DN710 Economics (ECS4)

This is a single major in Economics, where students receive a degree in economics but not in any other subject. It is intended for students who really want to focus on economics and study the topic in great depth.

In your first year (called Stage 1) you take 12 modules over two semesters. For students choosing to take Economics as a single subject, eight of these modules are in economics, and four are in other subjects.

In your second and third years, you also get the chance to take a small number of elective modules from any School across the University during their degree programme.

Curricular information is subject to change

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This programme is aimed at students who wish to understand how economic principles influence the behaviour of individuals, firms and communities, and how institutions can intervene to achieve certain economic outcomes.  Students will be provided with thorough foundations in microeconomic and macroeconomic modelling and their applications in subfields (such as trade, health, education and transport). Students will develop skills in data analysis, and be supported in the development of their analytical and problem-solving skills as well as in the application of these skills to understanding real economic issues both past and present. We value critical thinking about economic issues; an ability to cast problems in an economic framework and resolve complex problems using economic analysis tools. Students will be provided with a structured approach to developing skills of analysis, problem design and resolution using economic theory, data analysis and statistical methods, delivered via lectures, seminars, workshops and small group settings in classrooms and computer labs with online support and eLearning content. The degree gives a strong preparation to students for careers in government, private consultancy firms and media, and for postgraduate studies that lead to careers in academia, central banks and leadership roles in industry, public and voluntary sectors.


1 - Understand basic models of microeconomics and macroeconomics as well as their application in selected subfields (such as health, international trade, labour and transport) and be able to evaluate and synthesise economic theories and models
2 - Undertake data analysis using statistical and econometric approaches, and use econometric software
3 - Develop problem solving skills and a capacity to apply these skills in a variety of contexts
4 - Understand the role and development of policy in a number of different settings, and analyse the impact and implications of economic policies on different groups (individuals, households, firms or other agents)
5 - Work individually and in teams to identify relevant research questions and undertake economic research projects
6 - Communicate economic arguments and analysis to specialist and non-specialist audiences
7 - Distinguish good quality analysis and data as well as being able to find literature and data from reliable sources
8 - Design, execute and analyse surveys
9 - Understand and debate different perspectives on economic argument, models, theories and doctrines and have knowledge of contemporary economic issues
10 - Have a broad awareness of related disciplines and fields of study and understand the impact of economic solutions in a societal and global context
11 - Have the capacity to engage in life-long learning

If you choose to take Economics as a single subject to degree level you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a range of modules that have direct relevance to the development of policies that have made Ireland such a successful economy.

It is not necessary to have taken Economics to Leaving Certificate. Nor is Higher Level Mathematics required. However, Economics at UCD is a somewhat mathematical subject and an aptitude for thinking mathematically and manipulating numbers is required. Students who have achieved a grade less than O3/H7 in Leaving Cert Math (or equivalent) must take an additional math module to provide them with sufficient mathematical background.

In your first year (called Stage 1) you take 12 modules over two semesters. Eight of these modules are core economics modules. You may choose the remaining four modules from across the university.

Stage 2 students progress with a major in Economics. Students also take four elective modules from within or outside their main subject area at Stages 2 and 3 of their degree programme.

At Stage 1 you will be introduced to general economic topics through the Introduction to Economics and Exploring Economics modules, followed by more comprehensive analyses of microeconomics (individual consumers, firms, etc.) and macroeconomics (the economy as a whole). You will gain diverse analytical skills in modules on Quantitative Economics, Data Analysis for Economists, and Statistics for Economists.

In Stages 2and 3 you will develop your skills and knowledge of Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Quantitative Economics and Econometrics (applied statistics). You can also choose to specialise in specific areas such as Health Economics, Transport Economics, Development Economics, Rural and Urban Economics. The choice of module options in this degree ranges from Game Theory to International Trade, from the Economics of Public Policy to the Economics of Human Behaviour.

As a “single major,” you also participate in three workshop modules where you do hands-on research in economics through assignments such as group work, presentations, and a capstone research project culminating in a major essay.

The choice is extensive and the learning experience is captivating. A full description of the programme framework and modules offered can be found in the UCD School of Economics' Undergraduate Handbook at www.ucd.ie/economics/.

You may apply to study abroad for either a semester or a year through the Erasmus programme or on a non-EU exchange. UCD has over 200 Erasmus partners in Europe and an increasing number of non-EU exchange agreements with universities in the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and elsewhere.

You may apply to study abroad for either a trimester or a year through the Erasmus programme or on a non-EU exchange. UCD has over 200 Erasmus partners in Europe and an increasing number of non-EU exchange agreements with universities in the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and elsewhere.



Economics graduates are in high demand – our graduates work in Bank of Ireland, Price Waterhouse Cooper, KPMG, Paddy Power and Deloitte. Economics graduates can expect to have direct access to Economics, Business and Finance Master’s.


