Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Major: Economics
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Economics program offered by the Weatherhead School of Management provides excellent training for a wide variety of professions. Graduates with a BA in Economics often pursue careers in:
Training in economics allows students to understand how public policy and market forces interact to affect their profession, which better equips students to undertake future leadership positions in their field. Because the range of interests among economics majors is broad, faculty work with students to develop a plan of study that best fits their aspirations, career goals and interests.
Students will learn how to analyze the performance of an economy using mathematical models and empirical data analysis using statistical software, R, or Python. Students have the opportunity to assist Weatherhead faculty in their research activities and to participate in independent research projects. Students also have the flexibility to participate in the Practicum Program.
Quantitative Methods Concentration
The STEM-designated quantitative methods concentration to the major focuses on quantitative application of economic theory, using mathematics, statistics, or other data analysis techniques. It consists of 15 total courses—three more than the regular economics major. As with the general economics major, the order in which a student takes courses is flexible.
For more information, review the Weatherhead School of Management economics program website for more details. For more information, contact the Economics Academic Representative.
Undergraduate Policies
For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.
Program Requirements
Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.
The economics major may be elected in one of two formats:
- Standard economics major
- STEM-designated Quantitative Methods concentration to the standard economics major.
The standard economics major requires at least 38 credit hours of coursework (at least 12 courses total). The Quantitative Methods concentration to the economics major requires at least 48 credit hours of coursework (at least 15 courses total).
Students who desire a Secondary Major in Economics should consult with a Weatherhead academic advisor.
Major Requirements
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
MATH 121 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I | 4 |
or MATH 125 | Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci I |
ECON 102 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
ECON 103 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
ECON 307 | Intermediate Macro Theory | 3 |
ECON 308 | Intermediate Micro Theory | 3 |
or ECON 309 | Intermediate Micro Theory: Calculus-Based |
ECON 326 | Econometrics a | 4 |
| Introduction to Statistical Analysis in the Social Sciences | |
| Statistics for Business and Management Science I | |
| Social Statistics | |
| Basic Statistics for Social and Life Sciences | |
| Statistical Theory with Application I | |
| Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science | |
| Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science Using R Programming | |
b | 15 |
Total Credit Hours | 38 |
Capstone Project
The standard Economics major does not require a capstone as part of the major. However, students need to complete a capstone project as part of the General Education Requirements. The Economics Department offers the following courses for a capstone.
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
ECON 398 | Honors Research II | 3 |
ECON 395 | Capstone Research in Economics | 3 |
ECON 399 | Individual Readings and Research a | 3-6 |
Concentration Requirements
Concentration in Quantitative Methods
The STEM-designated Quantitative Methods concentration requires a total of 15 courses: 10-11 economics courses, and 4-5 non-economics quantitative courses. Note, while the general economics major does not require completion of a capstone in economics, the Quantitative Methods concentration does require a capstone in economics.
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
ECON 102 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
ECON 103 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
ECON 307 | Intermediate Macro Theory | 3 |
ECON 308 | Intermediate Micro Theory | 3 |
or ECON 309 | Intermediate Micro Theory: Calculus-Based |
ECON 326 | Econometrics | 4 |
MATH 121 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I | 4 |
or MATH 125 | Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci I |
MATH 122 | Calculus for Science and Engineering II | 4 |
or MATH 126 | Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci II |
ECON 395 | Capstone Research in Economics | 3 |
or ECON 398 | Honors Research II |
| Introduction to Statistical Analysis in the Social Sciences | |
| Statistics for Business and Management Science I | |
| Social Statistics | |
| Basic Statistics for Social and Life Sciences | |
| Statistical Theory with Application I | |
| Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science | |
| Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science Using R Programming | |
| Data Visualization in R | |
| Advanced Econometrics | |
| Game Theory: The Economics of Thinking Strategically | |
| Economic Analysis of Business Strategies | |
| Computational Economics | |
a | 9 |
Total Credit Hours | 48 |
Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| Introduction to Linear Algebra for Applications | |
| Linear Algebra |
| Calculus for Science and Engineering III | |
| Elementary Differential Equations | |
| Differential Equations |
| Discrete Mathematics | |
| Fundamentals of Analysis I | |
| Advanced Financial Analytics | |
| Operations Research and Supply Chain Management | |
| Introduction to Programming for Business Applications | |
| Foundations of Engineering and Programming | |
| Elementary Computer Programming | |
| Causal Learning from Data | |
| Statistical Theory with Application II | |
| Data Analysis and Linear Models | |
| Multivariate Analysis and Data Mining | |