Economics Major, B.A.
The courses leading to a B.A. degree with a major in economics comprise a large area of inquiry into the problems and structure of the economic segment of society. The curriculum provides the opportunity to achieve one or more of the following objectives:
- General education for intelligent citizenship with special emphasis on understanding the principles and problems of modern economic life
- Preparation for private employment. In pursuing this objective, supplementary courses in business administration (especially accounting courses) may be selected and integrated with the student’s program.
- Preparation for government employment
- Preparation for graduate programs in economics, business administration, international studies, law, health and hospital administration, city planning, public policy, and other fields
- Specialized undergraduate programs incorporating double majors and interdisciplinary studies
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the economics program, students should be able to:
- Define common economic concepts
- Apply these concepts to understand and analyze observed economic phenomena
- Demonstrate the ability to use empirical and econometric methods in economic analysis
- Evaluate the impact of economic phenomena on welfare and standard of living
Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must
- earn a minimum final cumulative GPA of 2.000
- complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
- take at least half of their major core requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
- earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for major or specific courses.
For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway Course | ||
| ECON 101 |  Introduction to Economics (with a grade of C or better) H, F | 4 |
| Core Requirements | ||
| ECON 400 | Introduction to Data Science and Econometrics (with a grade of C or better) H | 4 |
| ECON 410 | Intermediate Microeconomics (with a grade of C or better) H | 4 |
| ECON 420 | Intermediate Macroeconomics H | 3 |
| Four ECON courses at the 400, 500, or 600 level, with at least one course numbered ECON 500 or higher. 1,3 | 12 | |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| One calculus course chosen from: 2 | 3-4 | |
| Calculus for Business and Social Sciences F | ||
| Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F | ||
| Decision Models for Business and Economics | ||
| Total Hours | 30-31 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
- 1
Note that 200- and 300-level courses do not count toward the major. ECON 493 does not count for 400-level credit. ECON 698 will count for 400-level credit only if ECON 384 has been taken; ECON 698 alone will not count toward the major in economics.
- 2
The calculus course is a prerequisite for both ECON 400 and ECON 410, and ECON 400 and ECON 410 are both prerequisites for economics courses numbered above 420.
- 3
Students may not receive credit for both ECON 470 and ECON 570.
Note: MATH 231 is recommended for students who plan to take the calculus sequence (MATH 231, MATH 232, and MATH 233). MATH 116 is not acceptable.
An economics major may apply as many as 15 economics courses, or 45 hours, toward the B.A. degree.
Economics (ECON) course descriptions.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans can be used as a guide to identify the courses required to complete the major and other requirements needed for degree completion within the expected eight semesters. The actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Students should meet with their academic advisor to create a degree plan that is specific and unique to their interests. The sample plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UNC–Chapel Hill in the fall term. Some courses may not be offered every term.
Sample Plan 1
| First Year | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Foundation Courses | ||
| IDST 101 | College Thriving | 1 |
| ENGL 105 | English Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
| First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch F | 3 | |
| IDST 111L | Data Literacy Lab | 1 |
| Global Language through level 3 | varies | |
| Major Courses | ||
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F or Decision Models for Business and Economicsor Calculus for Business and Social Sciences | 4 |
| ECON 101 | Introduction to Economics H, F | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| ECON 400 | Introduction to Data Science and Econometrics H | 4 |
| ECON 410 | Intermediate Microeconomics H | 4 |
| ECON 420 | Intermediate Macroeconomics H | 3 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| ECON 4-- | Two 400-level ECON electives | 6 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| ECON 4-- | One 400-level ECON elective | 3 |
| ECON 5-- | One 500-level ECON elective | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 39 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
Sample Plan 2 (Honors Thesis Track)
| First Year | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Foundation Courses | ||
| IDST 101 | College Thriving | 1 |
| ENGL 105 | English Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
| First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch F | 3 | |
| IDST 111L | Data Literacy Lab | 1 |
| Global Language through level 3 | varies | |
| Major Courses | ||
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F or Decision Models for Business and Economicsor Calculus for Business and Social Sciences | 4 |
| ECON 101 | Introduction to Economics H, F | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| ECON 400 | Introduction to Data Science and Econometrics H | 4 |
| ECON 410 | Intermediate Microeconomics H | 4 |
| ECON 420 | Intermediate Macroeconomics H | 3 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| ECON 4-- | Two 400-level ECON electives | 6 |
| ECON 470 | Econometrics H | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| ECON 691H | Honors Course | 3 |
| ECON 692H | Honors Course | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
Special Opportunities in Economics
Honors in Economics
The Department of Economics honors program offers outstanding economics students the opportunity to work closely with an individual faculty member on a specialized research topic of the student’s choice during the senior year. Generally, students with a 3.5 grade point average in economics courses and 3.3 in all University coursework may be invited to participate in this two-course program (ECON 691H and ECON 692H).
