Economics
135 courses · UC Irvine · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
ECON 1 Introduction to Economics
- Units
- 4
An analysis of the problems society faces in organizing itself to provide goods and services. How decisions of government, business, and the individual relate to current economic problems such as unemployment, inflation, poverty, and environmental pollution.
ECON 11 The Internet and Public Policy
- Units
- 4
How the Internet works. Current public policy issues concerning the Internet. Introductory economics. Communications law. Interactions between information technology, economics, and law. Case studies about Internet and communications policy.
ECON 12 Federal Reserve: Past, Present, and Future
- Units
- 4
Studies central banking in the United States from colonial times to the present. Focuses on the past, present, and future of the Federal Reserve and precursors to that system, which was established in 1913.
ECON 13 Global Economy
- Units
- 4
Acquaints students with the fundamental patterns of the global economy. Emphasizes the historical roots and political implications of economic choices.
ECON 15 Probability and Statistics for Economics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- MATH 2A or AP Calculus AB with a minimum score of 3 or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 3 or AP Calculus AB Subscore with a minimum score of 3 and (MATH 2B or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 4)
Introduces basic probability and statistics for econometrics. Knowing and understanding the details of statistics, statistical test, and conclusions about the test results. Problem sets provide practical experience on actual economic data using statistical packages.
ECON 15A Probability and Statistics in Economics I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- MATH 2A or AP Calculus AB with a minimum score of 3 or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 3 or AP Calculus AB Subscore with a minimum score of 3 and (MATH 2B or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 4)
An introduction to probability, statistics, and econometrics. Emphasis on a thorough understanding of the probabilistic basis of statistical inference. Examples from economics.
ECON 15B Probability and Statistics in Economics II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 15A
An introduction to probability, statistics, and econometrics. Emphasis on a thorough understanding of the probabilistic basis of statistical inference. Examples from economics.
ECON 17 An Economic Approach to Religion
- Units
- 4
Introduction to how basic economic concepts such as demand, supply, consumption, production, competition, free-riding, innovation, regulation, and rent-seeking can be applied to understand observed religious behavior.
ECON 20A Basic Economics I
- Units
- 4
The fundamentals of microeconomics. The behavior of firms and consumers: markets, supply/demand, utility maximization, resource allocation, and efficiency.
ECON 20B Basic Economics II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 20A or AP Economics Micro with a minimum score of 4) or ECON 13 or ECON 23
The fundamentals of macroeconomics. Government behavior: monetary and fiscal policy, inflation, and unemployment. Effective fall 2006, the content of Economics 20B is macroeconomics. This course cannot be taken to repeat Economics 20B taken prior to fall 2006.
ECON 23 Basic Economics for Engineers
- Units
- 4
The fundamentals of microeconomics. The behavior of firms and of consumers: markets, supply/demand, utility maximization, resource allocation, and efficiency.
ECON 25 The Economics of Accounting Decisions
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 20A
Introduction to accounting concepts and principles, including the accounting model and accounting style, transaction analysis, and preparation of financial statements. An analysis of the similarities and differences between accounting and economic concepts (e.g., value, profits).
ECON H80 Learning Economics Through Sports
- Units
- 4
Introduces students to a selection of research topics in economics and other social sciences, using sports as laboratories and as sources of exceptionally-detailed data. Topics include labor markets, psychological biases and social forces, the adoption of innovations.
ECON 100A Intermediate Economics I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 20A or AP Economics Micro with a minimum score of 4) and (ECON 20B or AP Economics Macro with a minimum score of 4) and (MATH 2A or AP Calculus AB with a minimum score of 3 or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 3 or AP Calculus AB Subscore with a minimum score of 4) and (MATH 2B or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 4)
Determinants of supply and demand; operation of competitive and monopolistic markets; imperfections of the market system, explanations of unemployment, inflation, recessions; public policy for macroeconomic problems.
ECON 100B Intermediate Economic II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 100A or ECON 105A
Determinants of supply and demand; operation of competitive and monopolistic markets; imperfections of the market system, explanations of unemployment, inflation, recessions; public policy for macroeconomic problems.
ECON 100C Intermediate Economics III
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 100B or ECON 105B
Determinants of supply and demand; operation of competitive and monopolistic markets; imperfections of the market system, explanations of unemployment, inflation, recessions; public policy for macroeconomic problems.
