Requirements & Courses
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Major Requirements
Thirty-six credits which must include:
- Eight credits from ECN-111, 112, 122, or other approved 100-level course
- ECN-217, 311, 312, and 317
- Twelve credits of ECN at or above the 300-level
- Successful completion of ECN-500 or a minimum score of 150 on the Major Field Achievement Test in Economics is required for the Department’s comprehensive evaluation. Students should schedule the MFAT for the Fall Term of their senior year. Students who fail the Fall MFAT will retake it in the Winter Term. Students who fail a second time will be given an oral comprehensive evaluation.
- All 36 credits that count toward the major must be taken for letter grade. Economics courses may be taken for S/F credit but only above and beyond the 36 credits taken for letter grade for the major.
- Prior approval is required for all transfer credit for any 300-level or above ECN coursework.
- The Department recommends that students supplement the major with courses from other areas, including (but not limited to) Business Administration, Computer Science, Mathematics, Philosophy, Political Science, and Psychology. Students interested in Economics graduate work are strongly encouraged to take at least a year of calculus or other advanced Mathematics classes. Computer Science classes are also useful as preparation for Economics graduate work.
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Minor Requirements
Twenty-four credits which must include:
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Eight credits from ECN-111, 112, 122, or other approved 100-level course
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Sixteen additional credits of ECN coursework (which may not be taken for S/F credit)
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Departmental Honors
Honors candidates must have a minimum overall 3.3 GPA and a 3.5 GPA in the Economics Department, complete ECN-500 and present that work in some forum, either internal or external.
Courses
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ECN111.Principles of Macroeconomics4 creditsIntroductory survey of macroeconomic theory and national policy. Supply and demand analysis and solutions to basic economic problem of scarcity in the American economy. Examines relationship between national income and its determinants with emphasis on role of fiscal and monetary policies in stabilizing national economic performance. (Formerly offered as ECN-201).
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ECN112.Principles of Microeconomics4 creditsIntroductory survey of microeconomic theory. Principles of consumer demand; production, exchange and distribution in capitalist economies; labor and resource markets; international trade and exchange rate theory and policy.
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ECN122.Introduction to Game Theory4 creditsAn introduction to the study of game theory as it applies to economics and other disciplines, including political science, psychology, philosophy, and evolutionary biology. This class focuses on its numerous practical uses, such as formulating business strategy, designing online auctions, and waging war. (Formerly offered as ECN-202).
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ECN122M.Introduction to Game Theory4 creditsAn introduction to the study of game theory as it applies to economics and other disciplines, including political science, psychology, philosophy, and evolutionary biology. This class focuses on its numerous practical uses, such as formulating business strategy, designing online auctions, and waging war.
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ECN180.Readings in Economics1 creditSelected introductory topics in Economics announced in advance. May be taken more than once for credit if topics are different.
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ECN180M.Applied Computational Methods4 creditsComputers can do more than simply solving problems superfast. Computer-based methods have inspired and enabled people to make amazing achievements in engineering, biology, environmental studies, economics and finance, etc. Together, we will create mathematical models to analyze a wide variety of real-world problems. We will learn how the computer solves these models. We will write computer codes on the software MATLAB to solve and apply the models. We will also evaluate and improve existing models based on their usefulness and clarity. By the end, students of the course will master core computing techniques widely used in academic and business research. The course is designed for students with experience in pre-calculus. No previous experience with computer coding is required. Strong math skills are welcome but not required at first: with an interactive and collaborative learning environment, the instructors hope to help students discover their own dormant interest in applied mathematics and use such tools to expand their critical thinking skill set.
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ECN199.Topics in Economics4 creditsTopics in Economics
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ECN217.Quantitative Methods4 creditsPrerequisite: One math class at MTH-110 level or higher, or PermissionAn introduction to a variety of the quantitative methods used in the social sciences. Students will learn the basic probability and research design theory necessary for understanding and applying quantitative methods in social sciences. Students will replicate data analyses and conduct their own with real world data. Students will learn to use statistical software, like R. Prerequisite for ECN 317.
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ECN311.Intermediate Macroeconomics I4 creditsPrerequisite: ECN-100 level course or permissionModels of national income determination. The monetary system and the relationship between money and financial markets. Monetary theory and policy. Explanations of inflation and unemployment. Business cycles and economic growth theory.
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ECN312.Intermediate Microeconomics4 creditsPrerequisite: ECN-100 level or permissionPrice mechanism and elasticity concepts. Theories of consumer behavior and producer behavior. Pricing in product and resource markets. General equilibrium theory.
