Academic Programs
The Program
The Bachelor of Science in Economics Program was instituted in 1986. The program was born out of the necessity of constructing alternative development strategies for overcoming the economic crisis which beset the country during the period. These strategies required the consideration of prevailing economic concerns which included, among others, the heavy debt burden, poverty, unemployment, unproductive and inefficient industries, as well as malnutrition. Furthermore, there was a need to better
understand the impacts of natural resource exploitation and environmental degradation on the country’s development path.
The BS Economics program aims to produce graduates who possess:
- the necessary skills in quantitative and policy analyses for teaching and research in economics;
- the ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate economic concepts, issues, and data relevant to policy decision- making in the public or private sector; and
- a deep appreciation of the economic issues and problems besetting the country, as well as an objective and critical attitude towards the arguments and policies meant to address them.
Specialization
- Development Economics—focuses on theories and problems of growth; developmental survey of experiences in low- income and high income countries.
- Environmental Economics—centers on the economic role of environment in growth and development.
Requirements
Students in the Program are required to complete 135 academic units, usually in about four years. The Curriculum is divided into three components:
- (a) The general education courses aim to develop well-rounded students and give exposure to the non-economic aspects of society.
- (b) Core courses provide rigorous training in economic theory and analytical tools.
- (c) Students can choose between development economics and environ-mental economics as an area of specialization.
New Freshmen are admitted directly to the program through the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT).
Career Prospects
Courses Offered
| Course Code | Description |
|---|---|
| ECON 11 | General Economics |
| ECON 101 | Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory |
| ECON 102 | Intermediate Microeconomic Theory |
| ECON 103 | Introduction to Growth Theory and Open Economy Macroeconomics |
| ECON 104 | Introduction to Factor Market Analysis, General Equilibrium and Welfare Economics |
| ECON 110 | History of Economic Doctrines |
| ECON 115 | Philippine Economic History |
| ECON 121 | Money and Banking |
| ECON 130 | Elements of Mathematical Economics |
| ECON 137 | Introduction to Econometrics |
| ECON 138 | Intermediate Econometrics |
| ECON 141 | International Economics |
| ECON 151 | Public Economics |
| ECON 170 | Environmental Economics |
| ECON 175 | Benefit Cost Analysis |
| ECON 185 | Development Economics |
| ECON 199 | Undergraduate Seminar |
| ECON 200 | Undergraduate Thesis |
| Course Code | Description |
|---|---|
| ECON 106 | Consumption Economics |
| ECON 134 | Experimental Economics |
| ECON 155 | Economics of Regulation |
| ECON 166 | Fundamentals of Energy Economics |
| ECON 172 | Economic Analysis of Pollution Control Policies |
| ECON 176 | Economics of Climate Change and Adaptation |
| ECON 181 | Human Resource Economics |
| ECON 191 | Special Topics in Financial Economics: Fundamental, Technical and Behavioral Analysis of Financial Markets (2SAY2223) |
Downloadables
- UPLB OCS Form No.105 Application for Revision in the Approved Plan of Course Work
- UPLB OCS Form No.106 Application for Substitution of Courses
- Academic Advisers as of 2nd Semester AY2022–2023
- BSECON Curriculum
- BS ECON GE Program Plan of Study (DE FORM 101)
- BS ECON Plan of Study (DE FORM 102)
- Student Form for Raising Clarifications on Class Requirement Scores and Rechecking
- List of Specialization Courses and Corresponding Prerequisite
- Program Educational Outcomes and Program Learning Outcomes of the BS Economics Program
Series as of 2024
About the program
The Master of Science in Economics Program aims to develop graduates with solid foundations in economic theory and strong proficiency with quantitative methods applicable in the fields of environmental and development economics. It seeks to produce graduates who posses unique abilities to carry out scientific investigation in related disciplines where the University of the Philippines Los Baños excels, and address the critical challenges posed by current and intertemporal scarcity of resources.
Why pursue a Master of Science in Economics at UPLB?
Carry out scientific inquiry with modern quantitative methods
Critically evaluate real-world scenarios affected by
intertemporal scarcity of resources
Approach policymaking with a multidisciplinary mindset
Address major concerns in your field of specialization
Make top-level decisions with strong foundations in leadership
Graduate Highlight
Specializations
The specializations offered by the MS Economics program were designed to produce graduates who are relevant and capable of addressing emerging problems of today’s world. Nine units of your coursework will be focused on your chosen field of specialization. You will also be required to produce a master’s thesis in line with your chosen specialization.
