Wondering why to choose an economics program? We asked some of our students.
Our academic advisors have compiled the responses to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs). Your question is probably on the list. Trust us.
We are offering pre-enrolment for some 400-level ECO courses for Fall-Winter 2024-25, for
fourth-year students who have not yet fulfilled the 400-level Economics program
requirement. The purpose of this pre-enrolment process is to ensure that students
who require one or two 400-level courses for program completion are better able to
enroll in a course. If you qualify for Course Match, you will receive an email from the Undergraduate
Office in early June. For more information, see
Scheduling information is available on the Timetable Builder
ECO352H1S LEC0101, LEC0201- Special Topics in Economics: Firms and the Economy
This macroeconomic course explores the role of firms in the economy. We start by examining what firms populate the economy and what drives the evolution of the firm distribution across time, as well as across countries. We then use both theoretical and empirical analysis to explore how firm behavior impacts various aspects of the economy, such as innovation, economic growth, competition, global economic interactions, as well as inequality and labor outcomes for workers.
ECO353H1S LEC0101- Special Topics in Economics with Data Analytics: Sports Economics
This applied economics course used both theoretical and empirical analysis to explore aspects of the economics of sports and sports leagues. We start by considering the business of professional sports—how teams and leagues make money—and then delve into further topics including competitive-balance policies, athlete labour markets, and the relationship between professional leagues and their amateur counterparts (e.g., US university sports). Representative data assignments include exploring team profitability and athlete value.
Exclusion: RSM384H1, MGEC45H3
ECO421H1F LEC5101 - Special Topics in Economics: Capital Markets, (in)efficiencies, and (ir)rationality
This course in financial microeconomics assesses capital-market efficiency and equilibrium predictions in light of uncertainty, market design, agent behaviour and market microstructure. Starting with fundamental questions such as why markets and firms are organized as they are, we identify consistent conflicts of interest in capital markets amongst individuals, groups, organizations and exchanges. Ultimately, we investigate questions such as when and if asset prices accurately reflect information and whether seemingly irrational participant behaviour can be rationalized. To address these questions, we use a combination of theoretical and empirical approaches taking the perspectives of both the academic and the practitioner. A previous course addressing asset valuation is helpful but not required.
ECO421H1S LEC0101 - Special Topics in Economics: Competition Policy
The primary objective of this course is to provide a systematic analysis of economic issues in competition policy. This will include analysis of economic theory of antitrust as well as applications in policy documents and cases.
ECO422H1F LEC0101, LEC0201 - Special Topics in Economics: Monetary Theory and Policy Analysis
Historical episodes of the last four decades, like the Great Moderation, the Great Recession, and the inflation that followed the COVID-19 pandemic, have generated a continuing debate about the role of monetary policy and its limits. This course will examine some of the most up-to-date models and statistical tools economists use to make sense of these debates. It will address questions about the effects of conventional monetary policy and quantitative easing, the implementation of monetary policy through the banking system in a modern economy, the role of fiscal policy vis-à-vis monetary policy, and the welfare costs of inflation.
ECO422H1S LEC0101 - Special Topics in Economics: Economics of Innovation, Firm Dynamics, and Growth
This course is aimed at advanced undergraduate students with an interest in macroeconomics, particularly in innovation, firm dynamics, and economic growth. We will study the determinants of long-run economic growth through the perspective of endogenous growth theory and examine how firm-level incentives to innovate culminate in productivity growth at the aggregate level. Starting from the basic Solow Growth Model, we will work our way through the Neoclassical Growth Model, Lucas's human capital accumulation model, Romer's expanding varieties model, and Aghion and Howitt's Schumpeterian growth model. The innovation and growth dynamics of individual firms, the interplay between competition and innovation, and their implications at the aggregate level will be studied. The course will emphasize theory and quantification. Multivariate calculus is required. Some continuous time optimization methods will be covered in class.
ECO422H1S LEC0201 - Special Topics in Economics: Studying Social Science Questions with Big Data
In this course, we look at empirical research that uses big data to study socio-economic questions involving inequality and economic risks. We will learn some technical tools and how they can be applied to questions about inequalities in income, wealth, consumption, health, and others, and within sub-groups (top earners vs. others; inside firms vs. across firms; by gender, age, etc.). We will also discuss questions about micro risks (facing households, workers, or firms) and how they vary over the business cycle and over longer horizons. Most of the research we cover use newly available big socioeconomic datasets from administrative records.
ECO481H1F LEC0101 - Special Topics in Economics with Data Analytics: Climate Economics
Pairing real economic and geospatial datasets with economic modeling tools and principles of climate science, we will consider how heat, sea level rise, groundwater depletion, and precipitation, will impact society through agriculture, industry, trade, health, and more, in a changing climate. This is a developing field, and few predictions can be made with great certainty. This course will begin to delineate what is currently known, and how progress can be made. In a final project, students will apply real data and modern modeling tools to a climate question of their choice.
