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Bren School of Environmental Science and Management
(PhD students studying with me may be in either the Economics Department
or This page is for students in the Bren School. I expect Ph.D. students studying with me to have a deep understanding of economics, a facility with the tools of economics, and an interest, appreciation and knowledge of a specific field of environmental and/or resource policy. The commitment to a field of application is what best distinguishes a Bren Ph.D. student from someone studying in the Economics department under my supervision. I would expect my students in either the Bren School or the Economics Department to be equally good economists when they graduate. Bren School PhD students who wish to study under my supervision would be expected to construct a rigorous program of courses prior to embarking on dissertation research. The courses would undoubtedly include a significant amount of coursework from the Economics department, such as Econ 210ABCD (Microeconomics), Econ 260AB (Environmental and Resource Economics), and Econ 241ABC (Econometrics). Possible additional course sequences would include Econ 230ABC (Public Economics), 216ABC (Industrial Organization), and 245ABC (Econometric Theory). The exact set of courses would be determined in consultation with the student's committee. Students would also be expected to broaden their base of expertise beyond economics. How that breadth is determined is an individual question but could include such areas as fate and transport of pollutants, atmospheric processes, political economy, operations research, environmental law, public policy analysis, or decision theory. The basic criterion is that the student have real depth in a recognized relevant discipline and substantive depth in another relevant area. Expect at least two solid years of coursework prior to serious attention to research. During the second or possibly third year of study, the student should prepare a research proposal. While this might be a proposal for dissertation work, it need not be. The point is to produce evidence that the student can identify a research problem, see its significance, and identify how to solve the problem. Appropriate dissertation work should ultimately contribute to a well-defined literature, probably environmental economics but not necessarily; potential alternative areas include public policy analysis. The ultimate test is whether the dissertation contains at least three identifiable papers that can be ultimately published in recognized scholarly journals. Little Prior Economics Training? Students who have no background in Economics are welcome but are encouraged to consider their first year as an opportunity to remedy deficiencies. During that first year, Econ 205AB is an excellent course to bring the student up to speed in microeconomics. Students should also have a very good command of mathematics; if not, that deficiency should also be remedied during the first year. Financial Aid Because there is no undergraduate program in the Bren School, teaching assistantship support is much scarcer than in a typical department. PhD students typically receive support either through University Fellowships, Dozier Fellowships, and Research Assistantships from individual professors. Candidates are encouraged to apply in time for financial aid. I have never supported a graduate student as a research assistant (RA) during her or his first year. My own research funds for student RA support beyond the first year are limited and certainly not guaranteed. How to apply: Prospective Ph.D. students who feel their research interests are consistent with mine should indicate on their graduate application that they are interested in studying with me. In is not necessary to contact me in advance; I will see the entire graduate application package when it is complete. For more information, see http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/programs/programs_PhD.htm. For questions, please contact Marla Mazur.
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