• ECON 1100

    Global Macroeconomic Issues
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    The goal is to provoke discussion, with differing viewpoints put forward, and lead students to analyze major economic problems as economists might do. The course will center upon resource-scarce issues: e.g. in a low-income country that provides little public education, what would you do first, and what would you do last? There will also be discussion about current global macroeconomic trends, including inflation, debt, and economic growth.

  • ECON 2010

    Principles of Economics: Microeconomics
     Rating

    3.86

     Difficulty

    3.10

     GPA

    3.16

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies demand and supply, consumer behavior, the theory of business enterprise, the operation of competitive and monopolistic markets, and the forces determining income distribution. A full introduction to economic principles warrants completion of both ECON 2010 and 2020. Students planning to take both semesters of economic principles are advised to take ECON 2010 first, though this is not required. The department recommends ECON 2010 to students intending to take only one semester of principles.

  • ECON 2020

    Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics
     Rating

    4.06

     Difficulty

    3.01

     GPA

    3.12

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies the determinants of aggregate economic activity, the effects of monetary and fiscal policy upon national income, and economic policy toward unemployment and inflation. A full introduction to economic principles warrants completion of both ECON 2010 and 2020. Students planning to take both semesters of economic principles are advised to take ECON 2010 first, though this is not required. The department recommends ECON 2010 to students intending to take only one semester of principles.

  • ECON 3010

    Intermediate Microeconomics
     Rating

    3.19

     Difficulty

    3.96

     GPA

    3.02

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies the theory of prices and markets; includes an analysis of the forces determining the allocation of economic resources in a market economy. Credit is not given for both ECON 3010 and 3110. Prerequisite: ECON 2010 and one of the following: MATH 1220, MATH 1320, APMA 1110.

  • ECON 3020

    Intermediate Macroeconomics
     Rating

    2.68

     Difficulty

    3.47

     GPA

    3.19

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies macroeconomic theory and policy; includes an analysis of the forces determining employment, income, and the price level. Prerequisite: ECON 2020 and 3010 or 3110, or instructor permission.

  • ECON 3030

    Money and Banking
     Rating

    3.19

     Difficulty

    3.35

     GPA

    3.19

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies the role of money in the economic system, with emphasis on monetary policy and theory. Prerequisite: ECON 2020.

  • ECON 3600

    Economics of the Art Market
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.55

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course investigates key topics in the economics of the art market (or markets). It may be viewed as a course in applied micro-economics, with an interest in identifying the key factors that shape market outcomes, whether measured in terms of prices of individual artworks, the distribution of revenues among the major players in the market (artists, dealers, auction houses, etc.), or the financial rewards to the ownership of fine art.

  • ECON 3640

    The Economics of Africa
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.35

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Examine the economic problems confronting sub-Saharan Africa countries, focusing on what is needed to accelerate sustainable growth and reduce poverty. Use standard economic tools to gain an understanding of the economic management challenges faced by African policy makers and the similarities and differences between African countries. Explore Africa's relationship with the rest of the world, focusing on trade, aid and economic cooperation.

  • ECON 3650

    The Economics of India
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.07

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course provides an understanding of India's economic system, strengths, and challenges. Students will analyze economic reforms, economic Growth, economic development, and India's connection with the rest of the world, focusing on trade, aid, and economic cooperation. Finally, the course will provide students with a framework for analyzing macroeconomic problems and examining significant economic issues.

  • ECON 3720

    Introduction to Econometrics
     Rating

    3.03

     Difficulty

    3.94

     GPA

    2.99

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Guides students in the use and interpretation of economic data, focusing on the most common issues that arise in using economic data, and the methodology for solving these problems. Prerequisite: STAT 2120, STAT 3120, APMA 3110, or APMA 3120

  • ECON 3820

    Introduction to Behavioral Economics
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    The course will use classroom simulations and lab reports to help students discover insights about economic behavior and policies. Each weekly topic is structured around an important economic principle, which is presented in the context of an "experiment" involving a sequence of decisions in a simulated game or market. After participating in the simulation, students complete a lab report.

  • ECON 4110

    Competitive Strategy
     Rating

    4.33

     Difficulty

    3.00

     GPA

    3.57

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    A course in business strategy for advanced undergraduates. Examines topics such as value creation and capture, industry structure, creating and maintaining competitive advantage, vertical structure of the firm, adapting to change, and long-run growth of the firm. Extensive use of business school cases and readings from the popular press.

  • ECON 4150

    Economics of Labor
     Rating

    5.00

     Difficulty

    2.00

     GPA

    3.24

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Analyzes employment and wages, including the economics of education, unemployment, labor unions, discrimination and income inequality. Prerequisites: ECON 3010 or 3110, and ECON 3720, or instructor permission.

