MPhil+PhD in Economics

The Curriculum

The curriculum requirement for MPhil and the PhD program is more or less the same except the thesis requirement.

Required Courses and Minimum Credit Requirement

MPhil: 23 credits (with 3 field courses)

PhD: 36 credits (max credit transfer: 32 credits)

Introductory Quantitative Requirement (credits not counted towards program requirement) and Professional Development courses
1. ECON 5100 Mathematics for Business and Economics
2. ISOM 5540 Introduction to Probability or
  MATH 5411 Advanced Probability Theory I, or
  MATH 5431 Advanced Mathematical Statistics I
3. PDEV 6770 Professional Development for Research Postgraduate Students
Required courses
1. Economics - Micro- and Macro-economic theory I and II, (ECON 5210, 5220; 5250, 5260), Econometrics (ECON5300)
2. Language - LANG 5002
Field courses
1. 3 x Economics field courses
MPhil Theory/Qualifying Examinations (Micro and Macro-economics, in June right after the 1st year of study; and Aug for second attempt)
1. Students admitted without an HKUST MPhil degree in Economics will take the qualifying examination in the Summer of the first year of PhD study. They will take the same qualifying examination as the HKUST MPhil students.
2. MPhil Students who fail the qualifying examination in the two attempts may continue their MPhil study, but are not allowed to proceed to the PhD program. PhD students who fail the qualifying examination after two attempts in the first year of their PhD study are required to withdraw from the PhD Program.
Research Paper Requirement
1. PhD students are required to submit an approved research paper by the Summer of the second year of PhD study.
Thesis Research
1. ECON 6990 MPhil Thesis Research
2. ECON 7990 PhD Thesis Research

Program Intended Learning Objectives

Students will have up-to-date and in-depth knowledge in Economics, leading to independent substantive scholarly research.
1. Demonstrate a sound grasp of the literature in Economics.
2. Apply their knowledge in Economics to solve related business problems in an innovative fashion.
Students will have an in-depth understanding of contemporary business and organizational issues, within the field of Economics.
1. Demonstrate a broad based knowledge of core business functions.
2. Integrate functional knowledge to solve business problems within the field of Economics.
Students will be equipped to perform all aspects of the role of faculty in academia, including pedagogical skills.
1. Teach independent courses or lead lab/tutorial sessions effectively.
2. Present their discipline knowledge clearly to layman.