Economics

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Dean: Joel Kassiola

Department of Economics
HSS 142
415-338-1839
Chair: R. Newby Schweitzer

Undergraduate Advisers: See advising roster posted outside department office

Graduate Coordinator: David Sisk

Faculty

 Professors--Anspach, Blecha, Gemello, Mason, Moss, Osman, Schweitzer, Shen, Sisk, Vencill

Associate Professors--King, Mar, Potepan

Assistant Professor--Xu

Programs

B.A. in Economics

Minor in Economics

M.A. in Economics

M.A. in Economics: Concentration in Applied Economics

Program Scope

The Bachelor of Arts in Economics provides students with a foundation in economics which will prepare them for careers in business, government, and many other areas of endeavor as well as for post baccalaureate study in economics, business, law, and other fields.

The Master of Arts in Economics emphasizes preparation for further graduate work and professional training for those in business and public service. The Master of Arts in Economics with a Concentration in Applied Economics is available to students seeking strong application skills in their graduate training. The core of both programs focuses on theory and is appropriate for students who are interested in either a terminal master of arts or in pursuing further specialized graduate studies toward the doctorate. The Applied Economics Concentration is specifically designed to prepare students for professional positions as researchers or administrators in the public and private sectors. Instruction focuses on economic decision making and quantitative analysis, particularly the analytic and methodological skills essential to the design, evaluation, and operation of complex institutional systems. The concentration is specifically designed for students interested in a master of arts as preparation for employment in research firms or departments; public utilities; banks; international trade companies; federal, state and local government; planning and forecasting specialties; statistical and computer intensive occupations; and national manufacturers, among others. Both programs are rigorous in their standards, contain substantive offerings, and stress the development of writing skills.

Career Outlook

With a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, the usual careers open to liberal arts graduates are available. In addition, the slightly more "practical" orientation of economics gives graduates somewhat of an edge in private and public sector jobs. Our students have found good positions by combining the major with skills in computers, statistics, and accounting.

For those who continue on to a Master of Arts or Ph.D. in Economics, there are professional positions to be found in the business world, teaching, and government at all levels.

In addition, economics is excellent preparation for graduate study in: law, business administration, public administration, urban studies, international relations, world business, health administration, and gerontology.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS

Courses for this discipline are listed in alphabetical sequence. Consult Index for page reference.

With the assistance of an Economics Department adviser, students can select elective courses, in addition to the core requirement, which will best prepare them to fulfill their career and life plans. Advisers are available to all interested students. Students are expected to obtain a list of advisers (HSS 142) and to choose an adviser from the list.

Units

Core Courses

ECON 100	Introduction to Macroeconomic Analysis				3
ECON 101	Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis				3
ECON 300	Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory				3
ECON 301	Intermediate Microeconomic Theory				3
ECON 310	Mathematics for Economists31					3
ECON 311	Statistical Methods and Interpretation I			3
ECON 605	Senior Seminar in Economic Thought				3

 Additional Requirements

One of the following quantitative courses					3
ECON 312	Statistical Methods and Interpretation II
ECON 315	Mathematical Economics
ECON 320	Introduction to Econometrics
ECON 325	Computerized Economic Analysis
ECON 601	Applied Microeconomics

Four additional upper division courses of which three must be in economics. On 
prior advisement, one of the four courses may be in another department		12
Total		36

MINOR IN ECONOMICS

 
ECON 100	Introduction to Macroeconomic Analysis			3
ECON 101	Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis			3
ECON 300	Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory or
ECON 301	Intermediate Microeconomic Theory			3

Electives in economics and related fields on 
advisement of which not more than six
units are in other departments						12
Total									21

MASTER OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS

 Graduate Advisers--Sisk, Vencill

Admission to Program

To qualify for classified status, a student must earn a 3.0 grade point average in an undergraduate major in economics, with a grade of at least B in the first semester of intermediate macro and micro theory (ECON 300 and 301), mathematics for economists (ECON 310), and statistical method and interpretation (ECON 311), or equivalent. Students who do not have B's in all of the above four courses, or who did not major in economics but earned overall grade point averages of 3.0 or better, may be admitted conditionally. If room is available, students with less than 3.0 averages, but at least 2.7, may be admitted. Students admitted conditionally should understand that any prerequisite courses indicated in their conditional admission can not be applied toward their graduate program.

