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Economics

Study Economics at UNE

Assoc. Prof. Jack Sinden - Coordinator of Master of Economics / Master of Economic Studies

Contents

Introduction

Economics is centrally concerned with the relationship between scarce means and unlimited wants charateristic of the human condition. It examines economic relationships from both a microeconomic perspective (i.e. at the level of the individual consumer and producer) and a macroeconomic perspective (i.e. at the level of the economy as a whole). While economic theory is concerned with explaining the behavioural implications of relative scarcity, economic policy focusses on measures designed to reduce the extent of scarcity and to alter the burden of scarcity amongst members of society. A degree in economics prepares students for positions in the private sector, especially in the banking and finance industry, and in the public sector, at the local, state and federal government levels. Former UNE economics graduates occupy numerous top jobs in Australia and elsewhere, and a UNE economics degree enjoys an enviable reputation both nationally and internationally.

Why study Economics at UNE?

It is possible to study economics at UNE in a wide range of degree programs. Undergraduates wishing to specialise in economics should complete an economics major within the three-year Bachelor of Economics program or a business economics major within the three-year Bachelor of Business program. These majors build on compulsory units in microeconomics and macroeconomics, and provide opportunities for further study in areas such as international trade and payments, banking and finance and labour economics. The Bachelor of Economics with Honours program offers a fourth year of specialised training in economics. It seeks to equip students with the advanced knowledge and research skills appropriate for a career as a professional economist. This program can also provide a gateway to candidature for a Masters or PhD degree in economics.

Courses

Undergraduate
Bachelor of Agribusiness
Bachelor of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Bachelor of Business
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Economics
Bachelor of Economics
Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Laws

Postgraduate Research
Master of Economics

Postgraduate
Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Economics
Graduate Diploma in Economics
Graduate Diploma in Econometrics
Master of Economics
Master of Economic Studies

Bachelor Honours
Bachelor of Agribusiness with Honours
Bachelor of Economics with Honours

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Course Coordinators

Bachelor of Agribusiness and
Bachelor of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Associate Professor Oscar Cacho
Ph: 02 6773 3215
Email: ocacho@une.edu.au

Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Economics (Hons)
Graduate Diplomas in Economics
Associate Professor Mahinda Siriwardana
Ph: 02 6773 2501
Email: asiriwar@une.edu.au

Masters
Assoc. Professor Jack Sinden
Ph:  02 6673 2293
Email: jsinden@une.edu.au

PhD
Assoc. Professor Phil Simmons
Ph:  02 6773 2314
Email. psimmons@une.edu.au

Units

UNE's schedule of units
(up to date unit offerings, residential school dates and coordination)
ECON 101 Introductory Microeconomics
ECON 102 Introductory Macroeconomics 
ECON 201/301 Intermediate Microeconomics
ECON 202 Intermediate Macroeconomics
ECON 203/303 Banking and Finance 
ECON 207/307 Labour Economics 
ECON 311 Australian Macroeconomic Issues
ECON 314/414 Economics of Developing Countries
ECON 317/417 International Trade and Payments
ECON 318 Economics for Health Management
ECON 319/419 Public Finance
ECON 320/420 Global Business and Trade
ECON 328/428 Microeconomic Policy Evaluation
ECON 408 Advanced Microeconomics
ECON 409 Advanced Macroeconomics
GSB 696 Global Business and Trade
GSB 728 Economics for Business Management
 

Members who teach, research and publish in the area of Economics at UNE:

Dr Maxine Darnell
Professor Brian Dollery
Dr Stuart Mounter 
Dr John Pullen (Honorary Fellow)
Associate Professor Mahinda Siriwardana
Dr Gregory Smith
Emeritus Professor Malcolm Treadgold

Careers

Across all areas of human endeavour:

  • Private sector
  • Government
  • Non-government organisations
  • Some economists even engaged in forecasting how many medals different countries would win at the Olympics!
Career Opportunities in the Private Sector:
  • Banks and financial institutions
  • Wholesale/retail/export
  • Agriculture and other resource industries
  • Agribusiness firms: e.g. food and fibre processing; merchandising of farm inputs and outputs; consultancy
  • Manufacturing and Infrastructure
  • Information technology
Career Opportunities in the Government Sector
  • Policy-making roles involving analysis and implementation of economic policy issues, such as Treasury, Planning Departments
  • Research and development in government bodies such as CSIRO, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics
  • Teaching: Secondary; University
  • International agency work, such as International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Asian Development Bank
Some Australian Examples of Economics Research in the School are:
  • Local government amalgamation: should local governments be larger?
  • A study of the way economic institutions have evolved in Australia
  • Devising market solutions to environmental problems, such as salinity
  • Estimating the cost of weeds to Australian agriculture
Some International Examples of Economics Research in the School are:
  • Examining the net benefits of free trade agreements using economic modelling (e.g. between Australia and Japan)
  • Examining the net benefits of free trade agreements using economic modelling (e.g. between Australia and Japan)
  • Contract farming in Indonesia: enabling agreements between smallholders and agribusiness corporations
  • Measuring risk and efficiency in rice farming in the Philippines
  • Border controls and the movement of people in a globalising Asia-Pacific region

Partnerships, Networks and Industry Links

Economics Society
http://www.une.edu.au/ues/

Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI)
http://abri.une.edu.au/

Institute for Rural Futures
http://www.ruralfutures.une.edu.au/

Department of Primary Industries
http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/general/centres/armidale/

Meat & Livestock Australia
http://www.mla.com.au/default.htm

Sheep CRC
http://www.sheep.crc.org.au/

Carbon
http://www.une.edu.au/carbon/

NSW Agriculture
 http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture

World Agroforestry Centre
http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/

Contacts

Economics, including
Agricultural and Resource Economics, Econometrics and Economic History
Ph: +(61 2) 6773 2432 or 3278 or 2781
Fax: +(61 2) 6773 3596
E-mail: economics@une.edu.au

Research and Research Grants

Research conducted by members in the Econometrics specialisation and successful grants can be found on the School's Research website :http://www.une.edu.au/economics/research.php

Publications

Publicatons by members of this area can be found at the School's publication web page: http://www.une.edu.au/economics/publications/

School Administration

Administrative staff contacts:
+ (02) 6773 2432 or 3278 or 2781

Email: bepp@une.edu.au

Contact Information At UNE

Other UNE Contacts and Directorates

University switchboard:
International    +61 2 6773 3333