We offer two different courses for the Introduction to Microeconomics: one is a lecture course (KS) where the theory is explained, and the other is an intensifying course (IK) where the theory is applied and practiced in more depth. It is recommended to take both courses together for a more comprehensive understanding.

In the winter semester, there is always an English-taught course available. In the summer semester, you have the option to take the exam in English, but no lectures are offered in English. For the intensifying courses, we offer one in the winter semester, but occasionally also in the summer semester.

Course descriptions:
KS Introduction to Microeconomics, opens an external URL in a new window
IK Introduction to Microeconomics, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements for exchange students:
Good knowledge in mathematics (algebra, differential calculus, statistics)

Availability:
KS: Winterterm (normal lecture), Summerterm (only exam in English - no lecture)
IK: Winter + Summerterm

Credits:
3 ECTS for KS
3 ECTS for IK

We offer two different courses for the introduction to macroeconomics: one is a lecture course (KS) where the theory is explained, and the other is an intensifying course (IK) where the theory is applied and practiced in more depth. It is mandatory to take both courses together for a comprehensive understanding, and these courses are only available in the summer semester.

Course descriptions:
KS Introduction to Macroeconomics, opens an external URL in a new window
IK Introduction to Macroeconomics, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements for exchange students:
Good knowledge in mathematics (algebra, differential calculus, statistics)

Availability:
Summerterm

Credits:
3 ECTS for KS
3 ECTS for IK

We offer two different courses for Data and Research Designs in Economics: one is a lecture course (KS) where the theory is explained, and the other is an intensifying course (IK) where the theory is applied and practiced in more depth.
It is recommended to take both courses together for a comprehensive understanding. There is an English-taught intensifying course (IK) available every semester, and you can take the exam in English in the lecture course (KS) every semester, but no lectures are offered in English.

Course descriptions:
KS Data and Research Designs in Economics , opens an external URL in a new window
IK Data and Research Designs in Economics , opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements for exchange students:
Foundational knowledge in statistics.

Availability:
Winter + Summerterm

Credits:
3 ECTS for KS
3 ECTS for IK

The course provides an introduction to economic topics important for business students and applied economists. It focuses on analyzing situations that firms and their managers regularly encounter, using economic insights to explain real-world behavior and inform strategic decisions.

Course description:
KS Managerial Economics, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements:
Good command of English, foundational knowledge of mathematics, and basic knowledge in economics (e.g., introductory microeconomics).

Availability:
Winter- and Summerterm

Credits:
3 ECTS

This course focuses on labor market theories and the empirical evidence supporting them. Topics include the effect of immigration, minimum wages, gender wage differences, the importance of education, and the role of public policy, with particular attention to unemployment insurance and its impact on wages and employment outcomes, including short-time work.

Course description:
KS Labour Economics, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements:
JKU regular students must have completed:

• "Introduction to Business Management"
• "Introduction to Economics"
• "Managerial Economics" OR "Personnel Economics"
  Incoming exchange students must have completed equivalent courses at their home institution.

Availability:
Winter term

Credits:
3 ECTS

Students will learn to critically evaluate financial market information and investor behavior, particularly in times of crisis and market fluctuations. They will be able to analyze financial market dynamics, apply the expected utility concept to decision-making, and construct optimal portfolios based on risk preferences and financial goals.

Course Description:
KS Financial Markets, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements:
Basic knowledge in Microeconomics (equivalent to KS + IK Introduction to Microeconomics)

Availability:
Winter-term

Credits:
3 ECTS

Students will understand the economic principles and unique characteristics of information and communication technology (ICT) markets. They will analyze market structures, business strategies, and the role of price discrimination, game theory, and network effects. The course also covers the impact of technological developments and regulations on markets and society.

Course Description:
KS New Economy, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements:
A solid knowledge of Microeconomics on an intermediate level is required. For regular JKU students, this corresponds to having completed the course “Introduction to Economics” (3 ECTS) and the course “Introduction to Microeconomics” (3 ECTS). For incoming exchange students, this corresponds to having successfully completed courses worth 6 ECTS credits in the field of Microeconomics.

