Skip Navigation
Academic Catalog 2019/2020

Economics

Bachelor of Arts
School of Sciences, Sustainability, and Health

The B.A. in Economics combines rigorous training in economic theory with application to contemporary issues such as globalization, financial market volatility, and the environment. The Economics program is a tight-knit community, and majors and minors can expect to work closely with faculty and with each other. The economic honors society, Omicron Delta Epsilon, organizes field trips to conferences and brings in visiting speakers and alumni. Recent graduates have gone on to careers in business and government, to law school, and to graduate programs in economics and politics, as well as M.B.A. programs.

All majors will complete a four-course economic theory sequence that includes ISECON 104 and ECON 103 (in either order), and ECON 203 and ECON 204 (in either order). It is strongly recommended that students take ECON 203 and ECON 204 soon after the ISECON 104 and ECON 103 prerequisites to get the most benefit from this theoretical background in their elective courses. Both ECON 203 and ECON 204 should be completed by the end of the junior year, so that the student is prepared for advanced (400-level) electives.

In addition, majors will take ECON 360 and complete four additional economics electives (at least two of these economics electives must be at the 400 level). Econometrics (ECON 420) is recommended, but not required. Employers value this skill, and graduate programs in economics will expect it. Finally, each major must complete one course in introductory statistics (MATH 141 or PSYC 251) as well as either Precalculus (MATH 130) or Calculus (MATH 151).

If you plan to continue into any graduate program, it is strongly suggested that you meet with a faculty member by your junior year to ensure that you are adequately prepared. Statistics is the only math preparation required if you intend to pursue an M.B.A., law school, or a graduate program in a field other than economics. However, a graduate program in economics will require calculus and linear algebra as well.

Integrative Studies Requirements

40 credits minimum

IHPHIL 100 Logical Argumentation is recommended (but not required) for ECON majors.

Major Requirements

44 credits

Core Courses

Select one of the following:

  • MATH 141 Introductory Statistics
  • PSYC 251 Psychological Statistics

Select one of the following:

  • MATH 130 Precalculus
  • MATH 151 Calculus I

ECON 103 Introduction to Microeconomics
ISECON 104 Introduction to Macroeconomics
ECON 360 History of Economic Thought
ECON 203 Intermediate Microeconomics
ECON 204 Intermediate Macroeconomics

Economics Electives

16 credits of 300- or 400-level Economics courses; of which at least eight credits are 400-level.

Certification as a Social Studies Teacher

Economics is an approved major for students seeking Secondary Social Studies certification. Students will need to take the following additional certification requirements:

Dual Major in Education

  • Secondary Education

Requirements for Certification

  • IHHIST 161 American Encounters to 1877
  • IHHIST 162 American Encounters from 1877
  • IHHIST 111 The Ancient and Medieval World
  • IHHIST 112 The Modern World
  • ISPSYC 101 General Psychology
  • ISGEOG 101 World Regional Geography

Select one of the following:

  • 100- to 200-level course in Sociology
  • ISANTH 110 Cultural Anthropology

Select one of the following:

  • ISPOSC 210 United States Politics
  • ISPOSC 220 Global Politics

Electives

Select courses to reach a total of 120 credits for the degree.

Degree Requirements

120 credits