Economics - undergraduate program

Economics

[ undergraduate program | graduate program | faculty ]

All courses, faculty listings, and curricular and degree requirements described herein are subject to change or deletion without notice.

Courses

For course descriptions not found in the UC San Diego General Catalog 2019–20, please contact the department for more information.

Lower Division

ECON 1. Principles of Microeconomics (4)

Introduction to the study of the economic system. Course will introduce the standard economic models used to examine how individuals and firms make decisions in perfectly competitive markets, and how these decisions affect supply and demand in output markets.

ECON 2. Market Imperfections and Policy (4)

Analysis of monopoly and imperfectly competitive markets, market imperfections and the role of government. Prerequisites: ECON 1.

ECON 3. Principles of Macroeconomics (4)

Introductory macroeconomics: unemployment, inflation, business cycles, monetary and fiscal policy. Prerequisites: ECON 1.

ECON 4. Financial Accounting (4)

(Cross-listed with MGT 4.) Recording, organizing, and communicating financial information relating to business entities. Credit not allowed for both ECON 4 and MGT 4.

ECON 5. Data Analytics for the Social Sciences (4)

(Cross-listed with POLI 5D.) Introduction to probability and analysis for understanding data in the social world. Students engage in hands-on learning with applied social science problems. Basics of probability, visual display of data, data collection and management, hypothesis testing, and computation. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: ECON 5, POLI 5, or POLI 5D.

ECON 87. Freshman Seminar (1)

The Freshman Seminar Program is designed to provide new students with the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member in a small seminar setting. Freshman Seminars are offered in all campus departments and undergraduate colleges, and topics vary from quarter to quarter. Enrollment is limited to fifteen to twenty students, with preference given to entering freshmen. May be repeated when course topics vary. (P/NP grades only.)

Upper Division

ECON 100A. Microeconomics A (4)

Economic analysis of household determination of the demand for goods and services, consumption/saving decisions, and the supply of labor. Prerequisites: ECON 1 and MATH 10C or 20C or 31BH.

ECON 100B. Microeconomics B (4)

Analysis of firms’ production and costs, the supply of output and demand factors of production. Analysis of perfectly competitive markets. Prerequisites: ECON 100A.

ECON 100C. Microeconomics C (4)

Analysis of the effects of imperfect market structure, strategy, and imperfect information. Prerequisites: ECON 100B.

ECON 100AH. Honors Microeconomics A (1)

Honors sequence expanding on the material taught in ECON 100A. Major GPA of 3.5 or better required. May be taken concurrently with ECON 100A or after successful completion of ECON 100A with A– or better or consent of instructor. Priority enrollment given to majors in the department. Prerequisites: department approval required.

ECON 100BH. Honors Microeconomics B (1)

Honors sequence expanding on the material taught in ECON 100B. Major GPA of 3.5 or better required. May be taken concurrently with ECON 100B or after successful completion of ECON 100B with A– or better or consent of instructor. Priority enrollment given to majors in the department. Prerequisites: department approval required.

ECON 100CH. Honors Microeconomics C (1)

Honors sequence expanding on the material taught in ECON 100C. Major GPA of 3.5 or better required. May be taken concurrently with ECON 100C or after successful completion of ECON 100C with A– or better or consent of instructor. Priority enrollment given to majors in the department. Prerequisites: department approval required.

ECON 101. International Trade (4)

Examines theories of international trade in goods and services and relates the insights to empirical evidence. Explains international trade at the level of industries and firms and analyzes the consequences of trade for resource allocation, welfare, and the income distribution. Discusses sources of comparative advantage, motives for trade policies, and the effects of trade barriers and trading blocs on welfare and incomes. Prerequisites: ECON 100B or 102.

ECON 102. Globalization (4)

Presents theories of global economic integration, grounded in the principle of comparative advantage. Investigates patterns of trade when trade is balanced and capital flows when trade is not balanced. Assesses the consequences of global economic integration and economic policies for industry location, incomes, welfare and economic growth, and studies goods, services and sovereign debt markets. Prerequisites: ECON 1 or 100B and 2 or 3 or MATH 20C.

ECON 102T. Advanced Topic in Globalization (2)

This course presents a selection of empirical applications and advanced topics that build on the material covered in ECON 102, Globalization. Students have the opportunity to analyze global trade and capital market data and to prepare a presentation and brief paper on a specific topic. Prerequisites: department approval required. May be taken concurrently with ECON 102 or after completion of ECON 102.

ECON 103. International Monetary Relations (4)

Analyzes exchange rates and the current account. Relates their joint determination to financial markets and the real-side macroeconomy using international macroeconomic models and presents empirical regularities. Discusses macroeconomic policies under different exchange rate regimes and implications for financial stability and current account sustainability. Prerequisites: ECON 102 or 110B or 173A.

ECON 105. Industrial Organization and Firm Strategy (4)

Theory of monopoly and oligopoly pricing, price discrimination, durable goods pricing, cartel behavior, price wars, strategic entry barriers, mergers, pro- and anticompetitive restraints on business. Prerequisites: ECON 100C.

