Undergraduate Course Offerings in Economics


Usually, students should take both EC 131 and EC 132 before taking any other Economics courses. Exceptions are the statistics courses (EC 151, 155, and 157) and a number of elective courses for which there are no prerequisites. Students normally take EC 131 before EC 132, although EC 132 may be taken first. EC 131-132 also satisfy the Social Sciences Core requirement.

Students considering Principles should know the fundamentals of high school algebra, especially the algebra and geometry of a straight line. Calculus is highly recommended for economics majors, and is a prerequisite for Honors Micro and Macro Theory (EC 203, 204) and Econometric Methods (EC 228). MT 101-102 is the appropriate Calculus sequence for Economics majors.


Courses Required for the Major in Economics

EC 131 Principles of Economics I-Micro (F, S: 3)

This course is an analysis of prices, output, and income distribution through the interaction of households and business firms in a modern Western economy. The appropriate role of government intervention is examined, and basic analytical tools are applied to current economic problems.

EC 132 Principles of Economics II-Macro (F, S: 3)

This course is an analysis of national income and employment,economic fluctuations, monetary and fiscal policy, inflation,growth, and international aspects of macroeconomic policy.

EC 151 Economic Statistics (F, S: 3)

This course is focused on probability, random variables, sampling distributions, estimation of parameters, tests of hypotheses, regression and forecasting.

EC 155 Statistics-Management Honors (S: 3)
Prerequisite: Calculus

This course is a more intensive analytical treatment of the topics covered in EC 151, and it is designed for Carroll School of Management students.

EC 157 Statistics-Honors (F: 3)
Prerequisite: Calculus

A more intensive analytical treatment of the topics covered in EC 151.

EC 201 Microeconomic Theory (F, S: 3)
Prerequisite: EC 131

This course develops a theoretical framework with which to analyze consumer and producer behavior. This analysis is the nemployed to investigate the determination of prices and output in various market situations, the implications for welfare and the appropriate role for government intervention.

EC 202 Macroeconomic Theory (F, S: 3)
Prerequisite: EC 132

This course is intended to equip the student for the analysis of the determination of employment and national income. Emphasis will be placed on the Keynesian theory of employment, interest, and money and on post-Keynesian macroeconomic models.


Elective Courses in Economics


Honors Theory Courses


EC 203 Microeconomic Theory-Honors (F: 3)
Prerequisites: EC 131 and Calculus

A more intensive analytical treatment of the same material presented in EC 201. Some mathematical tools will be developed as needed. Open to anyone who has done well in Principles of Economics and highly recommended for students interested in doing graduate work in economics.

EC 204 Macroeconomic Theory-Honors (S: 3)
Prerequisites: EC 132 and Calculus

A more intensive treatment of the same material presented in EC 202. Open to anyone who has done well in Principles of Economics and highly recommended for students interested in doing graduate work in economics.


Independent Study and Honors Thesis


EC 299 Independent Study (F, S: 3)

EC 497 Senior Honors Research (F: 3)
EC 498 Senior Honors Thesis (S: 3)

EC 497-498 are required of all senior majors seeking a degree with Honors in Economics.

EC 600-601 Scholar of the College (F: 3-S: 3)