The Department of Economics offers two undergraduate degrees. Students can pursue a Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) in Economics or a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) through the Eller College of Management.
B.A. Economics Majors
Students enter as Pre-Economics majors, and then transition to the professional phase of the Economics curriculum upon obtaining Advanced Standing. Learn more about each major by clicking the major name, below, to view major overview, academics and advising, and career resources:
Pre-Economics
Incoming students enter as Pre-Economics and focus on courses that will prepare them for the upper-division phase of the curriculum. They also work towards identifying a minor area of study to pursue.
Economics
Economists study how scarce resources can be efficiently allocated to produce the maximum number of goods and services. Economists conduct research, collect and analyze data, monitor economic trends, and develop forecasts.
Courses
One of the introductory classes below must be completed before moving on to other Economics course offerings.
Introductory
- ECON 200 – Basic Economic Issues, or
- ECON 201a-b – Principles of Economics
Students are encouraged to complete the three required core courses below (especially Econ 361) as early as possible. They are prerequisite to most upper-division economics elective classes.
Required
- ECON 332 – Intermediate Macroeconomics (P, MATH 113, 116, 122a/b, or 125), and
- ECON 361 – Intermediate Microeconomics (P, MATH 113, 116, 122a/b, or 125), and
- ECON/AREC 339 or BNAD 276 – Statistics
In addition to the above, all majors must take 15 to 18 additional units (depending upon whether 3 or 6 introductory economics units have been taken) so as to complete a minimum of 30 total units in economics.
A minimum of 15 economics elective units must be taken at the upper-division (300 or 400) level. Of those 15 upper-division units, a minimum of 9 units (3 courses) must be selected from among ECON 406, 407, 418, 425, 427, 430, 431, 432, 435, 436, 438, 442, 443, 452, 453, 460, 461, 473, 481, or 482.
B.S.B.A Business Majors
Required Courses
- ECON 200 - Basic Economic Issues
- ECON 332 – Intermediate Macroeconomics (P, MATH 113, 116, 122a/b, or 125), and
- ECON 361 – Intermediate Microeconomics (P, MATH 113, 116, 122a/b, or 125), and
- BNAD 276 - Statistics
- ECON 407 – Economics of Strategy (P, ECON 300 or 361)
- ECON 453 – Quantitative Methods for Economic Strategy (P, BNAD 276 or ECON/AREC 339 and ECON 361)
ECON 200 is taken by all majors within the Eller College, while ECON 332, 361, 407, and 453, and BNAD 276 make up the professional core for Business Economics majors. Business Economics majors are also required to take one of the following classes: 418, 431, 452, or 460.
In addition to the above, all majors must take 15 to 18 additional units (depending upon whether 3 or 6 introductory economics units have been taken) so as to complete a minimum of 30 total units in economics.
A minimum of 15 economics elective units must be taken at the upper-division (300 or 400) level. Of those 15 upper-division units, a minimum of 9 units (3 courses) must be selected from among: ECON 406, 407, 418, 425, 427, 430, 431, 435, 436, 438, 440, 443, 452, 453, 460, 461, 473, 481, or 482.
Students are encouraged to complete ECON 332 and 361 as early as possible as these two courses (especially ECON 361) are prerequisite to most upper-division economics elective classes.
Keep in Mind...
Students in both majors should consult with an advisor when selecting elective courses since an optimal choice of electives can be contingent upon future career goals. For advising for the B.A. in Economics, please sign up for an appointment at https://student.esms.arizona.edu/ (current Economics majors or minors only); for advising for the B.S.B.A in Economics contact the Office of Undergraduate Programs at ug_advisor@eller.arizona.edu, 520.621.2505, or meet your advisor. (Students are also welcome to talk with any faculty member in the department.)
Calculus is a required prerequisite to Econ 332 and 361. Students should strive to complete a calculus course as early as possible. We strongly encourage students to take either Math 122a/b or 125, however, Math 113 and 116 are sufficient calculus courses to meet the Econ 332 and 361 math prerequisite.
If you are interested in graduate study in Economics (or related fields such as Finance) you should take as many courses in mathematics as possible, for example Calculus II, Intro to Linear Algebra, Vector Calculus, etc. You should also choose courses such as Econometrics and Industrial Organizations as elective courses for your major and you may take MATH 363 in place of ECON/AREC 339 or BNAD276.
Academic Integrity: All members of the University of Arizona community are expected to uphold and maintain an honest academic environment by following the University’s Code of Academic Integrity. All academic work by students, irrespective of its nature, should be guided by the standards of integrity that are specified in the Code of Academic Integrity. Students who engage in academic dishonesty diminish their own education and bring discredit to the University’s entire academic community. Academic dishonesty creates an unfair advantage for the student who cheats which undermines other students and the course instructor. Violations of the Code of Academic Integrity are considered by the Department of Economics to be very serious infractions. Accordingly, students who are convicted of violating the Code can expect to be appropriately sanctioned. This can involve being assigned a failing grade in the class or even placed on academic probation or being expelled from the University. Irrespective of University sanctions, it is the policy of the Department of Economics to automatically expel students from the Economics major or minor after two academic integrity violations.
For more information, view Concentrations or contact us.