Head: W. Simpson
General Office: 504 Fletcher Argue
Telephone: (204) 474-6240
Fax: (204) 474-7681
Email: economics@umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/economics
Academic Staff
Program Information
The Department of Economics offers graduate instruction leading to MA and PhD degrees. Enrolment is limited in order to sustain the flexibility and other advantages of a small graduate program and to tailor the program to individual needs. Students in the program come from Canada and around the world. Departmental funding policies are geared to the maintenance of a broad, international student base.
The Department of Economics at the University of Manitoba is both heterodox and policy-oriented. Faculty are heavily involved in shaping policy locally as well as at the national and international levels. Faculty have strong ties to economic research and forecasting organizations, international aid agencies and institutes for social policy research. Faculty members include neoclassicists, Keynesians, post-Keynesians, Marxists, institutionalists, empiricists, and econometricians. In addition to the standard economics curriculum, graduate students can choose from a variety of approaches and research areas, as well as take advantage of the department's openness to research topics that extend beyond the bounds of the department itself.
Fields of Research
Faculty interests span the areas of labour economics, macro and micro economics, public finance, development, international trade, econometrics, environmental and resource economics, sustainable development, institutional economics, economic history, history of economic thought, health economics, alternative economic theory, and agricultural economics.
Research Facilities
The department maintains a graduate student computing room for use by students. The department also maintains close links to other departments on campus in order to facilitate student learning in a wide range of areas. Graduate students are encouraged to do interdisciplinary research associated with the Transport Institute, the Natural Resources Institute, the Centre on Aging, the Labour and Workplace Studies program and the Northern Studies committee. These centres offer academic expertise, facilities, grass roots connections, and, occasionally, funding opportunities.
M.A. in Economics
Admission
Applicants with a B.A. (Hons.) degree in Economics from the University of Manitoba, or its equivalent, may be admitted to the M.A. degree program. All M.A. students must successfully complete ECON 6040, which will ordinarily be taken during a two-week period immediately preceding the first term of each academic year. However, applicants lacking the level of education normally required, i.e. B.A. (Hons.) in Economics or equivalent, for entry into the M.A. program or to the M.A. year of a Ph.D. program will be expected to acquire these qualifications in one or more pre-M.A. years.
Application Deadline Dates
| Start Date |
Canadian/
Canadian permanent residents/US |
International |
| September Admission |
May 1 |
January 15 |
Please send application and all supporting documentation to the Department of Economics. Please note that students applying to the Department of Economics must submit 4 letters of reference with their application.
Please note that the Department of Economics does not normally accept students in the January session as the required Math and Theory courses start in September.
Program Requirements
Minimum program requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this calendar. Master‘s in Economics students must complete 15 credit hours of coursework, including at least six credit hours at the 700/7000 level in Economics, ECON 6040, and the completion of a suitable thesis. Six credit hours of coursework shall be in an ancillary field.
Alternatively, candidates may complete the M.A. degree by comprehensive examination. A minimum of 27 credit hours of coursework is required, including ECON 6040 and at least 12 credit hours at the 700/7000 level in Economics. Six credit hours of coursework may be in an ancillary field.
A minimum of six credit hours of coursework in economic theory at the graduate level is normally required. The theory requirement consists of either ECON 7650 or ECON 7680 and either ECON 7720 or ECON 7750. On the recommendation of the student’s advisor and with the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee, a student completing a thesis may be allowed to substitute an ancillary for part of the theory requirement.
Ancillary courses are normally selected from disciplines related to Economics and to a candidate’s thesis (e.g., political studies, sociology, history, statistics, mathematics). An external ancillary subject is preferred but the ancillary may be taken within the department when appropriate (e.g., major study, economic development; ancillary subject, economic history).
Second Language Reading Requirement: none
Expected Time to Graduate: one year
Ph.D. in Economics
Admission
- Except as provided in 2) below, applicants for admission to the Ph.D. program must have completed the entrance requirements and the program requirements of an M.A. degree in Economics or in Agricultural Economics equivalent to that awarded by the University of Manitoba.
- In exceptional cases, applications may be considered from students who have completed an Honours degree in Economics equivalent to that awarded by the University of Manitoba. In such cases, the applicant will be required to fulfil, in addition to the requirements below, all course work requirements for the M.A. degree by comprehensive examination option.
Application Deadline Dates
| Start Date |
Canadian/
Canadian permanent residents/US |
International |
| September Admission |
May 1 |
January 15 |
Please send application and all supporting documentation to the Department of Economics. Please note that students applying to the Department of Economics must submit 4 letters of reference with their application.
Please note that the Department of Economics does not normally accept students in the January session as the required Theory courses start in September.
Program Requirements
Minimum program requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this calendar. Ph.D. students in Economics must complete:
- A minimum of 24 credit hours of course work of which at least 12 credit hours must be at the 700/7000 level in Economics. No more than 6 credit hours may be taken in a department other than Economics as part of this minimum course work requirement.
- A minimum of 36 credit hours of 700/7000 level courses in Economics in their M.A. and Ph.D. programs.