ECON 106. International Economic Agreements (4)

Examines reasons for international economic agreements, their design, the strategic interactions that determine how the agreements are implemented and sustained, and consequences for global welfare and inequality. Draws on international economics, game theory, law and economics, and political economy to understand international economic agreements. These tools are used to understand multilateral trade and investment agreements, such as NAFTA, and international organizations, such as the WTO. Prerequisites: ECON 100B and 102.

ECON 107. Economic Regulation and Antitrust Policy (4)

Detailed treatment of antitrust policy: Sherman Act, price fixing, collusive practices, predatory pricing, price discrimination, double marginalization, exclusive territories, resale price maintenance, refusal to deal, and foreclosure. Theory of regulation and regulatory experience in electrical utilities, oil, telecommunications, broadcasting, etc. Prerequisites: ECON 2 or 100B; and MATH 10C or 20C or 31BH.

ECON 109. Game Theory (4)

Introduction to game theory. Analysis of people’s decisions when the consequences of the decisions depend on what other people do. This course features applications in economics, political science, and law. Prerequisites: ECON 100C or MATH 31CH or MATH 109 or (CSE 20 and MATH 20 C).

ECON 109T. Advanced Topics in Game Theory (2)

This course presents a selection of applications and advanced topics that build on the material covered in the ECON 109. Game Theory course. Prerequisites: department approval required. May be taken concurrently with ECON 109 or after completion of ECON 109.

ECON 110A. Macroeconomics A (4)

Analysis of the determination of long run growth and models of the determination of output, interest rates, and the price level. Analysis of inflation, unemployment, and monetary and fiscal policy. Prerequisites: ECON 1 and ECON 3 and MATH 10C or 20C or 31BH.

ECON 110B. Macroeconomics B (4)

Analysis of the determination of consumption spending at the aggregate level; extension of the basic macro model to include exchange rates and international trade; the aggregate money supply, and the business cycle. Prerequisites: ECON 110A.

ECON 110AH. Honors Macroeconomics A (1)

Honors sequence expanding on the material taught in ECON 110A. Major GPA of 3.5 or better required. May be taken concurrently with ECON 110A or after successful completion of ECON 110A with A–or better or consent of instructor. Priority enrollment given to majors in the department. Prerequisites: department approval required.

ECON 110BH. Honors Macroeconomics B (1)

Honors sequence expanding on the material taught in ECON 110B. Major GPA of 3.5 or better required. May be taken concurrently with ECON 110B or after successful completion of ECON 110B with A– or better or consent of instructor. Priority enrollment given to majors in the department. Prerequisites: department approval required.

ECON 111. Monetary Economics (4)

Financial structure of the US economy. Bank behavior. Monetary control. Prerequisites: ECON 3 and MATH 10A or 20A.

ECON 112. Macroeconomic Data Analysis (4)

Examines time series methods for data analysis with an emphasis on macroeconomic applications. Students are provided with an overview of fundamental time series techniques, hands-on experience in applying them to real-world macroeconomic data, and expertise in performing empirical tests of policy-relevant macroeconomic theories, such as the permanent income hypothesis, the Keynesian fiscal multiplier, and the Phillips curve. Prerequisites: ECON 110B and ECON 120B or MATH 181B. Enrollment limited to EN25, EN26, EN28, and MA33 majors only.

ECON 113. Mathematical Economics (4)

Mathematical concepts and techniques used in advanced economic analysis; applications to selected aspects of economic theory. Prerequisites: ECON 100C or MATH 140A or MATH 142A.

ECON 116. Economic Development (4)

Introduction to the economics of less developed countries, covering their international trade, human resources, urbanization, agriculture, income distribution, political economy, and environment. Prerequisites: ECON 2 or 100B.

ECON 117. Economic Growth (4)

Topics will include: long-run economic growth and cross-country income differences; Malthusian dynamics and the transition to modern growth; measured income vs welfare; development accounting; the Solow Growth Model; human capital; misallocation and total-factor productivity; firm management practices; technology adoption; agricultural productivity gaps; rural-urban migration; structural transformation; innovation and endogenous growth. Prerequisites: ECON 100A.

ECON 118. Law and Economics: Torts, Property, and Crime (4)

Uses economic theory to evaluate the economic effects of US law in several legal fields, including tort law (accidents), products liability law, property law, criminal law (law enforcement), and litigation. Also considers risk bearing and why people buy insurance. Prerequisites: ECON 2 or 100A; and MATH 0A or 20A.

ECON 119. Law and Economics: Contracts and Corporations (4)

This course asks how firms are organized and why the corporate form dominates, how corporations are governed and the distortions that result, when firms borrow and how they deal with financial distress and bankruptcy. The course will present basic legal doctrines in corporate law, contract law, debtor-creditor law, and bankruptcy, and use economic models to analyze whether and when these doctrines promote economically efficient behavior. Prerequisites: ECON 2 or 100A and MATH 10A or 20A.

ECON 120A. Econometrics A (4)

Probability and statistics used in economics. Probability and sampling theory, statistical inference, and use of spreadsheets. Credit not allowed for ECON 120A after ECE 109, MAE 108, MATH 180A, MATH 183, or MATH 186. Prerequisites: ECON 1; and MATH 10C or 20C or 31BH.

