Page 98 of Boston College 2005-2006 University Catalog by Boston College University

Information for Study Abroad There are many good economics programs offered through universities overseas; students are encouraged to ask their faculty advisors for details about the quality of various programs. Schools with particularly strong reputations in economics include the London School of Economics and University College/London in England; Trinity College and University College/Dublin in Ireland; Pompeu Fabra, Madrid Autonoma, and Madrid Computense in Spain; Sciences Po and University of Paris/Dauphine in France; University of Parma and Bocconi in Italy; and Melbourne University in Australia. To insure that students are able to complete the requirements for the major in time for graduation, we prefer students to have five courses completed before studying abroad: Micro and Macro Principles, Statistics, and Micro and Macro Theory. At a minimum, students must complete Micro and Macro Principles and one of the Theory courses. Department policies on study-abroad courses are as follows: Up to two of the five electives that are required for the Arts and Sciences Economics major may be taken abroad. A S minors and CSOM Economics concentrators are limited to counting one elective from abroad towards their degree requirements. Note that the restrictions on upper- versus lower-level electives apply to courses taken abroad. Micro and Macro Theory cannot be taken abroad. Those students planning to participate in the Departmental Honors program are strongly advised to identify a thesis topic and a faculty supervisor before going abroad; very tight deadlines during the fall semester of senior year make this advance planning essential. Students must contact the Director of the Undergraduate Program to plan their semester or year abroad. Students who are considering doing Ph.D. work in economics should think ahead and plan their programs abroad with particular care. Graduate Program Description Ph.D. Program The graduate program in economics is designed for full-time students who are seeking a Ph.D. The program trains economists for careers in teaching, research and the private sector by providing strong backgrounds in economic theory, quantitative research methods, and applied fields. Requirements include course work, comprehensive examinations, a thesis, and a one-year residence requirement. The course requirements consist of a first-year core curriculum and eight electives. The first-year program consists of core courses in Micro Theory (EC 740, 741), Macro Theory (EC 750, 751), Mathematics for Economists (EC 720), Statistics (EC 770), and Econometrics (EC 771). The second year is devoted to electives. In addition to the Departments own electives, students may take courses in the Carroll School of Managements Ph.D. program in Finance. Students are required to pass written comprehensive examinations in micro theory, macro theory, and in two of the following fields: econometric theory, applied econometrics, monetary economics, international trade and finance, international trade and development, industrial organization, public sector economics, labor economics, urban economics, advanced micro theory, advanced macro theory and finance. Each exam is based on a 2-course sequence on the subject matter. The micro and macro comprehensives are offered twice a year in late May and late August. Students generally take them immediately after the first year and begin to write field comprehensives at the end of the second year. All students accepted to the program are offered financial aid including tuition remission. A student can expect continued financial support for five years as long as the student achieves satisfactory progress toward the Ph.D. More information about the Ph.D. program and financial aid opportunities can be found at the graduate program menu option at the Departments webpage http://www.bc.edu/economics/. Admission Information An on-line application for your convenience is located at http://www.bc.edu/schools/gsas/. If the on-line application is not convenient, requests for paper applications for admission should be addressed to Boston College, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Office of Graduate Admissions, McGuinn Hall 221, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 or send an e-mail request to gsasinfo@bc.edu. Any questions regarding admission requirements should be directed toward gsasinfo@bc.edu. For further information, regarding the Ph.D. program, send an e-mail to sullidde@bc.edu. Undergraduate Course Offerings Note: Future course offerings and courses offered on a periodic basis are listed at http://www.bc.edu/courses/. EC 131 Principles of Economics I Micro (Fall/Spring: 3) Satisfies Social Sciences Core Requirement This course is an analysis of prices, output, and income distribution through the interaction of households and business firms in a modern Western economy. The appropriate role of government intervention is examined and basic analytical tools are applied to current economic problems. The Department EC 132 Principles of Economics II Macro (Fall/Spring: 3) Satisfies Social Sciences Core Requirement This course is an analysis of national income and employment, economic fluctuations, monetary and fiscal policy, inflation, growth, and international aspects of macroeconomic policy. The Department EC 151 Economic Statistics (Fall/Spring: 3) This course is focused on probability, random variables, sampling distributions, estimation of parameters, tests of hypotheses, regression and forecasting. The Department EC 155 Statistics Honors (Spring: 3) Prerequisite: Calculus This course is a more intensive analytical treatment of the topics covered in EC 151 and it is designed for Carroll School of Management students. Richard McGowan, S.J. EC 199 Economics Internship (Fall/Spring: 1) The student works under the direction of an individual professor. Catherine Schneider EC 201 Microeconomic Theory (Fall/Spring: 3) Prerequisites: EC 131 and Calculus This course develops a theoretical framework with which to analyze consumer and producer behavior. This analysis is then employed to investigate the determination of prices and output in various market situations, the implications for welfare and the appropriate role for government intervention. The Department The Boston College Catalog 2005-2006 95 ARTS AND SCIENCES

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