UCD Social Sciences,
Newman Building,
Belfield,
Dublin 4
socialsciences@ucd.ie
www.ucd.ie/socialsciences

Stage 3

Students must ensure that they select 25 option credits in total. A minimum of 5 credits must be selected from option list A, a minimum of 15 credits from option list B, and the remaining credits can be taken from any list.

Stage 4

Students must ensure that they select 25 option credits in total. A minimum of 5 credits must be selected from option list A, a minimum of 15 credits from option list B, and the remaining credits can be taken from any list.

Module ID Module Title Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
     
ECON10730 Data Analysis for Economists Autumn 5
ECON10740 Exploring Economics Autumn 5
ECON10770 Introduction to Economics Autumn 5
ECON10790 Mathematics for Economists Autumn 5
ECON10010 Principles of Microeconomics Spring 5
ECON10020 Principles of Macroeconomics Spring 5
ECON10800 Stats Methods for Economists Spring 5
ECON20130 Economic History: From the Middle Ages to the Second World War Spring 5
Stage 1 Core Modules
     
Stage 1 Options - A)MIN3OF:
Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
     
GEOG10130 Geography Matters Autumn 5
GEOG10140 Mapping a Sustainable World Autumn 5
MST10010 Calculus I Autumn 5
SOC10010 Foundations of Sociological Thought Autumn 5
SOC10020 Introduction to Sociology Autumn 5
GEOG10080 Dynamic Earth Spring 5
GEOG10100 People, Places, Regions Spring 5
MST10030 Linear Algebra I Spring 5
POL10120 Foundations in Global Development Spring 5
POL10180 Foundations of Pol Theory Spring 5
SOC10060 Ireland in Comparative Perspective Spring 5
SOC10070 Sociological Analysis and Research Design Spring 5
STAT10060 Statistical Modelling Spring 5
Stage 1 Options - A)MIN3OF:
Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
     
Stage 2 Core Modules
     
ECON20010 Intermediate Microeconomics I Autumn 5
MATH20330 Optimisation for Economics Autumn 5
ECON30130 Econometrics: Applying Statistics to Economic Data Autumn and Spring (separate) 5
ECON20020 Intermediate Macroeconomics Spring 5
ECON20180 Intermediate Microeconomics II Spring 5
Stage 2 Core Modules
     
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN5OF:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
     
ECON20080 Economic Policy Analysis Autumn 5
ECON20190 Introduction to Financial Economics Autumn 5
ECON20060 Irish Economy Spring 5
ECON20100 Game Theory Spring 5
ECON20120 The Economics of the European Union: Institutions, Policies and Crises Spring 5
ECON20160 Economics of the Environment Spring 5
ECON20230 Economics, Organisation and Management Spring 5
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN5OF:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
     
Stage 3 Core Modules
     
ECON30250 Economics Research Project 1 Autumn 5
ECON30290 Advanced Microeconomics Autumn 5
ECON30120 Advanced Macroeconomics Spring 5
ECON30310 Economics Research Project 2 Spring 10
Stage 3 Core Modules
     
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN1OF:
Additional option module can be selected in place of an elective.
     
ECON30540 Advd Econometrics: Time Series Autumn 5
ECON30530 Advanced Econometrics: Microeconometrics Spring 5
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN1OF:
Additional option module can be selected in place of an elective.
     
Stage 3 Options - B)MIN3OF:
Students are required to select a minimum of FOUR options modules, THREE of which must be selected from the following level 3 list. The remaining option may be selected from the level 2 or level 3 list. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
     
CHN30060 Chinese Economy Autumn 5
ECON30100 The Economics of Health and Health Policy Autumn 5
ECON30150 International Money and Banking Autumn 5
ECON30180 Industrial Economics: Economics of Business Strategy Autumn 5
ECON30270 Behavioural Economics and Public Policy Autumn 5
ECON30360 Labour Economics Autumn 5
ECON30400 Political Economy Autumn 5
ECON30410 Development Economics Autumn 5
ECON30520 R for Economists Autumn 5
ECON30540 Advd Econometrics: Time Series Autumn 5
ECON30570 Economic Growth Autumn 5
ECON30590 Economics of Gender and Diversity Autumn 5
ECON30610 Economics of Natural Resources Autumn 5
FIN30200 Econometrics of Financial Markets Autumn 5
ECON30160 International Trade Economics Spring 5
ECON30170 Financial Economics: Asset Pricing Spring 5
ECON30190 Public Economics: Government Spending, Taxation and Public Choice Spring 5
ECON30260 The Economics of the Transport Sector Spring 5
ECON30390 Experimental Economics: Lab Experiments Spring 5
ECON30430 Economics of International Fin Spring 5
ECON30500 Field Experiments Social Sci Spring 5
ECON30530 Advanced Econometrics: Microeconometrics Spring 5
ECON30550 Philosophy of Economics Spring 5
ECON30580 Economics of Betting Markets Spring 5
ECON30600 Economics of Climate Change Spring 5
Stage 3 Options - B)MIN3OF:
Students are required to select a minimum of FOUR options modules, THREE of which must be selected from the following level 3 list. The remaining option may be selected from the level 2 or level 3 list. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
     
Stage 3 Options - C)MIN0CR:
Students may select up to one of the following Level 2 modules to fulfil their Stage 3 option requirement. Students may select one of the below modules in place of an elective.
     