ECON 105A Intermediate Quantitative Economics I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 20A or AP Economics Micro with a minimum score of 4) and (ECON 20B or AP Economics Macro with a minimum score of 4) and (MATH 2A or AP Calculus AB with a minimum score of 3 or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 3 or AP Calculus AB Subscore with a minimum score of 4) and (MATH 2B or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 4) and MATH 3A
An advanced and mathematical version of ECON 100A for students in the Quantitative Economics major.
ECON 105B Intermediate Quantitative Economics II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 105A
An advanced and mathematical version of ECON 100B for students in the Quantitative Economics major.
ECON 105C Intermediate Quantitative Economics III
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 105B
An advanced and mathematical version of ECON 100C for students in the Quantitative Economics major.
ECON 107 Economics of Asymmetric Information
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 100A or ECON 105A
Focuses on the effects of asymmetric information in the markets for traditional economic goods and resources, such as labor, insurance, used cars, credit, and in auctions and bargaining problems. Prerequisite:
ECON 113 Game Theory of Human Cooperation and Morality
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 15 or ECON 15B or STATS 120B or MATH 130B) and (ECON 100A or ECON 105A)
Teaches how game theory is used to understand human cooperation and morality. Covers basic game-theoretic concepts and analysis, how they illuminate what it means to be moral, and how prosocial human dispositions evolved.
ECON 115 Behaviorial Economics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 20A or AP Economics Micro with a minimum score of 4) and (ECON 20B or AP Economics Macro with a minimum score of 4)
Studies the behavioral and psychological biases in economics settings. Both individual decisions and games are discussed.
ECON 116 Game Theory
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 15 or ECON 15B or STATS 120B or MATH 130B) and (ECON 100A or ECON 105A)
Extensive form games with perfect information and coalitional games. The key solution concepts are Nash Equilibrium, Backward Induction, and the Core. Substantive examples include public good production, oligopoly, electoral competition, auctions, holdup, market entry, and voting.
ECON 122A Applied Econometrics I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 100A or ECON 105A and (ECON 15A or ECON 15B or ECON 15 or MATH 130B or MATH 133A or STATS 120C)
- Corequisite
- ECON 100A or ECON 105A
Introduction to econometrics emphasizing practical applications in microeconomics and macroeconomics.
ECON 122B Applied Econometrics II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 122A
Introduction to econometrics emphasizing practical applications in microeconomics and macroeconomics.
ECON 122CW Data Analysis Writing
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 122A and ECON 122B. Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement
Research writing course in econometrics focusing on individual research projects. Students employ econometric analysis to address an economic question in a 20-page paper and present their findings to the class in a short presentation.
ECON 123A Econometrics I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (MATH 2A or AP Calculus AB with a minimum score of 3 or AP Calculus AB Subscore with a minimum score of 4 or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 3) and (MATH 2B or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 4) and MATH 3A and (STATS 120C or MATH 130C) and (ECON 100A and ECON 100B and ECON 100C) or (ECON 105A and ECON 105B and ECON 105C)
Specification, estimation, and testing of econometric models. Applications in various areas of microeconomics and macroeconomics.
ECON 123B Econometrics II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 123A
Specification, estimation, and testing of econometric models. Applications in various areas of microeconomics and macroeconomics.
ECON 123CW Econometrics III
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 123B. Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement
Seminar course in which students do an original econometric research project.
ECON 125 Business Forecasting
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 122A
Students learn how to produce forecasts of the behavior of economic (and other) variables. The techniques examined are linear regression, nonlinear regression, and nonparametric kernel regression; AR, MA, ARMA, ARIMA, and Box-Jenkins.
ECON 126 Computational Macroeconomics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 100C or ECON 105C) and (ECON 122A or ECON 123A)
- Corequisite
- ECON 122A or ECON 123A
Introduction to the computational methods for studying economic growth and the business cycle. Students learn how to write computer programs to simulate macroeconomic models, download and manage data from internet resources, and to do basic statistics.
ECON 127 Experimental Economics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 15 or ECON 15B) and ECON 100B
Learn what constitutes proper experimental design and what laboratory experiments teach us about human behavior and the economy. Students participate in a sample experiment, evaluate the results, and discuss experiment design and larger issues. Formerly ECON 117.
ECON 127W The Economics of Opportunity
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 122A or ECON 123A) and (ECON 100A or ECON 105A) and (ECON 100B or ECON 105B) and (ECON 100C or ECON 105C). Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement
Examines factors that allow individuals to improve their economic situation regardless of their family’s economic circumstances during childhood. Covers various topics including neighborhoods, housing, education, healthcare, labor markets, and the criminal justice system.
