Graduate Catalog 2010-12

Economics

Note: Additional work will be required for graduate credit in 400-level courses.

ECON 420       Urban Economics                                                                                        3
Prereq.:  ECON 200, 201. Economic analysis of metropolitan and regional entities with special focus on land use, location decision-making, the provision and role of public services, transportation, public finance, human resources, and social welfare. 

ECON 430       International Economics                                                                            3
Prereq.:  ECON 200, 201. Principles of international trade and finance and application to modern world, theory of comparative advantage, exchange rates, monetary standards, international financial institutions, tariffs, commercial policy, and aid to underdeveloped countries. [I] 

ECON 435       Economic Development                                                                             3
Prereq.:  ECON 200. Problems of accelerating development in developing countries and maintaining development in prosperous countries. From viewpoints of theory, history, and policy, this course attempts to explain forces that lead to economic development. [I] 

ECON 445       Labor Economics                                                                                        3
Prereq.:  ECON 200, 201. Economic analysis of human resources as a factor of production. Special attention is devoted to demographics, labor market structures, wage determination, career decision-making, training, and the roles of employee organizations. 

ECON 450       Money, Credit, and Banking                                                                       3
Prereq.:  ECON 200. Money and its functions, including structure of the American banking system, with emphasis on monetary theory and policy. 

ECON 455       Public Finance                                                                                             3
Prereq.:  ECON 200, 201. Analysis of federal revenues and expenditures, including an examination of federal budget concepts, fiscal policy, cost-effectiveness analysis, tax efficiency and equity, and debt management problems. 

ECON 460       Economic Forecasting                                                                                3
Prereq.:  ECON 200, 201 and STAT 104 or equivalent. The theory and use of such forecasting techniques as simple and multiple regression, seasonal adjustment, economic indicators, input-output and macroeconomic models. Emphasis will be given to economic applications and the use of the computer. 

ECON 462       Industrial Organization                                                                              3
Prereq.:  ECON 201. Study of the structure, conduct, and performance of selected U.S. industries. The effects of concentration on prices, outputs, profits, and technological change will be analyzed. 

ECON 465       Government and Business                                                                         3
Prereq.:  ECON 201. Role of government in the mixed economy, with special emphasis on antitrust laws, regulation and deregulation, social legislation, and public enterprise. 

ECON 470       Managerial Economics                                                                               3
Prereq.:  ECON 201. Application of economic theory and quantitative methods to managerial decision-making problems. Topics include decision analysis, forecasting, demand analysis, production and cost analysis, linear programming, break-even analysis, and capital theory and budgeting. 

ECON 475       History of Economic Thought                                                                   3
Prereq.:  ECON 200, 201. Evolution of economic thought from Ancient Greece to current doctrines. 

ECON 485       Econometrics                                                                                              3
Prereq.:  ECON 200, 201 and STAT 104 or equivalent. Application of statistical methods to economics. Emphasis is placed on statistical inference, regression analysis, and real-world applications using the computer. Spring. (O) 

ECON 498       Advanced Topics in Economics                                                                 3
Prereq.:  ECON 200 and 201, or permission of instructor. Examination of advanced topics in economics which are not otherwise offered as part of the department's regular courses. Course may be repeated under different topics for up to 6 credits. 

ECON 499       Independent Study in Economics                                                    3 OR 6
Prereq.:  Permission of instructor. Students may specialize in projects of an advanced nature not covered by regular course offerings. Supervision is given through periodic conferences with each student and through several group meetings to discuss findings and common problems.