Program Overview

University Programs

The Queen's University Department of Economics offers various undergraduate and graduate programs.

Undergraduate Programs

• Major in Applied Economics (APEC): This program focuses on the application of economic principles to real-world problems.
• Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPEC): An interdisciplinary program that combines the study of politics, philosophy, and economics.
• Minors & Medials: Students can also pursue minors or medials in economics, which provide a foundation in economic theory and principles.
• Economics Degree Pathways: The department offers various degree pathways, including a four-year honors degree and a three-year general degree.

Graduate Programs

• MA: The Master of Arts in Economics program provides advanced training in economic theory, econometrics, and research methods.
• PhD: The Doctor of Philosophy in Economics program is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in research and academia.
• Executive Programs: The department also offers executive programs for working professionals who want to advance their knowledge and skills in economics.

Courses

The department offers a wide range of courses in economics, including:

• ECON 110 - Principles of Economics: An introductory course that covers the basic principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics.
• ECON 111 - Introductory Microeconomics: A course that focuses on the behavior of individual economic units, such as households and firms.
• ECON 112 - Introductory Macroeconomics: A course that examines the behavior of the economy as a whole, including topics such as inflation, unemployment, and economic growth.
• ECON 212 - Microeconomic Theory I: A course that provides a more advanced treatment of microeconomic theory, including topics such as consumer behavior and production theory.
• ECON 222 - Macroeconomic Theory I: A course that provides a more advanced treatment of macroeconomic theory, including topics such as national income accounting and fiscal policy.

Research Areas

The department has a strong research focus, with faculty members working in a variety of areas, including:

• Econometrics and Quantitative Methods: The application of statistical and mathematical techniques to economic data.
• Economic History, Law and Economics: The study of the historical development of economic systems and the relationship between economics and law.
• Financial Economics: The study of financial markets and instruments, including topics such as asset pricing and risk management.
• Industrial Organization: The study of the behavior of firms and industries, including topics such as competition and regulation.
• International Economics: The study of international trade and finance, including topics such as trade policy and exchange rates.
• Labour, Health, Education and Welfare: The study of labor markets, health economics, education, and welfare economics.
• Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics: The study of the economy as a whole, including topics such as inflation, unemployment, and monetary policy.
• Microeconomics: The study of individual economic units, such as households and firms.
• Public and Development Economics: The study of public policy and economic development, including topics such as taxation and economic growth.
• Urban, Environmental and Natural Resource Economics: The study of urban economics, environmental economics, and natural resource economics.

Conferences and Workshops

The department hosts various conferences and workshops throughout the year, including:

• QED Frontiers of Macroeconomics Workshop: A workshop that brings together leading researchers in macroeconomics to discuss current topics and issues.
• Financial Intermediation and Regulation Conference: A conference that focuses on the role of financial intermediaries and regulation in the economy.
• Canadian Macroeconomic Study Group (CMSG) Meeting: A meeting of Canadian macroeconomists to discuss current research and issues in macroeconomics.

Prizes and Distinctions

The department offers various prizes and distinctions to students, including:

• Douglas D. Purvis Memorial Prize: A prize awarded to the top student in the MA program.
• The Dan Usher Prize for Excellence in Economic Research: A prize awarded to the top student in the PhD program.
• Curtis Prize: A prize awarded to the top student in the PhD program.
• Scarthingmoor PhD Thesis Prize: A prize awarded to the top PhD thesis in the department.