Honours Economics: Specialist Option
Hons.B.A.Honours Economics: Specialist Option
Honours BA Specialist Option stream provides the same, solid grounding in Economics as the Honours BA stream, with a minimal but highly specific differentiation. The Specialist Option requires an additional econometrics course that is necessary preparation for econometrics courses to be taken in MA in Economics programs.
A key distinction between streams is the required econometrics course. Students in the Honours stream take Applied Econometrics (ECON 3E03) while students in the Specialist Option take Econometrics I (ECON 3EE3). ECON 3E03 is less mathematically demanding (less emphasis on probability and statistic theory) and focuses more on the application of econometrics techniques than ECON 3EE3. The mathematical treatment in ECON 3EE3 provides students with the necessary preparation for econometrics courses to be taken in MA in Economics programs. Hence students who consider pursuing an MA in Economics after graduation should take ECON 3EE3 and the Specialist Option. Students in the Specialist Option are also required to enroll in ECON 4G03 - Econometrics II.
Another key distinction between streams resides in the required level III research methods course and the level IV capstone course. Students in the Honours stream take Methods of Inquiry in Economics (ECON 4F03) and Honours Economic Analysis (ECON 4A03) where they write short paper reviews and short papers analysing
current economic issues. Students in the Honours-Specialist Option take Research Methods in Economics (ECON 4FF3) and Economic Specialist Seminar (ECON 4AA3) where they present and discuss papers and write, under the supervision of a faculty member, a paper containing original research.
Students in this program are also required to complete advanced theory courses at the undergraduate level (Economics 3G03, 4T03 and 4TT3 at McMaster). At McMaster, admission to the regular M.A. in Economics requires these three courses but admission to the M.A. in Economic Policy does not. Economics 3G03 is a prerequisite for Economics 4T03 and Economics 4TT3 and is offered each year in the fall term. The two theory courses are offered in the winter term. Students considering an M.A. in economics are advised to consult with a departmental counsellor.
It is important to plan the final years of your program in advance. MA programs in economics expect students to have a B+ average in levels III and IV.
Notes
- Alternate admission: For students enrolled in a program beyond Level I, admission to Levels II, III and IV of the Honours Economics (Specialist Option) program requires an average of at least 6.0 in ECON 2G03, 2GG3 (or 2Z03, 2ZZ3), 2H03 and 2HH3 with a grade of at least C in each of ECON 2GG3 and 2HH3, in addition to the required Grade Point Average (GPA) as stated in the Minimum Requirement for Entering and Continuing in a Program Beyond Level I in the Faculty of Social Sciences Academic Regulations. Students enrolled in Levels II, III and IV cannot gain admission to the Honours Economics (Specialist Option) program by upgrading ECON 1B03 (or 1BX3) or 1BB3 (or 1BA3).
- COMMERCE 2FA3 may be substituted for ECON 2I03 and COMMERCE 2QA3 may be substituted for ECON 2B03.
- Students in the Specialist Option are expected to take ECON 2B03. Students with prior credit in a recognized alternative statistics course are exempt from this requirement. Those students can take ECON 3EE3 (formerly 3U03) only if they achieved a grade of at least B+ in a recognized alternative statistics course. See ECON 2B03 in the Course Listings section of this Calendar for a list of recognized alternative statistics courses.
- Students interested in an M.A. in Economics should take ECON 3EE3 (formerly 3U03) and consider the Specialist Option.
- MATH 1MM3 (formerly MATH 1M03) is required for any student planning to transfer into Commerce and strongly recommended for any student with a minor in Business or Finance. MATH 1MM3 (formerly MATH 1M03) is required for ECON 3G03 and is strongly recommended for students planning any graduate study in economics.
- Students must complete STATS 1LL3 (formerly STATS 1L03) before taking ECON 3EE3 (formerly 3U03) or ECON 3E03 (formerly 3WW3.)
30 units
from
- the Level I program completed prior to admission to the program.
(See Admission above.)
27 units
- ECON 2B03 - Analysis of Economic Data
- ECON 2H03 - Intermediate Macroeconomics I
- ECON 2HH3 - Intermediate Macroeconomics II
- ECON 3G03 - Introduction to Advanced Economic Theory
- ECON 4AA3 - Economic Specialist Seminar
- ECON 4FF3 - Research Methods in Economics
- ECON 4G03 - Econometrics II
- ECON 4T03 - Advanced Economic Theory I
- ECON 4TT3 - Advanced Economic Theory II
-
(See Notes 2 and 3 above.)
12 units
Levels II, III, IV Economics with no more than six units from the following courses:
- ECON 2A03 - Economics of Labour-Market Issues
- ECON 2C03
- ECON 2D03 - Economic Issues
- ECON 2E03
- ECON 2F03
- ECON 2I03 - Financial Economics
- ECON 2J03 - Environmental Economics
- ECON 2N03 - Public Policy Toward Business
- ECON 2P03 - Economics of Professional Sports
- ECON 2Q03 - Economics of Bad Behaviour
- ECON 2T03 - Economics of Trade Unionism and Labour
-
(See Note 2 above.)
