Courses

Course Requirements

An MSQE degree requires satisfactory completion of at least 30 credits maintaining at least a “B” (3.0) average. Of these 30 credits, 24 must come from required MSQE core courses, and 6 or more are from electives approved by the student’s major advisor.

The required core courses for the MSQE degree are: ECON 5201 (Microeconomics), ECON 5202 (Macroeconomics), ECON 5301 (Mathematical Economics), ECON 5311 (Applied Econometrics I), ECON 5312 (Applied Econometrics II), as well as one graduate course in Economics in each of the following: Programming and Computation with R, Machine Learning for Economists, and Panel Data Econometrics.

Full Length Program – Course Sequence

The following is a typical course sequence for students enrolled in the full-length MSQE program.

Semester I (Fall)

  • ECON 5201. Microeconomics: Consumer and producer theory, economic efficiency, and welfare analysis
  • ECON 5202. Macroeconomics: Conceptual framework, and application to current macroeconomic problems
  • ECON 5301. Mathematical Economics: Matrix algebra, optimization, and comparative statics
  • ECON 5311. Applied Econometrics I: Statistical theory and linear regression

Semester II (Spring)

  • ECON 5312. Applied Econometrics II: Large sample linear regression, time series analysis, maximum likelihood, GMM, and qualitative choice models
  • ECON 5321. Programming and Computation with R: R programming for computational tasks on data analysis and visualization
  • Economics Elective (Open Source Programming with Python)
  • ECON 5501. Writing Communication Economics, and Business I (optional)

Semester (Summer)

Internship (optional)

Semester III (Fall)

  • ECON 5318. Panel Data Econometrics: Analysis of cross-sectional data measured over time, and its implementation in STATA
  • ECON 5317. Machine Learning for Economists: Statistical methods to analyze Big Data, such as classification, resampling, lasso and tree based methods
  • Economics Elective (Open Source Programming with Python for Economists, Causal Program Evaluation, Convex Optimization with Python, Financial Econometrics, Operations Research)
  • ECON 5502. Writing Communication Economics, and Business II (optional)

Accelerated Program

Course Plans

Students who are considering the MSQE 4+1 Program should consider the following course plans. Please note, the options below are common ways students achieve an accelerated MSQE, however each student’s actual path may look different.

  1. Complete three to four MSQE electives classes as an undergraduate. MSQE electives will count towards a 4+1 student's BS and MSQE degree requirements. See Accelerated 4+1 Program Sample Course Sequence below.
  2. Take advantage of *co-taught classes. Because co-taught classes have similar content, some students may be in a position to substitute the graduate version of the following classes in place of their co-taught counterpart. The credits earned will count toward both their BS/BA and their MSQE.
    • ECON 2211Q is taught with 5201
    • ECON 2212Q is taught with 5202
    • ECON 2311Q is taught with 5311
    • ECON 2312Q is taught with 5312
  3. Customize a Course Sequence. Students enter the 4+1 Program at various stages in their undergraduate studies and each student has a different learning style. Students interested in the 4+1 Program who aren’t sure how to get on the right track, should contact Professor Min Seong Kim, MSQE faculty advisor

      * Co-taught classes involve the instruction of two classes, with similar content, being taught simultaneously by a single professor. The class is divided between undergraduate and graduate levels, with the students enrolled in the graduate level completing additional assignments and undertaking more advanced projects as part of their coursework.

      Accelerated 4+1 Program – Sample Course Sequence

      This course sequence is only a guide and reflects just one possible track in the 4+1 program. Faculty and Academic advisors can customize a Course Sequence that's right for you based on your learning style and current plan of study. 

      Fall Semester Spring Semester

      Year One - Undergrad

      Class Credits Class Credits
      ENGL 1007 4 ECON 1201 or 1202 3
      MATH 1131Q 4 MATH 1132Q 4
      ECON 1201 or 1202 3 CA 1 Gen Ed-Literature 3
      CA 1 Gen Ed-Arts 3 CA 2 Gen Ed 3
      UNIV 1800-FYE course 1 CA 3 Gen Ed-non lab 3

      15

      16

      Year Two - Undergrad

      ECON 2211Q
      * Co-taught with MQSE 5201
      3 ECON 2212Q
      * Co-taught with MQSE 5202
      3
      MATH 2000+ 3 ECON 2000+ 3
      CA 1 Gen Ed-History 3 CA 1 Gen Ed-Philosophy 3
      CA 3 Lab 4 CA 3 Lab 4
      CA 4 Gen Ed 3 CA 4 Gen Ed-International 3

      16

      16

      Year Three - Undergrad

      ECON 2311Q
      * Co-taught with MQSE 5311
      3 ECON 2312Q
      * Co-taught with MQSE 5312
      3
      ECON 2000+ 3 ECON 2000+ 3
      Related 3 Related 3
      Elective 3 Elective 3
      E Gen Ed 3 2nd W Gen Ed 3

      15

      15

      Year Four - Undergrad

      ECON 2500W 1 Elective 2000+ 3
      Related 3 3 Credit MSQE Elective 3
      5321 - Programming and Computation with R for Economists 3 Elective 2000+ 3
      3 Credit MSQE Elective
      (5322 recommended)
      3 1 credit elective 1
      Elective 3 3 credit elective 3
      1 credit elective 1

      14

      13

      BS Credit totals

      120

      Year Five - MSQE

      5201 - Microeconomics 3 5312 - Applied Econometrics 2 3
      5202 - Macroeconomics 3 5318 - Panel Data Econometrics 3
      5301 - Mathematical Economics 3 5317 - Machine Learning for Economists 3
      5311 - Applied Econometrics 1 3
      5501 - Writing and Communication for Economics and Business 1 2 5502 - Writing and Communication for Economics and Business 1 2

      14

      11

      MSQE Credit Total

      34

      * Co-taught classes involve the instruction of two classes, with similar content, being taught simultaneously by a single professor. The class is divided between undergraduate and graduate levels, with the students enrolled in the graduate level completing additional assignments and undertaking more advanced projects as part of their coursework.

       

      Elective Courses

      Causal Program Evaluation

      Learn some of the statistical methods and tools commonly used to evaluate causal claims about the impact of public policies and programs.

      Python

      Python is a programming language used by both small companies and major corporations like Google and YouTube. UConn’s MSQE program offers electives in Python to help our graduates up to be marketable and agile in the workplace. We offer electives in:

      • Open Source Programming with Python. Use object-oriented programming for rapid application development and scripting.
      • Convex Optimization with Python. Recognize and solve convex optimization problems that arise in economics and econometrics.

      Financial Econometrics

      Master some of the basic tools and techniques of mathematical finance.

      Operations Research

      Learn about the optimization of input and output mixes, of delivery routes, and communication networks.