Development Economics
Specialize in advanced development economics, international trade, commercial policy, and public economics. This track focuses on the theories and problems of growth with a developmental approach of the experiences in low income and high income countries.
Environmental Economics
Specialize in advanced environmental economics and economic valuation of environmental and natural resource systems. This track focuses on the economic role of the environment at the center of growth and development.
Curriculum
The MS Economics program requires students to earn at least 32 units of graduate work. This consists of 15 units of core courses (ECON 201, ECON 202, ECON 230, ECON 237, ECON 203 or ECON 204); 9 units of specialization courses; 2 units of seminar (ECON 299), a comprehensive exam; and culminate with 6 units of master’s thesis (ECON 300) that is aligned with the student’s chosen specialization.
Development Economics Track
ECON 201. Macroeconomic Theory I (3)
ECON 202. Microeconomic Theory I (3)
ECON 230. Mathematical Economics (3)
ECON 237. Econometrics (3)
ECON 299. Graduate Seminar in Economics (1)
ECON 203. Macroeconomic Theory II
or ECON 204. Microeconomic Theory II (3)
ECON 285. Advanced Development Economics (3)
ECON 241. International Trade and Commercial Policy (3)
ECON 251. Advanced Public Economics (3)
Qualified Elective (3)
ECON 299. Graduate Seminar in Economics (1)
Comprehensive Exam
ECON 300. Master’s Thesis (3)
ECON 300. Master’s Thesis (3)
Environmental Economics Track
ECON 201. Macroeconomic Theory I (3)
ECON 202. Microeconomic Theory I (3)
ECON 230. Mathematical Economics (3)
ECON 237. Econometrics (3)
ECON 299. Graduate Seminar in Economics (1)
ECON 203. Macroeconomic Theory II
or ECON 204. Microeconomic Theory II (3)
ECON 270. Advanced Environmental Economics (3)
ECON 275. Economic Valuation of Environmental and Natural Resource Systems (3)
Qualified Elective (3)
ECON 299. Graduate Seminar in Economics (1)
Comprehensive Exam
ECON 300. Master’s Thesis (3)
ECON 300. Master’s Thesis (3)
List of Qualified Electives
- ECON 231. Economic Dynamics
- ECON 238. Econometric Time Series Analysis
- ECON 239. Economy-wide Modeling
- AECO 248. Economic Analysis and Design of Natural Resource and Environmental Policies
- AECO 250. Agriculture and Economic Development
- AMAT 266. Deterministic Mathematical Decision Models.
- AMAT 267. Probabilistic Mathematical Decision Models
- DM 201. Development Perspective
- DM 220. Public Policy and Program Administration for Development
- STAT 241. Statistical Theory 1
Master of Science in Economics Faculty
MA in Economics
University of the Philippines Diliman
Economic History
Gender Economics
Mathematical Economics
MA in Economics
University of the Philippines Diliman
Development Economics,
Microeconomic Theory
Econometrics
PhD in Economics
University of Reading, UK
Energy Economics
Economics of Climate Change
Development Economics
PhD in Economics
University of Newcastle, AU
Behavioral & Experimental Economics
PhD in Economics
Ateneo De Manila University
Environmental and
Natural Resource Economics
PhD in Economics
Kyoto University, Japan
Human Resource Economics
Economics of Education
Development Economics
PhD in International Development
Nagoya University, JP
Environmental Economics
Livestock Economics
Microeconomic Theory
PhD in Economics
UP Diliman
Institutional Economics
Public Economics
Macroeconomic Theory
MA in Economics
University of the Philippines
Diliman
Public Economics,
International Economics
MS in Economics
University of the Philippines
Los Baños
Environmental and
Natural Resource Economics
Development Economics
MS in Economics
University of the Philippines
Los Baños
Public and Institutional Economics
Energy Economics
Higher Education Management
MA in Economics
University of the Philippines
Diliman
Development Economics
Environmental Economics
Energy Economics
MA in Economics
University of the Philippines Diliman
Environmental and
Natural Resource Economics
Fishery Economics
International Economics
Master of Economics of Development
Australian National University, AU
Economy-wide and partial equilibrium modeling
PhD in Agricultural
and Resource Economics
University of California Berkeley, US
Environmental Economics
Environmental Valuation
Behavioral Economics
Applied Econometrics
PhD in Economics
Ateneo De Manila University
Development Economics
Human Resource Economics
Monetary Economics
Admission Requirements
Aspiring students must hold a BA or BS degree with sufficient background in Economics.