3 units
- ECON 3EE3 - Econometrics I
- ECON 3E03 - Applied Econometrics (with a grade of at least A-)
-
(See Notes 3 and 4 above.)
3 units
from
- STATS 1LL3 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics (formerly STATS 1L03)* (or Grade 12 Mathematics of Data Management U)
Students start in the Social Sciences Level 1 program or Economics 1 program and apply to the Honours BA Specialist Program at the end of their first year. Students must complete the requirements of a Level 1 program including two Level 1 Economics courses.
Completion of any Level 1 program with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 (C) including an average of at least 5.0 (C) in ECON 1B03 and 1BA3/1BB3. For continuation in the program, see the section on Minimum Requirements for Entering and Continuing in a Program Beyond Level 1. Please refer to the undergraduate calendar for notes on admission to this program.
Undergraduate Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards
All undergraduate students accepted for admission to McMaster University are automatically considered for a McMaster University entrance award. Additional entrance awards, in-course scholarships, bursaries and other forms of financial assistance is available to you at various stages of their undergraduate careers.
Each scholarship, bursary, Government Aid or Work Study Program a has its own unique application process and requirements. More information on financial aid visit the Student Financial Aid & Scholarship (SFAS) Office.
Economics students are eligible for more than fifteen Scholarships and Awards.
Academic Counseling
Please e-mail Prof. O’Shaughnessy at econugchair@mcmaster.ca or our Undergraduate Administrative Assistant at econug@mcmaster.ca for support.
Academic Advising
The Academic Advising office is run through the Office of the Associate Dean. The primary goal of the Advising Office is to provide all Social Sciences undergraduate students with the information and guidance they need to succeed in their academic careers.
Advisors can help you make the right academic decisions by explaining policies and regulations as well as presenting different options and supports available in your studies.
An academic advisor can assist you with:
- Course requirements, dropping and adding courses
- Program selection, application and changes
- Studying abroad
- Transfer credits
- Petitions for missed term work, deferred examinations and special consideration
- Appeals procedures
- Referral to other campus services
Learn more about Academic Advising in the Social Sciences.
| • ECON 1B03 - Introductory Microeconomics | |
| • ECON 1BB3 - Introductory Macroeconomics | |
| • ECON 2A03 - Economics of Labour-Market Issues | |
| • ECON 2B03 - Analysis of Economic Data | |
| • ECON 2CC3 - Health Economics and its Application to Health Policy | |
| • ECON 2D03 - Economic Issues | |
| • ECON 2GG3 - Intermediate Microeconomics II | |
| • ECON 2H03 - Intermediate Macroeconomics I | |
| • ECON 2HH3 - Intermediate Macroeconomics II | |
| • ECON 2I03 - Financial Economics | |
| • ECON 2J03 - Environmental Economics | |
| • ECON 2K03 - Economic History of Canada | |
| • ECON 2N03 - Public Policy Toward Business | |
| • ECON 2P03 - Economics of Professional Sports | |
| • ECON 2Q03 - Economics of Bad Behaviour | |
| • ECON 2T03 - Economics of Trade Unionism and Labour | |
| • ECON 2Z03 - Intermediate Microeconomics I | |
| • ECON 2ZZ3 - Intermediate Microeconomics II | |
| • ECON 3B03 - Public Sector Economics: Expenditures | |
| • ECON 3BE3 - Behavioural Economics | |
| • ECON 3C03 - Public Sector Economics: Taxation | |
| • ECON 3D03 - Labour Economics | |
| • ECON 3E03 - Applied Econometrics | |
| • ECON 3EE3 - Econometrics I | |
| • ECON 3G03 - Introduction to Advanced Economic Theory | |
| • ECON 3H03 - International Monetary Economics | |
| • ECON 3HH3 - International Trade | |
| • ECON 3K03 - Monetary Economics | |
| • ECON 3M03 - Introduction to Game Theory | |
| • ECON 3Q03 - The Economics of Aging | |
| • ECON 3S03 - Industrial Organization | |
| • ECON 3T03 - Economic Development | |
| • ECON 3W03 - Natural Resources | |
| • ECON 3Y03 - Selected Topics | |
| • ECON 3Z03 - Health Economics | |
| • ECON 4A03 - Honours Economic Analysis | |
| • ECON 4AA3 - Economic Specialist Seminar | |
| • ECON 4B03 - Selected Topics | |
| • ECON 4F03 - Methods of Inquiry in Economics | |
| • ECON 4FF3 - Research Methods in Economics | |
| • ECON 4G03 - Econometrics II | |
| • ECON 4M06 A/B S - Directed Research I | |
| • ECON 4N03 - Directed Research II | |
| • ECON 4T03 - Advanced Economic Theory I | |
| • ECON 4TT3 - Advanced Economic Theory II |
- For more information:
-
Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Economics Undergraduate Program
KTH 426
905-525-9140 ext. 22765
econug@mcmaster.ca
- Length:
- 4 Years
- Required Credential:
- Completion of any Level 1 program with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 (C) including an average of at least 5.0 (C) in ECON 1B03/1BX3 and 1BA3/1BB3
- Program Type:
- Course based
- Program Options:
- Full-time, Part-time
- Typical Entry:
- September
- Current Deadline:
- N/A