PhD Macroeconomics II

ECS507 PhD Macroeconomics II

Autumn 2025

  • Topics

    This course is designed for first year PhD students. We will use a basic neo-classical macro model as a workhorse to introduce price frictions and heterogeneity in turn. Knowledge of a basic Real Business Cycle (RBC) model is a prerequisite.

    The models we use and tools we learn is of interest even if you do not wish to become a macroeconomist. Several features, such as monopolistic competition and incomplete markets, are used in other fields as well.

  • Learning outcome

    Upon completion of the course, the student can:

    Knowledge

    • Formulate the standard RBC model
    • Discuss how to introduce sticky prices into RBC models
    • Solve for optimal monetary policy

    Skill

    • Formulate and solve a dynamic optimisation problem
    • Solve system of linear equations using log linearisation

    General competence

    • Convert real world concerns and policy debate to formal modelling
    • Build a research idea

  • Teaching

    The course consists of plenary lectures.

  • Restricted access

    • PhD candidates at NHH
    • PhD candidates at Norwegian institutions
    • PhD candidates at other institutions
    • PhD candidates from the ENGAGE.EU alliance
    • Motivated master’s students may be admitted after application, but are subject to the approval from the course responsible on a case by case basis
    • Individuals outside academia may be admitted after application, but are subject to the approval from the course responsible and the Vice Rector for Research on a case by case basis

  • Recommended prerequisites

    ECS506 PhD Macroeconomics I

  • Compulsory Activity

    Participation in class and completion of 3 mandatory assignments.

    Compulsory activities (work requirements) are valid for one semester after the semester they were obtained.

  • Assessment

    1 assignment is handed out after the last lecture and has a submission deadline of three weeks.

    Re-take is offered the semester after the course was offered for students with valid compulsory activities.

  • Grading Scale

    Pass-fail

  • Computer tools

    Matlab

Overview

ECTS Credits
7.5
Teaching language
English.
Teaching Semester

Spring.

Course responsible

Associate Professor Krisztina Molnar, Department of Economics (main course responsible)

Professor Tommy Sveen, BI Oslo