Availability:
Winter-term

Credits:
3 ECTS

This course explores the question: "Why are some countries rich while others remain poor?" Students will gain an understanding of key facts about economic growth, major theoretical models, and their empirical relevance. Topics include international income differences, the Solow growth model, endogenous growth models, institutions, and natural resources.

Course description:
KS Economic Growth, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements:
A solid knowledge of Macroeconomics on an intermediate level is required. For JKU regular students, this corresponds to completing the courses "Introduction to Economics" (3 ECTS) and "Introduction to Macroeconomics" (3 ECTS). For incoming exchange students, this corresponds to having successfully completed 6 ECTS credits in Macroeconomics.

Availability:
Winter-term

Credits:
3 ECTS

This course provides an introduction to the core concepts of balance of payments and foreign exchange markets. Students will explore the monetary aspects of international economic transactions, including key topics such as balance of payments, exchange rates, foreign exchange markets, international capital mobility, purchasing power parity, and interest rate parity. The course also examines the policy options available to governments in the era of economic globalization, with a focus on international monetary systems (flexible vs. fixed exchange rates, currency unions).

Course description:
KS Balance of Payments and Exchange Rates , opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements:
A solid knowledge of Macroeconomics on an intermediate level is required. For JKU regular students, this corresponds to completing the courses "Introduction to Economics" (3 ECTS) and "Introduction to Macroeconomics" (3 ECTS). For incoming exchange students, this corresponds to having successfully completed 6 ECTS credits in Macroeconomics. Additionally, mathematical skills are important.

Availability:
Winter-term

Credits:
3 ECTS

We offer two different courses for International Economics: one is a lecture course (KS) where the theory is explained, and the other is an intensifying course (IK) where the theory is applied and practiced in more depth. It is recommended to take both courses together for a more comprehensive understanding.

The course provides students with knowledge about the determinants of international trade flows, the formulation of international corporate strategies, and the analysis of globalization trends through economic theories in international trade and political economy.

Course Descriptions:
KS International Economics, opens an external URL in a new window
IK International Economics, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements for exchange students:
Basic understanding of microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts

Availability:
Winter term

Credits:
3 ECTS for KS 
3 ECTS for IK

We offer two different courses for Intermediate Econometrics: one is a lecture course (KS) where the theory is explained, and the other is an intensifying course (IK) where the theory is applied and practiced in more depth. It is recommended to take both courses together for a more comprehensive understanding.

The aim of the courses is to provide students with an understanding of simple econometric models and the ability to critically assess empirical work. The accompanying intensifying course (IK) focuses on applying these models to economic data, with a deeper dive into multiple linear regression models.

Course Descriptions:
KS Intermediate Econometrics, opens an external URL in a new window
IK Intermediate Econometrics, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements for exchange students:
Basics in Economics and Data and Research Designs in Economics

Availability:
Winter term

Credits:
3 ECTS for KS
3 ECTS for IK

This course explores individual preferences beyond the assumptions of traditional economics, including social preferences like altruism and reciprocity. Students will learn to model time-inconsistent behavior and understand how reference points influence the evaluation of outcomes.

Course description:
KS Behavioral Economics, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements:
A solid knowledge of Microeconomics at an intermediate level is required. For JKU regular students, this corresponds to completing the courses "Introduction to Economics" (3 ECTS) and "Introduction to Microeconomics" (3 ECTS). For incoming exchange students, this corresponds to having successfully completed 6 ECTS credits in Microeconomics.

Availability:
Summer term

Credits:
3 ECTS

The course provides an introduction to economic topics important for business students and applied economists. It focuses on analyzing situations that firms and their managers regularly encounter, using economic insights to explain real-world behavior and inform strategic decisions.