ECON 120B. Econometrics B (4)

Basic econometric methods, including the linear regression, hypothesis testing, quantifying uncertainty using confidence intervals, and distinguishing correlation from causality. Credit not allowed for both ECON 120B after MATH 181B. Prerequisites: ECON 120A or ECE 109 or MAE 108 or MATH 180A or MATH 183 or MATH 186.

ECON 120C. Econometrics C (4)

Advanced econometric methods: estimation of linear regression models with endogeneity, economic methods designed for panel data sets, estimation of discrete choice models, time series analysis, and estimation in the presence of autocorrelated and heteroskedastic errors. Prerequisites: ECON 120B or MATH 181B.

ECON 120AH. Honors Econometrics A (1)

Honors sequence expanding on the material taught in ECON 120A. Major GPA of 3.5 or better required. May be taken concurrently with ECON 120A or after successful completion of ECON 120A with A– or better or consent of instructor. Priority enrollment given to majors in the department. Prerequisites: department approval required.

ECON 120BH. Honors Econometrics B (1)

Honors sequence expanding on the material taught in ECON 120B. Major GPA of 3.5 or better required. May be taken concurrently with ECON 120B or after successful completion of ECON 120B with A– or better or consent of instructor. Priority enrollment given to majors in the department. Prerequisites: department approval required.

ECON 120CH. Honors Econometrics C (1)

Honors sequence expanding on the material taught in ECON 120C. Major GPA of 3.5 or better required. May be taken concurrently with ECON 120C or after successful completion of ECON 120C with A– or better or consent of instructor. Priority enrollment given to majors in the department. Prerequisites: department approval required.

ECON 121. Applied Econometrics (4)

Application of econometric methods to such areas as labor supply, human capital, and financial time series. Concurrent enrollment in ECON 120C is permitted. Prerequisites: ECON 120C.

ECON 122. Econometric Theory (4)

Detailed study of the small sample and asymptotic properties of estimators commonly used in applied econometric work: multiple linear regression, instrumental variables, generalized method of moments, and maximum likelihood. Econometric computation using Matlab. Recommended preparation: ECON 120C. Prerequisites: ECON 120B or MATH 181B and MATH 18 or MATH 31AH.

ECON 125. Demographic Analysis and Forecasting (4)

Interaction between economic forces and demographic changes are considered, as are demographic composition and analysis; fertility, mortality, and migration processes and trends. Course emphasizes the creation, evaluation, and interpretation of forecasts for states, regions, and subcounty areas. ECON 178 is recommended. Prerequisites: ECON 120B or MATH 181B.

ECON 130. Public Policy (4)

Course uses basic microeconomic tools to discuss a wide variety of public issues, including the war on drugs, global warming, natural resources, health care and safety regulation. Appropriate for majors who have not completed ECON 100A-B-C and students from other departments. Prerequisites: ECON 2 or 100A.

ECON 131. Economics of the Environment (4)

Environmental issues from an economic perspective. Relation of the environment to economic growth. Management of natural resources, such as forest and fresh water. Policies on air, water, and toxic waste pollution. International issues such as ozone depletion and sustainable development. Prerequisites: ECON 2 or 100A.

ECON 132. Energy Economics (4)

Energy from an economic perspective. Fuel cycles for coal, hydro, nuclear, oil, and solar energy. Emphasis on efficiency and control of pollution. Comparison of energy use across sectors and across countries. Global warming. Role of energy in the international economy. Prerequisites: ECON 1 and (ECON 2 or 3 or 100A or 131 or ESYS 103 or MAE 124) and MATH 10C or 20C or 31BH.

ECON 134. The US Social Safety Net (4)

Examines major issues relating to the US social safety net, including Social Security, low-income assistance, unemployment and disability insurance, distributional and efficiency effects of the tax system, and the relation of these issues to the overall US government budget. Prerequisites: ECON 100A. Enrollment limited to EN25, EN26, EN28, and MA33 majors only.

ECON 135. Urban Economics (4)

(Cross-listed with USP 102.) Economic analysis of why cities develop, patterns of land use in cities, why cities suburbanize, and the pattern of urban commuting. The course also examines problems of urban congestion, air pollution, zoning, poverty, crime, and discusses public policies to deal with them. Credit not allowed for both ECON 135 and USP 102. Prerequisites: ECON 2 or 100A; and MATH 10A or 20A.

ECON 136. Human Resources (4)

A practical yet theory-based study of the firm’s role in managing workers, including issues related to hiring, education and training, promotions, layoffs and buyouts, and the overarching role that worker compensation plays in all of these. Prerequisites: ECON 100B.

ECON 138. Economics of Discrimination (4)

This course will investigate differences in economic outcomes on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation. We will study economic theories of discrimination, empirical work testing those theories, and policies aimed at alleviating group-level differences in economic outcomes. Prerequisites: ECON 1.

ECON 139. Labor Economics (4)

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Theoretical and empirical analysis of labor markets. Topics include: labor supply, labor demand, human capital investment, wage inequality, labor mobility, immigration, labor market discrimination, labor unions and unemployment his course focuses on theoretical...