About the programme

The structure of the programme is organised to offer a progression that suit most students. Currently, the standard structure of the programme is as follows.

First semester
You start the first semester with compulsory courses in micro and macro theory and analytical methods. Each course consists of 7.5 credits. During the first part of the semester, the courses to be taken in parallel are Microeconomic Theory and Analytical Methods.

Microeconomic Theory is an advanced micro course which gives the students a more profound knowledge of consumption and prod- uction theory and general equilibrium analysis, among other things.

Analytical Methods consists of two parts, mathematical analysis and game theory. The mathematical analysis aims at providing the
students with the necessary mathematical background for more advanced studies in microeconomics and econometrics.

The second part will introduce the students to basic game theoretical concepts. The courses taken during the second part of the semester are Topics in Microeconomics and Macroeconomic Theory. Topics in Microeconomics is an applied course where microeconomic theory is applied to different kinds of economic issues.

The course Macroeconomic Theory gives an introduction to modern advanced macroeconomics and deals with subjects like economic growth, business cycles, consumption, investment, unemployment and macroeconomic policy.


Second semester
The second semester is devoted to courses in statistics, econometric theory and applied econometrics. Each course amounts to 7.5 credits.

The first two courses of this semester consist of Probability Theory and Inference, and Econometrics. Both courses are given by the Department of Statistics. Probability Theory and Inference is a basic course in probability calculus and statistical inference. Econometrics is a basic course in econometrics with an emphasis on analysing real economic data.

The third course of this semester is Time Series Analysis, which is given by the Department of Statistics. Time Series Analysis is a basic course in econometrics with an emphasis on time-series analysis. The last course in the second semester is Applied Econometrics which is given by the Economics Department. The course includes a great deal of hands on exercises in applied econometrics.

Third semester
The aim of the courses of the third semester is to broaden the knowledge attained during the first two semesters. You can choose from a number of more applied courses at the department. The
department offers the following elective courses: Financial Theory, Applied Macroeconomics, Policy Evaluation, Political Economics and Labour Economics. You are encouraged to take courses also in
other subjects, such as political science and mathematics, during this semester.

Fourth semester
The fourth semester is devoted to the writing of an essay amounting to 30 credits.

Degree

The programme leads to a Master of Social Science (120 credits), with Economics as the main field of study. The formal requirements for a degree are: 60 credits in economics on advanced level including a 30-credit thesis; 30 credits on advanced level in any subject and 30 credits on any level in any subject. Cooperations and exchanges
The Department is, scientifically and geographically, closely connected to the Institute for Labour Market Policy Evaluation (IFAU) and cooperates with IFAU in certain courses within the programme. Starting in 2012, the department cooperates with the University of Siena in Italy. A few students will be given the possibility to, during the second year, follow the masterprogramme in Siena.