ECON 128 Machine Learning for Economists
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 123A
Develops the theory and computation of recent methods at the intersection of econometrics and machine learning as used in economics and business. Building on intermediate econometrics, it introduces causal random forests, double machine learning, and neural networks.
ECON 129 Special Topics in Quantitative Methods
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- Prerequisites vary
Studies in selected areas of Quantitative Methods. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
ECON 131A The Economics of Risk and Uncertainty
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 15 or ECON 15B or MATH 130B or STATS 120B) and (ECON 100B or ECON 105B)
The theory of insurance and joint-ownership of risky enterprises; optimal procedures for the allocation of uncertain payoffs.
ECON 132A Introduction to Financial Investments
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 122A or ECON 123A) and (ECON 100A and ECON 100B and ECON 100C) or (ECON 105A and ECON 105B and ECON 105C) or (MATH 130A and STATS 120A and STATS 120B and STATS 120C) or MATH 130B or MATH 133A
- Corequisite
- ECON 100C or ECON 105C
Modern theories of investment and their application to the study of financial markets. The relation between risk and return, diversification, asset pricing, efficient markets hypothesis, and the market valuation of stocks, bonds, options, and futures.
ECON 133 Markets and Networks
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 100A or ECON 105A
Introduction into network effects in economic settings, such as auctions, markets, and bargaining. Networks are also important in information diffusion, aggregation, and search. Some applications refer to traffic and epidemics.
ECON 134A Corporate Finance
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 100A and ECON 100B and ECON 100C) or (ECON 105A and ECON 105B and ECON 105C) and (ECON 15 or ECON 15B or MATH 130B or STATS 120B)
Provides an overview of the modern theory and practice of corporate finance and focuses on two fundamental financial decisions; investment as well as financing. Beginning with discounted cash flow analysis, basic theory will be applied to the valuation of stocks.
ECON 134B Corporate Finance II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 134A or MGMT 109
Advanced material in corporate finance. How to value companies, debt and equity financing, capital structure, IPOs, venture capital, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions. Applies knowledge through cases and real-life examples.
ECON 135 Mathematics of Finance
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- MATH 3A
After reviewing tools from probability, statistics, and elementary differential and partial differential equations, concepts such as hedging, arbitrage, Puts, Calls, the design of portfolios, the derivation and solution of the Blac-Scholes, and other equations are discussed.
ECON 137W Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 122A or ECON 123A. Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement
Students are required to write a paper on a research question related to financial markets and their interactions with the macroeconomic and political environment.
ECON 139 Special Topics in Financial Economics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- MATH 2A or AP Calculus AB with a minimum score of 3 or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 4 and (MATH 2B or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 4). Prerequisites vary
Studies in selected areas of Financial Economics. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
ECON 140 Managerial Economics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 100A and ECON 100B) or (ECON 105A and ECON 105B)
A collection of concepts and methods for effective decision making. Explores how the tools of microeconomics, including game theory and industrial organization theory, can be used to make better managerial decisions, particularly those involving allocation of resources within firms.
ECON 140E Health Economics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 100B or ECON 105B
Builds off of economic theory to explore topics in health economics including health care demand, health insurance markets, the supply of health care, and examine health care policy.
ECON 141D Public Economics and Development
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 122A or ECON 123A
Covers three topics of great relevance to governments in low-income countries: education, social insurance, and tax evasion. Through the lens of these topics, the basic questions of Public Economics, using theory and empirical evidence, are addressed.
ECON 142A Industrial Organization I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 15 or ECON 15B or STATS 120B or MATH 130B) and (ECON 100A and ECON 100B) or (ECON 105A and ECON 105B)
The theory of market structure. Imperfect markets, government policies, and industry performance.
ECON 142CW Industrial Organization III
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 100A and ECON 100B) or (ECON 105A and ECON 105B). Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement
Research in industrial organization. Imperfect competition, antitrust, and regulation.
ECON 144A Urban Economics I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 20A or AP Economics Micro with a minimum score of 4) and (ECON 20B or AP Economics Macro with a minimum score of 4). Recommended: ECON 100A
- Corequisite
- ECON 20B
Why cities exist, economics of urban land-use, housing demand and tenure choice, traffic congestion.
ECON 144B Urban Economics II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 20A or AP Economics Micro with a minimum score of 4) and (ECON 20B or AP Economics Macro with a minimum score of 4). Recommended: ECON 100A
Housing policy analysis, urban public goods and services, crime, pollution, urban amenities.
ECON 145E Economics of the Environment
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 100A or ECON 105A
Surveys economic aspects of natural resources, pollution, population, and the environment. Examines the causes of pollution; analysis of public policies regarding these problems. Emphasis on microeconomic aspects of environmental problems.
