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Economics
Faculty
*Year of initial appointment at Binghamton.
Basmann, Robert L., Professor, PhD, 1955, Iowa State University: Econometrics.
(1988)*
Bischoff, Charles W., Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, PhD, 1968,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Macroeconomics, monetary and fiscal
policy, econometrics. (1977)
Britto, Ronald, Professor, PhD, 1966, Brown University: Macroeconomic theory,
business cycles, risk and uncertainty. (1974)
Carlip, Alfred B., Professor Emeritus, PhD, 1959, Columbia University: Microeconomic
theory, industrial organization and public control. (1960)
Clark, Clifford D., University Professor, PhD, 1953, University of Chicago:
Public finance, economic growth. (1973)
Cowing, Thomas G., Professor, PhD, 1970, University of California at Berkeley:
Microeconomic theory, public regulation, econometrics. (1969)
Freedman, Ora, Adjunct Assistant Professor, PhD, 1991, State University
of New York at Binghamton: Urban and environmental economics.
Greene, Kenneth V., Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, PhD,
1968, University of Virginia: Public economics, urban public finance, law
and economics, microeconomics. (1968)
Kang, In-bong, Assistant Professor, PhD, 1994, University of Rochester:
Macroeconomics, econometrics, international economics. (1995)
Kern, Clifford R., Associate Professor, PhD, 1974, Harvard University: Urban
economics, housing economics, economics of transportation. (1971)
Kokkelenberg, Edward C., Associate Professor, PhD, 1981, Northwestern University:
Demand for factors of production, macro-labor economics, econometrics. (1980)
Leighton, Richard I., Associate Professor, PhD, 1961, Duke University: International
trade. (1964)
Leiman, Melvin, Associate Professor Emeritus, PhD, 1963, Columbia University:
History of economic thought, radical political economy, Marxism. (1963)
Liu, Jung-Chao, Associate Professor, PhD, 1960, University of Michigan:
Economy of China, mathematical economics. (1970)
Lovejoy, Robert M., Associate Professor, PhD, 1963, University of Michigan:
Monetary theory, Italian economic policy, financial markets. (1965)
Masters, Stanley H., Professor, PhD, 1965, Princeton University: Labor economics,
economics of poverty and discrimination. (1981)
Nelson, Phillip J., Professor, PhD, 1957, Columbia University: Industrial
organization, economics of population, microeconomics. (1969)
Ofek, Haim, Associate Professor, PhD, 1971, Columbia University: Advanced
microeconomic theory, labor economics, industrial organization. (1981)
Polachek, Solomon W., Professor and Chair, PhD, 1973, Columbia University:
Labor economics, human capital and income distribution, econometrics. (1983)
Wulwick, Nancy, Adjunct Associate Professor, PhD, 1981, University of Kent
at Canterbury: Macroeconomics, regional and public policy.
Yoon, Bong J., Associate Professor, PhD, 1978, University of Illinois: Econometrics,
microeconomics, labor economics. (1983)
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Undergraduate
Programs
The economics curriculum provides understanding of the origins, characteristics,
and functions of our economic organization, and develops ability to appraise
the functioning of the economy and proposals for its improvement. The curriculum
emphasizes the development of tools of economic analysis and the study of
current institutional arrangements and their consequences. Attention is
focused on the effects of individual and collective actions on the economic
process.
The department offers the BA and BS degrees in economics. The BA degree
offers an excellent background for students planning to enter professional
schools of business and law. The BS specifically provides the essential
mathematical background for students planning to enroll in doctoral programs
in economics. Both the BA and BS degrees may be tailored to provide enriched
quantitative training for students seeking professional employment immediately
after graduation. Moreover, the department offers concentrations in five
areas of economics. The department also offers a minor.
The Economics Department views the grade of D as passing but unsatisfactory.
Therefore, a course in which a grade of D was received is not acceptable
as a prerequisite and cannot be used to fulfill the requirements for a major
or minor in economics. A course taken under the pass/fail option cannot
be used to fulfill the requirements for a major or minor in economics.
Courses numbered 110 and below are intended for non-majors and may not be
used to fill major requirements. Courses numbered in the 400s are advanced
courses open to students with the proper prerequisites.
Economics Major-BA Degree
Departmental requirements for a BA degree in economics are 10 full courses
in economics, or their equivalent, distributed as listed below. At least
five of these courses, and two at the 400 level, must be taken here at Binghamton.
1. ECON 160 and 162.
2. ECON 360 and 362.
3. ECON 366 or MATH 448.
4. Five other full courses in economics numbered above 110, or their equivalent,
of which at least three must be chosen from courses numbered 400-489 (hence
practicums, independent studies, internships, and honors courses do not
count for this requirement) and no more than one may be chosen from courses
numbered in the 100s.
