All course information is listed within this syllabus.
EMGT 830: Ecosystem Management, Planning, and Economics (3 credits). A working knowledge of economic concepts and analytical tools is central to ecosystem management. The course provides students with a solid understanding of the key finance, planning, and economic principles needed to manage a variety of natural resources and ecosystems.
Prerequisites: None
Instructors
Michael Jacobson
Professor of Forest Resources
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management
309 Forest Resources Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-3994
E-mail: mgj2@psu.edu
Office Hours: Use Canvas Inbox
Marc McDill
Professor of Forest Management
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management
310 Forest Resources Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-1602
E-mail: mem14@psu.edu
Office Hours: Use Canvas Inbox
Course Overview
Making decisions as in ecosystem management requires a knowledge of economics and finance. Every ecosystem-management-related decision has an economic component whether it's direct or indirect. The course is divided into three parts. The first part of the course discusses cost-benefit analysis from a financial perspective. Cost-benefit analysis is fundamental to making decisions in ecosystem management. The second part provides an overview of ecosystem economic concepts and principles in a market economy. Importantly, it discusses the common issue of markets not working (failures) especially in natural resources and ecosystems. The third part provides students with an understanding of planning processes and tools for developing management plans for natural resources systems.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Apply financial and economic tools to benefit-cost analysis and decision-making.
- Describe market failures in ecosystems and natural resources and ways to address them.
- Appreciate tools used to value non-timber forest products, and environmental services such as recreation, water, and biodiversity.
Course Outline
Unit 1: Benefit to Cost Analysis (BCA)
Module 1: Introduction of Benefit to Cost Analysis
Module 2: Discounting
Module 3: Inflation and Risk
Module 4: Decision Criteria in Financial Analysis
Module 5: Benefit to Cost Analysis Case Study Presentations
Unit 2: Ecosystem Economics (EE)
Module 6: Market Economies
Module 7: Market Failures — Externalities
Module 8: Market Failures — Critical Role of Property Rights
Module 9: Non-Market Valuation
Module 10: Ecosystem Services Case Studies and Presentations
Unit 3: Management and Planning Principles (MPP)
Module 11: Introduction to Ecosystem Management
Module 12: Uncertainty and Adaptive Management
Module 13: Stakeholder Involvement
Module 14: Deer Management Case Studies and Presentations
Course Schedule
For due dates, refer to the Course Summary on the Syllabus page in Canvas.
Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check the World Campus Course Catalog approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
Required
Bullard, S. H., & Straka, T. J. (2011). Basic Concepts in Forest Valuation and Investment Analysis: Edition 3.0. Faculty Publications. (This textbook will be provided for free as a PDF within Canvas.)
ISBN: 978-1610916073
Keohane, N. O., & Olmstead, S. M. (2016). Markets and the Environment (2nd ed.). Island Press. (This textbook will be provided for free as a PDF within Canvas.)
ISBN: 978-1610914888
Meffe, G., Nielsen, L., Knight, R. L., & Schenborn, D. (2002). Ecosystem Management: Adaptive, Community-Based Conservation (1st ed.). Island Press. (E-Book option available)
For pricing and ordering information, please see the Barnes & Noble College website.
Materials will be available at Barnes & Noble College approximately three weeks before the course begins. It is very important that you purchase the correct materials. If your course requires one or more textbooks, you must have exactly the correct text required (edition and year).
Other required and optional readings are in specific course modules.
E-Book Option
An online version of one or more of your texts is available at no cost as a Penn State Library E-Book. Some E-Books will only be available online, while others will be available to download in full or in part. You may choose to use the E-Book as an alternative to purchasing a physical copy of the text. You can access the E-Book by selecting Library Resources in the Course Navigation Menu, and then selecting the E-Reserves link. For questions or issues, you can contact the University Libraries Reserve Help (UL-RESERVESHELP@LISTS.PSU.EDU).
Assignments
Course assignments include calculation exercises and writing assignments (e.g., doing a benefit-cost analysis for an ecosystem resource of your choosing).
Most modules include a quiz upon completion of the module. Students also take a synthesis quiz at the end of each part of the course (similar to exams)—one each at the end of Modules 5 and 10.
Final Exam
There is no final exam.