ECON 145FW Economics of the Environment II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 15A or STATS 120A or MATH 130A) and (ECON 15B or STATS 120B or MATH 130B) and (ECON 122A or ECON 123A) and (ECON 100A or ECON 105A) and (ECON 100B or ECON 105B) and (ECON 100C or ECON 105C). Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement
Applications of tools covered in ECON 145E to topics in environmental economics. Emphasis on independent research papers. Syllabus and classes include writing technique and use cutting-edge research papers as a base for developing effective reading, writing, and research skills.
ECON 145L Economics of Law
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 100A or ECON 105A) and (ECON 100B or ECON 105B)
- Corequisite
- ECON 100B or ECON 105B
Examination of several economic concepts which are useful in understanding legal rules: externalities, the assignment of property rights, and Coase's theorem. Examples are drawn from the fields of pollution control, no-fault insurance, medical malpractice, and product liability.
ECON 146A Illegal Economics
- Units
- 4
How illegal firms function in illegal markets, why individuals participate in these groups and markets, and what federal, state, and local governments do to disrupt organized illegal activity.
ECON 146B Economics of Criminal Justice
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 122A or ECON 123A
Provides an introduction to the economics of crime literature.
ECON 146D Conflict and Economics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 100A or ECON 105A) and (ECON 100B or ECON 105B)
Applies the tools of economics to study the causes and consequences of violent conflict (e.g., wars between nations, civil wars, and crime) and more refined forms of conflict (e.g., lobbying and litigation).
ECON 147B Economics of Strategy
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 100A and ECON 100B) or (ECON 105A and ECON 105B)
Uses tools of economics, game theory in particular, to develop an understanding of business decision-making. Deals with questions such as how the firm decides what kind of business to be in, how large should it be, and others.
ECON 148 Business Decisions
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ANTHRO 10A and ANTHRO 10B and ANTHRO 10C) or (SOCIOL 10A and SOCIOL 10B and SOCIOL 10C) or (SOC SCI 10A and SOC SCI 10B and SOC SCI 10C) or (MATH 2A and MATH 2B and (STATS 7 or MGMT 7) or (STATS 120A and STATS 120B and STATS 120C) or (ECON 15 or ECON 15B or MATH 130B)
Surveys normative and descriptive models of decision-making behavior, with an emphasis on organizational and policy contexts. Topics include rational choice theory, biases and heuristics, framing effects, and overconfidence. Management fads, panics, and herd behavior are also discussed.
ECON 149 Special Topics in Economics of Public and Private Organizations
- Units
- 4
Studies in selected areas of Economics of Public and Private Organizations. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
ECON 151A Labor Economics and Human Resources I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 15 or ECON 15B or STATS 120B or MATH 130B) and (ECON 100A and ECON 100B) or (ECON 105A and ECON 105B)
Labor demand, labor supply, human capital, personnel economics, and other topics.
ECON 151B Labor Economics and Human Resources II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 151A
Labor market discrimination, compensating wage differentials, immigration, and other topics.
ECON 152A Economic Anthropology
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- One course in general science, anthropology, economics, geography, or sociology
Economic systems in comparative perspective: production, distribution, and consumption in market and non-market societies; agricultural development in the third world.
ECON 153W Political Institutions, Legal Systems, and Economic Development
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 100A or ECON 105A) and (ECON 100B or ECON 105B) and (ECON 100C or ECON 105C) and (ECON 122A or ECON 123A). Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement
Studies a variety of empirical papers analyzing how institutions affect economic development. The topics include cross-country studies of institutions as well as narrower topics such as corruption, regulation of entry, political connections, and pork barrel politics.
ECON 154 Voting and Political Manipulation
- Units
- 4
Introduction to social choice and cooperative games. Topics include majority rule, types of voting methods, apportionment and proportional representation, agenda manipulation, coalition formation, voting power, political consequences of electoral laws.
ECON 155 Current Issues in Political Economy
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 20A or AP Economics Micro with a minimum score of 4) or (ECON 20B or AP Economics Macro with a minimum score of 4) or ECON 13 or INTL ST 13
Political economy seeks explanations that combine insights from both economics and politics. Topics include the interaction of government and markets, the causes of the Great Recession, and the sources of income and wealth inequality.
ECON 157 Economic Development
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 20A or AP Economics Micro with a minimum score of 4) and (ECON 20B or AP Economics Macro with a minimum score of 4)
Considers the process of economic development across the globe and why some countries are rich and others poor. Discusses the major problems facing developing countries, such as population growth, education, capital formation, environmental protection, and international trade.
