Economics Minor
The minor in economics meets the needs of students in WCAS and other undergraduate programs who seek a basic foundation in economic analysis, with formal recognition of this on their transcripts, but who are unable to complete the major. The minor requires 8 economics courses while the major requires 12 economics courses. The minor offers training in economic theory through the intermediate level, instruction in quantitative methods of econometrics, and opportunity for advanced work in a student's particular area or areas of interest.
Minor Requirements
- Economics 201 Introduction to Macroeconomics
- Economics 202 Introduction to Microeconomics
- Economics 281 Introduction to Applied Econometrics
- The ECON 281 requirement is waived if ECON 381-1 Econometrics is taken as a field course.
- Economics 310-1 Intermediate Microeconomics I
- Economics 310-2 Intermediate Microeconomics II OR Economics 311 Intermediate Macroeconomics
- If both 310-2 and 311 are taken, one course counts toward the upper-level field course requirement.
- 3 additional 300-level economics field courses
ECON 310-1 requires 201, 202, and MATH 220-1. Nearly all 300-level field courses require 310-1, and it is usually inadvisable for a student to take 311 without having had 310-1. STAT 210 is a prerequisite for ECON 281.
PREREQUISITE COURSES
- MATH 220-1 Single-Variable Differential Calculus
- The mathematics requirement can be satisfied in multiple ways, including completion of the MATH 218-1,2 Single-Variable Calculus with Precalculus sequence, or completion of a more advanced calculus course.
- STAT 210 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (or approved substitute)
WCAS students may count MATH 220-1 and STAT 210 toward the distribution requirement in Formal Studies.
CHOOSING ELECTIVE COURSES
Majors are required to take both 310-2 and 311. Those minoring in the field can elect to pursue a microeconomic concentration by choosing 310-2, or they can elect a macroeconomic concentration by choosing 311. The field courses should be selected in consultation with an adviser to meet the student's academic and professional goals. For example, a student interested in a career in investment banking or finance might choose 311, followed by 308 Money and Banking, 362 International Finance, and 360 Corporate Finance. A student interested in history might also choose 311, followed by 323-1 or -2 Economic History of the United States, 324 Western Economic History, and 322 Global Economic History. A student interested in a general business career or in business consulting might wish to take 310-2, followed by 349 Industrial Economics, 350 Monopoly, Competition, and Public Policy, and 339 Labor Economics. These are just a few of the themes that could be developed in field courses.