In the first semester (ECON 691H), students become familiar with the recent literature on topics of major interest. Each candidate formulates an honors thesis proposal and initiates work on the project. In ECON 692H, the thesis work is conducted under the supervision of a faculty advisor who is a specialist in the general topic area of the research.
Near the end of the second semester (ECON 692H), the student stands for an oral examination on the thesis. Upon successful completion of the program, the student receives the bachelor of arts degree with honors or with highest honors. Students in the honors program are also required to complete at least an eight-course major rather than the minimum seven courses, including ECON 691H and ECON 692H.
Credential in Quantitative Financial Economics (QFE)
The QFE credential provides students with both the theoretical knowledge of financial markets and the practical experience of financial-market transactions. This combination of classroom study and practical application leads to a more detailed and profound understanding of the economics of financial markets.
The QFE credential also introduces students to the tools and skills necessary to be effective financial-market participants in their post-graduate lives. Students acquire a familiarity with the general workings of the financial market and its connections to the real economy. They also acquire fluency in asset pricing and portfolio allocation, with a special emphasis on the quantitative tools necessary for estimation, testing, and optimization. Students are exposed to advanced quantitative tools such as Matlab, structured data storage, computational clusters, and API’s for real-time data extraction.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| To earn the credential a student must complete three courses: | ||
| ECON 425 | Financial Economics | 3 |
| ECON 493 | Practicum in Quantitative Financial Economics | 1 |
| ECON 525 |
Advanced Financial Economics | 3 |
| Total Hours | 7 | |
Departmental Involvement
Clubs
Undergraduates in economics have organized two active clubs, the Carolina Economics Club (CEC) and the Women in Economics (WIE) Club. Seminars, resumé workshop, social activities, case competition, and greater interaction among students and with faculty have resulted from the formation of these ongoing organizations. All majors are invited to participate in the activities of these organizations.
Competitions
The Fed Challenge Competition conducted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is an opportunity for students to participate in a competition where they can apply their skills from courses in the economics major. Each year, a team of three to five advanced students undertakes research and data analysis on U.S. monetary policy under faculty supervision to participate in the annual competition.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Challenge is a faculty supervised opportunity for students to use their data analysis and research skills to analyze data on financial institutions and economic variables and present the results in the annual competition.
Honor Society
The local chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the national economics honor society, annually extends membership to those outstanding junior and senior economics majors who have demonstrated strong academic performance both overall and in their economics courses.
Research Opportunities
In spring 2025, the department has started a new undergraduate research Initiative to allow students to engage in research outside the classrooms. Current activities include:
Summer Research
Summer research projects provide an opportunity to explore a research question in depth with an advanced Ph.D. student or faculty member.
Faculty-Led Research
Students work as part of a research team on an actual, frontier-research project led by a faculty member. Students may receive course credit or work for hourly pay.
Conference and Seminars
The department coordinates, encourages, and supports with a small grant the presentation of undergraduate research at scientific research conferences and seminars.
Economics Adventures
The department offers small grants to help finance your adventure. Adventures include, but are not limited to: meeting prominent scholars and economics practitioners, visiting relevant locations, research visits to libraries or data storage facilities.
Ceteris Paribus: The Carolina Journal of Undergraduate Research in Economics
Born from a students' initiative, Ceteris Paribus publishes, promotes, and engenders undergraduate research in economics at UNC and beyond. Faculty members are actively engaged in the project, assisting in its launch, and participating in the Faculty Scientific Committee. Learn more here.
Study Abroad Opportunities
There are two study abroad opportunities offered through the economics department: Exploring Economies in Scandinavia and UNC Economics in Croatia.
Exploring Economies in Scandinavia exposes students to economic concepts by exploring and experiencing Stockholm's history and culture through an economic lens. This course complements study in political science, business, sociology, women's and gender studies, health policy and management, public policy, etc.
UNC Economics in Croatia is a six-week experience where students are immersed in the life and culture of Split, Croatia. Students take two courses at the University of Split and visit a number of surrounding areas, including the Istrian Peninsula, the birthplace of sports tourism in Croatia.
EconAid Center
The EconAid Center provides free, drop-in tutoring with undergraduate peer tutors, for students in the core economics courses (101, 400, 410, and 420) as well as select upper-division economics courses. It is also a space for professors, TAs, and ULAs to hold office hours and help sessions as well as a general study space for economics students.
Undergraduate Awards
Each spring the Chancellor awards the Undergraduate Prize in Economics to the undergraduate student majoring in economics who has been judged the most outstanding on the basis of major and related course performances.
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