I. Preparation in Economics, Political Science, & Quantitative Methods
Economics and Political Science
Admitted students are assumed to have some significant background in economics and/or political science.
Quantitative Methods
All students are required to have, or to obtain in the first year, skill in the use of the following mathematical methods:
| Topic | Courses |
|---|---|
| Calculus | MATH 41 & 42: Calculus (accelerated) |
| Linear Algebra | MATH 51: Linear Algebra and Differential Calculus of Several Variables MATH 113: Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory |
| Analysis | MATH 115: Functions of a Real Variable |
| Probability | ECON 270: Intermediate Econometrics I MS&E 220: Probabilistic Analysis STATS 116: Theory of Probability |
| Optimization | ENGR 62/MSE 111: Introduction to Optimization |
| Statistics | STATS 200: Introduction to Statistical Inference |
Note: ECON 180-181 covers a substantial portion of calculus, linear algebra, and optimization.
Students are expected to have adequate computer programming skills. Knowledge of a computer language such as Fortran, C, or APL is sufficient. If students do not have adequate computer programming skills, they may learn this material on their own or take Stanford Computer Science course CS 106A: Programming Methodology by the summer following the first academic year, at the latest.
II. Course Requirements
All required courses must be taken for a grade (not pass/fail or credit/no credit). Exceptions are made if the required course is offered pass/fail or credit/no credit only. Each course must be passed with a grade of P or B- or better. Substitutions of required courses require approval from the faculty liaison. Waiving a course requirement based on similar doctoral level course completed elsewhere requires the approval of the course instructor, faculty liaison, and the PhD Program Office.
| Courses | |
|---|---|
| Political Economy Sequence (3 courses) |
POLECON 680 / POLISCI 351A: Foundations of Political Economy POLECON 681 / POLISCI 351B: Economic Analysis of Political Institutions POLECON 682 / POLISCI 351C: Applied Formal Models: Governmental Decision Making |
| Core Microeconomics Sequence (3 courses): Students must take three courses making up the core microeconomics sequence. This sequence can either be taken in the GSB or in the economics department. Students can also “mix and match” by taking courses in different schools to complete the proper ordering of the three-course sequence. |
GSB Microeconomics Sequence MGTECON 600: Microeconomic Analysis MGTECON 601: Microeconomic Analysis II MGTECON 602: Auctions, Bargaining, and Pricing Economics Dept Microeconomics Sequence ECON 202N: Core Economics: Modules 1 and 2 For Non-Economics PhD Students ECON 203N: Core Economics: Modules 5 and 6 For Non-Economics PhD ECON 204: Core Economics: Modules 9 and 10 |
| Core Econometrics Sequence (3 courses): Students must take three courses making up the core econometrics sequence. This sequence can either be taken in the GSB or in the economics department. Students can also “mix and match” by taking courses in different schools to complete the proper ordering of the three-course sequence. |
GSB Econometrics Sequence MGTECON 603: Econometric Methods I MGTECON 604: Econometric Methods II MGTECON 605: Econometric Methods III Economics Dept Econometrics Sequence ECON 270: Intermediate Econometrics I ECON 271: Intermediate Econometrics II ECON 272: Intermediate Econometrics III |
|
Substantive Economics Courses (2 courses): Students are required to take two substantive topics courses in the economic department. A list of approved courses is below. If a student wishes to take a course not on this list, he or she must petition the PhD liaison, who will bring the petition to the faculty for a vote. |
ECON 241 Public Finance and Taxation ECON 214 Development ECON 249 Health Economics ECON 250 Environmental Economics ECON 251 Industrial Organization I ECON 225 Technology and Innovation ECON 228 Institutions and Organizations in Historical Perspective ECON 266 International Economics ECON 291 Social Networks ECON 273 Advanced Econometrics I ECON 282 Contracts, Decisions and Incentives |
| Substantive Political Science Courses (2 courses): Students are required to take two substantive topics courses in the political science department or in the GSB. A list of approved courses is below. If a student wishes to take a course not on this list, he or she must petition the PhD liaison, who will bring the petition to the faculty for a vote. |
POLISCI 362: New Economics of Organization POLISCI 364: Politics and Organization POLISCI 420A: American Political Institutions POLISCI 420B: Topics in American Political Behavior POLISCI 410A: International Relations Theory, Part I POLISCI 410B: International Relations Theory, Part II POLISCI 440A: Theories in Comparative Politics POLISCI 440B: Political Economy of Development POLECON 683: Political Development Economics |
| Organizations/Psychology Requirement (1 course): Students are required to take one course exposing them to organizational and/or psychological approaches to social sciences. A list of approved courses is below. If a student wishes to take a course not on this list, he or she must petition the PhD liaison, who will bring the petition to the faculty for a vote. |
OB 671: The Social Psychology of Organizations OB 672: Organizations & Environment OB 676: Social & Political Processes in Organizations (or both OB 623 and OB 679) |
III. Practicum
PE students are required to attend PE seminars, and sign up for either a research or teaching practicum every quarter of enrollment.
For the first year, the research practicum involves attending the Political Economy seminar. For years 2-5, the research practicum involves a research assistant appointment with a faculty member in addition to attending the Political Economy seminar; the teaching practicum involves a course assistant appointment with a faculty member in addition to attending the Political Economy seminar. A minimum of 1 quarter of teaching practicum (or course assistantship) is required during the student’s time in the program
IV. Summer Research Paper Requirement
Each student is required to write a research paper each summer following the first and second year of study, and to present these papers to the faculty in an hour long seminar during the autumn quarter of the second and third years, respectively. Each student will receive a specific date and time when the summer paper is to be presented. Both papers are required for admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree.
V. Field Exam
Students are required to pass a field exam consisting of three parts: (1) political economy (covering material in POLECON 680, 681, 682); (2) microeconomics (covering material in the core microeconomic sequence); and (3) econometrics (covering material in the core econometrics sequence).
Students take the field exam during the summer after their first year. By GSB policy, students who fail the exam are not guaranteed an opportunity to re-take the exam. At the faculty’s discretion, a student who fails the exam may be permitted to re-take the exam. Students can petition the faculty to defer taking the field exam to the summer after their second year; however, if a student elects this option, he or she will not be allowed to re-take the exam.
VI. Teaching Requirement
One quarter of course assistantship or teaching practicum. Requirement must be completed prior to graduation.
VII. Candidacy
Admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree is a judgment by the faculty of the student’s potential to successfully complete the requirements of the degree program. Students are required to advance to candidacy by September 1 before the start of their fourth year in the program.
VIII. University Oral Exam
The oral examination is a defense of the dissertation work in progress. The student orally presents and defends the thesis work in progress at a stage when it is one-half to two-thirds complete. The oral examination committee tests the student on the theory and methodology underlying the research, the areas of application and portions of the major field to which the research is relevant, and the significance of the dissertation research. Students are required to successfully complete the oral exam by September 1 before the start of their fifth year in the program.
IX. Dissertation
The doctoral dissertation is an original contribution to scholarship or scientific knowledge, to exemplify the highest standards of the discipline, and to be of lasting value to the intellectual community. This generally involves the completion of three articles, although the specific format of the dissertation should be discussed between the student and his/her advisors. A maximum of one article can be co-authored with a faculty member. A minimum of one article must be solo-authored.