ECON 161A Money and Banking
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 100A and ECON 100B) or (ECON 105A and ECON 105B) and (ECON 100C or ECON 105C)
- Corequisite
- ECON 100C or ECON 105C
Basic elements of money and banking: institutional features and economics of financial markets and, in particular, the U.S. banking system; determinants of interest rates; the Federal Reserve and its role in money supply; effects of money on output and inflation.
ECON 161B International Money
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 100A and ECON 100B) or (ECON 105A and ECON 105B) and (ECON 100C or ECON 105C)
- Corequisite
- ECON 100C or ECON 105C
Open economy macroeconomics and determination of exchange rates. Asset-market approach to the balance of payments. Internal and external balance in the economy. Macroeconomic policies under fixed and floating exchange rates. The international monetary system and institutions.
ECON 161D Advanced Money and Banking
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 161A and (ECON 100C or ECON 105C)
Studies business cycles in the United States during the last century. The first portion of the course reviews the theoretical models employed to study economic fluctuations and empirical methods used to measure fluctuations.
ECON 162 Poverty, Growth, and Development
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 15 or ECON 15B or STATS 120B) and (ECON 100A and ECON 100B and ECON 100C) or (ECON 105A and ECON 105B and ECON 105C)
Examines India as a case study for each of the topics studied: growth experience of India along with its poverty eradication record, aspects of poverty, and the policies that have been undertaken to tackle poverty.
ECON 163 Poverty and Inequality
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 15 or ECON 15B or STATS 120B or MATH 130B) and (ECON 100A or ECON 105A)
Examines the measurement, causes, consequences, and correlates of poverty and inequality in the United States. Topics include the roles of public policy responses through income taxes, transfers, and direct labor-market interventions, family structure and neighborhoods.
ECON 164AW The Industrial Revolution in Western Europe
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 100C or ECON 105C. Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement
- Corequisite
- ECON 100C
How do economists explain the process of economic development during the past three centuries? Has the process of industrialization affected living standards? Focusing on these questions, students learn how to apply economic theory and quantitative methods.
ECON 164C American Economic History from Colonization to the Present
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 20A or AP Economics Micro with a minimum score of 4) and (ECON 20B or AP Economics Macro with a minimum score of 4)
Examines how the American economy evolved from colonization to the post-war era. Topics include relations with foreign countries, the emergence of manufacturing and big business, railroads, slavery, war, the Great Depression, the rise of fiscal and monetary policies.
ECON 165 Economics of International Business
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 100C (may be taken concurrently) or ECON 105C (may be taken concurrently)
Students learn to understand and analyze the principal economic issues in the international business arena. Covers topics such as trade theory, foreign direct investment, foreign exchange market, and strategy of international business.
ECON 166 Development Economics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 122A or ECON 123A) and (ECON 100A or ECON 105A) and (ECON 100B or ECON 105B) and (ECON 100C or ECON 105C)
Uses theory and empirics to understand the economies of low- and middle-income countries. Explores the concept, determinants, and consequences of economic growth, drawing on historical and cross-country evidence. Topics include poverty, inequality, agriculture, demography, and strategies of risk management.
ECON 167 International Trade and Commercial Policy
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 100A or ECON 105A
Determination of trade flows and the relative prices. Gains from trade, the terms of trade, and income distribution. Imperfect competition and international trade. The effect of tariffs, export subsidies, and import quotas. The effects of free and restricted trade.
ECON 169 Special Topics in Development Economics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- Prerequisites vary
Studies in selected areas of Development Economics. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
ECON 190 Senior Thesis
- Units
- 4
Students work with faculty to complete their honors thesis.
ECON 190BW Economics Honors Colloquium II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON H190A. Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement
Colloquium required for honors students in Economics, Quantitative Economics, and Business Economics. Introduces students to independent research and helps students plan a research program. Students complete their thesis.
ECON H190A Economics Honors Colloquium I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 122A or ECON 123A. Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement
- Corequisite
- ECON 122B or ECON 123B
Colloquium required for honors students in economics, quantitative economics, and business economics. Introduces students to independent research. Helps students plan a research program. Prepares students for thesis writing.
ECON 199 Independent Study
- Units
- 1-5
Independent research with Economics faculty.
ECON 200A Graduate Colloquium for Economics I
- Units
- 2
Weekly reports and colloquia by faculty, students, and visitors. Supplemented by class discussion of these presentations and other material on current research methodology.
