Joint Master’s Program in Economics (M.Sc.)
This program is a study and research (thesis) program offering a joint master’s degree in economics (M.Sc.) from the Technion and the University of Haifa.
Specialization in Behavioral Economics
- As part of the MSc in economics we offer a new specialization track in Behavioral Economics. The curriculum in this new specialization track combines classical economics education with new and modern aspects such as social and sentimental factors, cognitive biases, unique psychological traits and bounded rationality. Acceptance criteria to the new track are the same as for the general MSc program. The track requirements are similar to those of the general program apart from the following changes: the courses Macro Economics 1 and 2 are no longer required and the mix of electives is different.
Program Objectives
The joint program in economics aims to deepen and broaden students’ theoretical knowledge of economics, and to develop their expertise in specialist subjects. The program introduces students to the most advanced economics research. Graduates of the program can expect to find work in a research capacity in the private sector or in academia.
Specialization in Behavioral Economics (new track)
As part of the MSc in economics we offer a new specialization track in Behavioral Economics. The curriculum in this new specialization track combines classical economics education with new and modern aspects such as social and sentimental factors, cognitive biases, unique psychological traits and bounded rationality. Acceptance criteria to the new track are the same as for the general MSc program. The track requirements are similar to those of the general program apart from the following changes: the courses Macro Economics 1 and 2 are no longer required and the mix of electives is different.
Teaching staff
The teaching staff in the programs includes all faculty members from the Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences and faculty members from the Department of Economics at the University of Haifa. The courses will be offered both on the University of Haifa campus (mostly on Mondays) and on the Technion campus (mostly on Wednesdays).
The faculty encourages interdisciplinary research topics and collaborations between the various fields within the faculty. A student from any field of study can choose a supervisor (and a corresponding research topic) from the list of all faculty members.
Research Topics
The Faculty encourages interdisciplinary research and cross-field cooperation. A student from any study field may choose an academic supervisor from the faculty staff.
- Artificial Intelligence (neural networks, computational learning, natural language processing…)
- Electronic Markets and Electronic Commerce
- Viral Processes (viral, ideas..) in human or computer communities
- Cognitive Robots (artificial intelligence and robotics)
- Game Theory and Decision Making
- Software Engineering (complex systems modeling and analysis)
- Knowledge and Data (information) Management
- Mathematical Logic and program verification
- Probability and Stochastic Processes
- Service Engineering (queue systems in hospitals, banks etc.)
- Data-based Operation Research
- Efficient Optimization
- Behavioral Economics
- Marketing and Strategic Theories
- Supply Chain in Dynamic and Multi-data environment.
- Various subjects in Information and Data Science.
- Network algorithms
- Distributed algorithms
- Self stabilizing systems
- Optimization in the face of uncertainty
- Network security and fault tolerance
Curriculum
The program requires six core courses and three elective courses, as well as a research thesis. The requirements are detailed below.
It should be noted that while the program requirements for students associated with the Technion and with the University of Haifa are identical, the two institutions weight their credits differently, and the same course will occasionally appear under slightly different names. The course names and credits are listed separately for the two institutions in the table below.
| Technion | Haif Umiversity | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Points | Course Number | Course Name | Credit Points |
| 00960520 | Microeconomic Theory 1 | 3.5 | 5200 | Microeconomic Theory 1 | 4 |
| 00960531 | Mathematical Methods in Economics (*) | 2.5 | 5102 | Mathematical Methods in Economics (*) | 3 |
| 00980511 | Macroeconomic Theory A | 3 | 5204 | Macroeconomic Theory 1 | 4 |
| 00980512 | Macroeconomic Theory B | 3 | 5205 | Macroeconomic Theory 2 | 4 |
| 00960530 | Macroeconomic Theory B | 3.5 | 5202 | Macroeconomic Theory 2 | 4 |
| 00980581 | Advanced Econometrics | 3.5 | 5600 | Advanced Econometrics | 4 |
| Sum | 19 | 23 | |||
*If taken as an elective course during undergraduate studies, this course must be replaced by another course with the same number of credits.
Elective Courses
All students must take three elective courses with a total weighting of at least 11 credits at the Technion and 9 credits (semester weekly hours) at the University of Haifa (these courses are in addition to any elective taken to replace a core requirement, as discussed above). Electives are chosen from a list published each year by the academic committee that oversees the program. Thesis supervisors are authorized to require specific elective courses needed for writing the thesis, with approval of the academic committee.
Master's degree in Economics with a specialization in Behavioral Economics
Study requirements: A total of 30 credits according to the following breakdown:
All required courses from the regular program, except for Macro I and Macro II, and in addition, the following list of courses:
| Technion | Haifa University | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Points | Course Number | Course Name | Credit Points |
| 00980603 | Data Collection and Research in the Behavioral Sciences | 2.5 | שיטות מחקר אמפירי | 3 | |
| Laboratory Experiments as a Research Tool | 3.5 | Laboratory Experiments as a Research Tool | 4 | ||
| Seminar in Behavioral Financ | 3.5 | Seminar in Behavioral Financ | 4 | ||
| 00960690 | Behavioral Economics | 2.5 | Behavioral Economics | 4 | |
| Elective course in Behavioral Sciences | 2.5 | Elective course in Behavioral Sciences | 3 | ||
| Elective course in Economics | 2.5 | Elective course in Economics | 3 | ||
| סך-הכול | 17 | 21 | |||
Note: The thesis advisor of the student may require the study of other specific elective courses necessary for writing the thesis, with the approval of the academic committee overseeing the program.