College of Science

Economics

Overview

Specialization in economics prepares a person for a wide variety of careers that emphasize the methods and consequences of analytical decision making in business and government and a broad understanding of the operation of the economy.

Economists are employed in private business and federal, state, and local governments. Economic analysis is directed at a wide range of problems including inflation and recession, environmental problems, taxation decisions, regulatory and antitrust problems, forecasting, and managerial decision making. Undergraduate work in economics also provides an excellent background for further study in law, political science, urban planning, and business administration.

Degree Options

Science majors can earn a specialization within the major. Specializations include Public Policy, Macroeconomics and Finance, and Business Economics, among others. Requirements for the specialization include choosing from a list of related courses and having a high level of performance in both these courses and the rest of the. Students who complete a specialization will be presented at graduation with a Certificate of Specialization. Letters of reference written by the faculty at the student's request can also reflect this achievement.

Degree Requirements

Majors in the College of Science are required to complete the core requirements for the college. The specific requirements for the degree include ECON 2005, 2006; ECON 3104, 3204 and either 3254 or 4304; BIT 2405-2406 or STAT 3005 (the latter is recommended); MATH 1114-1205-1206 (recommended), or 1015-1016-2015 or 1525-1526; and 15 hours of economics electives at the 3000 or 4000 level. The specific requirements are ECON 3104, 3204, 3254 or 4304 and 15 hours of economics electives at the 3000 or 4000 level.

Detailed checklists along with more detailed information can be found on Economics web page: www.econ.vt.edu and in the department undergraduate office.

Minor Requirements

A minor in economics requires ECON 2005, 2006, 3104, 3204, and two additional 3000- or 4000-level economics courses.

5-Year B.A./M.A.

The department offers a 5-year combined bachelor's and master's degree for students with a GPA of at least 3.5. See the undergraduate director for details.

Honors Degree

The department also offers an honors degree. See the undergraduate director for details.

Satisfactory Progress

University policy requires that students who are making satisfactory progress toward a degree meet minimum criteria toward the Curriculum for Liberal Education (see "Academics"), toward the College of Science Core (see first part of this chapter), and toward the degree in economics.

Satisfactory progress toward the B.A. and B.S. in Economics requires that:

1. Upon having attempted 72 semester credits (including transfer, advanced placement, advanced standing, credit by examination), students must:
   1. Have completed:

   Econ 2005: Principles of Economics (micro)	3
   Econ 2006: Principles of Economics (macro)	3
   Econ 3104: Microeconomic Theory	3
   Econ 3204: Macroeconomic Theory	3
   Stat 3005 or BIT 2406	3
   Total Credits	15

   2. Be registered in at least two 3-credit ECON courses during each on-campus semester of the regular academic year unless they have completed all ECON courses required for graduation;
   3. Achieve a GPA of 2.0 or better in the major no later than having attempted 72 hours toward the degree;
   4. Not repeat any ECON course required in the major more than once;
   5. Not repeat more than 3 ECON courses in the major.
2. Upon having attempted 96 semester credits, students must have an in-major grade point average of 2.0 or above.

Course Descriptions (ECON)

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