Economics Major
The major in economics is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions
in government or the private sector or for graduate school in business, economics,
or law. Economists study how societies produce, distribute, and consume goods and
services. The curriculum focuses on the study of micro-economic and macro-economic
decisions and choices made by individuals and firms, and the consequences of those
choices.
Upper division electives include courses in economic game theory, public economics, public finance, international economics, environmental and natural resource
economics, and econometrics.
Since economics involves understanding complex systems that are a feature of today's
global economy, economists have a wide variety of employment opportunities in government
and the private sector.
Economics Course Selection Recommendations Packet: This is a four-page "Getting Started" packet that includes program degree requirements, general education requirements, suggested courses for first semester freshmen, and suggested course sequencing; A valuable tool to assist those interested in majoring in economics.
Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts with a major in economics
Foundation courses:
ECN 101 Principles of Microeconomics| The course examines how individuals and firms make choices within the institution of free-market capitalism. Individuals decide how much of their time to spend working and what to buy with the earnings of their labor. Firms decide how much to produce and in some cases what price to charge for their goods. Together these choices determine what is produced, how it is produced, and for whom it is produced in our economic system. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 2 (Social Science). 3 credits. |
| This course extends the study of consumer and producer choices to discover how they affect the nation's economy. Macroeconomics deals with the economy as a whole as measured by the key variables of inflation, unemployment, and economic growth. Emphasis is on both Keynesian and classical theories and how they predict what monetary and fiscal policies can be used to affect these variables and reach national economic goals. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 2 (Social Science). 3 credits. |
| This course provides a survey of key developments, institutions, and issues in American politics. Topics include the ideas that shaped the original American political system, the presidency; Congress and federal courts; the operation of political parties and interest groups; domestic and foreign policy debates; and contemporary issues such as civil rights and affirmative action. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 2 (Social Science). 3 credits. |
One of:
MAS 170 Elementary Statistics| An introduction to elementary descriptive and inferential statistics with emphasis on conceptual understanding. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 4 (Mathematics). A student may not receive credit for MAS 170 after completing MAS 372. A student may not receive credit for both MAS 170 and MAS 270. 3 credits. |
| A more advanced version of MAS 170 intended for students with some calculus background. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 4 (Mathematics). A student may not receive credit for both MAS 170 and MAS 270. 3 credits. |
| An introduction to the mathematical foundations of statistics including sampling distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, linear models and multivariate distributions. Prerequisite: MAS 371. 3 credits. |
One of these three mathematics sequences:
MAS 150 Finite Mathematics| Introduction to mathematical techniques used in quantitative analysis in business and economics. Topics include sets, linear relations, matrices, linear programming, probability and interest. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 4 (Mathematics). 3 credits. |
| A calculus sequence covering functions, limits, differentiation, integration and applications. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 4 (Mathematics). 3 credits. |
Or
MAS 111 Analysis I| A calculus sequence for department majors and other students desiring a rigorous introduction to elementary calculus. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 4 (Mathematics). 4 credits. |
| Second semester of a calculus sequence for department majors and other students desiring a rigorous introduction to elementary calculus. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 4 (Mathematics). Prerequisite: MAS 111; Corequisites: MAS 113, 114. A student may not receive credit for both MAS 112 and MAS 162. 4 credits. |
Or
MAS 161 Calculus I| A calculus sequence covering functions, limits, differentiation, integration and applications. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 4 (Mathematics). 3 credits. |
| Second semester of a calculus sequence covering functions, limits, differentiation, integration and infinite series. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 4 (Mathematics). Prerequisite: MAS 161; A student may not receive credit for both MAS 112 and MAS 162. 3 credits. |
Core courses:
ECN 201 Inter. Microeconomic Analysis| This course covers the major theories of mainstream neoclassical economics. There is intensive study of the models of consumer and firm behavior that permit understanding of how the prices and quantities of goods and services are determined in a free market capitalistic system. The implications for social welfare, and equity and efficiency issues that are inherent in the free-market system are emphasized. Prerequisite: ECN 101, 102 and MAS 111 or 161, or by permission of the instructor. Economics majors need a cumulative GPA of 2.00 in all foundation courses completed to date. 3 credits. |
| In this course, students develop a model of the macroeconomy which permits them to analyze the nature of the business cycle. The assumptions built into the model can be altered, rendering it capable of examining the macroeconomy from various theoretical viewpoints. In addition to unemployment, inflation and economic growth, the course covers real business cycles, the macroeconomic implications of free trade and emphasizes the microeconomic foundations of macroeconomics. Prerequisite: ECN 101 and 102. Economics majors need a cumulative GPA of 2.00 in all foundation courses completed to date. 3 credits. |
| In this course students apply statistical techniques to study the quantitative measurement and analysis of actual economic phenomena, describing economic relationships, and test hypothesis about economic theory and forecasting future economic events. Applications include examining violations of the classical assumptions and testing for specification errors. Prerequisites: MAS 170, 270, or 372; ECN 201/202 or ASC 385; or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. |
Four additional ECN courses (200 level or above, not including ECN 400.)