Two Tracks in Idec
Macro - International
Micro - Development
Possible Career Choices after Graduation:
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Researcher / Data Analyst / Consultant
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Policymaker
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International business
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International financial institutions such as the IMF and World Bank
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What is Macroeconomics?
- Macroeconomics focuses on the understanding and behavior of the economy as a whole
- Examining aggregate economic factors like:
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Interest rates
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Price levels
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Changes in unemployment rates that affect the economy
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What is International Economics?
- International Economics applies macroeconomic principles to international trade, which is the flow of trade among nations, and to international finance, which is the means of making payment for the exchange of goods among nations
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How do I know if Macro/International should be my focus?
- If you have an interest in international trade or finance, foreign direct investment, or international political economy, then the Macro/International track is for you
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If I choose to focus on Macro/International, what courses would I register for during my 1st semester?
Mathematics for Economists: ECON 615-02
Economics of Development: ECON 672-01
International Trade: ECON 670-01
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If I choose to focus on Macro/International during my time at USF, what type of data would I need for my thesis?
- The type of data that you will collect for your Masters thesis will most likely be secondary data at the aggregate (regional or national) level. This type of data is often obtained international organizations such as IMF, World Bank, UN agencies, and national governments
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Possible Career Choices after Graduation:
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Researchers / Data Analyst / Consultant
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Program impact evaluation
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Development practitioner for government agencies or non-governmental organizations
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What is Microeconomics?
- Microeconomics focuses on understanding how individual agents such as households or small businesses behave and make decisions
- Studies:
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How people
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Groups
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Institutions allocate resources among competing needs
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What is Development Economics?
- Development economics applies microeconomics principles to economic growth and development, poverty alleviation, and program impact evaluation
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How do I know if Micro/Development should be my focus?
- If you have an interest in poverty alleviation, environmental sustainability, healthcare, education, or microfinance, then the Micro/Development track is for you
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If I choose to focus on Macro/International, what courses would I register for during my 1st semester?
Mathematics for Economists: ECON 615-02
Economics of Development: ECON 672-01
Natural Resource Economics and Development Policy: ECON 676-01
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If I choose to focus on Micro/Development during my time at USF, what type of data would I need for my thesis?
- The type of data you will want to collect for your Masters thesis will be often be primary data (data that you collect yourself with field experiments or surveys). Alternatively, you may work with individual - or household - level secondary data collected in large surveys such as the Demographic and Health Survey or the Living Standards Measurement Survey