ECON 200B Graduate Colloquium for Economics II
- Units
- 2
- Prerequisite
- ECON 200A with a minimum grade of B-
Weekly reports and colloquia by faculty, students, and visitors. Supplemented by class discussion of these presentations and other material on current research methodology.
ECON 200C Graduate Colloquium for Economics III
- Units
- 2
- Prerequisite
- ECON 200B with a minimum grade of B-
Weekly reports and colloquia by faculty, students, and visitors. Supplemented by class discussion of these presentations and other material on current research methodology.
ECON 203A Mathematics for Economists
- Units
- 4
Gives students the mathematical background required for graduate work in economics. Topics covered include multivariate calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra.
ECON 210A Microeconomic Theory I
- Units
- 4
Theoretical microeconomics. Emphasis on the meaning and empirical interpretation of theoretical models. Topics include theory of the firm, theory of the market, theory of the consumer, duality theory, application to econometrics, general equilibrium and welfare economics, uncertainty, game theory.
ECON 210B Microeconomic Theory II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 210A with a minimum grade of B-
Theoretical microeconomics. Emphasis on the meaning and empirical interpretation of theoretical models. Topics include theory of the firm, theory of the market, theory of the consumer, duality theory, application to econometrics, general equilibrium and welfare economics, uncertainty, game theory.
ECON 210C Microeconomic Theory III
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 210B with a minimum grade of B-
Theoretical microeconomics. Emphasis on the meaning and empirical interpretation of theoretical models. Topics include theory of the firm, theory of the market, theory of the consumer, duality theory, application to econometrics, general equilibrium and welfare economics, uncertainty, game theory.
ECON 210D Macroeconomic Theory I
- Units
- 4
Advanced macroeconomic theory including alternative macroeconomic models, microeconomic foundations of macroeconomics, investment and growth theory, inflation and unemployment, rational expectations and macroeconomic policy, wealth effects, crowding out and fiscal policy, money and interest, open economy models.
ECON 210E Macroeconomic Theory II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 210D with a minimum grade of B-
- Corequisite
- ECON 211L
Advanced macroeconomic theory including alternative macroeconomic models, microeconomic foundations of macroeconomics, investment and growth theory, inflation and unemployment, rational expectations and macroeconomic policy, wealth effects, crowding out and fiscal policy, money and interest, open economy models.
ECON 210F Macroeconomic Theory III
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 210E with a minimum grade of B-
Advanced macroeconomic theory including alternative macroeconomic models, microeconomic foundations of macroeconomics, investment and growth theory, inflation and unemployment, rational expectations and macroeconomic policy, wealth effects, crowding out and fiscal policy, money and interest, open economy models.
ECON 211L Macroeconomics Theory II Lab
- Units
- 2
- Corequisite
- ECON 210E
Overview of stochastic processes; introduction to dynamic programming; two equilibrium concepts; Ricardian equivalence; real business cycle model; complete versus incomplete markets; asset pricing and the equity premium puzzle.
ECON 220A Statistics and Econometrics I
- Units
- 4
- Corequisite
- ECON 221A
Takes up where ECON 202 leaves off. Continuing in the likelihood perspective, begins with Bayesian point estimation and then covers interval estimation and hypothesis testing from both frequentist and Bayesian perspectives.
ECON 220B Statistics and Econometrics II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 220A with a minimum grade of B-
- Corequisite
- ECON 221B
Begins by relaxing the ideal conditions of the standard regression model. Potential topics include kernel density estimation, instrumental variables (IV), two stage least squares (2SLS), panel data models, and simulation-based Bayesian methods, including Gibbs sampling, and the bootstrap.
ECON 220C Statistics and Econometrics III
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 220B with a minimum grade of B-
- Corequisite
- ECON 221C
Covers econometric time series, discrete choice and count models, sample selection, and duration models along with Bayesian and classical asymptotic methods.
ECON 221A Statistics and Econometrics Laboratory I
- Units
- 2
- Corequisite
- ECON 220A
Discussion of problems in statistics and econometrics, and their relationships to statistical and econometrics theory. Instruction in the use of computers for applied econometric work.
ECON 221B Statistics and Econometrics Laboratory II
- Units
- 2
- Corequisite
- ECON 220B
Discussion of problems in statistics and econometrics, and their relationships to statistical and econometrics theory. Instruction in the use of computers for applied econometric work.
