Department of Economics Majors and Minors
The Department of Economics offers three majors: Economics, Economics & Organizational Management, and Mathematics-Economics.
The Economics major gives students a rich education in economic theory and empirical applications. Students begin by acquiring a deep foundation in microeconomics and macroeconomics and in econometrics, which analyzes data to test economic models. They then take at least four courses in specialized areas, including international trade, international finance, poverty and discrimination, behavioral economics and labor economics, among others. The major culminates with an independent research project in which students write a paper that applies econometric techniques to an economic area of their choice.
The Economics & Organizational Management major combines a traditional economics curriculum with courses in management. The economics curriculum establishes a thorough foundation in microeconomics and macroeconomics while giving students the opportunity to explore such specialized areas as international trade, international finance, behavioral economics, economic development, and law and economics. Management courses explore different theoretical bases for human organizing, analyze how firms attain and sustain competitive advantage, and encourage students to develop their own leadership competencies. All students engage in a semester-long group project that allows them to see how theory applies in practice by creating and carrying out a project that benefits a local non-profit organization of their group's choice. The major culminates in a seminar in corporate strategy.
The Mathematics-Economics dual major allows students to simultaneously pursue interests in mathematics, economics, and organizational management. Majors acquire a strong set of analytical skills that prepare them for a career as an analyst, an actuary, or a financial planner or for graduate study.
Minors allow a student to pursue her interest in an area in addition to her major. Although all students must complete a major, a minor is optional. However, a minor can help a student demonstrate competency in an area to employers or to graduate schools.