Bachelor of Arts in Economics

All majors in economics must complete a basic program that includes mathematics, principles of economics, intermediate microeconomic theory, intermediate macroeconomic theory, and statistics. Two tracks toward a major are offered. Option I, the Major in Economics, is less structured and allows more flexibility in the choice of courses. Option II, the Major in Quantitative Economics, follows a more mathematical approach to the study of economics and provides the background recommended for those contemplating graduate study in economics or the more quantitative areas of business and finance. Under either major option, it is recommended that students begin taking the principles course and required mathematics courses during their first year, and begin taking the core economic theory courses during their second year. Once the principles and core prerequisites have been met, a wide range of elective courses is available. Restrictions on the choice of electives for each major are summarized below. A minimum grade of C- is required for all mathematics, core, and elective courses used to satisfy major requirements. Declaring an Economics Major Declaring an Economics Major requires that you: Complete a Declaration of Major Form (also available in Dowling Hall) Have your pre-major advisor sign your Declaration of Major Form Meet with an Economics advisor and have your new advisor sign your Declaration of Major Form Deliver the original Declaration of Major Form to the Dowling Hall Service Desk To choose an Economics Advisor you may: Contact any advisors to determine their availability. Speak to a staff member in the Economics office to request help. Learning Objectives Economics Use fundamental economics concepts - such as scarcity, incentives, trade-offs, opportunity costs, comparative advantage, price system, efficient allocation of resources, market failures, government failures, and scope of fiscal, monetary, and regulatory policies. Apply economic theory to a range of economic issues across a variety of fields and economics sub-disciplines, and effectively communicate their analysis. Use basic statistical and econometric methods - including data gathering, data analysis, and hypothesis testing -- in applied empirical work.