Application for the August intake starts on February to March every year. The Masters of Science in Economics program only accepts students during the first semester of each academic year.
Click here to visit the Graduate School website for more information
Summer Program in Economics
The Summer program in Economics (SPE) is a pre-requisite for aspiring MS Economics students. It is a comprehensive four-week program designed to lay the ground work for understanding economic concepts, principles, and models, and equip students with the tools required to proficiently apply economic analysis in both teaching and research domains.
The program is in a fully online format, comprising both asynchronous and synchronous sessions to allow participants to integrate their learning journey into their schedule from anywhere in the world.
The program is composed of four modules tackling the following subject areas:
- Elementary Methods of Mathematics for Economists
- Principles and Applications of Microeconomic Analysis
- Principles and Applications of Macroeconomic Analysis
- Fundamentals of Statistical and Econometric Analysis
Students must obtain a weighted average grade of 2.0 or better to proceed with regular admission. Applicants with academic distinctions are not required to take the program but are encouraged.
Timeline of Admissions
Course Guide
ECON 201. Macroeconomic Theory I (3).
Theories of income and employment determination and the business cycle; theories of inflation and unemployment; the macroeconomy and the fiscal, monetary, and external sectors; open economy macroeconomics; stabilization policies. 3 hrs (class). PR. ECON 101 or COI. (1)
ECON 202. Microeconomic Theory I (3).
Preference and choice; consumer choice and demand; production costs, profits, and supply; competitive markets; market structure; externalities, public goods, and market failure; general equilibrium and welfare. 3 hrs (class). PR. ECON 102 or COI. (1)
ECON 203. Macroeconomic Theory II (3).
Theories of consumption, saving and investment; theories of growth, theories of economic development and accumulation. 3 hrs (class). PR. ECON 201. (2)
ECON 204. Microeconomic Theory II (3).
Information assymetry; hidden action; equilibrium under uncertainty and over time; social choice; axiomatic bargaining; incentive and mechanism design. 3 hrs (class). PR. ECON 202 or COI. (2)
ECON 230. Mathematical Economics (3).
Applications of linear algebra, theory of functions, linear and nonlinear optimization in economic theory. 3 hrs (class). PR. COI. (1)
ECON 231. Economic Dynamics (3).
Dynamic analysis and dynamic optimization with applications in economics. 3 hrs (class).PR. ECON 230. (2)
ECON 237. Econometrics (3).
Single equation and simultaneous equation problems; techniques of estimation, specification, and identification problems in economic analysis. 3 hrs (class). PR. AECO 103, ECON 137, or COI. (1)
ECON 238. Econometric Time Series Analysis. (3).
Theory of difference equations, stationary time-series models, unit root processes, multi-equation time-series models, cointegration and error-correction models. 3 hrs (class). PR. ECON 237. (2)
ECON 239. Economy-Wide Modeling (3).
Macro-economic models and applied general equilibrium models. 3 hrs (class). PR. ECON 201, ECON 202, ECON 230 and ECON 237. (2)
ECON 241. International Trade and Commercial Policy (3).
Causes of trade and effects on resource allocation, economic growth, and income distribution. Selected issues in international commercial trade policies particularly those relating to agricultural commodity trade. 3 hrs (class). PR. ECON 201 and ECON 202. (2)
ECON 251. Public Economics (3).
Market failures; theory of public goods; public choice and incentive mechanisms for good allocation; public sector pricing; incentive effects of taxation; optimal taxation and redistribution. 3 hrs (class). PR. ECON 202 or COI. (2)
ECON 271. Advanced Resource Economics (3).
Applications of economic concepts such as social welfare, externalities, social cost and gains to decision-making associated with optimizing use of natural resources. 3 hrs (class). PR. AECO 240 or COI. (2)
ECON 275. Economic Valuation of Environmental and Natural Resource System (3).
Approaches and techniques for economic measurements and valuation of natural resources and environmental impacts of development. 3 hrs ( class). PR. COI. (2)
ECON 285. Development Economics I (3).
Theories of economic growth and development; background and comparative analyses of growth in developed and developing countries. 3 hrs (class). PR. ECON 201 or COI. (2)
ECON 291. Special Topics (1-3).
May be taken twice provided that total number of units to be credited to the student’s program will not exceed 4 units. PR. COI.
ECON 299. Graduate Seminar in Economics (1).
PR. COI. (1,2). May be taken twice for a maximum of 2 units.
ECON 300. Master’s Thesis (6). (1,2,S)