- A minimum of 12 credit hours in economic theory. The theory requirement will normally be ECON 7650, ECON 7660, ECON 7720, and ECON 7730. Upon the recommendation of a student's advisory committee, the Graduate Studies Committee may permit a student to substitute two of the following for ECON 7660 and ECON 7730: ECON 7670, ECON 7680, ECON 7740, and ECON 7750.
- Candidates must also include
- 6 credit hours of History of Economic Thought
AND
- Either:
- 6 credit hours in Economic History
OR
- A research paper in Economic History which will be submitted for approval to a committee appointed by the Graduate Studies Committee. The student's thesis advisor will normally be one of the members of the appointed committee.
These requirements may be waived if, in the judgement of the Graduate Studies Committee, equivalent courses have been taken by the candidate at the undergraduate level or as part of the M.A. program.
- Candidates must present and defend a suitable thesis.
Fields of Concentration and Candidacy Examinations
Students must present themselves for two sets of candidacy examinations: theory and fields. The theory examination consists of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, which are assessed separately. In the field examination, the student is jointly assessed in two fields. Fields from which a student may select are:
| Agricultural Economics |
Monetary Economics |
| Economic Development |
Public Finance |
| Econometric |
Industrial Organization |
| Economic History |
History of Economic Thought |
| Labour Economics |
Resource Economics |
| International Economics |
Marxian Economics |
| Comparative Systems |
International Finance |
The Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics is offered with the cooperation with the Department of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics. For information on faculty, course offerings and specialization, contact the department of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics.
Second language requirement: none
Expected time to graduation: four years
Course Descriptions
Courses ECON 6040, ECON 7520, ECON 7650, ECON 7660, ECON 7680, ECON 7720 and ECON 7730 will be offered each year, assuming sufficient demand. Most courses listed below are only offered on an alternating or occasional basis. For further information about those available in the 2006/07 session contact the Department of Economics or consult the Departmental web page. Reading courses ECON 7230 and ECON 7300 are available subject to agreement with the instructor.
ECON 6010 Urban Economic Issues Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.601) Not currently offered.
ECON 6020 Macroeconomic Theory: Survey and Applications Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.602) A review of the principles of contemporary macroeconomic theory and of the application of that theory, in both closed and open economies.
ECON 6030 Microeconomic Theory: Survey and Applications Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.603) A review of the principles of contemporary microeconomic theory and of the application of that theory, in both closed and open economies.
ECON 6040 Survey of Mathematical Topics for Economists Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.604) A review of mathematical concepts used in economics, particularly at the graduate level. Topics include linear economic systems and matrix algebra, differentiation and optimisation, integration, economic dynamics and optimisation through time, and difference and differential equations. This course cannot be counted toward the minimum degree requirements for M.A. and Ph.D. degrees.
ECON 7200 Industrial Organization Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 018.720) The structure of industries; nature and performance of markets. Anti-combines legislation. Characteristics of public enterprise. Problems of regulations of industry.
ECON 7210 Comparative Economic Systems Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 018.721) Not currently offered.
ECON 7230 Directed Special Studies in Economics Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 018.723) Intensive study of advanced work in a selected field of economics.
ECON 7300 Directed Special Studies in Economics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.730) First term of ECON 7230 (or 018.723).
ECON 7310 Research Seminar in Economics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.731) Not currently offered.
ECON 7330 National and Social Accounting Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.733) Not currently offered.
ECON 7350 Public Finance: Public Expenditures Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.735) The role of government expenditures and criteria for their evaluation. Public goods theory. Externality problems. Public choice. Benefit-cost analysis. Public enterprising pricing.
ECON 7360 Public Finance: Taxation Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.736) Examination of income, profits, sales, property and other taxes, their allocational and distributional effects. Canadian tax policy. Tax incentives. Resource taxation. Intergovernmental fiscal relations in Canada and elsewhere. Public debt.
ECON 7430 Advanced Theory of Resource Economics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.743) Economic theory of the development and management of natural resources. Application of capital theory, investment theory, the theory of externalities and decision-making theory to resource utilization and management. A strong background in microeconomics is required. Also offered as ABIZ 7430 by the Department of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics.
ECON 7440 Renewable Resource Economics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.744) A research seminar in applied economic analysis of the development and management of renewable natural resources, agriculture, environmental quality, forestry, fisheries, game, outdoor recreation and other renewable resources. Also offered as ABIZ 7440 by the Department of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics.
ECON 7450 Non-Renewable Resource Economics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.745) A research seminar in applied economic analysis of the development and management of non-renewable resources, concentrating on specific topics and policy issues in energy and mineral resources. Also offered as ABIZ 7450 by the Department of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics.
ECON 7500 Monetary and Financial Theory Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.750) The microeconomics of money and other financial assets, in partial and general equilibrium frameworks. Explanation of financial market structure and behaviour with and without costless information. Students may not hold credit for both ECON 7500 (or 018.750) and the former 018.704.
ECON 7510 Advanced Monetary Macroeconomics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.751) Mainstream and other theories of how money matters to macroeconomics, theory and practice of policy rules for both monetary and other stabilization policy tools. Students may not hold credit for both ECON 7510 (or 018.751) and the former 018.704.
