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Economics
The Department of Economics offers a doctor of philosophy (PhD) program that prepares students for a research career. The program combines coursework in the core fields of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, elective coursework in a variety of fields, and substantive original research.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the University admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. Also required is a master of arts (MA) degree, with graduate work in core areas that are equivalent to ECON 802, 807, 835 and 836. Any core area deficiency must be filled by completing the appropriate course(s) in addition to the course work normally required. In certain cases, students may be transferred into the doctor of philosophy (PhD) program from the MA program after meeting MA core and unit requirements (16 courses beyond the BA honours is required for such a PhD program).
Program Requirements
This program consists of required courses, elective courses, comprehensive exam, and a thesis for a minimum of 62 units. Normally a student must complete at least five courses of regularly scheduled course work within this department; exceptions to this rule must be approved by the student's supervisory committee and the graduate program committee.
Students must complete all of
The course following ECON 802 and 803 which covers such topics as equilibrium theory, axiomatic analysis, stability analysis, income distribution, dynamic micro models, and models of non-market economics. Prerequisite: ECON 802 and 803 or equivalent.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| G100 |
Victor Aguiar Lozano |
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An analysis of current theories of aggregate economic behavior. Topics covered in this course may include long-run growth, dynamic general equilibrium models, and business cycle analysis. Students with credit ECON 805 may not take this course for further credit.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| G100 |
Lucas Herrenbrueck |
Sep 4 – Oct 11, 2024: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Oct 16 – Dec 3, 2024: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m. Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Thu, 9:30–11:20 a.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby Burnaby |
| G101 |
Sep 4 – Oct 11, 2024: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Oct 16 – Dec 3, 2024: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
This course covers advanced macroeconomic theory topics. Emphasis will be placed on current research techniques. Topics covered may include: capital and growth theory, real business cycle models, models of fiat money, asset pricing models, endogenous growth models, development traps, macroeconomic complementarities, co-ordination failures, and adaptive behavior in macroeconomic models. Prerequisite: ECON 808. Students with credit for ECON 806 may not take this course for further credit.
Introduction to mathematics required for PhD level coursework and research in economics. Topics may include real analysis, analysis on metric spaces, differential calculus, convexity, and optimization. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: ECON 331.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| G100 |
David Freeman |
Sep 4 – Oct 11, 2024: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Oct 16 – Dec 3, 2024: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
Develops a foundation for econometric theory and applied econometrics. Topics may include an introduction to measure and probability theory, integration and mathematical expectations, stochastic limit theory, asymptotic theory, mathematical statistics, multiple linear regression, and an introduction to GMM and maximum likelihood estimation. Prerequisite: ECON 835 or equivalent.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| G100 |
Xiaoting Sun |
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
Develops the core tools of theoretical and applied econometrics including time series, cross sectional, and panel data methods. Topics may include limited dependent variable models, GMM, instrumental variables, ARMA models, unit roots and cointegration, fixed and random effects, incidental parameters, testing, program evaluation, nonlinear regression, semi- and nonparametric methods. Prerequisite: ECON 837.
and two of
Written comprehensive examination in econometrics. Normally taken in the Summer term of the first year of the PhD program. Students have two attempts to pass the exam. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: ECON 838.
and four graduate elective ECON courses
and a field paper
In the summer term following the completion of a PhD student's theory comprehensive exams, the student will enrol in this course. In consultations between the student, the graduate chair, and faculty, the student will be assigned a supervisor for the course. During the term, the student will write a research paper in their field of interest. A satisfactory completion of the course is through the presentation of the paper as an economics department thesis proposal seminar. Graded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| G100 |
Bertille Antoine |
Sep 4 – Oct 11, 2024: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Oct 16 – Dec 3, 2024: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
and a comprehensive field exam
Written comprehensive examination in the student's primary field of specialization. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
and a thesis
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program requirements in 15 terms.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.