Bulletin

Economics

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Dean: Joseph Julian

Department of Economics
HSS 142
415-338-1839
Chair: R. Newby Schweitzer
Undergraduate Advisers: See advising roster posted outside department office
Graduate Coordinator: David Sisk

Faculty

Professors—Anspach, Blecha, First, Gemello, Mason, Moss, Osman, Schweitzer, Shen, Sisk, Vencill

Associate Professors—King, Mar

Assistant Professor—Potepan

Programs

B.A. in Economics

Minor in Economics

M. A. in Economics

M.A. in Economics: Concentration in Applied Economics

Program Scope

The Bachelor of Arts in Economics provides students with a foundation in economics which will prepare them for careers in business, government, and many other areas of endeavor as well as for post baccalaureate study in economics, business, law, and other fields.

The Master of Arts in Economics emphasizes preparation for further graduate work and professional training for those in business and public service. The Master of Arts in Economics with a Concentration in Applied Economics is available to students seeking strong application skills in their graduate training. The core of both programs focuses on theory and is appropriate for students who are interested in either a terminal master of arts or in pursuing further specialized graduate studies toward the doctorate. The Applied Economics Concentration is specifically designed to prepare students for professional positions as researchers or administrators in the public and private sectors. Instruction focuses on economic decision making and quantitative analysis, particularly the analytic and methodological skills essential to the design, evaluation, and operation of complex institutional systems. The concentration is specifically designed for students interested in a master of arts as preparation for employment in research firms or departments; public utilities; banks; international trade companies; federal, state and local government; planning and forecasting specialties; statistical and computer intensive occupations; and national manufacturers, among others. Both programs are rigorous in their standards, contain substantive offerings, and stress the development of writing skills.

Career Outlook

With a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, the usual careers open to liberal arts graduates are available. In addition, the slightly more "practical" orientation of economics gives graduates somewhat of an edge in private and public sector jobs. Our students have found good positions by combining the major with skills in computers, statistics, and accounting.

For those who continue on to a Master of Arts or Ph.D. in Economics, there are professional positions to be found in the business world, teaching, and government at all levels.

In addition, economics is excellent preparation for graduate study in: law, business administration, public administration, urban studies, international relations, world business, health administration, and gerontology.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS

Courses for this discipline are listed in alphabetical sequence. See Economics discipline in the "Announcement of Courses" section.

With the assistance of an Economics Department adviser, students can select elective courses, in addition to the core requirement, which will best prepare them to fulfill their career and life plans. Advisers are available to all interested students. Students are expected to obtain a list of advisers (HSS 142) and to choose an adviser from the list.

Core Courses					Units
ECON 100	Introduction to Macroeconomic 
		Analysis and
ECON 101	Introduction to Microeconomic 
		Analysis or
	ECON 102	Introduction to Economic 
			Analysis I-II (6)	 6
ECON 300	Intermediate Macroeconomic 
		Theory				 3
ECON 301	Intermediate Microeconomic
		Theory				 3
ECON 310	Mathematics for Economists*	 3
ECON 311	Statistical Methods and 
		Interpretation I		 3
ECON 605	Senior Seminar in Economic 
		Thought				 3
Additional Requirements
One of the following quantitative courses	 3
	ECON 312	Statistical Methods and 
			Interpretation II
	ECON 315	Mathematical Economics
	ECON 320	Introduction to 
			Econometrics
	ECON 325	Computerized Economic 
			Analysis
	ECON 601	Applied Microeconomics
Four additional upper division courses of which 
three must be in economics. On prior advisement, 
one of the four courses may be in another 
department					12
		Total				36

*Prerequisite: completion of general education quantitative reasoning requirement.

MINOR IN ECONOMICS

						Units
ECON 100	Introduction to Macroeconomic 
		Analysis and
ECON 101	Introduction to Microeconomic 
		Analysis or
	ECON 102	Introduction to Economic 
			Analysis I-II (6)	 6
ECON 300	Intermediate Macroeconomic 
		Theory or
	ECON 301	Intermediate Micro-
			economic Theory		 3
Electives in economics and related fields on 
advisement of which not more than six units 
are in other departments			12
		Total				21

MASTER OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS

Graduate Advisers—Sisk, Vencill

Admission to Program

To qualify for classified status, a student must earn a 3.0 grade point average in an undergraduate major in economics, with a grade of at least B in the first semester of intermediate macro and micro theory (ECON 300 and 301), mathematics for economists (ECON 310), and statistical method and interpretation (ECON 311), or equivalent. Students who do not have B's in all of the above four courses, or who did not major in economics but earned overall grade point averages of 3.0 or better, may be admitted conditionally. If room is available, students with less than 3.0 averages, but at least 2.7, may be admitted. Students admitted conditionally should understand that any prerequisite courses indicated in their conditional admission can not be applied toward their graduate program.

