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Economics BS
Program overview
The economics major emphasizes the quantitative analytical approach to dealing with economic problems in both the public and private sectors, providing students with marketable skills and the intellectual foundation for career growth. Graduates with a BS degree in economics are prepared for entry-level managerial and analytical positions in both industry and government and to pursue graduate studies in economics, business, and law.
Curriculum
The economics curriculum prepares students by developing communication, computer, and management skills in addition to economic reasoning and quantitative abilities. Students in the program are involved in a wide variety of management and analytical positions, both during co-op and after graduation.
The program's required courses are specifically designed to develop student's abilities to apply economic analysis to real-world problems. Liberal arts courses enhance oral and written communication skills. Business courses include accounting and finance. Quantitative analytical skills are developed by a course sequence that includes computer science, mathematics, and statistics. Free electives allow students to pursue advanced study in their individual areas of interest and/or develop a double major. Along with finance, marketing, mathematics, statistics, or computer science, there are many other possibilities. Faculty advisers help students develop professional options that will assist them in attaining their career goals.
Cooperative education
Students in the program who participate in co-op may be placed with financial and brokerage institutions, government offices, and large corporations. Co-op can be completed during any semester, including summer, after the sophomore year.
Economics, BS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| ECON-100 | Foundational Seminar in Economics | 1 |
| ECON-101 | LAS Perspective 3: Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| MATH-171 | LAS Perspective 7A: Calculus A | 3 |
| LAS Foundation 1: First-Year Seminar | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 1, 2, 5 | 9 | |
| ECON-201 | LAS Perspectives 4: Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| MATH-172 | LAS Perspectives 7B: Calculus B | 3 |
| ENGL-150 | LAS Foundation 2: Writing Seminar | 3 |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| ECON-401 | Intermediate Microeconomic Theory | 3 |
| STAT-145 | Introduction to Statistics I | 3 |
| LAS Electives | 6 | |
| LAS Perspectives 6 | 3 | |
| Track Courses | 6 | |
| ECON-403 | Econometrics I | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 1 | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| ECON-402 | Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory (WI) | 3 |
| Track Courses | 6 | |
| ISTE-140 | Web I | 3 |
| LAS Immersion 2, 3 | 6 | |
| Free Electives | 9 | |
| ECON-404 | Mathematical Methods: Economics | 3 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| ECON-405 | International Trade and Finance | |
| ECON-406 | Global Economic Issues | |
| Track Courses | 6 | |
| LAS Electives | 9 | |
| Free Electives | 9 | |
| ECON-407 | Industrial Organization | 3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 121 | |
Please see New General Education Curriculum-Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) in the Graduation Requirements section of this bulletin for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
Capstone experience
All economics majors are required to complete a creative, capstone experience. Students may publish a paper in a refereed journal, present a paper at a professional conference, present a paper at an RIT-sponsored conference, present research at an approved exhibit at Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival, or fulfill a comparable creative capstone requirement in the student's primary major (if economics is the secondary major).
Additional information
Double major
Because of the flexibility of the economics curriculum, many students choose to pursue a double major in economics and a secondary field of study. Students are able to graduate in four years.
Accelerated 4+1 option
An accelerated 4+1 option is available for students who wish to earn a BS in economics and an MBA. The program is offered in conjunction with the E. Philip Saunders College of Business and allows students to obtain both degrees in five years of study.
Academic enrichment
Economics faculty members serve as mentors and are available to enhance students' personal and professional growth. Students may work as teaching assistants for professors in Principles of Economics courses or learn about research techniques as research assistants for the faculty. For both of these activities, students receive a stipend. Finally, students can engage in independent research or joint research with a faculty member, receiving academic credit and obtaining funding for their research needs.