Economics Major-BS Degree
Departmental requirements for a BS degree in economics are 16 full courses
from economics and mathematics distributed as listed below. At least six
courses in economics, and two at the 400 level, must be taken here at Binghamton.
1. ECON 160 and 162.
2. ECON 360 and 362.
3. ECON 366 or MATH 448.
4. ECON 464 and 466.
5. MATH 221, 222, 304, and 323.
6. Three additional full courses or their equivalent chosen from economics
courses numbered 400-489.
7. Two full courses (or equivalent) chosen from courses in economics numbered
above 110, no more than one of which may be numbered in the 100s, or from
the following courses in mathematics or computer science: MATH 308, 314,
371, 447, 448, 461, 471, 478, CS 140, 210. Other mathematics courses numbered
300 and above may be substituted after written petition to the economics
undergraduate director.
Concentrations
Concentrations (consisting of combinations of economics courses and courses
from related departments) are available in a number of fields. At present,
economics majors may opt to concentrate in economics of business, economics
and government, international economics and world economy, economics of
the workplace and environment, or economic philosophy and thought. Students
should consult with their advisor either before or soon after declaring
the major.
Honors Program
Graduation with honors in economics can be earned by completing a BA or
BS degree program that includes ECON 498, Honors Research Design (2 credits),
and ECON 499, Honors Thesis (4 credits), and submitting a thesis judged
worthy of honors in conjunction with ECON 499. ECON 498 may be counted as
one-half course and ECON 499 as one course toward satisfaction of BA or
BS requirements.
Admission to the honors program and to ECON 498-499 is limited to majors
with a 3.3 GPA in economics and a 3.0 GPA overall. Completion of or concurrent
enrollment in ECON 466 and MATH 222 is recommended but not required. Requests
for admission to the program should be directed to the instructor of ECON
498 in the second semester of the junior year.
Economics Minor
Departmental requirements for a minor in economics are six full courses
or their equivalent, distributed as listed below. At least four of the courses
must be taken here at Binghamton.
1. ECON 160 and 162.
2. ECON 360 or 362.
3. Any three full courses in economics or their equivalent in addition to
those used to satisfy requirements (1) and (2), at least one of which must
be chosen from courses numbered 400-489. Students taking both ECON 360 and
ECON 362 may credit one toward satisfaction of requirement (2) and one toward
satisfaction of requirement (3).
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Course Offerings/
Undergraduate
NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, all undergraduate courses carry 4 credits
and are offered every year.
ECON 103. INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY
International monetary and trade theory, policies, and institutions. Monetary
topics include exchange rate determination, trade balances, the international
debt crisis, and the global economic system. Trade topics include commodity
flows, impacts of free trade on economic well-being, trade policies and
their consequences. Intended for non-majors. May be used to satisfy economics
minor but not major requirements.
ECON 144. POVERTY AND DISCRIMINATION
Conservative, liberal, and radical perspectives for analyzing problems of
poverty and racial discrimination. Analysis of public policies such as income
maintenance programs, minimum wage legislation, affirmative action, education
and housing policies. No credit toward major in economics for students with
senior standing.
ECON 160. PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS: COMPETITION, MONOPOLY, AND ECONOMIC
WELFARE
Examination of contemporary economic systems based on tools of microeconomics.
Theoretical analysis of prices and profits as guides to resource allocation,
industrial structure, meaning of economic welfare, proper function of government
in the economy, distribution of income. Students may take ECON 160 and 162
in either order they choose.
ECON 162. PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS: INFLATION AND UNEMPLOYMENT
Determinants of the Gross National Product, income, and employment. Sources
of demand for goods and services; problems of unemployment and inflation;
use of taxes, government spending, and control over supply of money to fight
unemployment and inflation. Economic growth: its causes, and arguments for
and against growth. Students may take ECON 160 and 162 in either order they
choose.
ECON 181. SELECTED TOPICS IN ECONOMICS /as needed, variable credit
Introduction to study and analysis of selected economic issue. Specific
topic announced in advance. May be repeated for credit with consent of department.
ECON 183. SELECTED TOPICS IN APPLIED MICRO-ECONOMICS/ offered as needed,
variable credit
Introduction to study and analysis of selected microeconomic issue. Specific
topic announced in advance. May be repeated for credit with consent of department.
ECON 185. SELECTED TOPICS IN APPLIED MACROECONOMICS /offered as needed,
variable credit
Introduction to study and analysis of selected macroeconomic issue. Specific
topics announced in advance. May be repeated for credit with consent of
department.
ECON 295. INTERNSHIP IN SECURITIES MARKETS /1 credit
Application of economic analysis to practical experience in a securities
brokerage firm, under joint supervision of firm's representative and a member
of the economics faculty. P/F only. Prerequisite: ECON 250 or 442.