Written English Proficiency Requirements

The university requires that graduate students must demonstrate both initial English proficiency (level one) upon entrance to graduate study and an advanced English proficiency (level two) prior to graduating. Level One: each economics graduate student is required to pass a test of written English during the first semester in the graduate program. A fee is charged for this examination. Students failing the examination will be required to take a course or courses in English. Level Two: to demonstrate advanced level proficiency, the student must complete a written term paper or a master's thesis during the M.A. program.

Advancement to Candidacy

Besides meeting all general requirements for advancement to candidacy, applicants must earn at least a B– in ECON 700 and 701, and earn a 3.0 grade point average in the two combined.

Courses for this discipline are listed in alphabetical sequence (see Economics discipline in the "Announcement of Courses" section. Students may select any upper division courses with the exception of ECON 300, 301, 305, 310, and 311.

Core Requirements				Units
ECON 700	Seminar: Macroeconomic Theory	 3
ECON 701	Seminar: Microeconomic Theory	 3
ECON 720	Seminar: Applied Quantitative 
		Techniques or
	ECON 730	Seminar: Econometric 
			Methods			 3
Other Requirements
Two courses from the following:*		 6
(These six units are in addition to the three 
units for ECON 720 or 730 taken in the core)
	ECON 312	Statistical Method and 
			Interpretation II
	ECON 315	Mathematical Economics
	ECON 320	Introduction to 
			Econometrics
	ECON 325	Computerized Economic 
			Analysis
	ECON 706	Seminar: Methodology in 
			Economics
	ECON 720	Seminar: Applied Quanti-
			tative Techniques
	ECON 730	Seminar: Econometric 
			Methods
Upper division or graduate courses of which up 
to six units may be taken upon advisement in 
an allied field or interdisciplinary study	 9
ECON 898	Master's Thesis and oral 
		defense or
	Additional graduate courses and oral 
	comprehensive examination		 6
		Minimum total			30

*Students with an extensive undergraduate preparation in quantitative methods may substitute elective courses for quantitative methods courses with the approval of the graduate adviser.

MASTER OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS: CONCENTRATION IN APPLIED ECONOMICS

Core Courses					Units
ECON 700	Seminar: Macroeconomic Theory	 3
ECON 701	Seminar: Microeconomic Theory	 3
ECON 720	Seminar: Applied Quantitative 
		Techniques or
	ECON 730	Seminar: Econometric 
			Methods			 3
Two courses from the following:*		 6
(These six units are in addition to the three 
units for ECON 720 or 730 taken in the core)
	ECON 312	Statistical Method and 
			Interpretation II
	ECON 315	Mathematical Economics
	ECON 320	Introduction to 
			Econometrics
	ECON 325	Computerized Economic 
			Analysis
	ECON 706	Seminar: Methodology in 
			Economics
	ECON 720	Seminar: Applied Quanti-
			tative Techniques
	ECON 730	Seminar: Econometric 
			Methods
Applied Economics
Two courses selected from the following:	 6
	ECON 601	Applied Microeconomics
	ECON 800	Applications of Monetary 
			Analysis
	ECON 805	Applied Analysis in the 
			Public Sector
	ECON 806	Cost Benefit Analysis 
			and Strategic Planning
	ECON 816	Regulation, Industry, 
			and the Law
	ECON 865	Applied Analysis of 
			Trade and Development
Elective Courses
In addition to economics courses, elective 
courses may be selected from a list of graduate 
business courses available from the economics 
graduate coordinator				 3
ECON 898	Master's Thesis and oral 
		defense or
	Additional elective graduate economics 
	or graduate business courses and 
	Oral comprehensive examination		 6
		Minimum total*			30

*Students may be required upon advisement to take additional units beyond the minimum depending on the choice of a business focus.

Comprehensive Oral Examination

A three-hour comprehensive oral examination is required of all candidates who waive the thesis requirement. The examination covers macroeconomics, microeconomics, and one elective field chosen by the candidate. Examinations are conducted during the regular fall and spring semesters. No student is permitted to take the examination until the completion of 24 units of the Graduate Approved Program with a B average. ECON 700 and 701 must be included in these 24 units. The examination may be taken only twice.

Oral Defense of Thesis

Students who have chosen the thesis option must pass an oral defense of their thesis. This defense consists of a three hour oral examination by the thesis committee.

Bulletin 1994-96 Table of Contents, SFSU Home Page

last modified June 5, 1995