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ECN314.Behavioral Economics4 creditsPrerequisite: ECN-100 level or permissionStudy of economic decision-making from based on modified neo-classical assumptions. Students will explore selected themes from psychology, sociology, and neuroscience. We will also investigate the relevance of behavioral economics to the formation of good public policy. Students will engage with the material through a combination of lectures, discussion, experiments, and research projects.
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ECN317.Econometrics4 creditsPrerequisite: ECN-100 level and ECN-217, or permissionSurvey of standard forecasting techniques in business and economics. Introduces the use of econometric models with emphasis on multiple regression, simulation modeling and time-series analysis. Special attention to applying forecasting techniques to real-world data.
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ECN318.Mathematical Economics4 creditsPrerequisite: ECN-111 and 112; MTH-113 or 121Formal application of mathematical tools to micro- and macroeconomic analysis; algebra, sets, matrix algebra, differential and integral calculus, ordinary and partial differential equations, and finite difference equations.
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ECN320.Money and Capital Markets4 creditsPrerequisite: ECN-100 level or Permission.Analysis of money and capital market instruments and financial market interrelationships. Investigates role of financial intermediaries as both suppliers and users of credit. Emphasizes influences of monetary policy and regulations on functioning of U.S. and world credit markets.
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ECN322M.Game Theory4 creditsPrerequisite: ECN-100 level or permissionAdvanced study of game theory as it applies to economics and other disciplines. This class focuses on its numerous practical uses, such as formulating business strategy, designing online auctions, and waging war. ECN 322 students will conduct a topical lecture as part of their final grade. Students who have completed ECN 122 may not take ECN 322 for credit.
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ECN326.Economic Development4 creditsPrerequisite: ECN-100 level or permissionSeeks to answer the question why some countries are rich and other countries poor. The role of the economist in development will be examined.
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ECN331.International Trade4 creditsPrerequisite: ECN-100 level or permissionExamines the exchange across international borders of goods, services and factors, and the impacts of this trade on domestic and global economies both in theory and practice. Theories of trade are compared and contrasted to both empirical studies and histories of trade. Topics include free trade, commercial policy, barriers to trade, foreign investment, imperialism and political economy of trade.
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ECN332.International Finance4 creditsPrerequisite: ECN-100 level or permissionExamine the principles and practical aspects of international finance. Theories of exchange rate determination are compared and contrasted. Topics include, but are not limited to: comparative advantage, arbitrage, international macroeconomics, foreign exchange issues, global money and capital markets, exchange rate forecasting and interest rate swaps.
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ECN340.Environmental Economics4 creditsPrerequisite: ECN-100 level or permissionSurvey of both theories and practices of the economics of natural resources and the environment. Topics include: notions of value and property, externalities, renewable and nonrenewable resources, willingness-to-pay arguments, cost-benefit analysis, natural resource policy, hazardous waste, environmental policy, sustainable development, and environmental racism and classism.
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ECN345.Labor Economics4 creditsPrerequisite: ECN-100 level or permissionSurvey the field of labor economics. Topics include the theory of allocation of time, life cycle theory, labor supply, theory of the firm, labor demand, wage determination, human capital theory, occupational wage differentials, and theories of labor market discrimination.
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ECN350.Environmental Policy Analysis4 CreditsThis course is an exploration of the science and economic foundations behind environmental issues. Current and past environmental policy is analyzed with reference to the scientific and economic realities surrounding specific problems and solutions. Students study theoretical foundations of Environmental Economics and cost-benefit analysis, and use this knowledge to practice policy analysis from the perspective of equity and equality. Students work on real-world projects that emphasize smart policy based on sound science and economic principles.
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ECN380.Topics in Economics4 creditsPrerequisite: ECN-111 or 112Selected topics in economics announced in advance. May be taken more than once for credit if topics are different.
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ECN380.Environmental Policy Analysis4 creditsPrerequisite: Any 100-level or introductory level Economics courseAn immersion into the science of our changing global environment and policies based on neoclassical economic philosophy that attempt to address broad and specific problems. Students interested in science and those interested in economics will work collaboratively to address real-world problems and issues with the goal to help move our policy-thinking towards a more effective model of addressing global problems. Students will evaluate policy decisions as they have played out with certain environmental issues, and discuss new ways of approaching complex, and dynamic environmental and economic changes that the world faces in the 21st century.
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ECN385.Economics Practicum4 creditsRequires Junior standing or permission.
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ECN499.Economics Independent Study4 creditsUnder supervision, student formulates project topic, conducts research and prepares a properly documented paper presenting conclusions and support. Requires instructor permission.
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ECN500.Senior Thesis4 creditsRequires instructor permission.