ECON 313. INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
National and international economic policy: the U.S. has made significant
contributions to international trade and financial practices during the
past half century. Its policies in the future will change as nationals organize
in blocs, as environmental issues take precedent, as population increases,
and as disparities in income levels become more evident. The course evaluates
economic concepts which have supported national directions in the past and
explores promising ideas to help in the future.
ECON 314. ECONOMICS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 1994-95
Major problems of development: institutional factors, resources, population.
Various theories of development process. Policy implementation; regional
programs, international cooperation, aid. Problems, theories, policies,
in terms of recent data of selected developing countries. No credit for
major or minor in economics is given for ECON 314 if student has already
passed or is currently enrolled in ECON 414. Prerequisite: ECON 160.
ECON 315. COMPARATIVE ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
Analysis of differences in economic organization and performance across
countries. Issues involving formerly communist countries: evolution of economies,
failure of communism, difficulties in reorganizing economies and introducing
market reforms. Differences among capitalist countries, emphasizing comparisons
between Japan and US. No credit towards requirements for major or minor
in economics if student has already passed or is currently enrolled in ECON
415. Prerequisite: ECON 160. Recommended prerequisite: ECON 162.
ECON 317. THE ECONOMY OF CHINA 1994-95
Institutional and policy framework of Chinese economy: five-year plans,
capital formation, industrial development, pricing, technical progress.
Development strategies, achievements, and limitations assessed analytically
and quantitatively. Alternatives for future development. Chinese system
compared with other socialist economies. Prerequisite: ECON 160.
ECON 331. ECONOMICS OF POPULATION AND ENVIRONMENT
Preliminary examination of relationships between economic system and environmental
system. Pollution as economic phenomenon, theory of externalities, scarcity,
and growth. Appropriate public policies to deal with these problems. No
credit toward requirements for major or minor in economics is given for
ECON 331 if student has already passed or is currently enrolled in ECON
433. Prerequisite: ECON 160.
ECON 343. INTRODUCTION TO LABOR ECONOMICS AND INDUSTRIAL
RELATIONS 1994-95
Introduction to labor markets, theoretical and institutional analysis. Labor
force trends, unions and collective bargaining, the relation between education
and earnings, alternative theories of the labor market. Analysis of current
policy issues such as unemployment, inflation, productivity growth, and
discrimination. No credit toward requirements for major or minor in economics
is given for ECON 243 if student has already passed or is currently enrolled
in ECON 443. Prerequisite: ECON 160.
ECON 349. ECONOMICS OF LAW AND PROPERTY RIGHTS
Consideration of economic analysis of law; economic reasoning behind law
of property, contracts, crimes, and torts. Economics of property rights.
Contractarian analyses of development of constitutions. Public regulations:
their economic bases and their effects. Law and distribution of income and
wealth. Economic analyses of court system and bail procedures, crime and
its punishment. Prerequisite: ECON 160.
ECON 350. U.S. FINANCIAL SYSTEM-MARKETS AND INSTITUTIONS
Nature, function, and economic significance of money market and other securities
markets. Role of financial intermediaries, commercial banks, and government
in financial markets. Flow of funds among financial sectors and determinants
of market interest rates. Impact of Federal Reserve on financial markets
and real side of economy. Prerequisite: ECON 162.
ECON 360. MICROECONOMIC THEORY
Contemporary microeconomic analysis; demand, supply, price theory, allocation
of economic resources. Tools of micro theory applied to solving theoretical
and social problems. Prerequisites: ECON 160.
ECON 362. MACROECONOMIC THEORY
Theories of levels of income, employment, growth, savings, investment, money,
and prices, applied to solving theoretical and social problems. Prerequisite:
ECON 162.
ECON 366. STATISTICAL METHODS
Introduction to theory and techniques of statistics as applied in economics.
Probability theory, descriptive statistics, statistical inference. Not open
to students who have credit for MATH 348. Neither MATH 147 nor PSYC 243
is a substitute for ECON 366.
ECON 381. SELECTED TOPICS IN ECONOMICS /offered as needed, variable credit
Intermediate study and analysis of selected economic issue. Specific topic
and prerequisites (normally ECON 160 or 162, or both) announced in advance.
May be repeated for credit with consent of department.
ECON 383. SELECTED TOPICS IN APPLIED MICROECONOMICS /offered as needed,
variable credit
Intermediate study and analysis of selected microeconomic issue. Specific
topic and prerequisite (normally ECON 160) announced in advance. May be
repeated for credit with consent of department.
ECON 385. SELECTED TOPICS IN APPLIED MACROECONOMICS /offered as needed,
variable credit
Intermediate study and analysis of selected macroeconomic issue. Specific
topic and prerequisite (normally ECON 162) announced in advance. May be
repeated for credit with consent of department.
ECON 395. INTERNSHIP IN ECONOMICS /variable credit
Internship applying economic analysis in business or public agency under
supervision of faculty sponsor. Prerequisites: ECON 160 or 162 as appropriate
to emphasis of the internship, and consent of faculty sponsor.
