Department of Economics & International Business

ECON 5080. Independent Study. 1-3 Hours.

Students engage in a directed individual study of a selected problem in economics, developing research, analytical, and problem-solving skills through independent investigation. The course offers flexible credit (1–3) to accommodate the scope and depth of the study. Course Equivalents: ECON 5380
Prerequisite: Approval of Department Chair and Graduate Coordinator.

ECON 5085. Special Topic. 1-3 Hours.

Students explore emerging topics and advanced concepts in economics through faculty-led study, gaining insights that enhance their analytical, research, and critical thinking skills. The course offers flexible credit (1–3) to allow students to tailor the depth of study to their academic and professional goals. Course Equivalents: ECON 5385 .

ECON 5300. Economic Principles And Policy. 3 Hours.

Students gain a comprehensive understanding of both microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts, learning how prices and resources are allocated across different market structures, including perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly. They develop skills in measuring and analyzing national income, inflation, and unemployment, and in evaluating the role of money, banking, and economic stabilization policies. Students also explore international economic policies, applying theoretical and practical insights to understand real-world economic issues. This course does not apply to the graduate credit hour requirement of the MBA degree program.

ECON 5301. Mathematical Methods for Applied Economics. 3 Hours.

Students analyze and apply mathematical methods that are essential to graduate studies in economics and related disciplines. Topics include matrix algebra, differential calculus, optimization, and their applications to economic modeling.

ECON 5305. Microeconomics. 3 Hours.

Students analyze the behavior of consumers, firms, and markets. Topics include consumer choice models, firms’ costs, profits maximization, market structures, uncertainty, and market failures.
Prerequisite: ECON 5301.

ECON 5307. Macroeconomics. 3 Hours.

Students gain a strong understanding of modern macroeconomics, learning to analyze the drivers of long-run growth and the dynamics of business cycles. They develop skills in evaluating fiscal and monetary policies and their effectiveness in promoting price stability, full employment, and sustainable economic growth. By applying contemporary evidence and real-world examples, students are equipped to critically assess major macroeconomic issues and policy decisions.
Prerequisite: ECON 5301.

ECON 5325. Econometrics. 3 Hours.

Students examine methods used to estimate, interpret, and apply econometric methods for statistical models in a variety of business and economics settings. Topics include methods for linear cross-sectional models, linear panel-data models, and binary-outcome models.
Prerequisite: BANA 5368.

ECON 5340. International Economics. 3 Hours.

Students analyze a range of topics in international economics with a focus on trade theories, globalization, and financial systems.
Prerequisite: ECON 5305.

ECON 5348. Development Economics. 3 Hours.

Students gain the ability to analyze development issues using microeconomic principles and empirical evidence. They learn to interpret research findings, apply theoretical concepts, and critically evaluate development strategies and interventions through program evaluations and case studies. By connecting economic theory to real-world policies and global development initiatives, students develop the skills to assess the effectiveness of solutions to pressing development challenges.

ECON 5350. Health Economics. 3 Hours.

Students analyze the structure and functioning of the healthcare markets and economic equilibrium in healthcare markets using microeconomic and industrial organization principles. Topics include Grossman’s model of demand for healthcare, supply of healthcare, equilibrium in healthcare market under uncertainty and asymmetric information, market failure, role of insurance and risk analysis, and cost-effectiveness/benefit analysis.

ECON 5351. Labor Economics. 3 Hours.

Students gain a comprehensive understanding of how labor markets operate and how individuals and businesses make decisions about work, wages, and employment. They explore topics such as labor supply and demand, the tradeoff between labor and leisure, occupational choices, skill development, and employment dynamics. By applying economic theory to real-world examples, students develop the skills to analyze labor market issues and understand how economic principles inform business and policy decisions.

ECON 5352. Energy Economics. 3 Hours.

Students develop the ability to apply microeconomic techniques to analyze contemporary energy issues. They gain insights into the structure of international energy markets, the effects of government regulation and deregulation, and the economic dynamics of business practices and consumer behavior in renewable energy markets.

ECON 5357. Managerial Economics. 3 Hours.

Students gain a practical understanding of fundamental economic principles as they relate to managerial decision-making. They learn to apply modern economic analysis to evaluate market conditions, assess profitability and pricing strategies, analyze strategic behavior, and make informed choices under risk and uncertainty.

ECON 5360. Economic Analysis Of Strategy. 3 Hours.

Students develop an understanding of game theory and its application to real-world economic phenomena. They gain insights into the organization of industry, labor and workplace economics, international trade policies, government and voting strategies, the role of legal institutions, and bargaining and bidding strategies.

ECON 5373. Urban Economics. 3 Hours.

Students analyze the economic forces that determine location choices of firms and individuals, as well as the existence and performance of urban agglomerations resulting from these location choices. The methodologies used to measure the spatial distribution of economic activity, public policy solutions to market failures, and urban economic development are examined.