ECO481H1F LEC0201 - Special Topics in Economics with Data Analytics: Labour Market Heterogeneity
This course exposes students to the macro-labour literature that studies labour market outcomes (e.g. employment flows, earnings dynamics, inequality) and how they interact with government (fiscal/monetary) policy. It will highlight the role of household heterogeneity in the study of these topics and the increasing importance of using microdata to inform models used for policy evaluation. In the process, students are trained to become skilled users of complex microdata which, combined with empirical methods, can be used to establish relevant empirical patterns and relationships. This will enable students to think more critically about existing research and develop their own project/research agendas.
Scheduling information is available on the Timetable Builder
ECO353H1S LEC0101- Special Topics in Economics with Data Analytics: Sports Economics
This applied economics course used both theoretical and empirical analysis to explore aspects of the economics of sports and sports leagues. We start by considering the business of professional sports—how teams and leagues make money—and then delve into further topics including competitive-balance policies, athlete labour markets, and the relationship between professional leagues and their amateur counterparts (e.g., US university sports). Representative data assignments include exploring team profitability and athlete value.
Exclusion: RSM384H1, MGEC45H3
ECO421H1F LEC0101 - Special Topics in Economics: Capital Markets, (in)efficiencies, and (ir)rationality
This course in financial microeconomics assesses capital-market efficiency and equilibrium predictions in light of uncertainty, market design, agent behaviour and market microstructure. Starting with fundamental questions such as why markets and firms are organized as they are, we identify consistent conflicts of interest in capital markets amongst individuals, groups, organizations and exchanges. Ultimately, we investigate questions such as when and if asset prices accurately reflect information and whether seemingly irrational participant behaviour can be rationalized. To address these questions, we use a combination of theoretical and empirical approaches taking the perspectives of both the academic and the practitioner. A previous course addressing asset valuation is helpful but not required.
On March 6th, we were thrilled to fete our award winners.
Starting 2020–2021, students will be able to add the Focus in Data Analytics to the Economics Major or Specialist program. The focus ensures that students gain proficiency in applied empirical economics. It provides students with hands-on exposure to the tools empirical economists use to build and analyze datasets - programming languages such as Python, and software programs to manage, statistically analyze, and visualize data such as Excel, GIS, Stata and R. The focus will also direct students to empirical economics courses that apply these tools in a wide variety of contexts. Please see the Focus in Data Analytics (Major) or Focus in Data Analytics (Specialist) typical pathway handout for highlights and refer to the Calendar for details.
Wondering why to choose an economics program? We asked some of our students.
Our academic advisors have compiled the responses to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs). Your question is probably on the list. Trust us.
We are offering pre-enrolment for some 400-level ECO courses for Fall-Winter 2024-25, for
fourth-year students who have not yet fulfilled the 400-level Economics program
requirement. The purpose of this pre-enrolment process is to ensure that students
who require one or two 400-level courses for program completion are better able to
enroll in a course. If you qualify for Course Match, you will receive an email from the Undergraduate
Office in early June. For more information, see
Scheduling information is available on the Timetable Builder
ECO352H1S LEC0101, LEC0201- Special Topics in Economics: Firms and the Economy
This macroeconomic course explores the role of firms in the economy. We start by examining what firms populate the economy and what drives the evolution of the firm distribution across time, as well as across countries. We then use both theoretical and empirical analysis to explore how firm behavior impacts various aspects of the economy, such as innovation, economic growth, competition, global economic interactions, as well as inequality and labor outcomes for workers.
ECO353H1S LEC0101- Special Topics in Economics with Data Analytics: Sports Economics
This applied economics course used both theoretical and empirical analysis to explore aspects of the economics of sports and sports leagues. We start by considering the business of professional sports—how teams and leagues make money—and then delve into further topics including competitive-balance policies, athlete labour markets, and the relationship between professional leagues and their amateur counterparts (e.g., US university sports). Representative data assignments include exploring team profitability and athlete value.
Exclusion: RSM384H1, MGEC45H3
ECO421H1F LEC5101 - Special Topics in Economics: Capital Markets, (in)efficiencies, and (ir)rationality
This course in financial microeconomics assesses capital-market efficiency and equilibrium predictions in light of uncertainty, market design, agent behaviour and market microstructure. Starting with fundamental questions such as why markets and firms are organized as they are, we identify consistent conflicts of interest in capital markets amongst individuals, groups, organizations and exchanges. Ultimately, we investigate questions such as when and if asset prices accurately reflect information and whether seemingly irrational participant behaviour can be rationalized. To address these questions, we use a combination of theoretical and empirical approaches taking the perspectives of both the academic and the practitioner. A previous course addressing asset valuation is helpful but not required.
ECO421H1S LEC0101 - Special Topics in Economics: Competition Policy
The primary objective of this course is to provide a systematic analysis of economic issues in competition policy. This will include analysis of economic theory of antitrust as well as applications in policy documents and cases.
