Economics

Introduction
Why study Economics at UNE?
Courses
Course Coordinators
Careers
Partnerships, Networks and Industry Links
Contacts

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 focuses 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

Course Coordinators

Bachelor of Agribusiness and
Bachelor of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Dr Stuart Mounter
Phone: (02) 6773 3159
Email: smounte2@une.edu.au

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

Master of Economic and Regional Development
Associate Professor Rene Villano
Phone: (02) 6773 2027
Email: rvillan2@une.edu.au

Other Masters
Dr Nam Hoang
Phone: (02) 6773 2682
Email: nam.hoang@une.edu.au

PhD
Associate Professor Phil Simmons
Phone: (02) 6773 2314
Email: psimmons@une.edu.au

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

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

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