Ph.D. Program in Economics

First Year | Second Year | Year 3 and beyond

First Year

Fall:	Spring:
2010a (micro)	2010b (micro)
2010c (macro)	2010d (macro)
2110 (introductory probability and statistics for economists)
2120 (introduction to applied econometrics)*	2120 (introduction to applied econometrics)*
	Math 116 (convexity and optimization with applications)**
course meeting distribution requirement***	course meeting distribution requirement***

Coursework occupies most of the students' first two years in the program. The first year is devoted to developing a strong foundation in the basic tools of economics, including full-year courses in micro and macro theory (Econ 2010a and Econ 2010c in the fall and Econ 2010b and Econ 2010d in the spring)

*Students satisfy the economictrics methods requirement by completing Economics 2120: Introduction to Applied Econometrics, with a grade of B or better. Economics 2120 is usually offered in the fall and spring term. Students who are adequately prepared may take 2120 in the fall. Students who need more preparation should take Economics 2110: Introductory Probabliy and Statistics for Economists in the fall and 2120 in the spring. The econometrics requirement my be satisfied with a more advanced course with the approval of the instructor.

**Math 116 is not required but is recommended for students needing more exposure to mathematics for economics.

***The distribution requirement is fulfilled by passing one course (with grade of B+ or better) from a list of courses available in the Graduate Office. The purpose of the requirement is to insure that students are exposed to non-standard ways of thinking about issues central to economics. This is normally done by taking a course in economic history, a course involving non-standard approaches to economics, or a course in disciplines of social inquiry (anthropology, government, history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, etc.) that deal with economic topics from the perspective of those disciplines.

This requirement is frequently satisfied in the first year. The course must be taken during the time students are enrolled in the graduate program. (Courses taken as an undergraduate or in other graduate programs will not be considered.) Courses offered primarily for undergraduates may be acceptable provided there is a provision for graduate students to take the course with additional requirements.

Students may petition the chair of the committee on the distribution requirement to count a course not on the list. Students who choose to petition the committee should include as supporting materials the course syllabus and a statement of how the course fits into their general plan of study, as well as a statement as to how the course meets the spirit of the distribution requirement, namely, to insure that economics students temper their intensive study of economic theory and its applications with some exposure to non-standard ways of thinking about economic issues.

General Written Examinations

General Written Examinations in micro- and macro-economics are administered at the end of the spring term of the first year. These exams cover material presented in both the fall and spring 2010 series courses. Students must pass each exam with a grade of B or better.

Second Year:

Ec 3000

Students must register for Ec 3000 in the spring term of their second year, complete a research paper under the supervision of a faculty member, and obtain a grade of satisfactory for the course. The Ec 3000 paper must be physically present in the student's file in the Graduate Office before the Oral General Examination may be taken.

The Oral General Examination

The Oral General Examination is a one-hour exam. One half hour is devoted to each of two optional fields. A student must complete the written examination in economic theory, the econometric and distribution course requirements, the Ec 3000 paper, and two terms of coursework in each of the fields before taking the oral examination. This examination is normally taken between the second and third years of graduate study.

Both the fields and the examining committee (one faculty member per field) are selected by the student. The date and time of the oral examination are arranged by the student after consulting with his/her committee. The Graduate Coordinator will reserve a room for the examination.

For a listing of fields, please consult with the Graduate Office. Fields not listed must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies prior to scheduling the exam.

Time Limits

In order to remain in good standing, students must complete the requirements to this point within three years of residency. Students who are not in good standing in the Department will not be allowed to register in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Year 3 and beyond:

Seminar Requirement

After passing the Oral General Examination, students must enroll in a working seminar (i.e., one of the 2000-level research seminars). Each student in their third year and above must present in a working seminar (or informal lunchtime seminar) each semester, beginning in the spring term of their third year.

Advisor Requirement

In the third year, students must select a primary advisor within the Economics Department. Students are allowed to change their primary advisor according to their research interests, but must notify the graduate student coordinator of any changes.

Thesis Committee Requirement

Within one year of passing the oral examination, students must assemble a thesis committee consisting of at least two faculty members, and must complete a preliminary research plan of at most five pages, which is signed by the thesis committee. The signed research plan will become part of the student's file kept in the Graduate Office.

The Thesis Defense and Special Examination

The Thesis Committee consists of three faculty members, of whom one must be a senior faculty member. At least one additional committee member should be a member of the department. The third member may be from another department, or from another university.

The Special Examination is administered during the thesis defense. It is much like the defense itself, except that questions are not limited to the thesis. The date and time of the thesis defense and the special exam are arranged by the student after consulting with his/her committee. The date should be set well enough in advance to allow time for revisions to be made to the thesis before it must be bound and submitted to the Registrar's Office. The Graduate Office will reserve a room for the examination. In preparing your thesis for submission to the Registrar, you should consult The Form of the Doctoral Thesis.

Time Limits

In order to remain in good standing, the student must complete the thesis within three years of residency after passing the Oral General Examination. Students are allowed one additional year for leave of absence and/or may apply for a year of grace to extend this time limit. The thesis must be completed, however, within a maximum of five years after taking the Oral General Examination. Students who are not in good standing in the Department will not be allowed to register in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.