Quantitative Economics Track (QET) Information & Sharing Session by Prof Chow Hwee Kwan Associate Dean Singapore Management University 1
Overview The Quantitative Economics Track is designed to respond to the industry s and academia s increasing demand for a more technical and quantitative analysis of economic situations and issues. SOE Alumni and employers both in the government economic agencies as well as the private sector, are supportive of the School s move to offer this Track. 2
Quote from Employer Today s employers and graduate economics departments are increasingly looking for economics graduates with experienceor exposure to advanced training in quantitative economics the QET is a timely response to the demands of today s economics graduates. 3 Dr Yip Chun Seng Principal Economist (Fiscal Policy) Ministry of Finance
4 Who should apply? This Track is for students: who are interested in becoming professional economists in the government or private sectors; who want to pursue a more technical career path in the industry; interested in pursuing graduate studies, be it in Economics or in Finance; who simply want to increase the scope and depth of their knowledge in the quantitative aspects of Economics.
Who qualifies? 1 st and 2 nd BSc (Economics) degree students who have not taken IEB (or IEA). Students who take this track do the same number of Economics modules as those under the regular Economics degree programme. You can take this track and still maintain your second major and/or second degree. 5
Structure & Curriculum Economics Major Courses 1. Applied Econometrics 2. Intermediate Microeconomics 3. Intermediate Macroeconomics 4. International Trade 5. International Macroeconomics 4. & 5. are mutually exclusive from International Economics A/B; 6 They may fulfill Global & Regional Studies for Economics 2 nd degree students.
Structure & Curriculum Quantitative Economics Courses 1. Advanced Microeconomics 2. Advanced Macroeconomics 3. Intermediate Econometrics Complete remaining electives from any Economics Major Electives. 7
Economics Major Electives 8 Game Theory Industrial Organisation Labour Economics Monetary Economics Public Sector Economics Urban Economics & Real Estate Economic Forecasting Economics of Asymmetric Information Economics of Politics Health Economics Real Estate Economics Political Economy of Globalisation
Economics Major Electives Independent Study Senior Thesis Seminar (2 cu) Maintain GPA of at least 3.4 in EM courses Economics Honours Programme reflected in official transcript 9
Curriculum structure for students admitted in AY2012-13 onwards (Year 1 going Year 2) Compulsory (5) Applied Econometrics Intm Micro Intm Macro Intl Trade Intl Macro Compulsory (3) Adv Micro Adv Macro Intm Econometrics Choose remaining 3 from list of EM electives 10 TOTAL NO. OF Econ Major COURSES = 11
Curriculum structure for students admitted in AY2011-12 (Year 2 going Year 3) Compulsory (5) Applied Econometrics Intm Micro Intm Macro Intl Trade Intl Macro Choose 2 or 3 Adv Micro Adv Macro Intm Econometrics Choose remaining 3 or 4 from list of EM electives 11 TOTAL NO. OF Econ Major COURSES = 11
Structure & Curriculum Economics Major-related Courses (8 or 9) Introduction to Statistical Theory and Intermediate Mathematics for Economics are compulsory courses. Students can choose to do more Economic Major Electives under EMR. 12 Alternatively, you may choose from a range of courses across all schools; i.e. you can still opt for this track and use the EMR requirements to do your 2 nd major or 2 nd degree courses.
Trying out the Quantitative Economics Track International Trade & International Macroeconomics to replace IEB; counted as 2 course units. Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Macroeconomics & Intermediate Econometrics are also offered as Economic Major Electives. For those who do not opt for the quantitative economics track, you can still take these courses to satisfy the EM or EMR requirements. 13
Recognition of the Quantitative Economics Track The successful completion of this track will be reflected in your transcript as: Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (Economics) Major(s): Economics (Quantitative Economics) 14
Quotes from Past QET Graduates After taking the modules offered under QET, I was equipped with economic tools that helped me better understand economic problems in other courses. While the quantitative analysis may be rigorous at times, the professors were very patient in guiding the students. Jeannie Yang (QET+2 nd degree in Accountancy) 15 Taking advanced courses will develop your problem solving skills. Moreover, you would get to forge friendships with classmates who are highly motivated and enthusiastic about learning. Leung Weiwen (QET+2 nd major in Applied Statistics)
General Information Singapore Management University 90 Stamford Road Singapore 178903 Tel : +65 6808 5137 Fax : +65 6828 0833 Email : undergrad_econs@smu.edu.sg Website : http://www.economics.smu.edu.sg 16 We welcome your questions and comments.