Economics + Mathematics/Statistics B.A.

The Economics and Mathematics/Statistics B.A. integrates the core principles of economics, mathematics and statistics, providing students with a comprehensive education in these fields. In the job market, there is high demand for economics majors with strong quantitative and statistical skills. This program will produce career-ready graduates, able to excel in a variety of fields involving quantitative analysis. The Economics and Mathematics/Statistics B.A. program is ideal for students seeking a variety of industry or government jobs that require more technical training, or for students who plan to pursue a graduate degree in economics after completing their B.A. degree.

Economics is a social science that seeks to model the behavior of economic agents (consumers, workers, firms, and government agencies) in an effort to explain the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services in a world where scarcity exists.

Mathematicians use theory, computational techniques, algorithms and computer technology to solve problems in various fields, including economics, business, finance, and social sciences. This major gives students a balanced education in both economics and mathematics/statistics.

Job outlook

Students graduating with this degree can work in a variety of different jobs such as actuary, budget analyst, credit analyst, economic analyst, economic consultant, financial adviser, financial analyst, healthcare data analyst, insurance analyst, public policy adviser, international trade specialist, investment manager, market analyst, mortgage loan associate, pricing analyst, quantitative analyst, real estate analyst, and statistician. 

They can also continue on to a master's or Ph.D. program in economics, finance, accounting and other related fields, or pursue a law degree.

Curriculum

Economics and Mathematics/Statistics B.A. majors must complete a total of 60 credit hours in the major, including 27-30 credit hours in economics and 30-38 credit hours in mathematics/statistics.

ECONOMICS REQUIREMENTS
Students must complete a minimum of 27 credit hours in economics.

Required courses for Economics:
Students must complete the following five 3-credit hour courses for a total of 15 credit hours:

• ECN 201 - Principles of Macroeconomics
• ECN 202 - Principles of Microeconomics
• ECN 301 - Intermediate Macroeconomics
• ECN 302 - Intermediate Microeconomics
• ECN 322 - Introduction to Econometrics

Economics Electives:
In addition to the five required economics courses, four 300/400-level economics elective courses amounting to at least 12 credit hours must be completed. These elective courses should be chosen in consultation with an advisor.

MATHEMATICS/STATISTICS REQUIREMENTS
Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours in mathematics and statistics.

Required courses for Mathematics/Statistics:
Students must complete the following six courses for a total of 21 credit hours. A grade of C or better must be obtained in each of these six courses.

• STA 145 – Intensive Statistical Concepts with Applications OR STA 147– Statistical Concepts with Applications OR a course approved by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics
• MTH 181 – Calculus I
• MTH 182 – Calculus II
• MTH 281 – Multivariable Calculus
• MTH 286 – Introduction to Differential Equations
• MTH 288 – Linear Algebra

Note: In addition to the above six required courses, MTH 220 – Introduction to Discrete Mathematics and MTH 396 – Junior Seminar are required if the student will take either MTH 496 or MTH 496H for their capstone requirement.

Mathematics/Statistics Electives:
 In addition to the six required mathematics/statistics courses, three 300/400-level mathematics or statistics elective courses amounting to at least 9 credit hours must be completed. At least one of these electives must be at the 400-level. The three elective courses should be chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor, and must be chosen from among the following Mathematics/Statistics electives:

• MTH 311 – Numerical Analysis
• MTH 386 – Differential Equations
• MTH 401 – Mathematical Modeling
• MTH 415 – Real Analysis
• MTH 425 – Methods of Applied Mathematics
• MTH 432 – Probabilistic Models
• MTH 434 – Differential Geometry
• MTH 487 – Dynamical Systems
• MTH 491 – Financial Mathematics
• STA 347 – Applied Statistics
• STA 400 – Data Visualization
• STA 421 – Time Series Analysis
• STA 424 – Probability and Mathematical Statistics
• STA 431 – Categorical Data Analysis
• STA 435 – Statistical Consulting and Programming
• STA 436 – Design and Analysis of Experiments

CAPSTONE REQUIREMENT
Students are required to complete one of the following:

• ECN 428 - Applied Economic Analysis
• MTH 496 - Senior Project (requires MTH 396 - Junior Seminar as a pre-requisite)