ECON 397. INDEPENDENT STUDY IN ECONOMICS /variable credit
Tutorial study for intermediate students of special topics not offered elsewhere
in the curriculum. Prerequisites: ECON 160 or 162 as appropriate to the
topic, and consent of faculty sponsor.
ECON 414. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: EAST ASIA
Meaning and measurement of economic underdevelopment, entrepreneurship and
technical change, balanced vs. unbalanced growth, optimal allocation of
investment. Relationships of disguised unemployment and population growth
to development. Examples from and applications to East Asia. Prerequisites:
ECON 360 and 362.
ECON 426. HISTORY OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT SINCE 1870 1994-95
Evolution of economic doctrine from emergence of national states in Europe
to present: survey of ideas of economists, such as Smith, Ricardo, Malthus,
Mill, Marshall, Veblen, Keynes, and contemporaries such as Friedman, Galbraith,
and Sweezy. Interaction of methods of economic theorizing with changing
socioeconomic conditions. Prerequisites: ECON 162 and 360.
ECON 429. MARXIAN ECONOMICS
Premises of Marxian economics and its important building blocks: law of
value, theories of surplus value, organic composition of capital, business
cycles, economic development, declining rate of profit, and economic imperialism.
Points of tangency with modern theory. Prerequisites: ECON 360 and 362.
ECON 430. URBAN ECONOMICS
Economic functions of cities; economic interrelationships between urban
core and greater metropolitan area. Problems of location, land use, industrial
and population distribution, race, housing, transportation. Prerequisite:
ECON 360.
ECON 433. ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL
RESOURCE ECONOMICS Market failures in the allocation of environmental and
natural resources. Efficiency and equity implications of environmental policies.
Topics include acid rain, global warming, water pollution, fisheries, air
pollution, species extinction, and loss of habitat such as tropical forests.
Prerequisite: ECON 360.
ECON 436. INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Theories of international trade, tariffs, import quotas, commercial policies
and agreements. Foreign trade, trade policies of the United States. GATT,
NAFTA, EC and other world economic organizations. Prerequisite: ECON 360.
ECON 437. INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
Topics covered in this course are: the balance of payments, exchange rate
determination, monetary and fiscal policies for external stabilities, capital
mobility, and the international monetary system. Various policy questions
such as persistent U.S. deficit in the balance of payments, a debt crisis
of LDCs, the European Currency Unit, etc. will be explored along with theories.
Prerequisites: ECON 160 and 362.
ECON 440. INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION AND PUBLIC POLICY
Relationship between behavior of firm and market structure: how these relationships
affect public welfare and are regulated by social intervention. Prerequisite:
ECON 360.
ECON 442. INVESTMENT AND SPECULATION
Investment decisions for businesses and households, involving a knowledge
of security market operations and investment theory. Prerequisites: ECON
360 and 366 or equivalent. Not open to students who have previously or concurrently
taken and received credit for FIN 322.
ECON 443. ECONOMICS OF LABOR
Labor supply; determinants of population growth, labor force participation,
education, training, and health of labor force. Specific labor market problems:
wage determination, labor's share of national income, unemployment, impact
of unions. Prerequisite: ECON 360. Suggested prerequisite: ECON 366.
ECON 445. PUBLIC EXPENDITURES AND PUBLIC CHOICE
Government as the agency that corrects for market defects. Theories of public
goods, externalities, and Pareto optimal redistribution of income. Topics
in the modeling of government or public choice, including economic analysis
of coalition formation, governmental size, behavior of voters, behavior
of political representatives and bureaucrats, and support for certain types
of legislation, including regulation. Prerequisite: ECON 360.
ECON 446. ECONOMICS OF TAXATION
Criteria for evaluation of tax structures: concepts of economic efficiency
and equity. Evaluation of contemporary United States federal, state, and
local tax structures using these criteria; role of tax reform. Study of
effects of personal income, corporate income, consumption, excise, social
security, and property or wealth taxes on choices made by economic agents.
Evaluation of alternative methods of governmental finance such as inflation
and debt financing. Prerequisite: ECON 360.
ECON 450. MONETARY ECONOMICS
Supply and demand for money, theory and evidence. Function of money, interest
rates, and banking system in credit and income determination process. Instruments,
techniques, theory of monetary policy. Prerequisite: ECON 362.
ECON 459. ECONOMIC GROWTH AND FISCAL POLICY
Interconnections between theories of growth and supply-side economics. Determinants
of growth. Optimal growth. Explanations of recent productivity growth slowdown.
Effects of taxes on labor supply, savings, and investment. Popular treatments
of supply-side economics. Has supply-side economics succeeded or failed?
Prerequisites: ECON 160 and 362.
