Economics

Economics is a diverse, fascinating discipline that studies a wide range of issues that shape the broad framework of society – political, social and commercial. The School of Economics has a proud history as one of the most highly ranked centres in economics. This is reflected in our degrees, which promote a deep understanding of the key concepts of economics with a focus on contemporary issues of Australian and international importance. Our graduates are leaders in their fields – at the Reserve Bank, Treasury and other government departments, in global financial institutions, and with international agencies and NGOs. They also go on to further study at some of the finest institutions in the world.

The objective of the major in Economics is to equip students for the diverse range of careers which value the key skills of the discipline - understanding economic and social phenomena, analyzing economic data, and exploring alternative choices in addressing key challenges. The major builds the training in economics incrementally. It addresses the essentials of the discipline early in the degree, which opens a wide range of choice at senior level. This allows students to shape concentrations in areas of interest – in macroeconomics, or in areas of applied economic policy.

For the award of a major in Economics students complete:

(i) four junior prerequisite units of study (24 credit points), as follows:

• ECMT1010 Business and Economic Statistics A
• ECMT1020 Business and Economic Statistics B
• ECON1001 Introductory Microeconomics
• ECON1002 Introductory Macroeconomics.

(ii) two compulsory senior units of study (12 credit points), as follows:

• ECOS2001 Intermediate Microeconomics; OR ECOS2901 Intermediate Microeconomics Honours
• ECOS2002 Intermediate Macroeconomics; OR ECOS2902 Intermediate Macroeconomics Honours#.

(iii) a minimum of four senior elective units of study (24 credit points) selected from the following options, with at least three at 3000-level (18 credit points):

• ECOS2025 East Asian Economies
• ECOS2201 Economics of Competition and Strategy
• ECOS2306 Managerial Firms: Evolutions and Attributes *
• ECOS2307 The European Economy
• ECOS2903 Mathematical Economics A
• ECOS3002 Development Economics
• ECOS3003 Hierarchies, Incentives and Firm Structure
• ECOS3004 History of Economic Thought
• ECOS3005 Industrial Organisation
• ECOS3006 International Trade
• ECOS3007 International Macroeconomics
• ECOS3008 Labour Economics
• ECOS3010 Monetary Economics
• ECOS3011 Public Finance
• ECOS3012 Strategic Behaviour
• ECOS3013 Economics of the Environment
• ECOS3015 Law and Economics
• ECOS3016 Experimental and Behavioural Economics
• ECOS3017 Health Economics
• ECOS3018 Economics of Growth
• ECOS3019 Capital and Dynamics
• ECOS3020 Special Topic in Economics
• ECOS3021 Business Cycles and Asset Markets
• ECOS3022 The Economics of Financial Markets
• ECOS3023 Personnel Economics
• ECOS3901 Advanced Microeconomics
• ECOS3902 Advanced Macroeconomics
• ECOS3903 Applied Microeconomics Honours
• ECOS3904 Applied Macroeconomics Honours

* Unit not offered in 2014

# Where students are completing both an Economics and a Financial Economics major, an additional senior elective (ECOS2000 or ECOS3000 level) should be completed for one of the majors, as Economics and Financial Economics both require the compulsory unit ECOS2002/ECOS2902. Both majors must include 36 senior credit points without counting a senior unit i.e. ECOS2002 towards two separate majors.

The units ECOS3901, ECOS3902, ECOS3903 and ECOS3904 require the completion of additional prerequisites/corequisites outside of those prerequisite units of study listed for this major.

Please check Table A for details of the unit prerequisites, corequisites and other requirements.

Honours

The School of Economics has a challenging and rewarding Honours program. It provides our students with considerable experience in undertaking research, in developing their writing skills and in structuring arguments. Preparation for the final Honours year in Economics at the University of Sydney begins in the second year of the undergraduate degree with dedicated honours program units in both the second and third year. Entry into the Economics Honours program is also possible in the third and fourth years, but the entry criteria are higher for students who take this pathway than for students who begin in their second year. Students entering in later years will also need to complete some units from the second and third years of the honours program, as detailed below.

University of Sydney students who begin and/or complete their three year degree mid-year can also enter the honours program and, at the end of their three year degree, can progress straight into their final honours year in second semester. To be eligible these students must have completed the required units in the honours pathway by the start of the same calendar year, and must attend the thesis class throughout that calendar year. This requires accelerated progression through the 2nd and 3rd year honours program.

For details please see sydney.edu.au/arts/economics/undergrad/honours.shtml

Please note: from 2015 the minimum requirement for entry into Honours will increase to an average of 70% or above across 48 senior credit points in the intended subject area/s.

Contact/Further Information

School of Economics
sydney.edu.au/arts/economics
Room 370, Merewether H04
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