Majoring & Minoring

For complete information about majoring and minoring, see the online catalog.


The core curriculum begins with three introductory-level courses that provide an introduction to economic analysis and develop the tools required for more advanced work. Students interested in majoring in economics will ideally complete the first three introductory courses (ECON 100, ECON 103 and MATH 131) and declare Economics as their major by the end of their second year.

The next step in the core curriculum are three courses in economic theory and empirical methods. Economics is the study of choice, and students are encourage to start with an analysis of individual choice in (ECON 301) before studying aggregate choice in (ECON302). Econometrics (ECON 303) introduces statistical methods to apply economic theory to empirical data.

Students completing the six core theory and empirical methods courses are prepared to enroll in elective courses at the 300 and 400 level. To complete the major, a student must complete at least 16 semester
credits of economics electives, with 8 credits at the 300/400 level. ECON 444 Practicum does not meet this requirement.

The final step in the core curriculum is the capstone course ECON 433 Senior Seminar. Students must complete 8 credits at the 300 level or above to enroll in ECON 433. ECON 444 Practicum does not meet this requirement.


Major Requirements

A minimum of 44 semester credits, distributed as follows:
Core Courses - Introductory
• ECON 100 Principles of Economics
• ECON 103 Statistics
• MATH 131 Calculus I
Core Courses - Economic Theory and Empirical Methods
• ECON 301 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
• ECON 302 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
• ECON 303 Econometrics
Electives
• At least 16 semester credits of economics electives, or which 8 credits must be at the 300/400 level. ECON 444 Practicum does not meet this requirement.
Capstone
• ECON 433 Senior Seminar

Students intending to pursue graduate studies in economics or careers as research economists are strongly encouraged to take additional mathematics courses, particularly calculus, linear algebra, real analysis (discrete mathematics), differential equations, and advanced statistics.


Minor Requirements

A minimum of 24 semester credits distributed as follows:
• ECON 100 Principles of Economics
• ECON 103 Statistics
• 16 credits of Economics electives at the 200 or 300 level.


At least 12 semester credits must be discrete to the minor (may not be used in any other set of major or minor requirements).

 

 

For more complete information on the economics program, see the college catalog  or talk to a member of the economics department.