• Experimental Economics at the undergraduate level
• Experimental Economics at the postgraduate level
• Grant applications for running experiments
Experimental Economics was introduced in the University's curriculum
for the first time in August 2007. It is currently taught as a separate
elective course for 3rd year students of Economics by
Dr. Nikos Nikiforakis .
The aim of including Experimental Economics in the curriculum was to introduce
students to the use of laboratory experiments for research purposes, as well as
to provide them with an alternative platform for approaching problems in
Economics.
The course delivered by Dr. Nikiforakis is divided in two parts. Each week
a practical laboratory session in which students participate in experiments
is followed by a lecture in which experiment results are discussed and the
underlying theory behind Experimental Economics is gradually introduced.
For more information about the course please refer to the
course outline .
Another subject offered by the University which relates to Experimental
Economics is Behavioural Economics taught by
Prof. Ian McDonald . The aim of this course is to demonstrate the ways
in which Behavioural Economics extends traditional Economics by incorporating
insights into human behaviour derived from Psychology and Sociology. Students
in this course gain knowledge of the various applications of Behavioural
Economics to both microeconomic and macroeconomic topics and
are introduced to research techniques emphasized in Behavioural
Economics, such as experimental methods.
For more information about the course please refer to the
course outline .
Students wishing to pursue further studies in Experimental Economics have
the option of enrolling in a PhD programme. Applications are welcome from
students who have completed a four-year honours degree from an Australian
university, or a qualification or combination of qualifications
considered by the University of Melbourne Research and Higher Degree Committee
to be equivalent. The qualification(s) must include a specialisation in
Economics and Econometrics to a level that satisfies the pre-requisites for
the PhD coursework component. A research project in Economics or Econometrics
equivalent to 25% of a final honours year must have been successfully completed.
Further details about the structure of PhD programmes at the Department of
Economics, entry requirements and the application process can be found in the
research prospectus of the Faculty of Economics and Commerce.
Before making a research proposal, prospective PhD students should contact
academic staff members with relevant research interests to discuss the
possibility of supervision. The Department of Economics has a vibrant
team of experimentalists who work in the field
of both Economic Theory and Applied Economics. You can find out about all
the areas of research of the academic staff at the Department of Economics
here .
Students who need funding in order to run experiments as part of their work on their
Honours thesis can apply by filling out a Grant application form . The form should then be
forwarded to the Head of the Department of Economics, Prof. Nills Olekalns.
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