Students

ECON3059 – Environmental Economics

2026 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Wylie Bradford
wylie.bradford@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
120cp at 1000 level or above including ECON1020
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit applies economic principles to understand the challenges in sustainably managing environmental assets. An understanding of the nature and causes of environmental problems, and ways to achieve efficient and sustainable use of environmental resources, is vital for our future welfare. This unit covers the optimal exploitation of assets such as energy, minerals, water, forests and fisheries, as well as the management of water, air and soil pollution. Case studies are drawn from Australian and international experience. Students can develop their understand how the implications of economic theory combine with contributions from ecological economics, and the role of institutions.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Identify and describe concepts associated with the economic analysis of environmental issues.
  • ULO2: Analyse the relevant economic aspects of environmental problems and policy responses, including key and varying stakeholders and important incentive effects and their determinants.
  • ULO3: Critically evaluate different theoretical approaches in the assessment and comparison of policy trade-offs and alternatives with respect to environmental issues.

General Assessment Information

Note also that assessment tasks have multiple assessment points. Details provided in the task descriptions on iLearn. The 'due date' shown above refers to the final submission point in each case, as a discrete date is required to be entered.

Late Submission Penalties

If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days. Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.

Example 1 (out of 100):

If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.

Example 2 (out of 30):

If you score 27/30 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.

Extensions

Automatic short extension: Some assessments are eligible for automatic short extension. You can only apply for an automatic short extension before the due date.

Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration. Need help? Review the Special Consideration page for further details.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Skills development: Reflective dialogue 40% No 09/11/2026 Individual Yes Open AI
Professional practice: Environmental case analysis 40% No 06/11/2026 Individual Yes Open AI
Skills development: Peer discussion 20% No 30/10/2026 Individual Yes Open AI

Skills development: Reflective dialogue

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 09/11/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open AI

The purpose of this task is for students to develop understanding of key aspects in the analysis and identification of environment issues and policies.
 
Students will be involved in small-group discussions to develop responses to the provided online material. The group outputs will be synthesised and discussed by the group as a whole. Individuals will keep a record of their own reflections on the sessions in a personal blog on iLearn.
 
Skills in focus:
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
Deliverable(s): Individual iLearn Blog
 
Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and describe concepts associated with the economic analysis of environmental issues.
  • Analyse the relevant economic aspects of environmental problems and policy responses, including key and varying stakeholders and important incentive effects and their determinants.
  • Critically evaluate different theoretical approaches in the assessment and comparison of policy trade-offs and alternatives with respect to environmental issues.

Professional practice: Environmental case analysis

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 06/11/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open AI

The purpose of this assignment is for students to demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge to a real-world problem.
 
Students will select a real-world environmental issue and demonstrate the appropriate application of environmental economics. The case study will be written up in the form of a wiki, and scaffolded feedback will be provided at two points during the session with final version due end of week 13.
 
Skills in focus:
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Global, ethical and environmental citizenship 
Deliverable(s): Written iLearn wiki [max 3000 words]
 
Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and describe concepts associated with the economic analysis of environmental issues.
  • Analyse the relevant economic aspects of environmental problems and policy responses, including key and varying stakeholders and important incentive effects and their determinants.
  • Critically evaluate different theoretical approaches in the assessment and comparison of policy trade-offs and alternatives with respect to environmental issues.

Skills development: Peer discussion

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 30/10/2026
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for students to practice how to put forward ideas and construct a persuasive argument in a class environment.
 
Students will contribute to discussions and interact with peers in sharing perspectives and information on starting topics provided twice during the session.
 
Skills in focus:
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Communication skills
Deliverable(s): Written submission in iLearn Discussion Forum
 
Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse the relevant economic aspects of environmental problems and policy responses, including key and varying stakeholders and important incentive effects and their determinants.
  • Critically evaluate different theoretical approaches in the assessment and comparison of policy trade-offs and alternatives with respect to environmental issues.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • Academic Success for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Classes

1 x 2 hour 'lectorial' per week. Note that as assessment is linked to lectorial participation, in-class sessions will not be recorded.

Required Texts and/or Materials

Aruga, K. (2022) Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (Springer).

This text can be accessed FREE in pdf or epub form from the following link, so long as you access it via the University network (e.g. using wifi on campus):

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-95077-4_1

The ebook version is recommended.

Technology requirements: a device with online connectivity (phone, tablet, laptop) to participate in online assessment in class.

Lectorial sessions are not recorded.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2026.03 of the Handbook