Economics

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 policy economics, public finance, international economics, environmental and natural resource economics, and econometrics.

Since economics involves understanding complex systems which are a feature of today's global economy, economists have a wide variety of employment opportunities in government and the private sector.

Degree Requirements:

Degree: Bachelor of Arts with a major in economics.

Major: Foundation courses -

Basic concepts of accounting including accounting for business transactions, preparation and use of financial statements, and measurement of owners' equity. An introductory course for non-accounting majors. 3 credits.
This course examines how individuals and firms make choices within the institutions 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. 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 variable 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. Prerequisite: ECN 101. 3 credits.
A calculus sequence for department majors and other students desiring a rigorous introduction to elementary calculus. Prerequisite: placement testing or MAS 102. Corequisite; MAS 113. 4 credits.
Second semester of a calculus sequence for department majors and other students desiring a rigorous introduction to elementary calculus. Prerequisite: MAS 111. Corequisite: MAS 114. 4 credits.
Introduction to mathematical techniques used in quantitative analysis in business and economics. Topics include sets, linear relations, matrices, linear programming, probability and interest. 3 credits.
A calculus sequence covering functions, limits, differentiation, integration and applications. Prerequisite: placement testing or MAS 102. MAS 161 is a prerequisite for MAS 162. 3 credits per semester.
An introduction to elementary descriptive and inferential statistics with emphasis on conceptual understanding. 3 credits. 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.
A more advanced version of MAS 170 intended for students with some calculus background. Similar to MAS 170 with more extensive content. 3 credits. A student may not receive credit for both MAS 170 and MAS 270.
An introduction to the mathematical foundations of statistics including sampling distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, linear models and multivariate distributions. Prerequisites: MAS 371. 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.
† indicates a required course
one of these three mathematics sequences: either MAS 150, 161 or 161, 162 or 111, 112 are required.

Core courses-
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 and 102. 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. 3 credits.
† indicates a required course
and four additional elective courses in economics at the 200 level or above, not including internship credit. (39 credits)



Minor:

This course examines how individuals and firms make choices within the institutions 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. 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 variable 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. Prerequisite: ECN 101. 3 credits.
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 and 102. 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. 3 credits.
† indicates a required course

and and two additional courses in economics at the 200 level or above, not including internship credit. (18 credits).