Economics is now a Science option
Economics can now be taken as a major subject
in the BSc and BSc(Hons) degrees or as a subject of study
for the PGDipSci and MSc.
As a consequence of this change, BSNS 104
and all papers with an ECON code can now be counted as Science
(or Commerce or Arts) points. This makes Economics one of
only two subjects at Otago that may be freely taken in three
degree programmes (which only goes to show what an important
and versatile subject it is!).
Please click on one of the following links
if you would like more information about how to study Economics
in a Science degree: BSc,
BSc Honours,
PGDipSci
& MSc
Latest Discussion Paper
The latest Discussion Paper to be added to
our 2011
Discussion Paper Series is:
"The impact of US fresh milk production
standards on dairy trade" by P. Dorian Owen and Niven
Winchester
Abstract: We analyse the impact of proposed
changes in US legislation to allow greater use of dairy concentrate
products in the production of fresh milk products. This change
could potentially have a large impact on dairy trade as US
tariffs on concentrated dairy products are low relative to
average dairy tariffs. Our investigation builds a global model
that identifies six dairy commodities and includes a detailed
specification of the production of fresh milk products. We
find that proposed changes in US legislation may lead to large
proportional changes in US imports of concentrated milk products
from some sources. However, as proposed changes in US regulations
will only facilitate a small increase in the use of concentrated
milk products in the production of fresh milk products, there
are only small changes in global dairy production. We supplement
results from our simulation model with a gravity analysis.
Our results indicate that trade in concentrated milk products
is positively related to aggregate dairy tariffs and negatively
related to concentrated milk tariffs. This suggests that large
tariffs on some dairy commodities influence the overall pattern
of dairy trade.
Sophie Kate Elliott Memorial Prize
Sophie Elliott completed a First Class Honours
degree in Economics in 2007 and was due to start her career
at the New Zealand Treasury in Wellington in January 2008.
Sophie shone academically, but she was about
more than outstanding grades, She was truly engaged with learning
for its own sake. She wanted to understand more deeply and
was keen to debate the big issues.
Tragically, Sophie died on 9 January 2008
after an attack at her family home.
In memory of Sophie, the University has established
The Sophie Kate Elliott Memorial Prize, which offers an annual
prize for achievement in fourth-year Economics Honours.
