Economics has been described as the study of how people use
limited resources to produce various commodities and to distribute
them to members of society for their consumption. Accordingly, the
economist is concerned with what is produced, how goods and services
are distributed, the organization of industries, the labor supply and
its use, international trade, the production and distribution of
national income and wealth, government finance, and the use and
conservation of land and natural resources.
The student majoring in economics establishes a core of knowledge
by taking courses in intermediate theory and statistics. The student
may then specialize by selecting course work in an area such as
taxation and government finance, international economics, economic
history, labor economics, economic development, urban and regional
economics, quantitative economics, or government and economic
activity.
An economics major is well prepared for a broad range of
professional careers. Economics provides excellent training for
further study in an M.B.A. or law program or for graduate work in
areas such as economics, planning and administration, or policy
studies. Career opportunities include management positions in
business, industry, and government; teaching and administrative
positions in colleges and universities; and research positions in
private and public institutions.
Requirements for the degree include ECON 301 and 12 additional
hours in economics at the 200- or 300-level, excluding ECON 295, ECON 299,
and ECON 300. Students with strong mathematics backgrounds or interest in
further work in economics are advised (but not required) to fulfill
the college mathematics requirement with MATH 120 and MATH 130 or MATH 135,
and to take additional training in courses such as MATH 242 or MATH 245 and
MATH 315.
Courses used to fill major requirements may not be taken on a
credit-no credit basis.