  • ECON 4190

    Industrial Organization
     Rating

    3.47

     Difficulty

    3.44

     GPA

    3.24

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies market structure, firm strategy, and market performance. Topics include strategic interactions among firms, as well as business practices such as mergers and acquisitions, price discrimination, advertising, product selection, innovation, vertical restraints, cartels, and exclusionary conduct. Prerequisite: ECON 3010 or 3110.

  • ECON 4350

    Corporate Finance
     Rating

    3.59

     Difficulty

    2.56

     GPA

    3.43

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Analyzes the theory of financing corporate operations and corporate decisions regarding the allocation of capital among alternative projects; includes the nature of financial instruments and the behavior of capital markets. Prerequisite: ECON 3010 or 3110, 3030, and STAT 2120 or equivalent.

  • ECON 4360

    Empirical Finance
     Rating

    4.33

     Difficulty

    3.00

     GPA

    3.33

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Develops and tests models of asset pricing and allocation in finance, to determine both the validity of the theories and the extent to which they should guide us in financial decision-making. Prerequisite: Must have met the Financial Economics concentration declaration prerequisites.

  • ECON 4370

    Behavioral Finance
     Rating

    3.56

     Difficulty

    2.62

     GPA

    3.26

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Behavioral finance questions the efficient market hypothesis. In addition, this course explores noise trader models and the 'over and under reaction' debate. Readings are mostly from professional journals. Students should be quite serious about finance. Prerequisite: Econ 3010 or 3110 and ECON 4340

  • ECON 4430

    Environmental Economics
     Rating

    3.84

     Difficulty

    2.45

     GPA

    3.50

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Explores the origins of environmental problems, how to measure the value of environmental amenities, and the efficacy of specific forms of regulation, including mandated technologies, taxes, subsidies, and pollution permit trading. Topics include air and water pollution, climate change, the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, and sustainable development. Prerequisite: ECON 3010 or 3110.

  • ECON 4559

    New Course in Economics
     Rating

    4.83

     Difficulty

    2.50

     GPA

    3.57

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    New course in the subject of economics.

  • ECON 4720

    Econometric Methods
     Rating

    2.29

     Difficulty

    4.13

     GPA

    3.26

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies the application of statistical methods to the testing and estimation of economic relationships. Emphasizes applied econometric studies and the problems that arise when analyzing time series and cross section data by means of stochastic linear models. Prerequisite: ECON 3720 or STAT 3120 or STAT 3220 or APMA 3110 or APMA 3120; and MATH 3350 or MATH 3351 or APMA 3080.

  • ECON 4740

    Introduction to Algorithmic Economics
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.93

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    The course will cover recent work in Computer Science and Economics the enables the appropriate analysis of dynamic marketplaces where agents rely on algorithmic tools to make decisions and compete. The course will cover a range of fundamental concepts from machine learning and convex optimization and connect them with the concepts in game theory and Economics of information.

  • ECON 4820

    Experimental Economics
     Rating

    3.67

     Difficulty

    2.00

     GPA

    3.81

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Explores the use of laboratory methods to study economic behavior. Topics include experimental design, laboratory technique, financial incentives, and analysis of data. Emphasizes applications: bargaining, auctions, market price competition, market failures, voting, contributions to public goods, lottery choice decisions, and the design of electronic markets for financial assets. Prerequisite: ECON 3010 or 3110 and a course in statistics, or instructor permission.

  • ECON 4880

    Seminar in Policy Analysis
     Rating

    4.00

     Difficulty

    5.00

     GPA

    3.73

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Introduces the methods used to estimate the effects of existing and proposed government programs. Methods will be illustrated with applications to several areas of government policy. Students will complete an empirical policy analysis under faculty supervision. Prerequisite: ECON 3010 or 3110, ECON 3720, and ECON 4310.

  • ECON 4993

    Independent Study
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Independent study under the direction of a regular faculty member. Students may not use this class to obtain academic credit for a summer internship. Prerequisite: GPA of 3.300 in UVa ECON courses.

  • ECON 4995

    Supervised Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Research under the direction of a regular faculty member. Students may not use this class to obtain academic credit for a summer internship.Prerequisite: GPA of 3.300 in UVa ECON courses.

  • ECON 4999

    Distinguished Majors Thesis
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Supervised research culminating in the writing of a Distinguished Majors thesis. Restricted to members of the Distinguished Majors Program.

  • ECON 5351

    The International Economy Since 1850
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This seminar will focus on key aspects of the development of the international economy since the mid-nineteenth century. Emphasis will be on the process of change, the impact of policy, and the operation of international institutions. Special focus will be paid to the economics of the Great Depression, the impact of the First and Second World Wars, and the drivers of growth.

  • ECON 7030

    Microeconomic Theory II
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.33

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies general equilibrium analysis, welfare economics, externalities, and public goods. Prerequisite: ECON 7010 or instructor permission.