ECON 464. MATHEMATICAL ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
Application of mathematical tools to study of contemporary economic problems.
Prerequisites: ECON 360 and 362 and MATH 121, 122, 204, and 223, or consent
of instructor. BA majors in economics may not use both this course and ECON
466 to fulfill the required three courses numbered 400-489.
ECON 466. INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMETRICS
Econometric techniques necessary for understanding economic literature;
application of these techniques. Treatment of multiple regression and multicolinearity;
introduction to simultaneous equations systems; additional topics, such
as identification, autocorrelation, errors in variables, use of computers
in econometric research. Prerequisite: ECON 366 or equivalent. Recommended
prerequisite: ECON 360 or 362. BA majors in economics may not use both this
course and ECON 464 to fulfill the required three courses numbered 400-489.
ECON 481. SELECTED TOPICS IN ECONOMICS /offered as needed, variable credit
Advanced study and analysis of selected economic issue. Specific topic and
prerequisites (normally ECON 360 or 362, or both) announced in advance.
May be repeated for credit with consent of department.
ECON 483. SELECTED TOPICS IN APPLIED MICRO-ECONOMICS /offered as needed,
variable credit
Advanced study and analysis of selected microeconomic issue. Specific topic
and prerequisite (normally ECON 360) announced in advance. May be repeated
for credit with consent of department.
ECON 485. SELECTED TOPICS IN APPLIED MACROECONOMICS /offered as needed,
variable credit
Advanced study and analysis of selected macroeconomic issue. Specific topic
and prerequisite (normally ECON 362) announced in advance. May be repeated
for credit with consent of department.
ECON 491. PRACTICUM IN COLLEGE TEACHING IN ECONOMICS
Independent study by teaching in ECON 160, 162, and other courses. Various
assignments closely directed by instructor, including leading discussion
section, maintaining office hours, reading examinations. Does not satisfy
major or all-coIlege requirements. Pass/fail option only. Prerequisites:
grade of A- in ECON 360 or 362, or other appropriate courses, consent of
instructor and director of undergraduate studies.
ECON 495. INTERNSHIP IN ECONOMICS /variable credit
Internship applying economic analysis in business or public agency under
supervision of faculty sponsor. Prerequisites: ECON 360 or 362 as appropriate
to emphasis of the internship, and consent of faculty sponsor.
ECON 497. INDEPENDENT STUDY IN ECONOMICS/variable credit
Tutorial study for advanced students of special topics not offered elsewhere
in the curriculum. Prerequisites: ECON 360 or 362 as appropriate to the
topic, and consent of faculty sponsor.
ECON 498. HONORS RESEARCH DESIGN /2 credits
Design of honors research project and preliminary research under the supervision
of director of honors program. Prerequisite: admission to honors program.
ECON 499. HONORS THESIS
Execution of research project developed in ECON 498 and writing of honors
thesis under supervision of faculty sponsor. Prerequisite: successful development
of research project in ECON 498.
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Graduate Programs
The department offers graduate programs leading to both MA and PhD degrees.
The focus of the programs is on the applied aspects of the discipline. A
strong foundation in economic theory is initially developed, followed by
specialization in several subdisciplines of economics. Emphasis is usually
placed on the specialization's empirical and policy applications. The programs
provide a flexible framework adaptable to a wide variety of professional
objectives.
The MA program may lead to a terminal degree preparing students for teaching
at the junior college level; for employment in federal, state, or local
government agencies; or for related professional careers. The MA program
may also provide a base for further graduate work in economics.
The PhD program prepares individuals for careers in teaching, government,
and research. The program offers the opportunity to specialize in various
fields.
Graduate students are strongly encouraged to develop a working knowledge
of the computer and its application to economic analysis. Graduate students
receiving assistantships are usually assigned responsibilities which prepare
them for teaching and research.
Fields of Specialization
The department offers the following fields of specialization at the MA and
PhD levels:
Econometrics - applied and theoretical
Finance (SOM)
Labor economics
Industrial organization
International economics
Monetary economics
Public economics
Urban economics
Admission
Qualified students holding a bachelor's or master's degree are eligible
for admission to the programs. An undergraduate major in economics is desirable
but not essential for admission. Students considered by the graduate committee
to be insufficiently prepared for graduate level work may be required to:
1. take additional courses over and above those normally needed for the
degree, or
2. register for additional independent study in those areas in which the
student may be deficient.
All applicants are required to submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination.
Master of Arts Program
The three MA programs in economics each require 32-40 credit hours of course
work and typically take three semesters of full-time work. The program requirements
can be divided into core courses (theory, econometrics), electives, and
additional requirements (if any). All finance courses are taken in the School
of Management (SOM).
