Methods and Models for Economic Decisions - 2021-2022 | Università degli studi dell'Insubria

Academic Year 2021/2022 XXXVII Cycle

Methods and Models for Economic Decisions - 2021-2022

DIPARTIMENTO DI ECONOMIA

Course website:

https://www.eco.uninsubria.it/PhDMMED

Course location: via Montegeneroso, 71, 21100 Varese

Coordinator

MOSCATI IVAN

Duration: 3 years

Description of the course

Area scientifica:13-Scienze economiche e statistiche
Settori scientifico-disciplinari:SECS-P01, SECS-P02, SECS-P03, SECS-P04, SECS-P05, SECS-P06, SECS-P07, SECS-P08, SECS-P12; SECS-S03, SECS-S06.
Topic and goals:

A significant part of economic analysis focuses on decision-making processes. Consumers and producers, workers and firms, banks and managers, households and policy makers continuously make decisions which are economically relevant. Economists are interested in understanding, predicting or modifying the processes underlying these decisions.

The analysis of decisions relies on methods and models that differ significantly across various fields of economic research. For instance, classical decision theory is largely based on abstract mathematical models, while more recent research in behavioral decision theory often relies on experimental methods. Econometric tools are used to investigate the determinants of specific decisions, such as those concerning labor, transports, or health. Computational methods are used to simulate how artificial agents interact, and to investigate the economic effects of their interaction.

The PhD program in Methods and Models for Economic Decisions trains young researchers to master the variety of theoretical and applied approaches that are used in economics for analyzing decision-making processes. In the first year of the program, students attend compulsory courses where they acquire a broad set of research skills in theoretical and data analysis, that allow them to tackle the complex phenomena related to decision making. During the second and third year of the program, students focus on their own research under the supervision of a faculty member and interact in seminars and reading groups in their field of interest.

The program strongly encourages students to spend part of their PhD abroad and supports them in gaining international experience. The central goal of the program is to create independent researchers, who can then pursue an academic career in leading universities or obtain research positions in private firms or international organizations.

For more information see: https://www.eco.uninsubria.it/PhDMMED

Admission requirements

Frequency

For each PhD cycle, the Academic Year begins November 1st and ends October 31stof the next year.

FIRST YEAR STUDENTS
In order to be admitted to the second year, first year students need to pass all the exams and submit all the required essays no later than the 15th of September of the first year. Failed exams can be retaken only once. All retakes should be carried out by the 15th of October. Failing twice to pass any exam prevents admission to second year and it involves the suspension of the fellowship.
By the 15th of September, first year students also need to choose a supervisor, among the members of the PhD board. A co-supervisor can also be chosen among other academics or practitioners who are not members of the PhD board.

SECOND YEAR STUDENTS
In order to be admitted to the third year, students need to have completed at least one working paper and to have submitted it, through the supervisor, to the PhD board by the 15th of September of the second year. Failure to submit a working paper with the following requirements will prevent admission to the third year and involves the suspension of the fellowship.
The working paper is an original research essay that contains at least some preliminary results with good potential for future publication, according to the supervisor’s evaluation. It needs to appear in the Economic Department WP series or any other official WP series.
In a workshop that takes place during the spring of the second year, students present their preliminary work to the PhD board.

THIRD YEAR STUDENTS
The PhD dissertation should satisfy the following minimal requirements:
One chapter of literature review;
Two chapters containing two original pieces of research. The two chapters do not need to be already published as peer-reviewed articles, but they should have a strong potential to be published in peer-review journals.It is the responsibility of the supervisor to assess the quality of such chapters and decide whether they are apt for the PhD dissertation.
Students are strongly encouraged to produce more than the minimal requirements described above. Any original result already published or accepted for publication on a peer reviewed scientific journal will be highly appreciated.
In a workshop that takes place during the spring of the third year, students will present their work to the PhD board.

FOR ALL STUDENTS
Attendance of the Departmental Seminars is mandatory for PhD students when not abroad for research purposes.
Students’ mobility: the PhD board strongly encourages students to pursue their research interests in other leading international research institutions. From the beginning of the second year, but not before having completed all first-year exams and duties, students can apply for visiting other universities or research institutions. The application is subject to approval by the supervisor and the PhD director. Activities to be conducted abroad should be clearly related to the student’s doctoral project.
Guidelines for the submission of the PhD dissertation and viva vocem examination can be found here.

Training activity

Contacts

Enroll

Coordinator

MOSCATI IVAN

Duration: 3 years