  • ECON 7040

    Macroeconomic Theory II
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.44

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies advanced topics in the theory of money and income. Prerequisite: ECON 7020 or instructor permission.

  • ECON 7720

    Econometrics II
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.44

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Development of the linear and non-linear regression models including hypothesis testing, specification, instrumental variables, generalized least squares, and asymtotic distribution theory. Includes an introduction to identification and estimation of simultaneous equation models. Prerequisite: ECON 7710 or instructor permission.

  • ECON 8010

    Microeconomic Theory III
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.37

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    ECON 8010 is an introduction to non-cooperative game theory and the economics of information, emphasizing applications to microeconomics. Applications include topics such as bargaining, cooperation in repeated games, the design of optimal auctions, and signalling models.Prerequisite: ECON 7030 or permission of instructor

  • ECON 8160

    Seminar in Labor Economics and Development
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.81

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies advanced topics in labor economics, emphasizing applications to developing countries. Cross-listed as ECON 8190. Prerequisite: ECON 8150 and 7720.

  • ECON 8180

    Industrial Organization II
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.42

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Advanced study of selected problems in industrial organization. Prerequisite: ECON 8170 or instructor permission.

  • ECON 8190

    Economics of Underdeveloped Areas
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.77

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies advanced topics in labor economics, emphasizing applications to developing countries. Cross-listed as ECON 8160.

  • ECON 8230

    Advanced Topics in International Trade
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.63

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    The course studies very recent papers on International Trade, or the "micoreconomics of globalization," in order to get students conversant with current research. By the end of the semester, students should be ready to explore potential dissertation topics in the field.Prerequisites: ECON 8210 or permission of Instructor

  • ECON 8320

    Public Economics II
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.71

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies the foundations of excess burden, incidence analysis, and optimal taxation; studies of taxation; general equilibrium analysis for tax policy; and the study of tax reform. Prerequisite: ECON 7030 or instructor permission.

  • ECON 8360

    Empirical Macroeconomics
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.82

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Advanced study of selected topics in macro and monetary economics, with an emphasis on empirical methods. Prerequisite: ECON 7040 or instructor permission.

  • ECON 8410

    Applied Microeconomics Workshop
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies current research in applied microeconomics. Prerequisite: Third-year status or instructor permission.

  • ECON 8430

    Workshop in Economic Theory and Experimental Economics
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Current research in Economic Theory and Experimental Economics. Prerequisite: Third-year status or instructor permission.

  • ECON 8450

    Public Economics Workshop
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies current research in public economics. Prerequisite: Third-year status or instructor permission.

  • ECON 8460

    Econometrics Workshop
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies current research in econometrics. Prerequisite: Third-year status or instructor permission.

  • ECON 8470

    Industrial Organization Workshop
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Current research in Industrial Organization. Third-year status or permission of instructor.

  • ECON 8720

    Time Series Econometrics
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.56

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies econometric techniques for the analysis of economic time series. Prerequisite: ECON 7720 or instructor permission.

  • ECON 8730

    Econometric Methods for Data-Rich Environments
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    4.00

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    "Traditional" econometric inference is hard to implement in "big data" settings. This course provides a bridge between highly efficient scalable tools from Machine Learning and nonparametric econometric models. The focus will be on developing non-parametric models of large datasets, establishing uniform consistency results for the analyzed models, and bridging the computational efficiency and statistical properties of the estimators.

  • ECON 8745

    Numerical Methods in Economics
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    The class presents modern numerical methods for solving mathematical problems common in economics. Examples include functional approximation, nonlinear maximization and root finding, and numerical integration and differentiation. Applications include the solution of dynamic decision problems, computing equilibria of dynamic economies and games, and nonlinear estimation.

  • ECON 8820

    Experimental Economics
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.78

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Analysis of the use of laboratory methods to study economic behavior. Topics include experimental design, laboratory technique, and nonparametric analysis of data. Emphasizes using controlled observations to evaluate alternative economic theories and policies. Applications include bargaining, auctions, oligopoly, asymmetric information, voting, public goods, financial markets, and tests of expected utility and game theories. Prerequisite: ECON 7010 or instructor permission.

  • ECON 8991

    Research Methods in Economics
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.99

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    The course focuses on developing research ideas into a formal paper. Students work in small groups with the instructor, completing writing assignments that form the body of a scholarly paper and offering critical evaluations of other students' assignments. Prerequisite: Third-year status or instructor permission.

  • ECON 8998

    Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    For master's research, taken before a thesis director has been selected.

  • ECON 8999

    Non-Topical Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    For master's thesis, taken under the supervision of a thesis director.

  • ECON 9998

    Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Doctoral Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    For doctoral research, to be taken only in the first semester after passing a field exam, and before a dissertation director has been selected.

  • ECON 9999

    Non-Topical Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    For doctoral dissertation, taken under the supervision of the first reader or prospective first reader.