Æðµã´«Ã½

The B.S. in Economics at Æðµã´«Ã½ provides a broad social science background, marketable skills, and a flexible worldview useful for obtaining rewarding careers and becoming engaged citizens. Our students learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills using statistics and mathematics required for modern economic analysis. These skills are introduced in principles courses, reinforced in advanced theoretical and applied courses, and mastered by the time students reach the final Senior Seminar course.

Our program is unique for two distinct reasons. First, we offer a significant level of mentorship and the ability to conduct student-driven, faculty-guided research through a two-quarter senior seminar project. Second, we offer three options that allow students to focus on material most relevant for their future career aspirations. The Applied Economics option prepares students for employment in business and government; and/or graduate work in business, public policy or law. Quantitative Economics emphasizes quantitative analysis and prepares students for technical positions in Finance, Data Analysis, Actuarial Science, and similar fields; or for graduate study in Finance, Applied Statistics, and Economics. Finally, the General Economics option prepares students for careers in public policy. In agreement with Æðµã´«Ã½’s Core Values, all options give students hands-on experience with Excel, STATA, and R, which are programs that will be used, or are similar to those used in their future careers.

Students completing the B.S. in Economics at Æðµã´«Ã½ learn how to interpret, analyze, and communicate economic phenomena relevant for government, business, and the general public. While earning their degree from Æðµã´«Ã½, Economics undergraduates develop mathematical and statistical skills necessary to describe and analyze economic relationships, and to evaluate the appropriateness and usefulness of different economic theories. Students learn to clearly present their analysis and reasoning using current methods and technology in writing and presentations.

The Economics Club provides socially and professionally beneficial interaction outside the classroom. It sponsors guest speakers who bring real-world experiences and connections to our students and/or address important new topics such as the use of artificial intelligence and other new technologies. Through the club, students engage in intentional learning on their own while competing in data analysis competitions; attend economics conferences in places such as Las Vegas and visit venues such as the Federal Reserve Bank in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The department offers three options for students with different interests and prospective career paths:

The Quantitative Economics Option focuses on mathematical and statistical aspects of economics and requires students complete a two-course calculus sequence, in addition to mathematical economics and an applied economic research course. It prepares students for graduate work in economics, and/or other technically challenging fields such as finance, actuarial science, risk analysis, and applied statistics. This option is also appropriate for one pursuing a career in the insurance and finance industries.

All three options require accounting, calculus (e.g., business calculus), intermediate microeconomics, intermediate macroeconomics, economic statistics, and econometrics.

Moreover, all three options prepare students for employment in the private or public sectors, or to further their education in economics or other fields. Specifically, the program provides tools, skills and perspective for future success in economics, business, public policy, law, and related areas.