Courses

Analysis of problems associated with socially optimal use of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources over time. Problems of common property resources, irreversible forms of development, and preservation of natural areas. Prereq., ECON 3070. Credit not granted for this course and ECON 3535.

Examines the effects of economic growth on the environment; application of economic theory of external diseconomies, cost-benefit analysis, program budgeting, and welfare economics to problems of the physical environment. Prereq., ECON 3070. Credit not granted for this course and ECON 3545.

Provides an overview of the characteristics and structure of transportation markets including aggregate demand, vehicle and mode choice, surface freight and air travel. Explores market failures in the transportation sector including market power and externalities such as pollution, congestion and accidents as well as policies aimed at addressing these issues. Prereqs., ECON 3070 and 3818.

Examines the influence of markets, unions, and government on labor allocation and remuneration. Analyzes human capital, discrimination, mobility and migration, productivity, unemployment, and inflation. Compares outcomes under competition with those in a world marked by shared market power and bargaining. Prereq., ECON 3070.

Examines the unique insights available through economic analysis regarding the causes, mechanisms, and consequences of inequality and discrimination. Examines the extent of inequality, the varieties and extents of discrimination, and explores the economic models that suggest explanations. Prereq., ECON 3070. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.

Growth in health expenditures worldwide over the past three decades has led to an increase in research in health economics and its importance in public policy in developed and developing countries. The purpose of this course is to encourage students to read, think, and do research on issues in health economics. This course will cover issues that are pertinent to the US, other developed and developing countries. It will cover the basics of health economics such as health production functions and the role for government as well as touching on topical issues such as health care reform. Prereq., ECON 3070. Recommended prereq., ECON 3818.

Explores neoclassical theory of the firm, the determinants of industrial structure, and the purposes and institutions of public policy to control or maintain a competitive environment. Prereq., ECON 3070. Approved for arts and sciences CORE curriculum: United States context.

Explores competing paradigms of economic development, emphasizing the confrontation between the structuralist/dirigiste paradigm and the neoclassical public choice paradigm. Analyzes economic reforms under way in developing countries, including stabilization policy and structural adjustment. Also explores political reforms, including the pluralist revolution and the design of a constitutional framework in developing societies. Prereqs., ECON 3070 or 3080.

Explores empirical, theoretical, and policy issues ineconomic development. Examines topics with reference to the developing countries: income distribution and poverty, demographic change, labor force employment and migration, human capital, physical capital, natural resources and the environment, industrial structure, international trade, and finance. Prereqs., ECON 3070 or 3080.

Introduces theories explaining why differences in standards of living among countries are so large. Examines a variety of data on historical experiences of economic growth. Surveys recent research on why some countries are so rich and some are so poor, and why some countries grow so quickly and others grow so slowly. Prereqs., ECON 1088 or equivalent, and ECON 3070 or 3080.

Explores two major branches of Industrial Organization--antitrust and regulation. Focus is on developing qualitative and quantitative skills for the legal-economic analysis of issues and problems across a variety of industries. Case studies are used to illustrate concepts, including mergers, collusive agreements, monopolization, and networks. Individual and group projects help develop advocacy and public speaking skills. Prereq., ECON 3070.

Introduces the use of mathematics in economics. Topics include vectors and matrices, differential calculus, and optimization theory, with economic applications. Prereqs., ECON 3070 and ECON 3818.

Provides undergraduate economics majors with an introduction to econometric theory and practice. Develops the multiple regression model and problems encountered in its application in lecture and individual applied projects. Prereqs., ECON 3070 and 3818.

Teaches basic concepts in Java programming applied to economic models. Development of Web pages and dynamic modeling will be introduced. Students will gain a foundation that can be applied to creating advanced applications relating to analysis of statistical data and custom projects. Prereqs., ECON 1088 or MATH 1300, ECON 3070 and ECON 3818.

Introduces students to the practice of applied regression analysis. Summarizes and reviews the regression technique, explores U.S. census data sources, introduces an advanced statistical software package and provides structured exercises in regression analysis of census data. Concludes with independent research projects analyzing social and economic issues using regression analysis and census data. Prereq., ECON 3818. Recommended prereq., ECON 3070.

Introduces statistical models, estimation and testing procedures used in analyzing financial data for advanced undergraduates. Topics include the modeling of returns, portfolio theory, the capital asset pricing model, options pricing and fixed income securities. Prereq., ECON 3818 or equivalent. Recommended prereq., ECON 4818.

Computer simulation modeling translates theory into computer code to examine questions numerically; for example, the effects of taxes or emissions permits on welfare and income distribution. We use GAMS (general algebraic modeling system); a version may be downloaded for free. Students must have access to a computer (not needed in the classroom). Prereq., ECON 3070.

Introduces students to the economic analysis of relationship between firms and incentives within firms. The first part covers classical theories of firm boundaries and contractual relationship between firms. The second part focuses on compensation and incentive issues within firms. Prereqs., ECON 3070 and 3818.

May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours, but only 3 credit hours count for economics major. Prereqs., ECON 1000 or 2010 and 2020; completion of at least 12 hours of ECON classes and instructor and department consent required. Offered only to students with a GPA of 3.00 or better.

Offers students the opportunity to integrate theoretical concepts of economics with practical experience in economics-related institutions. The theoretical portion arises from seminars and readings, the practical from activities in organizations related to the economics field. A maximum of 3 credit hours counts toward major requirements. Prereqs., ECON 3070 and 3080 and instructor consent. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Junior or Senior) Economic (ECON) majors only.

Students read current periodicals, picking out topics in which economics plays a role in understanding events. Background reading is assigned on topics chosen. May not be taken more than once for credit. Prereqs., ECON 3070 and 3080, and junior or senior standing. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Junior or Senior).

Trains graduate students in scientific methodology and research in economics. Culminates in a research project that normally leads directly to thesis work. Prereqs., ECON 6070, 6080, 6808, and 6818. Will not be offered academic year 2007--08.

Offers a multidisciplinary exploration of the engineering, economic, and institutional principles involved in water system development and management. Provides a background in basic hydrology, economics, water law, and institutions. Prereq., ECON 3070 or equivalent. Same as CVEN 5393.

Covers stabilization policy and structural adjustment. Specific topics include orthodox stabilization policies (fiscal, monetary, and exchange rate policies); heterodox stabilization policies (price, wage, and interest controls); trade liberalization; financial liberalization; privatization and deregulation. Prereqs., ECON 6070 and 6080.

Introduces first-year graduate students to time series approach of model building and forecasting. Basic topics are autoregressive integrated moving average models, nonstationarity and co-integration, vector autoregressions, and the evaluation of forecasts from such models. Emphasizes applied computer assignments. Prereqs., ECON 3818 and 4808, or equivalent.