Economics and Computation (MS)

Program Code: G-ECS-MS
Degree Designation: Master of Science
Department: Computer Science Department, Economics Department
Website: econ.duke.edu/masters-programs/degree-programs/msec and cs.duke.edu/graduate/ms

Program Summary

The Master’s Program in Economics and Computation is a joint program between the departments of computer science and economics. Students preparing to enter this program will find an undergraduate background in mathematics, engineering, computer science, statistics, or economics to be helpful. This program is designed to meet the needs of students with varied levels of exposure to either field, but a strong quantitative background is recommended. It is designed to train and develop computational skills linked to economics, finance, policy, and related areas to prepare graduates for PhD studies or related professions. Students complete coursework in both computer science and economics. Graduates will be awarded an MS in economics and computation as their degree.

Academic Requirements

• 30 credits in economics and computational science

  • At least 12 credits in Economics, with no more than 6 credits from any one of following the three sub-fields:

    • Microeconomics

      • ECON 601 Microeconomics 

      • ECON 605 Advanced Microeconomic Analysis

      • ECON 701 Microeconomic Analysis I

      • ECON 705 Microeconomic Analysis II

    • Macroeconomics

      • ECON 602 Macroeconomic Theory

      • ECON 606 Advanced Macroeconomics II

      • ECON 652 Economic Growth

      • ECON 656S International Monetary Economics

      • ECON 702 Macroeconomic Analysis I

      • ECON 706 Macroeconomic Analysis II

    • Econometrics

      • ECON 608 Introduction to Econometrics

      • ECON 612 Time Series Econometrics

      • ECON 613 Applied Econometrics in Microeconomics

      • ECON 703 Econometrics I

      • ECON 707 Econometrics II

    • Or approved substitutes.

  • At least 12 credits in Computer Science (500-level or higher)

• Internship (optional)

• ONE capstone course, selected from the following options:

  • Any graded graduate computer science course (including independent study) with a significant project component may serve as a capstone course.

  • An approved economics capstone course

• Completion exercise: The student must pass a final exam administered by the student’s committee covering a portfolio of learning and research activities carried out during their master’s studies. The portfolio must include one of the following two items: a capstone course in either computer science or economics, or a project paper on an approved topic developed via independent study with one or more computer science and/or economics faculty advisors if available. This document is expected to describe a mature project with research content.

  • Portfolio

  • Final exam

•  Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training during orientation and 1 RCR forum 2-hour course (either GS 711 or GS712)

• (For International Students) English Language Proficiency