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International Economics and Finance

Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Program Website: http://economics.ryerson.ca (opens in new window) 
Administered by: Department of Economics
Program Format: Full-time, four-year program.

The International Economics and Finance program combines the theoretical aspects of economics and quantitative methods with the practical skills and social awareness needed to apply this knowledge in an effective manner. It is the only economics degree of its kind in Canada - combining a formal internship with an international focus.

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U courses in: English and Mathematics (one of Grade 12 U Advanced Functions (MHF4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) or Mathematics of Data Management (MDM4U).

Notes:

  1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English. 
  2. Grade 12 U Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) or Advanced Functions (MHF4U) are the preferred Mathematics courses.
  3. The grade(s) required in the subject prerequisites (normally in the 65-70 percent range) will be determined subject to competition.
  4. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

Few contemporary trends are as significant as the integration of the global economy. With the rapid expansion in international trade and cross-border investment flows, businesses throughout the world are being forced to meet foreign competition with improved products and streamlined production methods, in markets at home as well as abroad. These trends have produced rewarding new career opportunities for graduates who possess a solid understanding of the global economy and have the skills required to evaluate and manage risk in a global setting. These careers require not just a practical grasp of economic theory, but also a capacity to access relevant data sources and judge their reliability, model economic relationships, and provide forecasts of key economic variables.

Upon graduation, students will be ready to take on challenging positions in global business, finance, or the public sector, in fields such as international market research, global mutual funds, or policy evaluation. Graduates of the program can also further their education through graduate studies such as an MA in Economics or an MBA. Whatever a student’s particular career path, their future success will be based in large part on the broadly based proficiency they have acquired with this degree.

The goals of the program are:

  • To provide students with a highly structured and rigorous program of study combining both analytical depth and hands-on practical experience.
  • To develop graduates with a range of skills and knowledge in high demand in today’s workplace:
    • analytical proficiency in economic theory, statistical techniques (including forecasting), and finance (in areas such as foreign exchange and derivative securities)
    • a knowledge of international agreements and organizations (e.g. NAFTA, WTO, the IMF), basic business practices (financial accounting and managerial finance), and a range of historical, political and cultural issues (through core courses in subjects such as economic history, international relations, and non-Western philosophy)
    • well-developed communications skills with a series of oral reports, written essays, and computer-based assignments spread throughout the four years of study
    • integrated learning, with three capstone courses (a special project, a seminar course on a geographic region or economic sector, and country risk analysis) in the final year of study, allowing students to apply their knowledge and skills while exploring specialized topics in the same professional manner as expected during their future careers

During their years of study at Ryerson, students will benefit from the professional expertise of the Economics faculty. Department members specialize in areas as diverse as trade theory, financial theory, econometrics, economic development, industrial organization, economic history, and public finance. The Department also has a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching.

Students have a chance to interact with professional economists in private industry and government, who participate in the program as guest lecturers, advisers on special projects and sponsors of work placements. These professional economists include members of the program advisory committee.

Internship

Integral to the degree is an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and skills in a practical context. All students in the program are required to participate in a three-month internship between the programs third and fourth years*. The benefits of this work placement are considerable. Students gain a valuable employment record while forging vital professional contacts for their future careers. They also deepen their understanding of real world opportunities and challenges as they refine their career goals. Moreover, the internship’s position between the third and fourth years of the program means it will help enrich each student’s final year of study.

* Students may be offered the opportunity by some employers to extend their internship to 16 months.

Internship courses are graded on a pass/fail basis. Participation and successful completion of an internship course, however, appears on the student’s academic transcript.

Liberal Studies

Students must take two lower level liberal studies courses and four upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Economics courses and PHL 214 are not available for credit.

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Economics courses are not available for credit.  

Minors

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

1st & 2nd Semester

1st Semester

REQUIRED:

ECN 101 Principles of Microeconomics
ECN 109* Basic Mathematics for Economics
SSH 105 Critical Thinking I

REQUIRED-GROUP 1: One course from Table I.

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

* Challenge Exam is available for ECN 109. Contact the Economics Department for more information.  

2nd Semester

REQUIRED:

ECN 189 Introduction to Mathematics for Economics
ECN 201 Principles of Macroeconomics
ECN 220 Evolution of the Global Economy
SSH 205 Academic Writing and Research

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
One course from Table I or Table III.

  

3rd & 4th Semester

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

ECN 129 Statistics for Economics I
ECN 230 Mathematics for Economics
ECN 301 Intermediate Macroeconomics I
ECN 320 Introduction to Financial Economics
ECN 504 Intermediate Microeconomics I

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

ECN 329 Statistics for Economics II
ECN 600 Intermediate Macroeconomics II
ECN 700 Intermediate Microeconomics II
FIN 401 Managerial Finance II

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

  

5th & 6th Semester

Revised curriculum begins 2017-2018 for students admitted Fall 2015 and after.

5th Semester

REQUIRED:

ECN 606 International Monetary Economics
ECN 627 Econometrics I
FIN 501 Investment Analysis

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One course from the following:

ECN 900*† Internship
WKT 77A/B Economics Co-op Program

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

6th Semester

REQUIRED:

ECN 620 Applied Economic Analysis
ECN 702 Econometrics II
ECN 707 Economics of International Trade
FIN 601 Derivatives

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
One course from Table III or Table IV.

*The Internship course ECN 900 will normally extend into the subsequent Spring/Summer Term. Contact the Economics Department (opens in new window)  for further information.

†This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.

  

7th & 8th Semester

REQUIRED:

ECN 723 Applied Research Methods

LIBERAL STUDIES:
Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL: Three courses from Table II.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
Two courses required from Table III or Table IV.

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
Two courses from either Table II, Table III, or Table IV.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

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