Requirements for a Major in Economics
The Economics major requires students to complete 54 Units including a capstone project that is worth 10 Unit. The rest of the 44 Unit are obtained through coursework that must include one gateway course, three required courses, and at least one advanced course as specified below. In addition to YSS1203 Principles of Economics, at most one other course at the 1000 level can be counted towards the 44 Unit requirement.
Gateway Course
YSS1203 Principles of Economics:this course is designed to serve as an introduction to economics for prospective majors as well as for non-majors interested in economics.
Preclusions: If a student has completed A-level Mathematics AND A-level Economics (or equivalent courses in high school), then the student is not allowed to take Principles of Economics.
Note: Students who do not take Principles of Economics (either because they are precluded by or because they have done A-level (equivalent) Mathematics and prefer to enrol in Intermediate Microeconomics) must take an additional Economics elective to fulfil the 44 Unit requirement.
Required Courses
- YSS2211 Econometrics
- YSS2214 Intermediate Macroeconomics
- YSS2203 Intermediate Microeconomics
Advanced Courses (at least one of the following)
- YSS3203 Behavioral Economics
- YSS3207 Advanced Econometrics
- YSS3248 Advanced Macroeconomics
- YSS3208 Advanced Microeconomics
- YSS3264 Bubbles, Crises, Crashes and Panics
- YSS4227 Topics in Applied Econometrics
- YSS4258 Asset Pricing, Financial Markets & Behavioral Finance
Capstone
- YSS4104 Capstone I
- YSS4104 Capstone II
Elective Courses
Economics offers electives in two categories: Applied Economics and Core Courses. These categories reflect the nature of the courses that fall within them. Applied Economics courses apply the insights of data analysis and economic theory to a wide range of topics. Core Courses are more theoretical – and thereby, more mathematical – in their orientation. Students who wish to pursue a Master’s and PhD in Economics are highly encouraged to take these courses.
In addition to gateway and required courses, students must choose a sufficient number of elective courses to satisfy the 44 Unit requirement. It is not necessary that all these courses belong to one category or another. What is more important is that any particular combination of courses should prepare students for their capstone and their career ambitions. Students are highly encouraged to discuss their respective choices with their faculty advisors and the Head of Studies.
Generally, elective courses have one or more of the required courses above as prerequisites. Therefore, it is highly advisable that students in the major complete the three required courses early in their undergraduate studies. Please check with the course instructor regarding the specific prerequisites before signing up for any elective course.
Economics Minor
Students who wish to minor in Economics are required to complete five full semester Economics courses including:
- Principles of Economics
- Intermediate Microeconomics
- Intermediate Macroeconomics
- Econometrics
- The fifth course may include any other course in the Economics major
Students who do not take Principles of Economics because they:
(1) are precluded from that course or
(2) have done A-level (equivalent) Mathematics and prefer to enrol in Intermediate Microeconomics must take another economics course to fulfil the five-course requirement of the Economics minor.
