Aims and Objectives of the Economics Tripos

Aims

The aims of the Economics Tripos are:

A1 To provide a course in economic principles and their application that stimulates and challenges students whose abilities range up to the highest;

A2 To develop students' competence in the assimilation of complex arguments, the analysis of practical issues, logical thought, quantitative techniques, mathematical skills, and effective communication, using a range of teaching methods;

A3 To develop skills that are of value for subsequent careers, primarily in professional and managerial occupations;

A4 To develop in students a knowledge of the workings of economic systems and a sense of the economic dimensions of social and political issues;

A5 To cater for the academic needs and interests of individual students, while operating with a common intellectual core;

A6 To attract, select, and nurture outstanding students irrespective of educational and social background.

Objectives

After completing Part I of the Economics Tripos, students should have:

O1 Made the transition in learning style and analytical approach from school to university studies;

O2 Acquired a basic knowledge and understanding of the essential concepts of modern economics, including (i) the implications of rational behaviour for the actions of consumers and firms; (ii) the role of markets and other institutions in coordinating the actions of individual agents; (iii) the use of elementary models for macroeconomic analysis;

O3 Acquired the ability to apply basic techniques of statistical analysis to economic data;

O4 Acquired a basic knowledge and understanding of the contemporary social and political context of the UK economy, and of the development since 1945 of economic policy and institutions;

O5 Acquired a basic knowledge of British economic history from 1750 to 1939, and a basic understanding of how to apply economic theory and quantitative methods to the analysis of historical evidence;

O6 Obtained the mathematical grounding necessary to proceed to Part II of the Economics Tripos.

After completing Prelims to Part II of the Economics Tripos, students should have:

O7 Acquired a knowledge and understanding, to at least intermediate level, of a range of key topics and analytical techniques in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory;

O8 Acquired a knowledge of key econometric techniques, and demonstrated the Information Technology skills needed to undertake a project in applied econometrics;

O9 Studied an optional course in a supporting discipline (mathematics, sociology, or development economics) which will enable them to undertake more advanced courses in Part II.

After completing Part II of the Economics Tripos, students should have:

O10 Acquired the ability to apply the analytical techniques learned in Prelims to a range of practical economic issues;

O11 Learned how to identify and find the factual information relevant to analysing practical economic issues;

O12 Acquired, through optional papers or a dissertation, some advanced understanding of one or more fields in economic theory, applied economics, econometrics, economic history, or sociology.