ECON20080 Economic Policy Analysis Autumn 5
ECON20190 Introduction to Financial Economics Autumn 5
DEV20130 Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Spring 5
ECON20060 Irish Economy Spring 5
ECON20100 Game Theory Spring 5
ECON20120 The Economics of the European Union: Institutions, Policies and Crises Spring 5
ECON20160 Economics of the Environment Spring 5
ECON20230 Economics, Organisation and Management Spring 5
Stage 3 Options - C)MIN0CR:
Students may select up to one of the following Level 2 modules to fulfil their Stage 3 option requirement. Students may select one of the below modules in place of an elective.
     
Stage 4 Core Modules
     
ECON30250 Economics Research Project 1 Autumn 5
ECON30290 Advanced Microeconomics Autumn 5
ECON30120 Advanced Macroeconomics Spring 5
ECON30310 Economics Research Project 2 Spring 10
Stage 4 Core Modules
     
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN1OF:
Additional option can be selected n place of an elective.
     
ECON30540 Advd Econometrics: Time Series Autumn 5
ECON30530 Advanced Econometrics: Microeconometrics Spring 5
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN1OF:
Additional option can be selected n place of an elective.
     
Stage 4 Options - B)MIN3OF:
Students are required to select a minimum of FOUR options modules, THREE of which must be selected from the following level 3 list. The remaining option may be selected from the level 2 or level 3 list. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
     
CHN30060 Chinese Economy Autumn 5
ECON30100 The Economics of Health and Health Policy Autumn 5
ECON30150 International Money and Banking Autumn 5
ECON30180 Industrial Economics: Economics of Business Strategy Autumn 5
ECON30270 Behavioural Economics and Public Policy Autumn 5
ECON30360 Labour Economics Autumn 5
ECON30400 Political Economy Autumn 5
ECON30410 Development Economics Autumn 5
ECON30520 R for Economists Autumn 5
ECON30540 Advd Econometrics: Time Series Autumn 5
ECON30570 Economic Growth Autumn 5
ECON30590 Economics of Gender and Diversity Autumn 5
ECON30610 Economics of Natural Resources Autumn 5
FIN30200 Econometrics of Financial Markets Autumn 5
ECON30160 International Trade Economics Spring 5
ECON30170 Financial Economics: Asset Pricing Spring 5
ECON30190 Public Economics: Government Spending, Taxation and Public Choice Spring 5
ECON30260 The Economics of the Transport Sector Spring 5
ECON30390 Experimental Economics: Lab Experiments Spring 5
ECON30430 Economics of International Fin Spring 5
ECON30500 Field Experiments Social Sci Spring 5
ECON30530 Advanced Econometrics: Microeconometrics Spring 5
ECON30550 Philosophy of Economics Spring 5
ECON30580 Economics of Betting Markets Spring 5
ECON30600 Economics of Climate Change Spring 5
Stage 4 Options - B)MIN3OF:
Students are required to select a minimum of FOUR options modules, THREE of which must be selected from the following level 3 list. The remaining option may be selected from the level 2 or level 3 list. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
     
Stage 4 Options - C)MIN0CR:
Students may select one of the following Level 2 modules to fulfill their Stage 4 option requirements. Additional option module can be selected in place of an elective.
     
ECON20080 Economic Policy Analysis Autumn 5
ECON20190 Introduction to Financial Economics Autumn 5
DEV20130 Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Spring 5
ECON20060 Irish Economy Spring 5
ECON20100 Game Theory Spring 5
ECON20120 The Economics of the European Union: Institutions, Policies and Crises Spring 5
ECON20160 Economics of the Environment Spring 5
ECON20230 Economics, Organisation and Management Spring 5
Stage 4 Options - C)MIN0CR:
Students may select one of the following Level 2 modules to fulfill their Stage 4 option requirements. Additional option module can be selected in place of an elective.
     
See the UCD Assessment website for further details

Module Weighting Info  
  Award GPA
Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
BHSOC009 Stage 3 - 50.00%
Stage 2 - 50.00%
Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20

Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67

Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07

Pass

2.00

2.47

BHSOC015 Stage 4 - 50.00%
Stage 3 - 30.00%
Stage 2 - 20.00%
Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20

Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67

Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07

Pass

2.00

2.47


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