ECONOMICS

The competencies achieved in the economics major are the ability to:

• understand and explain general economic phenomena;
• analyze and evaluate economic policy proposals;
• analyze, synthesize and integrate economic ideas;
• communicate effectively, in both oral and written form;
• do quantitative research, using a statistical computer package;
• engage in library research; and
• conceive, plan and execute an independent quantitative research project.

In addition to the requirement of statistics, students majoring in economics are required to take a minimum of eight economics courses and Calculus I. All students will take Principles of Microeconomics, Principles of Macroeconomics, Intermediate Microeconomic Theory, and Intermediate Macroeconomics. In addition, students choose four economics electives from a list of approved courses at the 300 level or above. Students must maintain a C average in upper level courses to successfully complete the major.

Students can start their economics major in their Freshman year. This is the appropriate time to take calculus. In addition, students can start the economics major proper with Principles of Microeconomics or Principles of Macroeconomics. The next appropriate courses are Intermediate Microeconomic Theory and Intermediate Macroeconomics. Beyond this students can branch out to choose electives. Economics electives are available with a simple prerequisite of either of the appropriate Principles courses.

Requirements for a minor in economics include EC 281S Principles of Microeconomics, EC 282S Principles of Macroeconomics, and three upper level economics electives. One of the electives should be from a group of core micro or macro courses including EC 381 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory, EC 382 Intermediate Macroeconomics, EC 386 Money, Banking, & Financial Institutions, and EC 384 Managerial Economics.