehensive information on academic integrity, including
categories of academic dishonesty, please refer to the academic judiciary website at
http://www.stonybrook.edu/uaa/academicjudiciary/

Critical Incident Management:

Stony Brook University expects students to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other
people. Faculty are required to report to the Office of University Community Standards any
disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning
environment, or inhibits students' ability to learn. Faculty in the HSC Schools and the School of
Medicine are required to follow their school-specific procedures. Further information about most
academic matters can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin, the Undergraduate Class Schedule,
and the Faculty-Employee Handbook.