By the end of their degree, students are expected to:

LO1 – Master their field of studies and its specific set of methods;

LO2 – Be able to conceive and execute research and/or diagnostic plans which may represent an original contribute for the progress of scientific knowledge in Economics;

LO3 – Have creative and critical sense as regards research in the specific study area, being able to identify limitations and present solutions to overcome them;

LO4 – Know how to communicate their contribution to society and among peers, and publish their research results in scientific journals within their expert area.

In the scope of the research project, students shall be able to produce critical essays on a number of articles on topics related and belonging to a sub-branch of Economics and, from those readings and research, be able to propose a novel and coherent research topic within that sub-branch (LO1; LO2; LO3).

Critical thinking, ability to assess, test and demonstrate are strongly encouraged in the teaching/learning and knowledge evaluation methods adopted in the elective curricular units (LO1; LO3).

The evaluation of the dissertation project by an evaluation panel in the scope of the curricular unit Research Project in Economics enhances the development of communication and synthesis skills (LO2; LO3; LO4).Throughout the doctoral programme, during the thesis development stage, students shall be able to autonomously apply previously acquired knowledge to new topics and contexts and disseminate this knowledge through the publication of working papers, their presentation and subsequent publication in scientific journals within the area of expertise (LO4).