Course Requirements
Traditional Program / Credits
ECON 500 (or 611). Microeconomic Theory* / 4 credits
ECON 501 (or 613). Macroeconomic Theory* / 4 credits
ECON 594. MA Workshop /4 credits
Economics electives (500 or 600 level)/ 20 credits
TOTAL 32 credits
Applied Economics Program
ECON 500 (or 611). Microeconomic Theory* /4 credits
ECON 501 (or 613). Macroeconomic Theory* 4 credits
ECON 502 (or 615 and 616).
Econometric Methods* /4(8) credits
ECON 594. MA Workshop /4 credits
Economics electives (500 or 600 level) 16(12) credits
TOTAL 32 credits
Economics and Finance Program
ECON 500 (or 611). Microeconomic Theory* / 4 credits
ECON 501 (or 613). Macroeconomic Theory*/ 4 credits
ECON 502 (or 615 and 616). Econometric Methods* /4(8) credits
ECON 594. MA Workshop /4 credits
Finance courses (SOM) / 8 credits
Economics electives (500 or 600 level) /12(8) credits
MGMT 501. (or previous accounting course) /4 credits
TOTAL 40(36) credits
*MA students may elect to substitute those indicated in parentheses for
the one initially designated.
Other Requirements
Students in all MA programs must submit an acceptable research paper written
in conjunction with the MA Workshop (ECON 594), in addition to completing
at least 32 credits of 500- or 600-level courses.
The elective courses are normally taken in economics, although, with the
consent of the department's graduate committee, one course may be taken
in another department.
Courses presented for the degree must be completed with a cumulative grade-point
average of at least 3.0 (B average). Students studying toward the doctoral
degree may request that the MA degree be awarded once they have fulfilled
all the MA degree requirements, and may substitute a paper from a four-credit
600-level course for the ECON 594 requirement. Alternatively, a B average
in ECON 611, 612, 613, and 614, or passage of both PhD theory comprehensive
exams, may be substituted for ECON 594.
Doctor of Philosophy
Program
The two PhD programs in economics each require a total of 56 credit hours
of course work and normally take four or more years of full-time work to
complete. The degree requirements can be divided into three general areas
- core courses (24 credit hours), electives (32 credit hours), and dissertation
(no set number of credit hours required). In addition, the student must
pass four comprehensive examinations: micro theory, macro theory, and two
elective fields. All finance courses are taken in the School of Management.
Permission to enroll in the PhD program in economics with specialization
in finance is granted on a selective basis.
Course Requirements
Economics
ECON 500, 611, and 612. Microeconomic Theory /12 credits
ECON 613 and 614. Macroeconomic Theory I and II /8 credits
ECON 615 and 616. Statistics and Econometrics /8 credits
Economics electives (500 or 600 level) /24 credits
ECON 693 and 694. PhD Seminar in Economics /4 credits
ECON 699. Dissertation
TOTAL 56 credits
Economics with Specialization in Finance
ECON 500, 611, and 612. Microeconomic Theory /12 credits
ECON 613 and 614. Macroeconomic Theory I and II /8 credits
ECON 615 and 616. Statistics and Econometrics /8 credits
Finance courses (SOM)** /16 credits
Economics electives (500 or 600 level) /12 credits
ECON 693 and 694. PhD Seminar in Economics /4 credits
ECON 699. Dissertation
TOTAL 60 credits
The elective courses, except where noted above, are normally taken in economics.
Ordinarily the University-wide residence requirement is to be met by registration
in 24 credits, excluding ECON 597, 697, and 699.
Courses presented for the degree must be completed with a cumulative grade-point
average of at least 3.0 (B average). Except for ECON 503, courses used to
fulfill the department's MA requirements may also be used to fulfill the
department's PhD elective requirements. Only two of ECON 500, 501, and 502
may be counted toward the PhD elective course requirements.
**See graduate director for list of required finance courses. Students without
previous exposure to financial accounting must first take MGMT 501.
Dissertation
The student must submit a dissertation which embodies original work on some
significant topic in theoretical or applied economics. Before undertaking
the dissertation, the student is assigned an advisory committee consisting
of faculty whose research interests are appropriate to the proposed problem.
After completing all comprehensive examinations and course requirements,
the student must develop a written prospectus of the dissertation topic
and obtain the approval of the prospectus by the thesis committee. The prospectus
should include a brief statement of the problem and the student's proposed
approach to answering the problem. In the case of empirical studies, the
student should also include a discussion of the data.
When the initial prospectus has been developed to the extent that it is
ready for examination by the entire department, the student must present
and defend the prospectus to a graduate seminar of faculty and students.
The presentation should be made with the advice of the student's dissertation
committee. This seminar provides feedback on the dissertation topic. It
must be presented at least six months prior to the final oral examination
in defense of the dissertation.
The two-course sequence ECON 693 and ECON 694 is normally taken during the
third year of graduate work. All resident PhD candidates who have completed
their comprehensive examinations are required to register for either ECON
693, 694, 698, or 699.
