Ph.D. in Economics Home

During the first year, students take a required core curriculum consisting of four semester courses in the first term and one semester course and 6 half- semester modules in the second term.

Some core courses may be waived for students who have already taken equivalent courses by passing a waiver exam. Students who waive a course will enroll in some other appropriate course subject to approval by the Graduate Coordinator. All core courses must be completed during the first year.

Core Curriculum Details

First Term Courses

• Mathematical Methods and Applications to Economics (1/2 semester)
• Game Theory (1/2 semester)
• Statistical Methods in Economics
• Microeconomic Theory
• Macroeconomic Theory

Second Term

• Econometric Models and Methods
• Information Economics (1/2 semester)
• General Equilibrium & Welfare Economics (1/2 semester)
• Growth (1/2 semester)
• Best Empirical Practice (1/2 semester)
• Dynamic Economics (1/2 semester)
• Markets and Institutions (1/2 semester)

Fields of Specialization

Each student undertakes intensive course work in at least three fields of specialization. The field courses must be completed during the second year of study. At the end of the second year, the student takes written qualifying examinations in at least two fields. The fields offered are:

Industrial Organization

• Product Differentiation (1/2 semester)
• Regulation (1/2 semester)
• Regulatory Principles (1/2 semester)
• Empirical Industrial Organization (1/2 semester)

Students planning to specialize in this field are required to take the following additional courses:

• Information, Incentives and Agency Theory
• Recommended: Game Theory or Econometrics for Micro Applications

International Economics

• Theory of International Trade
• International Economic Relations

Econometrics

• Advanced Econometrics I
• Advanced Econometrics II

Public Economics

• Welfare Economics and the Second Best (1/2 semester)
• Tax Theory and Public Policy (1/2 semester)
• Empirical Public Economics (1/2 semester)
• Public Expenditure Theory (1/2 semester)

Economic Theory

• Game Theory
• Information, Incentives and Agency Theory

Students planning to specialize in this field are required to take ONE of the following additional courses:

• Game Theory
• Information, Incentives and Agency Theory
• Econometrics for Micro Applications