M.A. and Advanced Certificate: Information and Internet Economics (45 credits)

The program in Information and Internet economics is a cooperative venture of the Departments of Economics, Computer Science and Engineering; School of Informatics; the Management Sciences and Systems program; and the School of Law. The program reflects the growth of interest in economics and other disciplines in the ongoing "information revolution" and its impact on transaction costs, industrial composition, financial markets, international trade and exchange, and product and process innovation.

The purpose of the specialization is to increase students' understanding of the impact of information technology in all of these areas. It aims to enhance students' ability to assess the cost and value of alternative information systems and channels. It also aims at increasing students' ability to utilize information and econometric tools to provide research and consulting work bearing on the role of information technology at the enterprise and market level.

Emphasis is placed on courses in information economics, industrial organization, and international economics, as well as information systems, e-commerce, data mining, and the legal aspects associated with computer technology and e-commerce.

Listed below are sample course plans to give students a better idea about what their coursework timetable might look like. Please note that this is for illustration purposes only. If you have any questions or concerns regarding appropriate coursework, please make sure to e-mail ecoma@buffalo.edu prior to registration.

M.A.: Thirty credit hours including the five core M.A. courses plus it is recommended, plus it is recommended courses form the "list of required courses" for the specialization but not more than two outside the Department of Economics. Successful completion of the M.A. Macro/Micro Comprehensive Examination. Note: Despite taking various International Economics electives, you would only confer the M.A. degree.

M.A. & Advanced Certificate: Forty-Five credit hours including the five core M.A. courses, all of the required courses plus at least one course from the list of electives. Successful completion of the M.A. Macro/Micro Comprehensive Examination.

Courses Required
ECO 555 Information and Internet Economics
ECO 569 Industrial Organization
MGS 616 Decision Support Systems (prerequisite: ECO 555)
MGS 659 E-Commerce (prerequisite: ECO 555)
Electives
ECO 535 International Economics
ECO 536 International Finance
ECO 595 Topics in International Economics
ECO 597 Internship in Applied Economics (requires: approval of M.A. program director)
COM 621 The Evolution of the Internet
COM 622 Communication Technology and Public Policy
COM 627 The Internet & Society
CSE 731 Data Mining
CSE 732 Electronic Commerce
MGS 607 Technology Management and E-Business
LAW xxx Intellectual Property
LAW xxx E-Commerce Law (1 credit)
LAW xxx Intellectual Property and the Internet-Cyber Piracy (1 credit)
LAW xxx Trademark Law (1 credit)

Upon successful completion of the above 45 credit hours of coursework and passing both parts of the M.A. Comprehensive Exam, a student will confer the M.A. degree in Economics & Advanced Certificate in Applied Economics with a concentraiton in Information & Internet Economics.

M.A. and Advanced Certificate: Information and Internet Economics (45 credits)

1 1/2 Years (Fall Admission)
Fall (Semester 1)
Course # Title Credits
ECO 505 Microeconomic Theory 3
ECO 555 Info and Internet Economics 3
ECO 580 Econometrics I 3
MGS 607 Tech. Mgmt. & E-Business 3
ECO 535 International Economics 3
15 Credit Hours
Spring (Semester 2)
Course # Title Credits
ECO 507 Macroeconomic Theory 3
ECO 536 International Finance 3
ECO 595 Topics in International Econ 3
MGS 616 Decision Suport Systems 3
MGS 659 E-Commerce 3
15 Credit Hours
Fall (Semester 3)
Course # Title Credits
ECO 569 Industrial Organization 3
ECO 576 Topics in Microeconomics 3
ECO 581 Econometerics II 3
ECO Info and Internet Elective 3
ECO Info and Internet Elective 3
Macro/Micro Comp Exam (November)
15 Credit Hours
45 Credit Hours

M.A. and Advanced Certificate: Information and Internet Economics (45 credits)

1 1/2 Years (Spring Admission)
Spring (Semester 1)
Course # Title Credits
ECO 505 Microeconomic Theory 3
ECO 507 Macroeconomic Theory 3
ECO 580 Econometrics I 3
ECO 536 International Finance 3
ECO Info and Internet Elective 3
15 Credit Hours
Fall (Semester 2)
Course # Title Credits
ECO 576 Topics in Microeconomics 3
ECO 535 International Economics 3
ECO 569 Industrial Organization 3
ECO 555 Info and Internet Economics 3
MGS 607 Tech. Mgmt. & E-Business 3
15 Credit Hours
Spring (Semester 3)
Course # Title Credits
ECO 595 Topics in International Econ 3
ECO 581 Econometrics II 3
MGS 616 Decision Suport Systems 3
MGS 659 E-Commerce 3
ECO Info and Internet Elective 3
Macro/Micro Comp Exam (April)
15 Credit Hours
45 Credit Hours