Written English Proficiency Requirements

The university requires that graduate students must demonstrate both initial English proficiency (level one) upon entrance to graduate study and an advanced English proficiency (level two) prior to graduating. Level One: each economics graduate student is required to pass a test of written English during the first semester in the graduate program. A fee is charged for this examination. Students failing the examination will be required to take a course or courses in English. Level Two: to demonstrate advanced level proficiency, the student must complete a written term paper or a master's thesis during the M.A. program.

Advancement to Candidacy

Besides meeting all general requirements for advancement to candidacy, applicants must earn at least a B- in ECON 700 and 701, and earn a 3.0 grade point average in the two combined.

Courses for this discipline are listed in alphabetical sequence. Consult Index for page reference. Students may select any upper division courses with the exception of ECON 300, 301, 305, 310, and 311.

Units

Core Requirements

ECON 700	Seminar: Macroeconomic Theory				3
ECON 701	Seminar: Microeconomic Theory				3
ECON 720	Seminar: Applied Quantitative Techniques or
ECON 730	Seminar: Econometric Methods				3

 Other Requirements

Two courses from the following: 32						6
ECON 312	Statistical Method and Interpretation II
ECON 315	Mathematical Economics
ECON 320	Introduction to Econometrics
ECON 325	Computerized Economic Analysis
ECON 720	Seminar: Applied Quantitative Techniques
ECON 730	Seminar: Econometric Methods
(These six units are in addition to the three units for ECON 720 or 730 taken in the core)

Upper division or graduate courses of which up to six units may be taken upon advise-
ment in an allied field or interdisciplinary study			9
ECON 898	Master's Thesis and Oral Defense or
Additional graduate courses and
Oral Comprehensive Examination						6
Minimum total								30

MASTER OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS: CONCENTRATION IN APPLIED ECONOMICS

 Courses for this discipline are listed in alphabetical sequence. Consult Index for page reference. Students may select any upper division courses with the exception of ECON 300, 301, 305, 310, and 311.

Units

Core Courses

ECON 700	Seminar: Macroeconomic Theory			3
ECON 701	Seminar: Microeconomic Theory			3
ECON 720	Seminar: Applied Quantitative Techniques or
ECON 730	Seminar: Econometric Methods			3

Two courses from the following: 32					6
ECON 312	Statistical Method and Interpretation II
ECON 315	Mathematical Economics
ECON 320	Introduction to Econometrics
ECON 325	Computerized Economic Analysis
ECON 720	Seminar: Applied Quantitative Techniques
ECON 730	Seminar: Econometric Methods
(These six units are in addition to the three 
units for ECON 720 or 730 taken in the 
core)

Applied Economics

 
Two courses selected from the following:			6
ECON 601	Applied Microeconomics
ECON 800	Applications of Monetary Analysis
ECON 805	Applied Analysis in the Public Sector
ECON 806	Cost Benefit Analysis and Strategic Planning
ECON 816	Regulation, Industry, and the Law
ECON 865	Applied Analysis of Trade and Development

Elective Courses

 
In addition to economics courses, elective courses may be
selected from a list of graduate business courses available
from the economics graduate coordinator					3
ECON 898	Master's Thesis and Oral Defense or
Additional elective graduate economics or 
graduate business courses and Oral Comprehensive Examination		6
Minimum total34								30
Oral Comprehensive Examination: A three-hour comprehensive oral examination is required of all candidates who waive the thesis requirement. The examination covers macroeconomics, microeconomics, and one elective field chosen by the candidate. Examinations are conducted during the regular fall and spring semesters. No student is permitted to take the examination until the completion of 24 units of the Graduate Approved Program with a B average. ECON 700 and 701 must be included in these 24 units. The examination may be taken only twice.

Oral Defense of Thesis: Students who have chosen the thesis option must pass an oral defense of their thesis. This defense consists of a three hour oral examination by the thesis committee.