Master of Science Degree
Master of Science Degree Kellie NicholasEntering students are expected to have undergraduate training in economic theory and quantitative methods. Successful completion of first-year courses requires a working knowledge of Intermediate Microeconomic Theory, Multivariate Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Introductory Statistics.
If accepted into our MS program, students are expected to remedy deficiencies in these areas by taking the appropriate coursework, which is not counted toward advanced degree credit requirements. Failure to take remedial course work can lead to unsatisfactory progress in the first semester and may result in dismissal from the program. To increase chances of acceptance into our program, students are encouraged to complete additional coursework in Econometrics, Mathematical Statistics, Calculus, and Linear Algebra to better prepare themselves for graduate work. Before the start of the first semester, students are required to attend a two-week Summer Math Class.
Students are normally admitted to regular Degree Status, but some may be required to enroll on Provisional Status for a maximum of 12 credits. At the end of this provisional period, both the Department and the Graduate School evaluate the student’s performance; at that time, either the student is admitted to Degree Status or enrollment is terminated. The Master of Science Degree offered by the Department features field essay and thesis options. All MS students are admitted under the field essay option. A student may choose the thesis option only if sponsored by a faculty member and approved by the Graduate Studies Committee. The Graduate Studies Committee will evaluate such requests on the basis of course and job performance, research aptitude, and availability of funding. A student interested in writing a thesis should apply for the thesis option by April 1 of the first year (see further information under Degree Requirements with Thesis below). We also offer an accelerated 4+1 MS version that is suitable for seniors completing their undergraduate coursework in less than four years (details below).
Grad Handbook - Degree Requirements with Field Essay
Grad Handbook - Degree Requirements with Field Essay Kellie Nicholas1. Complete a minimum of 28 course credits.
All required course credits must be taken on a letter-graded basis, with the exception of 791Y, which is taken Pass/Fail. The research field essay (RES-ECON 698) will carry 3 additional credits but does not count toward the 28 course credits. Specific course requirements are as follows:
| Microeconomic Theory (6 cr.) | Res-Econ 711 |
|---|---|
| Res-Econ 712 | |
| Quantitative Methods (9 cr.) | Econ 751 |
| Res-Econ 701 | |
| Res-Econ 702 | |
| Major Field (Select One)(3 cr.) | Res-Econ 703 |
| Res-Econ 720 | |
| Res-Econ 732 | |
| Res-Econ 740 | |
| Res-Econ 741 | |
| Graduate Seminar (3 cr.) | Res-Econ 791Y |
| Electives (9 cr.) | Choose 3 (3 cr.) Graduate Level Electives |
Elective Recommendations - Students should carefully plan their electives to complement their major fields and to provide breadth of knowledge. Although not required for MS students who are not specializing in applied econometrics, RES-ECON 703, Topics in Advanced Econometrics, is strongly recommended for all students. Students should consult with the GPD regarding their choice of electives. Courses such as RES-ECON 732 and RES-ECON 733 can fulfill the Elective requirement. Graduate courses in other departments, such as Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, Political Science, Environmental Conservation, and the Isenberg School of Management, may also fulfill this requirement with the approval of the Graduate Program Director.
2. Complete a Research Field Essay of 3 Credits (Res-Econ 698)
Under the supervision of a member of the Graduate Faculty (the Chair of the field essay), the essay is typically a detailed literature review relevant to a particular problem area, complemented by a theoretical or empirical approximation of the problem (i.e., a model and/or data analysis). The essay must be approved by the Graduate Program Director by the end of the fall semester of the second year. The department requires an electronic version of the field essay for its electronic library. As a matter of courtesy, an electronic file should also be provided to the Chair of the field essay.
3. Submit to the Department:
- Electronic version of the field essay
- Resource Economics Exit Survey (online): We expect all our graduates to complete this survey. A link to the survey can be found on the Graduate Program Canvas page.
4. Submit to the Graduate School:
- Degree Eligibility Form (this should also be sent to the Associate Director of Academic Programs and the GPD.
