Updated January 10, 2011

M.S. ECONOMICS

Recommended Textbook List

Math: 1) Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics, Alpha C. Chaing. This is a good introductory math text for economic students. The author does an excellent job of introducing a wide range of mathematical concepts that all serious economists need. We strongly recommend that all M.S. Economics students purchase this textbook. 2) Mathematics for Economists, Carl P. Simon and Lawrence Blume. This is an advanced math text. This text is generally regarded as a Ph. D. level text. We recommend this book to students who wish to pursue a Ph.D. in Economics. Microeconomics: 1) Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach, Hal R. Varian. This is an introductory text usually taught at the undergraduate level. The author does an excellent job of providing economic intuition. All M.S. Economics students should be familiar with the topics in this book. We strongly encourage all M.S. Economics students to purchase this book and read it before starting the program. This book will help students refresh their memories. 2) Microeconomic with Calculus, Brian R. Binger and Elizabeth Hoffman. An advanced text that incorporates calculus. This book focuses on theory rather than applications. An excellent text book to have if a Ph.D. is the final goal. 3) The Structure of Economics: A Mathematical Approach, Eugene Silberberg and Wing Suen. An advanced text with excellent intuition. This book is a great companion piece to Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach. The text takes the intuition in Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach and adds calculus. We recommend this text for all M.S. Economics students.

California Lutheran University School of Business

Econometrics: 1) Mathematical Statistics and Data Analysis, John A. Rice. A very good intermediate statistical textbook. This is not an econometrics text. Rather, it introduces students to probability and statistics used in econometrics. The book uses a lot of integral calculus. 2) Using Econometrics: A Practical Guide, A. H. Studenmund. A very good introductory econometrics text. This book is light on the math but heavy on the intuition. The author does an excellent job of introducing econometrics to novices. We strongly recommend this text for all M.S. Economics students. 3) Econometric Analysis, William H. Greene. This text is generally regarded as a Ph. D. level text. We recommend this book to students who wish to pursue a Ph.D. in Economics. Macroeconomics: 1) Macroeconomics: a European Text, Michael Burda and Charles Wyplosz. This is an undergraduate text with excellent theory, intuition, and examples using macroeconomic data from countries around the world. It covers many topics, including newly developed research. 2) Money, Banking, and Financial Markets, Frederick Mishkin. An undergraduate book that contains necessary Financial Markets background information for understanding the study of graduate-level macroeconomic theory. 3) Macroeconomic Theory: A Dynamic General Equilibrium Approach, Michael Wickens. This is a Ph.D. level text with early chapters that are done in the M.S. Econ program. 4) Monetary Theory and Policy: Carl E. Walsh. A graduate-level Monetary Policy text. Material on the Term Structure of Interest Rates and Inflation Expectations are used in the M.S. Econ program. International Finance and Economics: 1) Money, Banking, and Financial Markets, Frederick Mishkin. An undergraduate book that contains background information on Financial Markets, Financial Instruments, and Monetary Policy. 2) International Finance and Open-Economy Macroeconomics, Giancarlo Gandolfo. This is a masters or Ph.D. level text that is more financial than economic. It covers the wide variety of topics in this field, and includes appendices with economic modeling applications. Note: Used books can save you a lot of money. In many cases, early editions will suffice. California Lutheran University School of Business