Economics

General Information

The Department of Economics is recognized for its strengths in both research and teaching. Areas of faculty research include both theoretical and applied economics, econometric theory and the history of economic thought. All faculty members have active research programs and publish regularly in academic journals. In addition, faculty members have made important applied contributions to industry and governments at various levels. The department's teaching is highly regarded, with a strong emphasis at the graduate level on econometrics and economic theory as tools for understanding economic phenomena and for developing economic policy.

Further information can be found at <web.uvic.ca/econ/graduate>

Contact Information

Department of Economics

Location: Business and Economics Building, Room 360

Mailing Address:

Courier Address:

Telephone Number: 250-721-8532

Fax Number: 250-721-6214

Website: <web.uvic.ca/econ/graduate>

Chair: Dr. David Scoones

Graduate Adviser: Dr. Judith Clarke

Graduate Secretary: Mrs. Candace Aitken

Degrees and Specializations Offered

The Department of Economics offers an MA program and a PhD program. Both programs combine strong training in core economic theory and econometrics with electives in applied areas and a co-operative option. MA graduates will be well prepared for doctoral studies in economics or for research and analysis positions in the private or public sectors. The PhD program provides more advanced training in applied economics, to prepare graduate students for academic and non-academic careers.

Facilities

The department has a range of facilities to support both MA and PhD students in their studies. These include office space and a computer lab, solely for graduate students, which has the requisite software and databases for word-processing, econometric analysis and computer modeling. The Reid Elliot Reading room is also available for students.

Financial Support

All students admitted to the graduate program are automatically considered for financial support, with the level of support determined on a competitive basis. Incoming students with first-class records (A-, or 7 on the University of Victoria 9-point scale) are considered for University of Victoria Fellowships. Consideration for these awards is automatic upon receipt of application by February 15 of the same calendar year. In addition, the department has a number of fellowships and scholarships available each year that are awarded on the basis of academic excellence. Further support is provided in the form of Teaching Assistantships (TA), usually supplemented with Academic Income Supplements (AIS). Research Assistantships may also be available. All eligible students are encouraged to apply for provincial, federal and external funding, particularly from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council <www.sshrc.ca>.

For students who receive funding support, funding is usually promised for one year for MA students and three years for PhD students. Students do not necessarily receive funding, though in recent years every effort has been made to provide all students with some level of funding, usually a TA position and, in many instances, additional funds in the form of fellowships or AIS funding.