ECO422H1F LEC0101, LEC0201 - Special Topics in Economics: Monetary Theory and Policy Analysis
Historical episodes of the last four decades, like the Great Moderation, the Great Recession, and the inflation that followed the COVID-19 pandemic, have generated a continuing debate about the role of monetary policy and its limits. This course will examine some of the most up-to-date models and statistical tools economists use to make sense of these debates. It will address questions about the effects of conventional monetary policy and quantitative easing, the implementation of monetary policy through the banking system in a modern economy, the role of fiscal policy vis-à-vis monetary policy, and the welfare costs of inflation.
ECO422H1S LEC0101 - Special Topics in Economics: Economics of Innovation, Firm Dynamics, and Growth
This course is aimed at advanced undergraduate students with an interest in macroeconomics, particularly in innovation, firm dynamics, and economic growth. We will study the determinants of long-run economic growth through the perspective of endogenous growth theory and examine how firm-level incentives to innovate culminate in productivity growth at the aggregate level. Starting from the basic Solow Growth Model, we will work our way through the Neoclassical Growth Model, Lucas's human capital accumulation model, Romer's expanding varieties model, and Aghion and Howitt's Schumpeterian growth model. The innovation and growth dynamics of individual firms, the interplay between competition and innovation, and their implications at the aggregate level will be studied. The course will emphasize theory and quantification. Multivariate calculus is required. Some continuous time optimization methods will be covered in class.
ECO422H1S LEC0201 - Special Topics in Economics: Studying Social Science Questions with Big Data
In this course, we look at empirical research that uses big data to study socio-economic questions involving inequality and economic risks. We will learn some technical tools and how they can be applied to questions about inequalities in income, wealth, consumption, health, and others, and within sub-groups (top earners vs. others; inside firms vs. across firms; by gender, age, etc.). We will also discuss questions about micro risks (facing households, workers, or firms) and how they vary over the business cycle and over longer horizons. Most of the research we cover use newly available big socioeconomic datasets from administrative records.
ECO481H1F LEC0101 - Special Topics in Economics with Data Analytics: Climate Economics
Pairing real economic and geospatial datasets with economic modeling tools and principles of climate science, we will consider how heat, sea level rise, groundwater depletion, and precipitation, will impact society through agriculture, industry, trade, health, and more, in a changing climate. This is a developing field, and few predictions can be made with great certainty. This course will begin to delineate what is currently known, and how progress can be made. In a final project, students will apply real data and modern modeling tools to a climate question of their choice.
ECO481H1F LEC0201 - Special Topics in Economics with Data Analytics: Labour Market Heterogeneity
This course exposes students to the macro-labour literature that studies labour market outcomes (e.g. employment flows, earnings dynamics, inequality) and how they interact with government (fiscal/monetary) policy. It will highlight the role of household heterogeneity in the study of these topics and the increasing importance of using microdata to inform models used for policy evaluation. In the process, students are trained to become skilled users of complex microdata which, combined with empirical methods, can be used to establish relevant empirical patterns and relationships. This will enable students to think more critically about existing research and develop their own project/research agendas.
Scheduling information is available on the Timetable Builder
ECO353H1S LEC0101- Special Topics in Economics with Data Analytics: Sports Economics
This applied economics course used both theoretical and empirical analysis to explore aspects of the economics of sports and sports leagues. We start by considering the business of professional sports—how teams and leagues make money—and then delve into further topics including competitive-balance policies, athlete labour markets, and the relationship between professional leagues and their amateur counterparts (e.g., US university sports). Representative data assignments include exploring team profitability and athlete value.
Exclusion: RSM384H1, MGEC45H3
ECO421H1F LEC0101 - Special Topics in Economics: Capital Markets, (in)efficiencies, and (ir)rationality
This course in financial microeconomics assesses capital-market efficiency and equilibrium predictions in light of uncertainty, market design, agent behaviour and market microstructure. Starting with fundamental questions such as why markets and firms are organized as they are, we identify consistent conflicts of interest in capital markets amongst individuals, groups, organizations and exchanges. Ultimately, we investigate questions such as when and if asset prices accurately reflect information and whether seemingly irrational participant behaviour can be rationalized. To address these questions, we use a combination of theoretical and empirical approaches taking the perspectives of both the academic and the practitioner. A previous course addressing asset valuation is helpful but not required.
On March 6th, we were thrilled to fete our award winners.
Starting 2020–2021, students will be able to add the Focus in Data Analytics to the Economics Major or Specialist program. The focus ensures that students gain proficiency in applied empirical economics. It provides students with hands-on exposure to the tools empirical economists use to build and analyze datasets - programming languages such as Python, and software programs to manage, statistically analyze, and visualize data such as Excel, GIS, Stata and R. The focus will also direct students to empirical economics courses that apply these tools in a wide variety of contexts. Please see the Focus in Data Analytics (Major) or Focus in Data Analytics (Specialist) typical pathway handout for highlights and refer to the Calendar for details.