Grad handbook - MS Course Sequence
Grad handbook - MS Course Sequence Kellie NicholasRequired and recommended courses for the M.S. Degree with Field Essay:
| Fall (First Semester) |
Spring (Second Semester) |
Fall (Third Semester) |
|---|---|---|
| Res-Econ 701: Probability Theory & Statistical Inference |
Res-Econ 712: Applied Microeconomic Theory II |
Res-Econ 703: Topics in Advanced Econometrics |
| Res-Econ 711: Applied Microeconomic Theory I |
Res-Econ 702: Econometric Methods |
Res-Econ 698: Research Field Essay |
| Econ 751: Mathematical Methods for Economics |
Pick 1 Major Field Course or Elective | Pick 1 Major Field Course or Elective |
| Res-Econ 791Y: Seminar for Resource Economics |
Res-Econ 791Y: Seminar for Resource Economics |
Pick 1 Major Field Course or Elective |
Grad Handbook - M.S. Satisfactory Progress
Grad Handbook - M.S. Satisfactory Progress Kellie NicholasStudents must make satisfactory progress toward their degree each semester. The following guidelines define satisfactory progress for students in the M.S. program with field essay.
First Year
| January | Review first semester performance with GPD to discuss any problem areas and possible remedies. Discuss course choices and TA/RA performance (if applicable) during the first semester. Begin assessing potential field essay topics. |
|---|---|
| April 1st | Obtain a faculty sponsor to serve as a Research Advisor. Report your advisor, topic, topic abstract, and summer work plan to the GPD using the form M.S. Research Plan for Summer. This form is available in the Graduate Student Canvas Page. |
| April/May | Meet with faculty supervisor to further develop summer research and outline of summer work |
| August | Submit a progress report to the GPD |
Second Year
| September | If receiving summer funding, students are required to present the work they have done during the Graduate Student Conference, which takes place the first Friday of classes each year. Additionally, students must review course requirements and choices with the GPD. Students are responsible for completing their field essay by December. |
|---|---|
| December | Obtain approval of the field essay by the faculty supervisor and the GPD. Submit an electronic file of the field essay to the department. |
In addition to ongoing assessment, the GPD conducts reviews of M.S. students' progress after each semester and each summer (if applicable). These reviews assess course grades and overall progress. Teaching or research assistantship performances are also evaluated (if applicable).
In evaluating satisfactory progress, no arbitrary standards are imposed, but failure to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 will result in the GPD determining that a student is not making satisfactory progress. Students who are not making satisfactory progress will be notified in writing. They are subject to loss of funding or dismissal from the program.
Grad Handbook - Degree Requirements with thesis
Grad Handbook - Degree Requirements with thesis Kellie Nicholas1. Complete a minimum of 25 course credits.
All required course credits must be taken on a letter-graded basis, with the exception of 791Y, which is taken Pass/Fail. The thesis (RES-ECON 699) will carry 6 additional credits but does not count toward the 25 course credits. Specific course requirements are as follows:
| Microeconomic Theory (6 cr.) | Res-Econ 711 |
| Res-Econ 712 | |
| Quantitative Methods (9 cr.) | Econ 751 |
| Res-Econ 701 | |
| Res-Econ 702 | |
| Major Field (Select One)(3 cr.) | Res-Econ 703 |
| Res-Econ 720 | |
| Res-Econ 732 | |
| Res-Econ 740/741 | |
| Seminar (1 cr.) | Res-Econ 791Y |
| Electives (3 cr.) | Choose 3 (3 cr.) Graduate Level Electives |
Elective Recommendations: Students should carefully plan their electives to complement their major fields and provide breadth of knowledge. Although not required for M.S. students not specializing in applied econometrics, RES-ECON 702: Topics in Advanced Econometrics, is strongly recommended for all students. Students should consult with the GPD regarding their choice of electives. Courses such as RES-ECON 732 and RES-ECON 733 can fulfill the Elective requirement.
Graduate courses in other departments, such as Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, Political Science, Environmental Conservation, and the Isenberg School of Management, may also fulfill this requirement with the approval of the GPD.
2. Apply to enter Thesis Option by April 1st.
(See details under Satisfactory Progress below)
3. Select a thesis committee, prepare a thesis proposal, and write a 6-credit thesis.
The thesis committee is composed of at least two graduate faculty members; the Chair must be a member of the Department. Students must register for 6 credits of RES-ECON 699. University requirements stipulate that a thesis committee be approved and appointed by the Graduate School Dean.
Responsibility for preparing the thesis rests with the student. The style must conform to the Graduate School's guidelines for Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. The electronic file with two original signatures must be submitted to the Graduate School. The Department requires an electronic version of the thesis for the department's electronic library. As a matter of courtesy, an electronic copy should also be provided to the Chair of the Thesis Committee.
4. Pass an oral thesis examination (usually referred to as the Thesis Defense) administered by the Thesis Committee.
Presentation of a departmental seminar on the research is part of the Thesis Defense. The defense must be scheduled with the Graduate Program Coordinator at least 10 days prior to the presentation.
