Financial 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, in business, and with international agencies and non-government organisations. They also go on to further study at some of the finest institutions in the world.

The major in Financial Economics is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Economics and related combined degrees. It is focused on the economic models used in finance, and the econometric skills needed to apply these models to financial markets and other economic data. This is an area of high employer demand in a range of diverse fields. The major can also be taken in conjunction with other majors offered by the School of Economics (Economics/Econometrics) or the Business School (such as Finance/Financial Mathematics), as long as subjects at the senior level are not double counted towards two different majors.

For the award of a major in Financial Economics, students complete:

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

• ECMT1010 Introduction to Economic Statistics (or BUSS1020 Quantitative Business Analysis#)
• ECMT1020 Introduction to Econometrics
• ECON1001 Introductory Microeconomics
• ECON1002 Introductory Macroeconomics

(ii) three compulsory senior units of study (18 credit points), as follows:

• ECOS2002 Intermediate Macroeconomics; OR ECOS2902 Intermediate Macroeconomics Honours##
• ECMT2130 Financial Econometrics
• ECOS3022 The Economics of Financial Markets

(iii) a minimum of three senior elective units of study (18 credit points) selected from the following:

• ECMT3130 Forecasting for Economics and Business
• ECMT3150 The Econometrics of Financial Markets
• ECOS2004 Money and Banking
• ECOS3007 International Macroeconomics
• ECOS3010 Monetary Economics
• ECOS3019 Capital and Dynamics*
• ECOS3021 Business Cycles and Asset Markets
• MATH3075 Financial Mathematics; OR MATH3975 Financial Mathematics (Advanced)

* Unit not offered in 2016

# BUSS1020 is a core unit for the Bachelor of Commerce and related degrees and substitutes for the junior prerequisite unit ECMT1010 for students enrolled in those courses.

Any senior unit can only be counted toward one major (be it Economics, Econometrics, Financial Economics or any other major).

## 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 at least 36 senior credit points without counting a senior unit ie ECOS2002 towards two separate majors.

Please note: Additional prerequisites from outside of the major are required for some options on the list of electives for this major. Please check Table A for details of the unit prerequisites, corequisites and other requirements.

Contact/further information

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