ECON 7520 Advanced Econometric Theory Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.752) An examination of econometric methods beyond the classical linear regression model. Topics may include nonlinear regression methods, maximum likelihood estimation, time series analysis, nonparametric and semiparametric regression, and Bayesian econometrics. Students may not hold credit for both ECON 7520 (or 018.752) and the former 018.717.
ECON 7530 Advanced Econometric Research Seminar Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.753) A seminar concerned with modern econometric methodology and selected advanced topics in econometrics. Students will be required to conduct and present an advanced econometric research project. Students may not hold credit for both ECON 7530 (or 018.753) and the former 018.717. Prerequisite: ECON 7520 (or 018.752).
ECON 7540 Advanced History of Economic Thought Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.754) Not currently offered.
ECON 7610 Approaches, Methodologies and Techniques in Economic History Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.761) A review of methodologies, approaches, techniques, and contemporary controversies in economic history.
ECON 7620 Selected Studies in Economic History Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.762) Not currently offered.
ECON 7630 Theory of International Trade Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.763) Theories of trade flow; trade and income distribution; economic growth and changes in trade flows; instruments of trade intervention; international labour and capital movements; and economic integration.
ECON 7640 International Money and Finance Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.764) Analysis of the theory of international money and finance. Assessment of existing international institutions dealing with money and finance. Theory, rationale and evaluation of structural adjustment policies. Prerequisite: ECON 7630 (or 018.763), or both ECON 7500 (or 018.750) and ECON 7510 (or 018.752) (or the former 018.704), or permission of instructor.
ECON 7650 Advanced Macroeconomic Theory 1 Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.765) A review of contemporary macroeconomic theories and their applications; analysis of static equilibrium and disequilibrium models; exploration of such models' implications for cyclical behaviour and for policymaking. Prerequisite: ECON 6040 (or 018.604) which may be waived on demonstration of equivalent mathematical competence.
ECON 7660 Advanced Macroeconomic Theory 2 Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.766) Analysis of cyclical models and of equilibrium growth models, and a review of contemporary theories of stabilization policy. Prerequisite: ECON 7650 (or 018.765).
ECON 7670 Advanced Macroeconomic Topics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.767) Not currently offered.
ECON 7680 Post-Keynesian and Marxian Macroeconomics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.768) A review of post-Keynesian and Marxian macroeconomic theories of the domestic and international economy and their policy prescriptions.
ECON 7690 Structuralist Theories of Development Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.769) Study of structuralist classical Marxist and Neo-Marxist theories of development and underdevelopment. Appraisal of the development strategies which follow from the various theories.
ECON 7700 Human Resources and Development Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.770) A study of the place of people in economic development. Topics include population, labour markets, migration, education, health and entrepreneurship.
ECON 7710 Economic Planning Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.771) A review of the rationale for planning, of planning techniques and models, and of third world planning experience.
ECON 7720 Advanced Microeconomic Theory: Production and Consumption Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.772) This course will cover topics in theories of consumer demand, production and cost, distribution, market equilibrium and market organization. Prerequisite: ECON 6040 (or 018.604) which may be waived on demonstration of equivalent mathematical competence.
ECON 7730 Advanced Microeconomic Theory: General Equilibrium and Welfare Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.773) This course will cover topics in general equilibrium theory, welfare economics, market failure and social choice. Prerequisite: ECON 7720 (or 018.772).
ECON 7740 Advanced Topics in Microeconomic Theory Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.774) Not currently offered.
ECON 7750 Marxian and Neo-Ricardian Microeconomic Theory Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.775) A review of Marxian and Neo-Ricardian microeconomic theories and their extension to monopoly, segmented labour markets, labour reproduction and the household.
ECON 7760 Multinational Enterprise and Nation States Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.776) Not currently offered.
ECON 7770 Economics of Marx Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.777) An intensive study of Marx's mature theory and especially of 'Capital'. 'Theories of Surplus Value', and 'the Grundrisse'.
ECON 7780 Debates in Marxian Economics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.778) An analysis of the major theoretical debates within the Marxian paradigm.
ECON 7790 Advanced Labour Economics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.779) A review of the theoretical and empirical foundations of modern labour economics.
ECON 7800 Labour Problems and Policies Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.780) A course dealing with various contemporary problems and controversies in labour economics. Prerequisite: ECON 7790 (or 018.779).
ECON 7900 Advanced Agricultural Marketing Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.790) Critical evaluation of microtheory vis-a-vis technical and economics structure of plants; theory of location in relation to time, form and space. Also offered as ABIZ 7100 in the Department of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics.
ECON 7940 Production Economics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 018.794) Development of static microeconomic theories of the firm, functional forms, aggregation issues, productivity analysis, risk and uncertainty and in introduction to dynamics. The following are emphasized: a rigorous treatment of the models using duality; a critical understanding of the limitations and possibilities for generalizing the models; and relevance of the models for empirical research, especially in agriculture. Also offered as ABIZ 7940 by the Department of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics. May not be held with ABIZ 7940 (or 061.794) or 018.793 or ABIZ 7130 (or 061.713).
