The Department of Economics was established as an independent unit in 1969. Since then we have grown to a strong research and teaching department with an impressive record of student success.
Research
The Department has 35 faculty members, many of whom are active in research. Our research fields cover a broad range including econometrics, development, economic theory, environment and natural resources, health, industrial organization, international trade, labour economics, law and economics, macro and monetary economics, and public economics. Our faculty members publish in the very best economics journals and many have been awarded research grants, which provide research opportunities for our graduate students.
Teaching and Learning
Programs for both undergraduate and graduate students emphasize the three E’s of Waterloo Economics: Education, Experience, Employment. Our students apply the theories they learn in class to real economic scenarios, and gain hands-on experience through our renowned co-op work option.
The Economics’ undergraduate program has about 400 majors in their second, third or fourth year of study. Economics is also a popular choice as a minor. Many of our undergraduate students go on to graduate studies in the country’s best departments of economics. Others go on to good jobs in the private or public sectors.
Every year we enroll about 25 students in our MA program and about 5 students in our PhD program. We take pride in having a small graduate program, which allows us to focus on individual student mentorship. Our graduate students receive the very best training in econometrics and data analysis skills, which opens up excellent employment opportunities.