Course description:
KS Managerial Economics, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements:
Good command of English, foundational knowledge of mathematics, and basic knowledge in economics (e.g., introductory microeconomics).

Availability:
Winter- and Summerterm

Credits:
3 ECTS

Students will gain knowledge about the impact of a firm's financing decisions on incentives and opportunities within the company. They will understand the trade-offs associated with standard financing tools and analyze the costs and benefits for firms, managers, and investors across different models.

Course Description:
KS The Financing of Corporations, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements:
Basic knowledge in Microeconomics (equivalent to KS + IK Introduction to Microeconomics)

Availability:
Summer-term

Credits:
3 ECTS

This course introduces students to the Economics of Inequality and Poverty, covering both theoretical and empirical perspectives. Students will learn key concepts and methods to analyze income distributions, social welfare, and inequality measurement. Topics include aggregation tools, social justice criteria, global poverty trends, and challenges in empirical analysis.

Course description:
KS Economics of Inequality, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements:
Introductory knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics is recommended.

Availability:
Summer-term

Credits:
3 ECTS

We offer two different courses for Intermediate Microeconomics: one is a lecture course (KS) where the theory is explained, and the other is an intensifying course (IK) where the theory is applied and practiced in more depth. The aim of the course is to improve knowledge and understanding of microeconomic theory and its methods beyond the basics learned in the KS and IK courses Introductory Microeconomics. The course deals on an intermediate level with theoretical models that try to explain, for example, the behavior of individuals when faced with uncertainty or imperfect information. Moreover, students will become familiar with mathematical methods frequently used in microeconomics and learn to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the respective models. By this, the course provides students with the required foundations in microeconomic analysis necessary to tackle more advanced economic courses.

It is recommended to take both courses together for a more comprehensive understanding.

Course descriptions:
KS Intermediate Microeconomics, opens an external URL in a new window
IK Intermediate Microeconomics, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements for exchange students:
Basics in Microeconomics

Availability:
Summer term

Credits:
3 ECTS for KS
3 ECTS for IK

This course introduces behavioral economics, exploring how individual preferences go beyond traditional assumptions, including aspects like altruism and reciprocity. It also examines time-inconsistent behavior (e.g., procrastination) and the importance of reference points in evaluating outcomes.

Course description:
KS Personnel Economics , opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements:
A solid knowledge of Microeconomics at an intermediate level is required. For JKU regular students, this corresponds to completing the courses "Introduction to Economics" (3 ECTS) and "Introduction to Microeconomics" (3 ECTS). For incoming exchange students, this corresponds to having successfully completed 6 ECTS credits in Microeconomics.

Availability:
To be confirmed

Credits:
3 ECTS

This master’s-level course provides an in-depth understanding of international trade theories and their real-world applications. Students will learn to apply models like comparative advantage, factor abundance, increasing returns to scale, heterogeneous firms, and the gravity model to policy questions. They will develop skills to assess the relevance of different theories and critically evaluate trade-related issues.

Course description:
KS Advanced International Trade, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements:
Good knowledge in microeconomic theory, mathematics for economists, and econometrics. Prior introduction to international trade is a plus.

Availability:
Winter Term

Credits:
3 ECTS

This course introduces the Dynamic General Equilibrium (DGE) model, a key framework in modern theoretical macroeconomics. Students will learn how this model accounts for the optimizing behavior of economic agents (households and firms) and its implications for macroeconomic variables such as aggregate consumption and GDP. By the end of the course, students will understand how economic agents form rational expectations and make optimal decisions regarding consumption, saving, and investment. The course also examines how this framework can be used to analyze the impact of economic shocks and policies.

Course description:
KS Monetary and Macroeconomics , opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
This is an advanced master’s course, so students must have a solid foundation in analytical tools such as difference and differential calculus and optimization under constraints. Knowledge of these tools will be refreshed through applications and homework assignments throughout the course.

