Bilkent University

Regardless of the track a student has chosen, the elective composition of each student should adhere to the following quotas:

1. One 100 level social science elective.
2. Seven restricted electives.
3. Six unrestricted electives.
4. Six Economics electives.
5. One Arts Core Elective.
6. One Humanities Core Elective
7. One Science Core Elective

Graduate programs in economics aim to train students to enable them to carry out independent research. For this purpose, the programs are designed to ensure that the students get a solid background in both economic theory and the techniques used in empirical research. While the Department offers both M.A. and Ph.D. degrees, the M.A. degree is considered, in principle, as an intermediate step that is passed en route to the Ph.D. The core requirements common to both programs leave little room for choosing the courses to be taken in the first year, but the students are offered considerable flexibility as to their choice of the fields of specialization later on.

Students admitted to graduate studies in the department are expected to have a strong background in undergraduate level economics and some training in mathematics and statistics. Sufficient (though not necessarily a pre-condition) background would consist of an undergraduate degree in Economics, a year-long calculus sequence that includes multivariate analysis, a course in linear algebra, and a course in probability and statistics. (Also refer to the ``Graduate Admissions'' section in the introduction of this catalog for the general graduate admission requirements.)

The curriculum aims to prepare the students toward a Ph.D. degree. However, elective courses and a thesis study in the 2nd year gives the students the opportunity to over take practical training, preparing them for jobs in the government or private sector.

Prospective students must have completed Bilkent University's requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics or approximately equivalent training. Since students will be required to take the same courses as the Ph.D. candidates, similar preparation in mathematics and statistics is generally expected. Degree requirements for Master of Arts in Economics are:

1. The core curriculum for Master of Arts in Economics degree must be successfully completed. The courses in the core curriculum for Master of Arts in Economics include Microeconomic Theory (ECON 503-504), Macroeconomic Theory (ECON 505-506), Mathematics for Economists (ECON 515-516), Probability and Statistics (ECON 509-510), Research Paper (ECON 595-596) sequences, two elective sequences, and Pro-Thesis Seminar (ECON 590) and the Master's Thesis (ECON 599) courses.
2. A Master's thesis must be submitted and successfully defended.
3. A grade point average of at least 3.00 from the curriculum requirement courses, is also required for graduation.

The Ph.D. program in economics is a program requiring the attainment of scientific competence in conformity with international scientific standards. Admission to the doctoral program is by written application and an evaluation by the department. It is expected that admitted students will be adequately prepared in calculus, linear algebra, and statistics. (Also refer to the "Graduate Admissions" section in the introduction of this catalog for the general graduate admission requirements.)

All students take a common core curriculum at the outset and later branch out in the desired fields of specialization. Well-prepared students should anticipate spending approximately two years in course work and another two years in seminars, independent study, and dissertation research. While exceptional progress may make a three-year program feasible, some types of research programs will require at least five years to complete.

A candidate for the Ph.D. degree must:

1. Successfully complete the core curriculum for PhD degree in Economics. The courses in the core curriculum for PhD degree in Economics include the graduate level Microeconomic Theory (ECON 503-504), Macroeconomic Theory (ECON 505-506), Mathematics for Economists (ECON 515-516), Probability and Statistics (ECON 509-510), Research Paper (ECON 595-596) sequences and Pre-Thesis Seminars (ECON 591-592-691-692), Research Methods and Academic Publication Ethics (GE 500), Academic Practices (GE 690), Research Methods in Economics I and II (ECON 695-696) and the PhD Dissertation (ECON 699) courses.
2. In addition to the courses above, successfully complete 6 elective courses (at least 3 credit courses). These courses have to be graduate level courses. Some graduate courses offered by other departments may be counted towards this requirement.
3. Show competence in two comprehensive field examinations - one written and one oral, within the first five semesters after being admitted to the PhD program.
4. Submit a detailed thesis proposal while taking the ECON 699 course and give a seminar on this work.
5. A paper based on the candidate's thesis must be accepted or published in a reputable journal before the dissertation can be defended.
6. Submit and successfully defend a dissertation that represents a contribution to knowledge in the field.

Candidates must be in residence for a minimum of three years including the period spent on the Master of Arts program.

During each semester of the second year at least three credit units of electives must be taken. The Ph.D. candidate may also take elective courses for credit in the third and fourth years of study. These electives may include courses from other departments or institutions as well as courses offered by the Department. There is no upper or lower limit on the number of such courses.