Late Submission Policy
Students are responsible for any of their missed work. The instructor will not inform students of any missed work. Each module builds upon one another and the time frame of each one is planned to be two weeks. Assignments can be submitted at any time during this time period, but will not be accepted for full credit after the date and time indicated. To ensure a reasonable turnaround time of approximately 1 week, you must submit on time. For weekly contributions to discussions, quizzes, and the final project, no credit will be given if submitted after the due date.
For the weekly reading assignments and peer review, if the deadline is missed, you can achieve up to 50% credit by turning it in prior to the next quiz. After that quiz date, no credit will be awarded.
Grading Policy
The following table is the grading criteria for the course.
| Requirement | Cumulative Point Value | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Practice Questions | 0 | 0% |
| Quizzes | 260 | 28% |
| Essays | 255 | 25.5% |
| Discussions | 165 | 15.5% |
| Case Studies | 200 | 20% |
| Presentation | 125 | 11% |
| TOTAL: | 1005 | 100% |
The following table is the grading scheme for the course.
| Letter Grade | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A | 100% – 94% |
| A- | < 94% – 90% |
| B+ | < 90% – 87% |
| B | < 87% – 84% |
| B- | < 84% – 80% |
| C+ | < 80% – 77% |
| C | < 77% – 70% |
| D | < 70% – 60% |
| F | < 60% |
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Graduate Courses for additional information.
NOTE: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please see "Graduation" under World Campus Student Resources.
Online Students Use of the Library
As Penn State World Campus students, you have access to many of the materials that the library offers to students. The library website has a lot to offer, but can be overwhelming. A guide has been created to serve as your introduction to important library resources, services, and important pages within the library. The Online Student Library Guide is updated regularly by the online librarian and is intended to provide a level of comfort through an introduction to help you feel comfortable navigating the library website to find valuable information for your coursework.
Technical Requirements
This course is offered online and it is assumed you possess the minimum system requirements and computing skills to participate effectively. A list of technical requirements is listed on World Campus' Penn State Technical Requirements page.
Minimum Skills
- You should have an understanding of basic computer usage (creating folders/directories, switching between programs, formatting and backing up media, accessing the internet).
- You must be able to conduct word processing tasks such as creating, editing, saving, and retrieving documents.
- You must be able to use a web browser to open web pages, download files, and search the internet.
- You must be able to use an e-mail program to send and receive messages and to attach and download documents/files.
- You must be able to download and install programs or plug-ins from the internet.
Getting Help With Canvas Courses
Canvas support is available 24/7 via chat or phone.
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Support Services
As a student, you have access to a variety of services and resources, including advising, tutoring, library services, career services, and more. Please visit the following resources for more information:
- World Campus Student Services
- Penn State Student Support Resources for University Park and Commonwealth campuses
Accessibility Information
Netiquette
The term "Netiquette" refers to the etiquette guidelines for electronic communications, such as e-mail and discussion postings. Netiquette covers not only rules to maintain civility in discussions but also special guidelines unique to the electronic nature of messages. Please review Virginia Shea's "The Core Rules of Netiquette" for general guidelines that should be followed when communicating in this course.
Penn State Policies
Login Policy
Students are expected to log in regularly to keep up to date with announcements, discussions, etc. The class will progress at a regular pace throughout the semester and there are specific due dates and times for assignments, etc.
Course Availability
Your course will be available to you beginning the first day of class and will remain open for one year. After one year the course will close.
Academic Integrity
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According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity, an academic integrity violation is "an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically." Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean's List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
You can learn more at The College of Agricultural Sciences Academic Integrity Information for Students.
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Copyright Notice
All course materials students receive or to which students have online access are protected by copyright laws. Students may use course materials and make copies for their own use as needed, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor's express permission is strictly prohibited. University Policy AD40, Recording of Classroom Activities and Note-Taking Services, addresses this issue. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University's Code of Conduct, and/or liable under federal and state laws.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional well-being. The University offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients' cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
- Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park (CAPS): 814-863-0395
- Counseling and Psychological Services at Commonwealth Campuses
- Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 1-877-229-6400
- Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741
Accommodations for Persons With Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources page.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Accommodations for Military Personnel
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Use of Trade Names
Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by World Campus, Outreach and Cooperative Extension, the College of Agricultural Sciences, or The Pennsylvania State University is implied.
Subject to Change Statement
Please note that this Course Syllabus is subject to change. Students are responsible for abiding by such changes.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search to start planning ahead.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search to start planning ahead.