Availability:
Winter-term

Credits:
3 ECTS

This course trains students in modern microeconomic methods to understand consumer behavior, market outcomes, and market interventions. It covers consumer theory, decision-making under risk, consumer preferences, the insurance market, general equilibrium analysis, inefficiencies from externalities and asymmetric information, and basics of auction theory.

Course description:
KS Consumer Choices and Markets Outcomes , opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
This is an advanced master’s course, so students need a solid knowledge of Microeconomics at an intermediate level.

Availability: Winter-term

Credits:
6 ECTS

This course provides a microeconomic approach to the internal organization of firms. Students learn how incentives shape behavior and how to design effective organizational structures. Key topics include hiring the right employees, structuring incentives, and optimizing firm design. Students will apply game-theoretical models to analyze the trade-offs involved in organizational decisions.

Course description:
Decisions in Firms , opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
This is an advanced master’s course, so students need a solid knowledge of Microeconomics at an intermediate level.

Availability: Winter-term

Credits:
6 ECTS

This advanced course equips students to analyze and evaluate public policies related to public, health, and environmental economics, both theoretically and empirically. Students will understand healthcare demand, the role of health insurance, and market failures due to information asymmetry. They will also explore energy economics, including the principles of energy balances, electricity markets, and the impact of externalities. The course covers methods like randomized controlled trials, difference-in-differences, and econometric models relevant to these fields, with a focus on policy evaluation and renewable energy integration.

Course description:
Public, Health, and Environmental Economics I, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
A solid foundation in intermediate microeconomics and econometric theory is necessary.

Availability: Winter-term

Credits:
6 ECTS

This advanced course deepens students' understanding of health economic concepts and theories. Students will develop the skills to analyze health economic questions and interpret research in this field. Topics include health production and behavior, methods for economic evaluation of health policies, sustainable healthcare, measurement of costs and benefits, and current issues like retirement waves among healthcare personnel.

Course description:
Health Economics II, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
A solid foundation in microeconomics and econometrics is required.

Availability: Winter-term

Credits:
4 ECTS

The course (KS) Empirical Economics is an introduction to econometrics. In parallel with the intensive course (IK) Empirical Economics, students will develop essential skills for empirical work. The focus is on understanding the intuition behind empirical methods and recognizing their range and limitations for data-driven decisions. After completing both courses, students will be able to conduct independent empirical research, use the technical terminology, and interpret econometric results. These skills are valuable not only for economic analysis but also in business practice and policy assessment. The IK provides an introduction to STATA, a statistical/econometric software package.

Course descriptions:
KS Empirical Economics, opens an external URL in a new window
IK Empirical Economics, opens an external URL in a new window

Recommended to take together

Entry requirements
This course is primarily aimed at students of economics and business analytics, but also open to students from other programs interested in empirical methods. Basic knowledge in statistics and mathematics is required. An understanding of simple economic theory is beneficial.

Availability: Winter-term

Credits:
3 ECTS for KS
3 ECTS for IK

The course "Game Theory" introduces basic concepts of non-cooperative game theory, focusing on the analysis of strategic behavior in economic and business settings. Students will explore applications in competition in oligopolistic markets, sequential bargaining, limit pricing, credence goods, political competition, and cartels. Game theory provides valuable insights for decision-making in economics but is also widely used in fields like psychology, political science, biology, and computer science. It is highly recommended to attend the accompanying intensive course (IK) for a deeper understanding.

Course descriptions:
KS Game Theory , opens an external URL in a new window
IK Game Theory , opens an external URL in a new window
Recommended to take together

Entry requirements
JKU regular students must have completed the basic core subjects in Business and Economics, including the courses “Introduction to Economics,” “Markets and Economic Decision Making,” and “Income, Employment, and Financial Markets.”

Availability: Winter-term

Credits:
3 ECTS for KS
3 ECTS for IK

Those courses explore key theories and empirical findings in Gender and Feminist Economics, including household models, care economics, and gender issues in labor markets. Students will gain the ability to explain these concepts and theories in their own words, deepening their understanding of the economic dynamics influenced by gender. Those courses provide a thorough foundation in the subject, offering insight into both theoretical and empirical research in gender economics.

