Students must also have at least two semesters of calculus before starting the Ph.D. core. The two semester sequence in econometrics requires some background in mathematical statistics and students often take preparatory courses before taking the econometrics sequence.
Students taking an outside minor can substitute two courses in the minor field.
Other courses include economic history, economic development, history of economic thought, and public finance. Students may also take field courses at Duke University or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. These requirements differ slightly for students entering the Ph.D. program in Spring semester 1998. The new Field course requirements are listed below. Four of the six must be made up of two-semester sequences.