College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences > Academics > Economics (BA) > Major Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements

Course Requirements

Course Title Quarter Hours
ECO 105PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS4
ECO 106PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS4
ECO 305INTERMEDIATE MICROECONOMICS4
ECO 306INTERMEDIATE MACROECONOMICS4
Select eight additional 300-level or higher Economics Electives. ECO 101, ECO 250, ECO 393, and ECO 395 may not be used as Economics Electives towards a major or minor in Economics.32
MAT 136BUSINESS CALCULUS II4
MAT 137BUSINESS STATISTICS (or an equivalent statistics course approved by an Economics advisor)4

MAT 135 is not a requirement for the major but its successful completion is a prerequisite for MAT 136. MAT 135 is approved to count for the Liberal Studies Program’s Scientific Inquiry-Elective learning domain.

MAT 150 and MAT 151 may be substituted for MAT 135 and MAT 136.

Focus Areas for Economics Majors/Minors 

The Economics major requires students to complete principles of micro- and macroeconomics, intermediate micro- and macroeconomic theory, 2 terms of calculus, and 1 term of statistics. While the program does not require students to select a particular concentration for their studies, students may want to focus the selection of their economics electives to match their academic and future career interests. The department recommends the following Focus Areas as an advising tool for students to use in their course selection.  In addition to the courses listed below, the department offers Special Topics courses [ECO 398] that may be relevant to one or more of the Focus Areas.

Focus Area Description Occupations
Business Strategy For students interested in understanding how market competition and government regulation affects the behavior of business. Pricing/Revenue Analyst; Business Development Analyst; Consulting
International Economics For students interested in understanding how international markets work, how businesses handle international operations, and how countries develop trade and development policies. International Trade Analyst; International Business Development; Positions with multinational companies related to their overseas operations
Financial Economics For students interested in understanding how the banking sector and financial markets work. Financial Analyst; Credit Analyst; Valuation Analyst; Risk Analyst
Data Analytics For students interested in enhancing their data analytical skills beyond the basic statistic requirement. This FA is a good complement to all other FAs as data analytics is used in many types of occupations. Consulting; Data Analyst; Research Analyst
Economic Policy and Market Analysis For students interested in government policy and its effect on the economy. Economics Analyst (federal, state, and local government agencies); Policy Analyst; Legislative Liaison
Preparation for PhD in Economics For students interested in pursuing a PhD in Economics A Ph.D. in Economics is needed for academic and research-based employment in think tanks and government agencies

Relevant Coursework

Business Strategy 
Course Title Quarter Hours
ECO 313
MARKET STRUCTURE AND REGULATION OF BUSINESS 1
ECO 321
LAW & ECONOMICS
ECO 379
GAME THEORY 1
ECO 398
SPECIAL TOPICS
Other ECO courses on specific industries:
ECO 335
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS
ECO 326
HEALTH ECONOMICS
International Economics
Course Title Quarter Hours
ECO 360
ECONOMICS OF LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES
ECO 361
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
ECO 362
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY ECONOMICS
ECO 330
RADICAL RESPONSES TO CAPITALISM
ECO 333
TOPICS IN GLOBAL ECONOMIES
ECO 340
DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT 1
ECO 316
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC HISTORY

Note: Students may want to add a language to this FA. 

Financial Economics
Course Title Quarter Hours
ECO 315
INTRODUCTION TO MONEY AND BANKING
ECO 322
FINANCIAL MARKET REGULATION
ECO 362
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY ECONOMICS

Note: students in both the BA and BSB Economics programs have the option of minoring in Finance.

Data Analytics
Course Title Quarter Hours
ECO 336
EXPLORING ECONOMICS & STATISTICS THROUGH SPORTS
ECO 375
INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMETRICS
ECO 376
TIME SERIES ANALYSIS 1
Economic Policy and Market Analysis
Course Title Quarter Hours
ECO 310
URBAN ECONOMICS
ECO 312
THE CHICAGO ECONOMY
ECO 314
ECONOMICS OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR 1
ECO 318
LABOR ECONOMICS AND ORGANIZATION
ECO 321
LAW & ECONOMICS
ECO 326
HEALTH ECONOMICS
ECO 335
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS
ECO 341
BEHAVIORAL ECONOMICS 1
ECO 317
AMERICAN ECONOMIC HISTORY
Preparation for PhD in Economics
  • ECO 375
  • Courses from any of the FA would be appropriate especially advanced electives1
  • Regular calculus sequence (MAT 150/MAT 151/MAT 152) rather than the business calculus sequence (MAT 135/MAT 136).
  • Note: students may want to consider the combined bachelor's/master's program to take graduate economics course in their senior year.

ECO 101, ECO 250, ECO 393 and ECO 395 may not be used as Economics Electives towards a major or minor in Economics.

Open Electives

Open elective credit also is required to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours.

Students are encouraged to use their open electives to minor or double major in a complementary field of study. A student’s specific interest in economics will dictate the best choice of a minor or double major.​

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