Undergraduate Economics Overview
About Economics
Economics is the study of the production, distribution, and exchange of goods and services. It investigates questions such as price formation, the level of employment of labor and other resources, the efficient use of scarce resources, and the basis and effects of government policies on the economy. Economics also analyzes, compares, and contrasts different economic systems worldwide, and examines international economic relations among countries.
The Undergraduate Program
The undergraduate economics program is designed to provide students with a foundational understanding of what economists do and how they think. After completing the introductory courses ECO 110 and ECO 111, students acquire a more thorough background in economic theory by taking ECO 303: Intermediate Microeconomics, ECO 305: Intermediate Macroeconomics, ECO 320: Mathematical Statistics, and ECO 321: Econometrics.
The remaining economics courses used to satisfy the major requirements delve into specific aspects of economics, including Labor Economics, Industrial Organization, Money and Banking, Economic Development, Health Economics, and Data and Machine Learning. These courses illustrate how economists analyze theoretical and empirical issues. Some upper-division courses apply statistical methods taught in the program.
Global Learning Opportunities
To be prepared for a globalized 21st century, the Economics Department recommends that majors consider an international experience, such as studying abroad or participating as an exchange student. Either option may allow students to earn general education or major requirements after consultation with the undergraduate advisor.
For more information, visit the Study Abroad and Exchange website.
Graduate Study and Career Paths
Graduating majors can pursue graduate studies leading to an M.A. or Ph.D. in economics, or to a Master of Business Administration degree. The major is also especially useful for students interested in graduate studies in areas such as law, human resources, public policy, and health economics.
Most graduating economics majors who continue their education either go to law school or pursue an M.B.A. A small number of graduates have pursued graduate studies in economics, earning a Ph.D. from institutions such as Harvard, Yale, the University of Pennsylvania, Duke, and Berkeley.
More than half of the graduating seniors enter the job market directly. Many find entry-level positions in finance, marketing, sales, state and local government, and various forms of business analysis and research. Since many M.B.A. programs require work experience before applying, some students enter the job market temporarily and later return to school for an advanced degree.
For additional information, visit the Career Center website.
Internships
Students are encouraged to consider enrolling in ECO 488: Internship. Internships offer students the opportunity to integrate work experience into their Economics major by completing related readings, maintaining a daily journal, and writing an analytical paper under the supervision of a faculty member.
To register for ECO 488, students must obtain an internship offer through the Career Center or otherwise and obtain permission from a faculty member to register for ECO 488 under their supervision. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with prospective faculty members before signing up for the internship to ensure the internship can be used as the basis for an analytical paper.
Honors in Economics
Qualified students can graduate with Honors in Economics. The requirements include an honors thesis approved by the Department's Undergraduate Committee. Qualified students interested in graduating with honors should seek permission from a faculty member to enroll in ECO 487: Independent Research. If the advising faculty member deems the submitted paper to be outstanding, they can nominate it for evaluation as an honors thesis.