The Department of Agribusiness Economics offers a flexible program which, under the supervision of an ABE faculty advisor, will allow the student to pursue either a comprehensive or more specialized course of study in preparation to assume an effective professional role in the dynamic market of agriculture, rural development, or natural resource/environmental policy. Students receive preparation in domestic aspects of the agricultural economy as well as international trade.

Undergraduate courses in agribusiness economics in the traditional areas of farm management and marketing emphasize accepted techniques to improve efficiency and farm profitability. Course offerings in agribusiness management, finance, sales, marketing, and commodity futures prepare students for positions with a broad range of businesses that comprise the agribusiness sector. Course offerings in environmental resource management, rural development, food policy and agricultural law introduce the students to applied economic skills for needed effective decision making and complement a more specialized course of study. Students also take courses in applied statistics, accounting, and the application of computers to managerial decision-making.

For more information about applying to Southern Illinois University, please visit the Admissions Office homepage; you can apply over the Internet.

Environmental Studies Program

Students may also participate in the Environmental Studies Program (ESP) at SIUC while completing a minor in this area. This program allows students to concentrate core and elective courses from a variety of Colleges in a focused, integrated, interdisciplinary study of the environment. The goals of the program are to:

• provide students with a basic understanding of the complex environmental issues and opportunities faced by society;
• develop and refine student's environmental values from an overview of these issues; and
• prepare students to translate these values into practical actions in a broad spectrum of environmental or related career fields, or simply as better individuals.
  

Students may enroll in the ESP after entering a major program in any participating academic department at SIUC with the approval of their academic advisor and the Environmental Studies Coordinator. For students completing the core and elective courses, the program leads to an academic minor.