Decisions and guidelines

SAMFAK 2007/28

Doss 3:1:1

The Master Programme in Economics comprises 120 higher education credits.

The Master Programme in Economics provides a solid foundation in economic theory, statistics, and econometrics as well as very good skills in analysing empirical data and evaluating public policy. It also provides an opportunity to delve more deeply into an aspect of economics and/or to acquire broader knowledge by taking courses in other subjects. Even in international terms, the Department of Economics at Uppsala University is very strong in the fields of public economy, labour-market economics, and applied microeconomics, but advanced courses are also given in financial economics and macroeconomics, for example.

The Master Programme in Economics prepares students well for advanced economic analysis and investigative work at public authorities and administration, research institutes, banks and other financial companies, Swedish and international organisations, major companies, etc. It also provides eligibility for research-level education in economics.

GOAL DESCRIPTION/PURPOSE

The Master Programme in Economics will provide students with familiarity with central economic theory and a good knowledge of statistics and econometrics. Upon completing the programme students will be able to use economic theory and quantitative methods to independently analyse socio-economic issues. They will be well prepared to independently analyse socio-economic issues. They will be well prepared for advanced economic analysis and investigative work in administration, banks and other financial companies, research institutes, Swedish and international organisations, etc. They will also be eligible for research-level education in economics.

GOALS EXPRESSED AS EXPECTED STUDY OUTCOMES

Upon completing the programme students will

- have an in-depth knowledge of economic theory about the economic behaviour of individuals and companies

- be aware of how various market forms affect competition and the interaction of individual actors in markets

- understand the socio-economic consequences of impaired competition, external effects, and other market failures

- understand how taxes, duties, public spending, and other public interventions affect the economic system

- understand what factors determine long-term macroeconomic developments

- have a good knowledge of modern economic theory about business cycles, inflation, and unemployment

- have a specialised knowledge of one aspect of economics, such as labour-market economics, public economy, or financial economics, or a broader knowledge of some other social scientific subject

- have a command of important mathematical methods and be able to analyse intertemporal decisions and economic dynamics

- have a command of the statistical theory that underlies central econometric methods

- be able to use economic theory and quantitative methods to independently analyse socio-economic issues, including problems of political economy

- be able to apply econometric methods to micro- and macroeconomic data and to assess the pros and cons of various types of data and empirical methods in relation to specific problems

- be able to digest new research findings (theoretical and empirical) in economics and independently present overviews of the state of knowledge in a particular field

- be able to express themselves well in speech and in writing and be able to convey their knowledge in writing and orally within and outside of academia and also in English

- be able to carry out a major research or investigative project and present the findings in the form of a thoroughly considered report.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree comprising 120 credits/180 higher education credits, at least 60 credits/90 higher education credits of which in economics, including an independent degree project worth at least 10 credits/15 higher education credits or the equivalent. Moreover, 10 credits/15 higher education credits are required in statistics.

Layout of the programme

The programme leads to a two-year Master's degree comprising 120 higher education credits in the major field of economics. The two-year Master's degree requires 60 higher education credits in the major field, at least 30 higher education credits of which comprise an independent degree project.

The programme may be concluded with a one-year Master's degree comprising 60 higher education credits in the major field of economics. The one-year Master's degree requires 30 higher education credits in the major field, at least 15 higher education credits of which comprise an independent degree project.

Instruction

Instruction will be done in various forms, including lectures, laboratory work, and calculation work, depending on which course in the programme is being given. Instruction is in English.

Degree

The programme starts with one term of obligatory Master's courses in micro- and macro-theory and in analytical methods. Term 2 is devoted to courses in statistics, econometric theory, applied econometrics, and policy evaluation. In Term 3 students can choose among a large number of courses in economics and other subjects. In Term 4 students write a degree project worth 30 higher education credits.