ECON 221C Statistics and Econometrics Laboratory III
- Units
- 2
- Corequisite
- ECON 220C
Discussion of problems in statistics and econometrics, and their relationships to statistical and econometrics theory. Instruction in the use of computers for applied econometric work.
ECON 227A Experimental Econ I
- Units
- 4
An introduction to experimental social science. Students learn experimental methodology, design, and analysis, and be exposed to active research areas. Each student writes a proposal for their own experiment and presents the design in class.
ECON 227B Experimental Econ II
- Units
- 4
Focuses on implementing experimental projects in a laboratory environment. Subjects learn about human subjects protection, program experimental software for their own projects, and conduct live experiment sessions.
ECON 229 Special Topics in Econometrics
- Units
- 2-4
- Prerequisite
- Prerequisites vary
Studies in selected areas of Econometrics. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
ECON 232 Business Cycles in Historical Perspective
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 210A with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210B with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210C with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210D with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210E with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210F with a minimum grade of B-
Investigates business cycles in the United States and worldwide during the last two centuries. Topics include causes and consequences of business fluctuations, monetary and fiscal policy, models of fluctuations, and empirical macroeconomics.
ECON 235 Health and Development in Historical Perspective
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 210A with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210B with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210C with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 220A with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 220B with a minimum grade of B-
Investigates the evolution of population health over time and across the development process. Examines how the environment, nutrition, public health systems, and medical innovations have influenced health and demographic behavior. Also explores the interplay between health capital and economic growth.
ECON 239 Special Topics in Financial Economics
- Units
- 2-4
- Prerequisite
- Prerequisites vary
Studies in selected areas of Financial Economics. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
ECON 241A Industrial Organization I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 100B and ECON 203A with a minimum grade of B-
Analysis of the structure and economic performance of markets, and the impact of public policy and their efficiency and equity. Effects of information structure. Oligopoly, cartels, mergers, vertical integration, patents, innovation, antitrust, and regulation.
ECON 241B Industrial Organization II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 241A with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 100B and ECON 203A with a minimum grade of B-
Analysis of the structure and economic performance of markets, and the impact of public policy and their efficiency and equity. Effects of information structure. Price flexibility and dispersion, auctions, search and industrial structure, intrafirm organization.
ECON 242 Development Economics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 210A with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210B with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210C with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 220A with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 220B with a minimum grade of B-
Uses theory and empirics to understand the economies of low- and middle-income countries. Explores the concept, determinants, and consequences of economic growth, drawing on historical and cross-country evidence. Topics include poverty, inequality, agriculture, demography, and strategies of risk management.
ECON 243A Game Theory
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 210A with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210B with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210C with a minimum grade of B-
A formal introduction to non-cooperative game theory. Topics include properties of Nash Equilibrium and equilibrium refinements, games with imperfect information, and games with incomplete information.
ECON 243B Advanced Game Theory
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 243A with a minimum grade of B-
Provides advanced instruction in game theory. The topics covered will be (i) the theory of repeated games and (ii) evolutionary game theory. Applications include bargaining, collusion, reputation, social norms, and the evolution of preferences via natural selection and cultural transmission.
ECON 245 Empirical Methods in Applied Microeconomics
- Units
- 4
Focuses on the empirical methods used in modern applied microeconomics. Teaches methods that can be applied to produce original research in applied fields using cross-sectional and panel data. Applications will be drawn heavily from labor, public, health and development economics.
ECON 249 Special Topics in Microeconomics
- Units
- 2-4
- Prerequisite
- Prerequisites vary
Studies in selected areas of Microeconomics. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
ECON 251A Labor Economics I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 203A with a minimum grade of B-
Analysis of the relationships between education and the labor market (human capital theory), between resources devoted to education and the return to education (the education production function) and between education and labor market inequality (the theory of skill-biased technical change).
ECON 251B Labor Economics II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 203A with a minimum grade of B-
Analysis of core topics in labor economics, with an emphasis on empirical methods. Topics may include minimum wages, discrimination, gender, aging and retirement, labor market networks, personnel economics, and employment policy.
ECON 255 Microeconomics and Public Policy
- Units
- 4
Introduces the fundamental principles of microeconomics that are required for applied policy analysis. Provides students with an intuitive understanding of the microeconomic approach, and familiarizes them with concepts used in applied public policy analysis.
ECON 259 Special Topics in Labor Economics
- Units
- 2-4
- Prerequisite
- Prerequisites vary
Studies in selected areas of Labor Economics. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
ECON 260B Monetary Economics II
- Units
- 4
Surveys recent issues on monetary policy in uncertain environments. Examines settings where both the policy makers and the private sector are uncertain of future outcomes or the underlying economic structure.