Admission to Candidacy
The student who satisfies the following requirements is recommended for
candidacy for the doctor of philosophy in economics.
1. Course requirements: complete the program of course work described above.
2. Other requirements: fulfill these as specified above.
3. Comprehensive examinations: The PhD theory comprehensive exams in microeconomic
theory and macroeconomic theory must each be taken no later than the beginning
of the second semester following completion of the required course sequence-ECON
611 and 612 for microeconomic theory, and ECON 613 and 614 for macroeconomic
theory-and must each be successfully completed, if not passed the first
time, no later than the beginning of the third semester following completion
of the respective course sequence. In general, it is advised that the theory
comprehensive examinations be taken as early in the student's career as
possible. Within two years of passing these examinations, the student must
pass examinations in two elective fields, selected from the list of specializations
appearing under "Fields of Specialization.'' For students in the economics
and finance specialization, one of the elective field comprehensive examinations
must be in finance. No exam may be taken more than twice. Students not meeting
the comprehensive exam requirements are terminated from the PhD program.*
*Permission to take any examination may be denied students whose cumulative
grade-point average for all courses taken for credit in the Economics Department
is below 3.0 (B).
Final Examination
After the student's admission to candidacy, the degree of doctor of philosophy
in economics is recommended by the department for the student who has completed
an approved program of study; submitted a dissertation acceptable to the
advisory committee; and passed a final oral examination in defense of the
dissertation.
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Course
Offerings/
Graduate
ECON 500. MICROECONOMIC THEORY/ fall
Review of neoclassical price theory; analytically rigorous geometrical presentation
with occasional use of elementary calculus.
ECON 501. MACROECONOMIC THEORY /fall
Macroeconomic theory, problems of macroeconomic policy and recent U.S. experience.
Neoclassical, Keynesian, monetarist and supply-side models. Primarily for
master's degree candiates and those with limited undergraduate background
in economic theory.
ECON 502. ECONOMETRIC METHODS /spring
Introductory course which applies regression analysis to economic problems.
Required course for all MA students working on applied or economics and
finance degrees. Prerequisite: statistical methods or equivalent.
ECON 503. MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS FOR ECONOMISTS /fall
Sharpens students' mathematical skills in areas of mathematical analysis
important in study of economic theory. No previous knowledge of higher mathematics
assumed. Course covers topics that normally constitute two or three semesters
of calculus, one semester of linear algebra.
ECON 594. MA ECONOMICS WORKSHOP/ fall
Defined research project for each student. Topic chosen by faculty and individual
student related to area of specialization offered by department. Discussions
of these projects, research procedures in general, economic background relevant
to projects. Required course for all MA students.
ECON 597. READINGS AND RESEARCH FOR MA CANDIDATES /1-4 credits
Independent reading and research.
ECON 609. SELECTED TOPICS IN ECONOMICS OF PUBLIC POLICY
Framework for offering courses in applied microeconomic theory. Topics vary
from semester to semester, usually represent application of economics to
current social problems such as health, pollution, natural resources, regulation,
education, urban public finance.
ECON 611. MICROECONOMIC THEORY I /spring
Techniques of constrained optimization, comparative static analysis. Consumer
theory, production and cost theory, theory of the firm. Problem sets required.
Prerequisites: ECON 500 and 503, or equivalents.
ECON 612. MICROECONOMIC THEORY II /fall
Welfare economics, consumer theory under uncertainty, production and cost
theory, general equilibrium analysis, intertemporal theory, including both
capital and investment theory. Prerequisites: ECON 611 or equivalent, and
ECON 503 or equivalent.
ECON 613. MACROECONOMIC THEORY I /fall
Classical theory of income and employment; aggregate supply and demand analysis;
inflation; disequilibrium macroeconomics; modern theories of consumption,
investment, and money; monetarism; new classical and new Keynesian approaches
to macroeconomics.
ECON 614. MACROECONOMIC THEORY II /spring
Growth theory and growth accounting; inflation and unemployment, including
Phillips curve, its microeconomics foundations; rational expectations school;
stabilization policies; macroeconometric models; international macroeconomics.
ECON 615. ECONOMIC STATISTICS /fall
Basic theory of probability, sampling, estimation, hypotheses testing, correlation
and regression analysis, analysis of variance, with applications to economic
research. Undergraduate course in statistics, year of calculus essential.
ECON 616. ECONOMETRICS /spring
Focus on basic linear regression model within framework of classical general
linear model. Desirable properties of estimators; hypothesis testing; prediction;
autocorrelation and heteroskedasticity, dynamic equations; problems and
techniques involving simultaneous equations. Prerequisite: ECON 615 or equivalent.
ECON 617. APPLIED ECONOMETRICS
Further development of econometric theory, combined with applications. Simultaneous
equation estimation techniques; time series methods; rational expectations
and econometrics; tests of causality; non-nested hypothesis tests; extensive
computer applications. Prerequisite: ECON 616 or equivalent.
