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​Marketing Science Curriculum

Prior to the first year – mandatory attendance at math camp (offered through the Economics department)
First Year

Recommended Course Sequence

First Semester

MEC 610 Microeconomics I (3 credits)
Econometrics Course* (3 credits)
MKT680 or 681 Machine Learning for Business Applications (3 credits)
B53 620 Empirical Methods in Business** (3 credits)
Olin PhD Marketing Courses (variable)

Second Semester

MEC 611 Microeconomics II (3 credits)
L11 Quantitative Methods II (3 credits)
Olin PhD Marketing Courses (variable)

*Students may choose one Econometrics course from the following options. All courses are not offered every semester, and courses are subject to change.

Options:
L11 5161 Applied Econometrics
B54 670 Seminar in Econometrics

**Exact timing of when students take B53 620 Empirical Methods in Business depends on course schedule.

The order of classes may change due to availability, and classes may be substituted with approval. A communications course (that focuses on oral communication) is also recommended during the first two year. When the student takes the course is determined by the student and his/her advisor.

Research

  • Attend Marketing Seminars
  • Begin research collaborations

Milestones/Hurdles

  • In the summer after the first year, students must meet with the faculty coordinator to discuss progress and complete a progress report to be submitted to the PhD Office by August 1st after the first year.
  • Micro Prelim Exam (Offered in June, students must receive a “Distinction/Honors” or “PhD pass” to continue in the PhD program. One retake of the exam is permitted.)
    Exemptions: Students do not need to take the exam if they (i) obtain an average A- grade or above for the two Microeconomics courses in the first year, or (ii) obtain an average A- grade or above for all courses taken in the first year.
  • In August after the first year, students must attend an RA/TA orientation offered by The Teaching Center.
  • First-year research paper: Students are required to finish the paper and present to the marketing faculty before the end of the Fall semester in the second year.
Second Year

Courses

MKT680 or 681 Machine Learning for Business Applications (3 credits)
Olin PhD Marketing Courses
Electives (directed readings, independent studies)

Research

  • Attend Marketing Seminars

Milestones/Hurdles

  • Qualifying field exam: Students are required to pass the exam by the end of September. One retake of the exam is permitted.
  • Second-Year research paper: Students are required to finish the paper and present to the marketing faculty before the end of the Fall semester in the second year.
  • In the summer, students must meet with the faculty coordinator to discuss progress and complete a progress report to be submitted to the PhD Office by August 1st.
Third Year

Courses

B53 660 Seminar in Presentation Skills (fall semester, required)
Improvisation Course

Research

  • Attend Marketing Seminars
  • Paper Presentations (brown bag seminars and conferences)
  • Dissertation Research

Milestones/Hurdles

  • In the summer, students must meet with the faculty coordinator to discuss progress and complete a progress report to be submitted to the PhD Office by August 1st.
Fourth Year

Research

  • Attend Marketing Seminars
  • Paper Presentations (brown bag seminars and conferences)
  • Dissertation Research

Milestones/Hurdles

  • Dissertation Proposal – students must be able to assemble a Research Advisory Committee for the proposal of their dissertation and must submit a Title, Scope and Procedure Form as the committee’s approval of the proposed dissertation by September 30th after the fourth year.
  • In the summer, students must meet with the faculty coordinator to discuss progress and complete a progress report to be submitted to the PhD Office by August 1st.
Fifth Year

Research

  • Attend Marketing Seminars
  • Paper Presentations (job market paper presentations with faculty and at conferences)
  • Dissertation Research

Milestones/Hurdles

  • Intent to Graduate (complete form online)
  • Job Market and Placement • Oral Defense of Dissertation
  • Submission of Examination Approval Form which signifies committee’s approval
  • Upload of Final, Approved Dissertation to Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
  • Submission of Documented Teaching Requirements to PhD Office

PhD Marketing Science Courses

  • MKT 601 Consumer Behavior I
  • MKT 602 Consumer Behavior II
  • B55 MKT 670 Seminar in Marketing Management
  • B55 MKT 673 Analytical Modeling in Marketing
  • B55 MKT 674 Judgment and Decision Making
  • B55 MKT 675 Empirical Methods in Structural Modeling
  • B55 MKT 678 Independent Study in Marketing
  • B55 MKT 679 Directed Readings in Marketing
Download Marketing Science PhD course descriptions