There is considerable flexibility in the programs of individual students. All students are required to take a course in research methodology (COMM 693) and a course in teaching methods (EPSE 506). Students also take an advanced topics course (COMM 691) given by the Strategy and Business Economics Division. Students are also required to take courses from the UBC Department of Economics. The courses would include the PhD sequence of microeconomics (ECON 600 and 601) and a Master’s level course in econometrics (ECON 527) or equivalent. Students would also be expected to take at least one course in industrial organization, such as “Market Structure and Business Performance” (ECON 565) or “Business Performance and Public Policy” (ECON 566). Students are encouraged to take the PhD sequence of econometrics courses (ECON 626, 627 and 628). Students without the appropriate background in microeconomics would first take the Master’s level microeconomic theory course (ECON 500).
Students will take at least four courses to form two "fields" (two courses per field) and will normally take one or more other courses. These courses will be chosen in consultation with the PhD Advisor.
Students are expected to complete their course work in two years and write comprehensive exams at the end of the second year. Students who have not had previous experience with graduate level work may take a little longer.
Sample Program Sequence
Year 1 Fall term: COMM 693 (research methodology), ECON 600 (micro theory), ECON 527 (econometrics), field or other course
Year 1 Winter term: ECON 601(micro theory), industrial organization course, statistics course, field or other course
Year 1 Summer research paper
Year 2 Fall term: COMM 691 (Advanced Topics in Policy Analysis), statistics course, field or other courses
Year 2 Winter EPSE 506 (Teaching), statistics course, field or other courses
Year 2 Summer comprehensive exams
Year 3 Preparation and presentation of thesis proposal
Year 4 Preparation and defense of thesis