5. Submit to the Department:
- Electronic version of the thesis
- Resource Economics Exit Survey (online). We expect all our graduates to complete this survey. A link to the survey can be found in the Graduate Student Canvas page.
(Note: Both of these items are required for signature of the Degree Eligibility Form by the GPD.)
6. Submit to the Graduate School
- Thesis electronically submitted through ScholarWorks
- Electronic version of signature page, with original signatures
- Degree Eligibility Form
Grad Handbook - M.S. Course Sequence Thesis
Grad Handbook - M.S. Course Sequence Thesis Kellie NicholasRequired and recommended courses for the M.S. Degree with Thesis:
|
Fall |
Spring (2ndSemester) |
Fall (3rd Semester) |
Spring (4th Semester) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Res-Econ 701: Probability Theory & Statistical Inference |
Res-Econ 712: Applied Microeconomics Theory II |
Res-Econ 703: Topics in Advanced Econometrics |
Res-Econ 699: Master's Thesis (3 Cr) |
| Res-Econ 711: Applied Microeconomic Theory I |
Res-Econ 702: Econometric Methods |
Res-Econ 699: Master's Thesis (3 cr) |
|
| Econ 751: Mathematical Methods for Economics |
Pick 1 Major Field Course or Elective | Pick 1 Major Field Course or Elective | |
| Res-Econ 791Y: Seminar for Resource Economics |
Res-Econ 791Y: |
Grad Handbook - Satisfactory progress thesis option
Grad Handbook - Satisfactory progress thesis option Kellie NicholasStudents must make satisfactory progress toward their degree each semester. The following guidelines define satisfactory progress for students in the M.S. program with thesis.
First Year
| January | Review first-semester performance with the GPD to discuss any problem areas and possible remedies. Discuss course choices and TA/RA performance (if applicable) during the first semester. Assess thesis research opportunities early in spring semester. RES-ECON 791Y will provide an introduction to research methods. |
|---|---|
| April 1st | Obtain a faculty sponsor to serve as a Thesis Advisor and apply to the Graduate Studies Committee to enter the Thesis Option. This application is made to the GPD by submitting the form M.S. Thesis Research Plan for Summer which is available on the Graduate Student Canvas page. As part of this form, report to your advisor your topic, topic abstract, funding source (Is there a grant that will fund your research?), and summer work plan. The GPD will notify you whether you are approved for the Thesis Option by May 15th. |
| April/May | Meet with your thesis advisor to further develop your summer research and outline your summer work |
| August | Submit a progress report to the GPD |
| August 31st | Submit the Thesis Proposal to the GPD and the Graduate School. The Thesis Committee will be formally appointed at this time with a memo from the GPD to the Graduate School. Completion of the thesis proposal by this date is required to demonstrate satisfactory progress on thesis research. |
Second Year
| September | Students are required to present the work they have done during the summer at the Graduate Student Conference, which takes place on the first Friday of classes each year. Alternatively, with approval from the thesis committee, the student may opt to present to the department at a later date. Additionally, students must review course requirements and choices with the GPD. Students should have a clear plan to complete their thesis work by the following spring. |
|---|---|
| March/April | Finish writing the thesis and present the seminar/defense |
In addition to ongoing assessments, the Graduate Studies Committee conducts reviews of M.S. students' progress after each semester and each summer. These reviews assess course grades and overall progress. Additionally, if applicable, teaching or research assistantship performance is evaluated.
In evaluating satisfactory progress, no arbitrary standards are imposed, but failure to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 will result in the Graduate Studies Committee determining that a student is not making satisfactory progress. Students who are not making satisfactory progress will be notified in writing. They are subject to loss of funding or dismissal from the program.
Grad Handbook - 4+1
Grad Handbook - 4+1 Kellie NicholasOur 4+1 option is an accelerated M.S. program for exceptional undergraduate students. Students are required to complete 120 credits from their undergraduate program plus 30 master's level credits. Students who can complete the 120 credits for their undergraduate program before the end of their senior year are eligible for the 4+1 program. They are advised to take 9 graduate-level credits during their senior year.
We recommend that students take either the first two courses in the econometrics sequence (Res-Econ 701 and Res-Econ 702) or the micro sequence (Res-Econ 711 and Res-Econ 712), as well as the Graduate Mathematics course offered in the Economics Department (Econ 751). Students will then take an additional 18 credits during their year in the M.S. program plus 3 credits of RES-ECON 698 for their research field essay. Students may also complete this program with a thesis option by completing three additional research credits and a dissertation. Students interested in the 4+1 program should contact the GPD to express their interest in their junior year so that we can verify that all of the requirements can be met.