Courses in Economics

ECON 100 Survey of Economic Issues (CW, SB)

An introduction to economic theory and practice with emphasis on applications to the contemporary social world.

ECON 200 Microeconomic Theory (SB, QS)

Introduction to concepts and methods of microeconomics. Emphasis is placed on resource allocation, effects of market structures, and the manner in which these market structures affect the economics decisions of a business entity. Prerequisite or corequisite: MATH 120 or higher mathematics course.

ECON 210 Macroeconomic Theory (SB, QS)

Introduction to concepts and methods of macroeconomics. Topics such as inflation, unemployment, and economic growth are examined. The role of monetary and fiscal policy in achieving macroeconomic objectives is emphasized. Prerequisite or corequisite: MATH 120 or higher mathematics course.

ECON 300 Advanced Microeconomic Theory (SB)

Advanced Microeconomic Theory extends the analysis of supply and demand, utility maximization, and firm behavior with explicit attention to the mathematical underpinnings. This course also provides a basic introduction to game theory and the topics of risk and uncertainty. Prerequisites: ECON 200. Recommended: MATH 130 or higher.

ECON 310 Advanced Macroeconomic Theory

A study of the functioning of the aggregate economy and the influences of monetary and fiscal policy on it. Special emphasis is placed on the economics of inflation. Prerequisites: ECON 200 and 210 or consent. Recommended: MATH 130 or higher

ECON 320 Money, Banking, and Credit

A study of the U.S. commercial banking system and its role in the economy. Investigates the role of the Federal Reserve and the impact of monetary policy on the aggregate economy. Prerequisites: ECON 200 and 210 or consent.

ECON 335 International Finance

This course covers topics such as international financial markets, foreign exchange risk management, export/import finance, global financing strategies, international trade flow payments, and financial dimensions of political risk management. Prerequisites: One course from ECON 100, ECON 200, or ECON 210, and one course from BUSI 100 or BUSI 200.

ECON 340 Environmental Economics (CW, SB)

Introduces students to the ways in which the tools of economic analysis can enable them to better evaluate environmental issues and policies. Topics covered include alternative governmental responses to externalities, the Coase Theorem, criteria for evaluating economic efficiency, measurement and discounting of environmental costs and benefits, exhaustible resources, energy resources, and sustainability.

ECON 350 History of Economic Thought (HP, SB, W2)

An investigation of the evolution of economic ideas from the mercantilist period of the seventeenth century to the twentieth century. The economics of Adam Smith, Karl Marx, and David Ricardo, among others, are discussed. Emphasis is placed on how historical ideas inform current economic views. Prerequisites: ECON 100 or 200 or 210 or consent.

ECON 360 International Economics (CW)

Survey of the pure theory of trade and international monetary systems. International and domestic effects of each international monetary system are examined. Prerequisites: ECON 200 and 210 or consent. Recommended: ECON 300.

ECON 370 Industrial Organization

The application of microeconomics to the problems of monopoly, oligopoly, restraints of trade, and other market imperfections. The course also focuses on the economic rationale for antitrust policy and regulation of public utilities. Prerequisites: ECON 200 and 210 or consent. This course may be taken for credit at the undergraduate or graduate level but not both.

ECON 380 Public Finance

This course discusses the function of government in the economy. The course covers the government’s role in education, health care, and income redistribution and examines taxation, public goods, externalities, and methods for measuring public welfare. Prerequisite: ECON 200 or consent.

ECON 385 Labor Economics

This course applies microeconomic analysis to the labor market. It considers factors that influence the economy’s demand for labor and the supply of labor, discusses labor market problems such as unemployment and poverty, and employs statistical methods to analyze labor market data. Prerequisite: ECON 200 or consent.

ECON 390 Investments (SB)

This course offers the non-major an introduction to the range of investment opportunities available in current financial markets.

ECON 400 Econometrics and Forecasting

A study of multiple regression analysis and its use in the estimation, testing, and forecasting of economic phenomena and business relationships. Emphasis is placed on the application of statistical methods to actual economic and business data. Prerequisite: BUSI 250. This course may be taken for credit at the undergraduate or graduate level but not both.

ECON 410 Corporate Finance

Survey of modern fiscal management theory and concepts. Topics covered include valuation models of securities, capital expenditure decisions, analysis of financial statements, capital structure and financing decisions, and dividend policy. Prerequisites: ECON 200 and 210; BUSI 200 or consent.

ECON 430 Management Science

A study of mathematical modeling and problem solving applied to business issues. Topics include linear programming, integer programming, decision making under uncertainty, game theory, and inventory modeling. Recommended: BUSI 250. This course may be taken for credit at the undergraduate or graduate level but not both.

ECON 497 Economic Research (W2)[UR]

The purpose of this course is to mentor students to complete an independent and original economics research project on a topic of the student’s choosing. The class is conducted primarily as a seminar with major focus on the successful completion of a senior research thesis.

ECON 500 Econometrics and Forecasting

A study of multiple regression analysis and its use in the estimation, testing, and forecasting of economic phenomena and business relationships. Emphasis is placed on the application of statistical methods to actual economic and business data. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent. This course may be taken for credit at the undergraduate or graduate level but not both.

ECON 530 Management Science

A study of mathematical modeling and problem solving applied to business issues. Topics include linear programming, integer programming, decision making under uncertainty, game theory, and inventory modeling. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent. This course may be taken for credit at the undergraduate or graduate level but not both.

ECON 550 Managerial Economics

Application of the tools of economic theory and statistics to managerial decision making. Topics include demand analysis, production theory, quantitative cost analysis, market analysis, and the theory of investment. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent.

ECON 570 Industrial Organization

The application of microeconomics to the problems of monopoly, oligopoly, restraints of trade, and other market imperfections. The course also focuses on the economic rationale for antitrust policy and regulation of public utilities. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent. This course may be taken for credit at the undergraduate or graduate level but not both.