Semester Requirements

http://www.rit.edu/cla/economics

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 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 develops communication, computational, and management skills in addition to economic reasoning and quantitative abilities. The program's required courses 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

Cooperatuive education is optional. Students who participate in co-op may find positions with financial and brokerage institutions, government offices, and large corporations. Co-op can be completed during any semester, including summer, after the sophomore year. The Office of Cooperative Education and Career Services assist students in identifying and applying to co-op positions.

Economics, BS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013

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. Students completing bachelor's degrees are required to complete two Wellness courses.
† The First Year Seminar requirement is replaced by an LAS Elective for the 2013-14 academic year.

Capstone experience

Students required to complete a creative capstone experience. Students may publish a paper in a refereed journal, present a paper at a professional conference or 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 MBA option

An accelerated 4+1 option is available for students who wish to earn a BS in economics and an MBA. The option is offered in conjunction with 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 economics courses or learn about research techniques as research assistants for faculty. For both of these activities, students receive a stipend. Finally, students can engage in independent or joint research with a faculty member, receiving academic credit and obtaining funding for their research needs.