Course descriptions:
KS Gender Aspects in Economics , opens an external URL in a new window
SE Gender Aspects in Economics , opens an external URL in a new window
Recommended to take together.

Entry requirements
A solid foundation in microeconomics and econometrics is required.

Availability: Summer-term

Credits:
3 ECTS for KS
3 ECTS for SE

This course provides an in-depth understanding of the relationship between competition and market outcomes. Students will apply models and modern tools to analyze market power, including in oligopolies, differentiated product markets, and information-friction markets. Topics also include the role of advertising and the application of competition and industrial policy. The course combines theory with recent empirical findings.

Course description:
KS Managerial Economics 2, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
There are no formal prerequisites to participate in this course. However, fundamentals in microeconomics and game theory are beneficial.

Availability: Summer-term

Credits:
3 ECTS

This course provides students with the background and methods to analyze firm competitive strategies from a competition policy and regulatory perspective. Students will become familiar with the legal framework of competition law in the US and the EU and explore current cases in competition policy. The course equips students with the theoretical fundamentals needed to analyze business strategies from an economic viewpoint.

Course description:
Regulation and Antitrust, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
There are no formal prerequisites to participate in this course. However, fundamentals in microeconomics and game theory are beneficial.

Availability: Summer-term

Credits:
3 ECTS

This course covers online marketplaces, including classic e-commerce (B2C and B2B), auction platforms, and stock exchanges. Students will learn the relevant theoretical and empirical backgrounds for these markets and understand the economic peculiarities that influence strategic company decisions. The course explores the role of information and communication technologies in online marketplaces, teaching students how these platforms operate. Additionally, students will apply economic principles to design online marketplaces and understand the strategic incentives of different allocation mechanisms, enabling them to derive optimal behavioral strategies for market participants.

Course description: 
KS Online Marketplace, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
Introduction to Micro-Economics, Basic knowledge of Statistics

Availability: Summer-term

Credits:
6 ECTS

This course provides a foundational understanding of multinational firms and foreign direct investment (FDI). Students will become familiar with the key theoretical concepts and empirical findings related to multinational firms and FDI. Topics include horizontal and vertical FDI, internalization versus outsourcing, and the effects of FDI on both host and home countries. The course uses a comprehensive approach, discussing facts, theories, and empirical evidence to explore the determinants and outcomes of FDI.

Course description:
The Multinational Firm in the Global Economy, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
Good knowledge in intermediate microeconomics, mathematics for economists, and econometrics.

Availability: Summer-term

Credits:
3 ECTS

This course provides students with the theoretical and practical tools needed to analyze financial markets and make decisions under risk. Topics include risk preferences, measuring risk, and pricing risk in financial markets. Students will also critically assess the functioning and regulation of financial markets, particularly in inefficient conditions, and evaluate phenomena like bubbles, herding, and market crashes through academic and empirical studies.

Course description:
KS Financial Economics and Risk, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
There are no formal prerequisites to participate in this course. However, fundamentals in microeconomics and game theory are beneficial.

Availability: Summer-term

Credits:
4 ECTS

This course focuses on labor market policies in industrialized countries, including the impact of taxes, minimum wages, and active labor market policies on employment, unemployment, and labor market participation. Students will explore migration flows, both national and international, and how labor markets adjust. The course also covers empirical studies on labor market policies and provides students with the tools to critically assess which policies are most effective for achieving desired labor market outcomes.

Course description:
Labor Markets, Unemployment, and Migration, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements, but students should have a good understanding of introductory microeconomics and macroeconomics, as well as linear regression analysis.

