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College of Arts and Sciences - Curriculum Guide

Economics

Steven A. Morrison, PhD, Professor and Chair

Professors
M. Shahid Alam, PhD
Barbara M. Fraumeni, PhD
Daryl A. Hellman, PhD
Sungwoo Kim, PhD
John E. Kwoka Jr., PhD
Andrew M. Sum, MA

Associate Professors
Neil O. Alper, PhD
Oscar T. Brookins, PhD
Kamran M. Dadkhah, PhD
Alan W. Dyer, PhD
Gregory H. Wassall, PhD
Assistant Professor
Dave N. Norris, PhD

Economics is the study of how societies produce and exchange goods and services to satisfy material needs. Economists analyze the process of economic growth and identify policies that contribute to economic stability and progress.

In the economics program, students examine the sources of economic growth-how societies produce more of what they need. Undergraduates study economics as part of a broad interest in the social sciences to develop specialized skills useful in today's complex labor market. The major in economics is a good foundation for graduate studies in advanced economics, public policy, law, or business.

Macroeconomics, which focuses on the overall economy, deals with such problems as inflation, unemployment, growth and instability, economic development, and governmental monetary and fiscal policies.

Microeconomics examines the economic behavior of individuals, households, firms, industries, and trade among countries. It seeks to assess the economic effects of market power and environmental damage and analyzes the economic aspects of natural resources, poverty, health, income distribution, trade unions, and government regulation.

Courses in economics cover international trade; the behavior of families, firms, and industries in the market economy; the environmental costs of growth; and the economic aspects of natural resources, poverty, health, labor market discrimination affecting women and minorities, trade unions, and governmental oversight. International and comparative perspectives are emphasized, most directly in courses in economic development of the developing world and economic history.

Graduates may find jobs in federal, state, and local governments, major corporations, or financial institutions. Their work may involve planning and forecasting, assessing labor needs, and making financial studies. They may estimate consumer demand for new products, conduct research, teach, or provide specialized consulting services.

See course descriptions for more information.

Bachelor of Arts Curriculum

ECN 1215, Macroeconomic Theory; ECN 1216, Microeconomic Theory; ECN 1220, History of Economic Thought; ECN 1250, Statistics; and eight other economics courses, of which at least six must be upper-level (non-Pathway) electives. MTH 1113, College Mathematics for Business and Economics; MTH 1114, Calculus for Business and Economics; MSC 1226, Computer-Based Information Systems or COM 1105, Computer Science and Its Applications; and four social science electives other than economics.

In order to graduate with a BA in economics, a student's grades in the four core courses, ECN 1215, ECN 1216, ECN 1220, and ECN 1250, must average to a C (2.0 QPA) or better.

In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.

Bachelor of Science Curriculum

ECN 1215, Macroeconomic Theory; ECN 1216, Microeconomic Theory; ECN 1250, Statistics; ECN 1260, Applied Econometrics; and twelve other economics courses, of which at least nine must be upper-level (non-Pathway) electives. MTH 1113, College Mathematics for Business and Economics; MTH 1114, Calculus for Business and Economics; MSC 1226, Computer-Based Information Systems or COM 1105, Computer Science and Its Applications; and four social science electives other than economics.

In order to graduate with a BS in economics, a student's grades in the four core courses, ECN 1215, ECN 1216, ECN 1250, and ECN 1260, must average to a C (2.0 QPA) or better.

In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.

Minor Curriculum

ECN 1215, Macroeconomic Theory; ECN 1216, Microeconomic Theory; and six other courses in economics, of which at least two must be upper-level (non-Pathway) electives and one must be ECN 1250, Statistics, or equivalent (unless a comparable course is required by the major department). Any course taken outside the Department of Economics to satisfy these economics elective requirements must be approved by a faculty adviser in the department.

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