Rice Economics Fall 2015 Newsletter

RICE ECON Fall 2015 News and Views from the Economics Department at Rice WELCOME! We are excited to be starting a new school year, and delighted to report several more changes in the Economics Department that will further enhance the learning experience of our students. Most importantly, we hired two new faculty members over the summer, which means that we have expanded our faculty by seven internationally recognized scholars and outstanding teachers in the past two years. Former Rice undergraduate Jeremy T. Fox (Baker ‘98) joins us as an Associate Professor of Economics. He received his Ph.D. in Economics from Stanford University in 2003. Before joining Rice, Professor Fox taught at the University of Chicago and the University of Michigan. As discussed in our last newsletter which announced the details of our new ECON and MTEC majors, all economics majors will be required to take our new Principle of Economics (ECON 100). This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the basic concepts in microeconomics and macroeconomics for both majors and non-majors. Star lecturer James P. DeNicco was hired solely to teach ECON 100 and joins Rice as the Director of the Principles of Economics Program. “I am very excited to join Rice’s amazing Economics Department and hopefully make Rice students’ introduction to college level economics a valuable and enjoyable experience,” DeNicco said. “I aim to convert students into Economics majors!” Director DeNicco comes to Rice from the University of Tampa and has also taught at Drexel University where he was recognized with an Outstanding Ph.D. Instructor Award by the Lebow College of Business. I aim to convert students into Economics majors! George Zodrow, director of undergraduate studies in economics and Rice’s Allyn R. and Gladys M. Cline Professor of Economics, said Fox’s expertise in industrial organization, econometrics, and labor economics will perfectly complement the research interests of the ever-expanding economics faculty. “We are delighted to welcome Rice alumnus Jeremy Fox to the Economics department this fall,” said Zodrow. “I am sure that his wide-ranging teaching experience will be reflected in some excellent course offerings for both our undergraduate and graduate students. We would like to welcome our newest faculty member back to life inside the hedges!” STAY CONNECTED RICE ECON Fall 2015 For additional details, see: ECONOMICS ON THE RISE: Undergraduate Program jumps to No. 14 in the College Factual Rankings We wish all of our current and prospective majors the best of luck in the upcoming school year! --Rice Economics SAVE the DATE! join us for the Economics Undergraduate Student Reception Monday, September 21, 2015 4:00-5:00PM Farnsworth Pavilion FALL ADVISING HOURS Monday 4:00-5:00, James Brown, BKH 250 Tuesday We are also delighted to report that the Economics Department has moved up dramatically in the most recent (June 2015) ranking of U.S. undergraduate Economics programs by College Factual, an organization that uses outcomes-based data to guide students through the college selection process. The Rice Economics program is now ranked 14th in the nation, up from the No. 50 spot two years ago. Zodrow called the announcement “incredibly gratifying.” ​1 2:30-2:00, George Zodrow, BKH 260 Thursday 1:30-3:00, Flávio Cunha, BKH 270 Friday 2:00-3:30, Peter Hartley, BKH 262 ORDER YOUR ECON T-SHIRT HERE SUGGESTION BOX NEW COURSE CURRICULUM FACEBOOK ECON DEGREE REQUIREMENTS PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS MTEC DEGREE REQUIREMENTS CONTACT US ECONOMICS WEBSITE 1