Doctor
of Philosophy in Economics
http://www.utdallas.edu/epps/eco/
Faculty
Professors: Daniel G. Arce M., Kurt J. Beron, Rachel Croson,
Catherine Eckel, James Murdoch, Todd Sandler, Barry J. Seldon, Donggyu Sul
Associate Professors:, Nathan Berg, Susan Williams McElroy, Kevin
Siqueira
Assistant Professors: Rodney Andrews, Xin (Sherry) Li
Mission
The mission of the Ph.D. in Economics is to provide a
cutting-edge education in economic theory, the development of a rigorous
toolkit of mathematical and econometric techniques, and in various research
areas in economics. This education allows students to think critically about
how to approach the analysis of economic problems and to contribute to the
knowledge base of the discipline
Facilities
Students have access to the computing facilities in the
School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences and the University’s
Computing Center. The School has three computing laboratories which have over 100
computers that are network linked and equipped with major social science
software packages, including E-Views, R, Rats, SPSS and STATA. A computerized
geographic information system, the Lexis Nexis database,
and Westlaw are also available for student use. The University’s Computing
Center provides personal computers and UNIX Workstations. Many important data
and reference materials are also available online via the library’s and
school’s memberships in numerous organizations.
Admission Requirements
The University’s general admission
requirements are discussed here.
Applicants will be judged and evaluated by the existing
admission standards as set forth by the University in its Graduate Catalog.
These standards include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or
its equivalent, fluency in written and spoken English, a grade average of 3.25
or better in upper-division and graduate course work in economics and related
courses, submission of official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores: GRE
scores in the verbal and quantitative components of the exams should total to
at least 1200. Students may also wish to consider submitting their score from
the writing component of the GRE test as additional evidence of their writing
skills. A score of at least 4.5 in analytical writing is considered desirable.
Standardized tests scores are only one of the factors taken
into account in determining admission. Given the demands that will be placed on
the student in his/her study of economics, a strong background in calculus,
linear algebra, and mathematical statistics is highly desirable.
Students should submit all transcripts, three letters of
recommendation, and a one-page essay outlining the applicant’s background,
education, and personal objectives.
Prerequisites
Students who lack the necessary
background to start the program are advised to take courses at the School of
Economic, Political and Policy Sciences to strengthen their preparation, but
they will not receive credit towards their Ph.D. program. The following courses
may be used to gain the prerequisite knowledge (i) ECON 3310 Intermediate
Microeconomics; (ii) ECON 3311 Intermediate Macroeconomics; (iii) ECON 4351
Mathematical Economics; (iv) EPPS 7316 Advanced Regression Analysis or ECON
4355 Econometrics; (v) EPPS 7313 Basic and Inferential Statistics or
equivalent. It is also necessary to have had undergraduate courses in
calculus and matrix or linear algebra. Additional math courses, such as
differential equations, mathematical statistics and real analysis, are useful.
Degree Requirements
The University’s general degree
requirements are discussed here.
Students seeking the Ph.D. in Economics must complete 75
graduate hours. In addition, they must (i) complete core courses with an
average GPA of 3.00; (ii) pass comprehensive exams in micro- and macroeconomic
theory and in econometrics (although the econometrics exam will be waived for
students who complete each of the required econometrics courses with an average
grade of A- or better); (iii) be certified in two research areas
within the science of Economics; and (iv) submit an approved dissertation. The
following paragraphs elaborate on these requirements.
Students are required to complete the following core
courses:
ECON 6301 Microeconomics Theory I
ECON 7301 Microeconomics Theory II
ECON 7303 Microeconomics Theory III
ECON 6302 Macroeconomics Theory I
ECON 7302 Macroeconomics Theory II
ECON 6305 Mathematical Economics
ECON 6311 Statistics for Econometrics
ECON 6309 Econometrics I
ECON 7309 Econometrics II
In addition, they are required to register for the following courses at the
appropriate stages of their study:
ECON 7V01 Survey/Research Seminar
ECON 8V01 Dissertation Seminar
In order to assure that the student
progresses satisfactorily, each student is required to consult with the
Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) of Economics Programs prior to registration
in every semester.
For research area certification, the student must
select the two research areas, preferably during the second year of study, and
advise the (DGS) of the selection. The DGS will, in conjunction with the
Economics Curriculum Committee, advise the student regarding
the appropriate certification requirements. The general guidelines for
certification consist of (i) making a grade of B or better in three courses
within each area; (ii) writing an acceptable research paper in one area.
The submission of an approved dissertation will complete the
course of study for the Ph.D. degree in Economics. The procedure for approval
of the dissertation is outlined in the U.T.Dallas Graduate Catalog.