ECON 261A International Trade I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 210A with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210B with a minimum grade of B-
Covers theoretical models, empirical methods, and policy issues in international trade. Following the conventional treatment of the Richardian model, the Heckscher-Ohlin model and the specific factors model, new trade models which incorporate scale economics and imperfect competition will be discussed.
ECON 261B International Trade II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 261A with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210A with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210B with a minimum grade of B-
Covers theoretical models, empirical methods, and policy issues in international trade. Following the conventional treatment of the Richardian model, the Heckscher-Ohlin model, and the specific factors model, new trade models which incorporate scale economics and imperfect competition are discussed.
ECON 263A Advanced Macroeconomics I
- Units
- 4
Students build Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) macroeconomic models from microeconomic foundations. This approach emphasizes intertemporal optimization by firms and households and typically incorporates nominal rigidities such as sluggish price and/or wage adjustment.
ECON 269 Special Topics in Macroeconomics
- Units
- 2-4
- Prerequisite
- Prerequisites vary
Studies in selected areas of Macroeconomics. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
ECON 270A Political Economy I
- Units
- 4
Political Economy lies at the intersection of economics and political science. Studies effects of politics on the economy and uses tools derived from economics to understand the behavior of governments and of citizens when they deal with politics.
ECON 270B Political Economy II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 270A with a minimum grade of B-
Political Economy lies at the intersection of economics and political science. Studies effects of politics on the economy and uses tools derived from economics to understand the behavior of governments and of citizens when they deal with politics.
ECON 270C Political Economy III
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 270B with a minimum grade of B-
Political Economy lies at the intersection of economics and political science. Studies effects of politics on the economy and uses tools derived from economics to understand the behavior of governments and of citizens when they deal with politics.
ECON 271 Economics of Criminal Justice
- Units
- 4
Considers empirical research from the economics literature on various topics related to the criminal justice system, such as policing, bail reform, incarceration, or recidivism.
ECON 272A Public Economics I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 210A with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210B with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210C with a minimum grade of B-
Covers welfare economics, the theory of optimal taxation, tax incidence, and empirical methods in tax policy. Empirical topics include tax evasion, measurement of incidence, efficiency costs, and other policy issues.
ECON 272B Public Economics II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 210A with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210B with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210C with a minimum grade of B-
Covers the theory of public goods and models of decentralized provision of such goods, including voluntary provision, voting, bureaucratic provision, and preference revelation mechanisms, as well as the Tiebout model. Also covers externalities, cost-benefit analysis, and intergovernmental competition.
ECON 272C Public Economics III
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 210A with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210B with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210C with a minimum grade of B-
Covers the rationale for and effects of government intervention in insurance markets and for redistribution. Includes theoretical and empirical analyses of cash and in-kind assistance programs, unemployment insurance, disability insurance, Social Security, and other programs.
ECON 275 Economics of Government
- Units
- 4
Prepares students to analyze public policy questions with tools from economics. By the end, students should be able to identify important economic issues in public policy debates and consume and critique economic research on these topics.
ECON 279 Special Topics in Political Economy
- Units
- 2-4
- Prerequisite
- Prerequisites vary
Studies in selected areas of Political Economy. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
ECON 281A Urban Economics I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 210A with a minimum grade of B-
Economic reasons for the existence of cities, analysis of urban spatial structure, urban sprawl, Third World urbanization, hedonic price analysis, housing tenure choice.
ECON 281B Urban Economics II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 210A with a minimum grade of B-
Housing in the portfolio, land-use controls, rent control, homelessness, neighborhood effects, urban quality-of-life measurement, and subcenters.
ECON 282B Transportation Economics II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ECON 282A with a minimum grade of B-
Economics of the airline industry. Hub-and-spoke networks, the effects of competition on airfares, price dispersion, airline alliances, airport congestion, product unbundling.
ECON 284 Health Economics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (ECON 210A with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210B with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 210C with a minimum grade of B-) and (ECON 220A with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 220B with a minimum grade of B- and ECON 220C with a minimum grade of B-) or UPPP 215 with a minimum grade of B- and UPPP 240 with a minimum grade of B-
Introduction to graduate-level Health Economics. Research-oriented and focuses on the synthesis and critical examination of existing Economics research, as well as analyzing and producing research, with a focus on the U.S.
ECON 290 Dissertation Research
- Units
- 2-12
Dissertation research with Economics faculty.
ECON 299 Independent Study
- Units
- 2-4
Independent research with Economics faculty.