ECON 618. TOPICS IN ECONOMETRICS
Applications of econometrics, both theoretical and empirical. Frontier function
estimation, limited dependent variables, censoring and truncation, model
specification testing, longitudinal data analysis, and unobservable variables.
ECON 622. HISTORY OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT
Evolution of economic doctrine from emergence of national states in Europe
to present. Survey of ideas of prominent economists, including Smith, Ricardo,
Malthus, Mills, Marshall, Veblen, Keynes, and contemporaries like Friedman,
Galbraith, Sweezy.
ECON 631. MONETARY THEORY AND POLICY
Overview of prewar and postwar monetary theory. Velocity, demand for and
supply of money, money substitutes, portfolio theory. Theory of monetary
policy, including channels of monetary policy, lags, targets, indicators.
Monetary policy in foreign sector.
ECON 633. SEMINAR IN MONETARY THEORY
Critical analysis of current macroeconomic theorems, models, hypotheses,
in static and dynamic setting. Prerequisite: ECON 613 or equivalent.
ECON 636. PUBLIC REVENUES
Application of welfare economics to broad range of problems concerning incidence
and effects of tax and debt policy. Personal and corporate income tax, consumption
taxes, social security tax, property tax, value added tax, etc., and public
debt.
ECON 637. PUBLIC EXPENDITURES
Applications of welfare economics to normative theory of public sector.
Intensive analysis of public goods theory, demand revealing processes, externalities,
free rider problem, Coase theorem. Positive theory of public sector. Public
supply of private goods.
ECON 641. LABOR ECONOMICS
Factors affecting quantity, quality of labor supply; economic determinants
of population size, labor force participation, education, training. Factors
determining demand for different types of labor. Special features of labor
markets, effects of unions, inflation and unemployment.
ECON 642. SEMINAR IN LABOR ECONOMICS
Investment in human capital: schooling, on-the-job training, job search,
occupational choice, unemployment, labor force participation. Economics
of labor demand and trade unions. Development of analytical tools and application
of these tools to current issues.
ECON 651. INTERNATIONAL TRADE THEORY
Real trade theory; theory of comparative advantage, determinants of commodity
composition and factor content of trade, empirical tests of interational
trade theories, theory of commercial policy, monopolistic competition in
international trade, uncertainty in international trade models.
ECON 652. SEMINAR IN INTERNATIONAL MONETARY THEORY
Advanced topics in international monetary theory. Balance of payments and
foreign exchange market; asset markets (international portfolio diversification);
models of exchange-rate determination; balance-of-payments adjustment; policies
for internal and external balance. Prerequisite: ECON 651.
ECON 656. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Economic development and problems of measurement; critical review of theories
and policies.
ECON 671. INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION
Relationship between behavior of firm and market structure: how these relationships
affect public welfare and are regulated by social intervention.
ECON 672. THE ECONOMICS OF PUBLIC REGULATION
Focuses on economic analysis of public regulation in such industries as
electric power, natural gas, airlines, railroads, trucking, telephone, radio
and television. The emphasis is analytical, although relevant institutional
material is also covered. Previous course in micro theory, e.g., ECON 500
or 611 required.
ECON 681. URBAN ECONOMICS
Economics of cities, and patterns of urban location. Sources of growth and
decline for regions, metropolitan areas, cities, suburbs. Interaction of
urban location decisions with housing markets, racial problems, local governments,
transportation system. Prerequisite: ECON 637.
ECON 693. PREDISSERTATION RESEARCH SEMINAR IN ECONOMICS I /fall, 2 credits
PhD predissertation research seminar to introduce advanced graduate students
to economic research and to help them select and begin work on suitable
dissertation topics.
ECON 694. PREDISSERTATION RESEARCH SEMINAR IN ECONOMICS II/spring, 2 credits
Continuation of ECON 693.
ECON 696. SEMINAR IN SPECIAL TOPICS
Content determined by instructor.
ECON 697. READING AND RESEARCH FOR PhD CANDIDATES /1-4 credits
Independent reading and research.
ECON 698. PREDISSERTATION RESEARCH/1-9 credits/semester
Independent reading and/or research in preparation for comprehensive examinations
for admission to PhD candidacy, and/or preparation of dissertation prospectus.
ECON 699. DISSERTATION /1-9 credits/semester
Research for and preparation of the dissertation.
ECON 700. CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION /1 credit/semester
Required for maintenance of matriculated status in graduate program. No
credit toward graduate degree requirements.
ECON 707. RESEARCH SKILLS /1-4 credits
Development of research skills required within graduate programs. May not
be applied toward course credits for any graduate degree. Prerequisite:
approval of relevant graduate program directors or department chairs.
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