Availability: Summer-term

Credits:
6 ECTS

In this course, students will independently analyze and evaluate public policies related to public, health, and environmental economics, both theoretically and empirically. They will gain the skills to critically evaluate welfare analyses and discuss their implications for policy design. Students will also learn the fundamental principles of empirical methods for causal analysis, interpreting results and assessing their methodological limitations. The course equips students to develop, reflect on, and present analyses, including replication studies or empirical and theoretical evaluations, in a structured and scientifically sound manner.

Course description:
Public, Health, and Environmental Economics II, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
Knowledge of policy-evaluation methods and basics of public economics (undergraduate course) is recommended.

Availability: Summer-term

Credits:
6 ECTS

This course focuses on developing students' ability to read and critically reflect on empirical journal articles related to health economics and epidemiology. Students will recall key concepts of epidemiology, apply these concepts to practical examples, and discuss and present empirical papers that utilize these concepts. Additionally, students will critically reflect on the current state of literature on a clearly defined topic in the field.

Course description:
Epidemiology and Health Economics, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
There are no formal prerequisites to participate in this course. However, fundamentals in microeconomics and game theory are beneficial.

Availability: Summer-term

Credits:
4 ECTS

This course equips students with the theoretical foundations and practical application of causal econometric methods to evaluate policy measures and programs. Students will learn to develop research applications, interpret results, and apply methods such as matching, fixed-effects estimation, difference-in-difference, instrumental variables, and regression discontinuity design. The course focuses on understanding the principles of causal inference and their empirical use in policy evaluation. Theoretical concepts will be discussed in lectures, while practical exercises using STATA will be provided in the intensifying course.

Course descriptions:
KS Treatment Evaluation , opens an external URL in a new window
IK Treatment Evaluation , opens an external URL in a new window
recommended to take together

Entry requirements
It is recommended to have completed both the KS and IK courses "Empirical Economics," or equivalent courses at your home institution.

Availability: Summer-term

Credits:
3 ECTS for KS
3 ECTS for IK

In this seminar, students will develop the ability to critically assess academic and empirical studies on organizations and markets, engage in scholarly discourse, and contribute to academic and practical debates. They will gain a deep understanding of the relationship between organizational behavior and market dynamics, with a focus on the implications for policy and practice. Additionally, students will acquire skills in constructing and delivering clear, effective presentations.

Course description
Seminar Organization and Markets, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
A solid knowledge of microeconomics and empirical methods at an intermediate level is required.

Availability: varies

Credits:
4 ECTS

The seminar “Financial Economics” explores the incentive effects of a firm’s financing decisions and opportunities. Topics include corporate finance and its interaction with non-financial stakeholders (such as employees or suppliers), corporate governance, managerial empire building, and the effects of overconfident managers on firm behavior.

Course description:
Seminar Financial Economics , opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
A solid knowledge of microeconomics and empirical methods at an intermediate level is required. Some knowledge of corporate finance is highly recommended.

Availability: Varies

Credits:
4 ECTS

Students will develop the ability to formulate their own hypotheses, apply empirical concepts from the program to independent research projects, and effectively communicate their findings to both academic and non-academic audiences. The seminar focuses on using statistical software for descriptive and inferential analysis, addressing challenges in establishing causal relationships in health economics, and critically reflecting on research methods and findings. Students will also learn to construct datasets for empirical analysis, create reproducible do-files or scripts, and explore creative ways to present health economic research (e.g., through podcasts).

Course description:
Seminar Health , opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
Intermediate knowledge in microeconomics is required.

Availability: Varies

Credits:
4 ECTS

Students will learn how to structure and manage complex data projects, applying best practices in data organization and coding to solve analytical challenges in economic and business contexts. They will develop skills in assessing, cleaning, and preparing datasets for meaningful analysis. The course focuses on data visualization techniques, enabling students to convey complex findings clearly to support decision-making. Students will use programming tools, such as R, to manage data and generate insights, ensuring their work is both analytically robust and visually comprehensible.

Course description
KS Programming, Data Management, and Visualization, opens an external URL in a new window

Entry requirements
Basic knowledge of R is useful.

Availability: varies

Credits:
4 ECTS