Program Requirements

Economics

The principal objective of economics courses is to help students develop the ability to think clearly about complex economic, political and social issues and to gain an understanding of how the economic activities of private and public institutions or interest groups relate to issues such as inflation, unemployment, poverty, environmental quality, urban and regional problems, and international economic concerns.

A solid background in economics is valuable to students preparing for graduate work in economics, business, public administration, and law; it is also useful as preparation for possible careers in such diverse fields as business, law, government, medicine, social work, and education. Courses in the other social sciences, mathematics and computer science, English and foreign languages, also contribute significantly to preparation for such graduate study and career opportunities.

The Economics major is structured to progressively build the skills and tools of economic analysis. Students in the major begin with a two-semester principles sequence (ECON 122 Principles of Microeconomics, typically followed by ECON 123 Principles of Macroeconomics) which introduces students to the discipline and lays the foundation for subsequent study. ECON 230 Economic Statistics and MATH 141 Calculus can be taken concurrent with or subsequent to the Principles courses. Calculus is a prerequisite for intermediate microeconomics, and both Calculus and Economic Statistics are required for ECON 470. To complete the major in the proper sequence students should complete the intermediate theory courses by the end of the junior year. ECON 470 Advanced Topics in Economics is the penultimate course in the major. The Advanced Topics course applies the analytical and empirical tools developed in intermediate economic theory to a contemporary public policy issue and prepares students for an independent research project in the capstone course in the major: ECON 496 Senior Research Seminar.

Requirements for the Economics Major (10 Credits)

9 credits in Economics, 1 in Mathematics

ECON 122 (US) Principles of Microeconomics (1)
ECON 123 Principles of Macroeconomics (1)
A Calculus course (MATH 141 or equivalent)
ECON 230 (QA*) Economic Statistics (1)
ECON 357 Intermediate Microeconomics (1)
ECON 358 Intermediate Macroeconomics (1)
ECON 470 (W) Advanced Topics in Economics (1)
ECON 496 (W) Senior Research Seminar (1)
Two elective credits in Economics (2)

Requirements for the Economics Minor (5 Credits)

ECON 122 Principles of Microeconomics (1)
ECON 123 Principles of Macroeconomics (1)
ECON 357 Intermediate Microeconomics (1) or
ECON 358 Intermediate Macroeconomics (1)
Two elective courses in Economics (2)

For students opting to take Intermediate Microeconomics, a Calculus course, MATH 141 or equivalent, also is required as a prerequisite.

Faculty

Donald H. Negri, Professor of Economics, Chair
Abdul Basher, Visiting Assistant Professor of Economic
Alison Butler, Assistant Professor of Economics
James R. Frew, Professor of Economics
Jerry Gray, Professor of Economics
James S. Hanson, The Peter C. and Bonnie S. Kremer Professor of Economics
Nathan Sivers Boyce, Assistant Professor of Economics
Laura Taylor, Assistant Professor of Economics
Cathleen L. Whiting, Associate Professor of Economics