Economics Major, B.S.
The B.S. degree in economics provides an overview of methods for studying activity and outcomes in market settings and beyond, considers the impact of public policy and business activity through the lens of economic models, and covers techniques in quantitative and data analysis that are the foundation of modern economic analysis. Relative to the B.A. degree in economics, the B.S. degree puts a greater emphasis on quantitative methods and student-conducted economic research, and it includes additional training beyond the B.A. degree. The B.S. degree is interdisciplinary, with required courses from mathematics, statistics and computer science. The B.S. major is classified as a STEM program with CIP code 45.0603.
This major provides the opportunity to achieve one or more of the following objectives:
- General education for intelligent citizenship with special emphasis on economic principles and the quantitative methods that economists use in applied analysis.
- Preparation for private employment, including finance, marketing, consulting, and data analytics.
- Preparation for government employment, with emphasis on methods to analyze the impacts of public policy.
- Preparation for graduate programs in economics, business administration, data analytics, international studies, law, health and hospital administration, city planning, public policy, and other fields.
- Creation of double majors and interdisciplinary majors with other STEM disciplines.
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 Requirement | ||
| 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 |
| ECON 470 | Econometrics H | 3 |
| Five ECON courses at the 400, 500, or 600 level, with at least two numbered 500 or higher 1, 3 | 15 | |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I 2, H, F | 4 |
| MATH 232 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable II H, F | 4 |
| MATH 233 | Calculus of Functions of Several Variables H, F | 4 |
| or MATH 235 | Mathematics for Data Science | |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Programming and Data Science H | ||
or COMP 116 | Introduction to Scientific Programming | |
| Linear Algebra for Applications | ||
| Discrete Mathematics H | ||
or COMP 283 | Discrete Structures | |
| Introduction to Optimization | ||
| Introduction to Probability | ||
or STOR 535 | Probability for Data Science | |
| Total Hours | 51 | |
| 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 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.
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.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| ECON 101 |
Introduction to Economics H, F |
4 |
| MATH 231 |
Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F |
4 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MATH 232 |
Calculus of Functions of One Variable II H, F |
4 |
| ECON 400 |
Introduction to Data Science and Econometrics H |
4 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECON 410 |
Intermediate Microeconomics H |
4 |
| MATH 233 |
Calculus of Functions of Several Variables H, F |
4 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECON 420 | Intermediate Macroeconomics H | 3 |
| ECON 470 |
Econometrics H |
3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECON --- | Economics elective course 1 | 3 |
| ECON --- | Economics elective course 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECON --- | Economics elective course 1 | 3 |
| Non-ECON elective course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECON --- | Economics electives course 1 | 3 |
| Non-ECON elective course | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECON --- | Economics elective course 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 51 | |
| 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
The ECON elective courses must be at the 400-level and above, including two at the 500-level.
See the program page here for special opportunities.
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