Getting Through the B.S. in Quantitative Economics Program
Pathway into the Economics Major
- Take both Econ 2201 & Econ 2202. These are Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics.
After the above requirements—and completing the required lower-division Math and Statistics courses—you can start taking many upper-division Economics courses. However, you should take them in the order suggested below.
What Classes Should You Take Next?
Once you’re completed the above, take the following:
- Econ 3100: Intermediate Microeconomics
- Econ 3700: History of Economic Thought
- Econ 3200: Intermediate Macroeconomics
- Econ 3500: Tools of Economic Analysis
These courses are prerequisites for other important field courses such as Econ 4412: Firms and Markets and Econ 4414: Public Economics. They will also help you in advanced methods classes such as Econ 3800: Quantitative Methods in Economics, and Econ 4300: Econometrics.
What Other Classes Should You Take?
The Economics Department offers classes that focus on different parts of the economy and use a variety of theoretical frameworks. While you will need to take the courses within your concentration (discussed below), the Economics major provides enough flexibility for you to pick classes that you find most interesting and which contribute to your career goals.
Regardless of what classes you take, all Economics classes seek to teach you about the economy and to improve your analytical abilities and/or data analysis skills.
These classes build upon material learned in other Economics classes, and students will do better in them the more background they have in Economics.
Your Concentration
The Economics major has three concentrations. None is better than the others, but one might better prepare you for what you would like to do after graduation.
General Economics: this concentration exposes students to many aspects of economics along with experience in analytical thinking and data analysis. Many students will find this is the best concentration for them as it equips them for careers in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
Mathematical Economics: this concentration is the most challenging as it requires the completion of numerous mathematical courses and requires more quantitative courses. This is the preferred concentration for those considering graduate school in economics. or those who just want a challenge.
Applied Economics: this is the best concentration for students who are sure they want to enter the business world. It provides a mix of business courses and Economics courses and is suitable for students who want to work in existing businesses or those who want start their own business. Students with this concentration can go into other fields also.
You can also get guidance for the B.A. in Political Economy.