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 Requirements

The graduation requirements in effect at the time of graduation apply. When choosing the degree requirements information, always choose the year of your expected date of graduation. Requirements for graduation are referred to via university publications as "Checksheets". The number of credit hours required for degree completion varies among curricula. Students must satisfactorily complete all requirements and university obligations for degree completion.

The university reserves the right to modify requirements in a degree program. However, the university will not alter degree requirements less than two years from the expected graduation year unless there is a transition plan for students already in the degree program.

Please visit the University Registrar website at http://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html for degree requirements.

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. 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.

Minor Requirements

The requirements to earn a minor in economics can be found on its checksheet by visiting the University Registrar website at http://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html.

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 advisor for details.

Honors Degree

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

Satisfactory Progress

University policy requires that students who are making satisfactory progress toward a degree meet minimum criteria toward the General Education (Curriculum for Liberal Education) (see "Academics") and toward the degree.

Satisfactory progress requirements toward the B.A. and B.S. in Economics can be found on the major checksheet by visiting the University Registrar website at http://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html.

Undergraduate Course Descriptions (ECON)

2005-2006: PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS
2005: Introduction to microeconomics. The economic approach to decision-making. Model of supply and demand. Elasticities. Consumer behavior. Firm behavior under varying industry structures. Sources and consequences of market failure. Costs and benefits of international trade. The role of government in the economy. Economic, ethical, and social ramifications of issues such as pollution, missing information, and income inequality. 2006: Introduction to macroeconomics. The measurement of economic activity. Macroeconomic problems (such as unemployment and inflation). The monetary system. Effects and limitations of monetary and fiscal policies. International economics. Social and ethical issues related to macroeconomic policy. (3H,3C)

2025H,2026H: HONORS PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS
2025H: Microeconomics. Consumer behavior and demand, firm behavior and supply, price determination and market equilibrium under varying industry structure. Applications to labor and financial markets. 2026H: Macroeconomics. Measuring aggregate economic activity, macroeconomic problems (such as unemployment and inflation), the monetary system, effects and limitations of monetary and fiscal policies. (3H,3C)

2894 (PHIL 2894) (PSCI 2894): INTRODUCTION PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS, AND ECONOMICS
Integrated study of philosophy, politics, and economics. Trains students to make decisions that are not only economically sound, but also socially, ethically, and politically informed. Topics included: models of human nature, rational choice theory social cooperation, distributive justice, markets, and democracy. (3H,3C)

2974H: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Honors section. Variable credit course.

2994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course. X-grade allowed.

2994H: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course. X-grade allowed.

3004: CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC ISSUES
The economic analysis of current issues and problems. This course may be repeated with different topic. Pre: 2006 or 2115 or 2125 or 2026H. (3H,3C)

3024: ECONOMIC JUSTICE
This course explores how different assumptions regarding the basis of claims for access to economic resources lead to different outcomes. Students will explore a variety of theories and examine their own beliefs about economic justice. Pre: (2005 or 2025H), (2006 or 2026H). (3H,3C)

3034: ECONOMICS OF POVERTY AND DISCRIMINATION
Poverty and inequality in the United States and around the world. Sources of poverty. Antipoverty policies. Definition, empirical evidence, and causes of discrimination. Emphasis on ethical human behavior and policy analysis. Pre: 2005. (3H,3C)

3104: MICROECONOMIC THEORY
Theories of demand, production, perfectly and imperfectly competitive price determination, and general market equilibrium. Analytic applications. Pre: Must complete ECON 2005 (with a C or better) and obtain (1) a C- or better in (MATH 1205, 1206, and 1114) or (MATH 1225, 1226, 1114) or (2) a B- or better in (MATH 1015, 1016, 2015) or (MATH 1525, 1525) or (MATH 1014, 1025, 1026) Pre: 2005, (MATH 1205, MATH 1206, MATH 1114) or (MATH 1015, MATH 1016, MATH 2015) or (MATH 1525, MATH 1526) or (MATH 1225, MATH 1226, MATH 1114) or (MATH 1014, MATH 1025, MATH 1026). (3H,3C)

3204: MACROECONOMIC THEORY
Theories of the determination of the level of aggregate economy-wide activity. Employment, the price level, aggregate national income, and the interest rate. The roles of money and expectations. Pre: (2006 or 2115 or 2125 or 2026H), (3104 or 4104H), (MATH 1206 or MATH 1226 or MAT H 1526 or MATH 2015 or MATH 1026). (3H,3C)

3214: MONEY AND BANKING
Money and credit. The U.S. monetary system. Monetary theory, monetary policy and economic stabilization. Pre: (2005 or 2025H), 2006. (3H,3C)

3254: ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC DATA
Sources of economic data. Application of spreadsheet and/or statistical software to analysis of economic relationships using graphical and regression techniques. Emphasis is on economic applications rather than statistical theory. Pre: (BIT 2405 or MSCI 2405, BIT 2406 or MSCI 2406) or STAT 3005 or STAT 4604 or STAT 4705 or STAT 4714. (3H,3C)

3954: STUDY ABROAD
Variable credit course.

4014: ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS
Economic dimensions and aspects of programs designed to impose quality controls upon the environment. Special emphasis on problems of controlling air and water pollution. Pre: 2005 or 2116 or 2126 or 2025H. (3H,3C)

4044: PUBLIC ECONOMICS
Economic rationale of the public sector. Proper size and functions of government. Market failure, Cost-benefit analysis, public goods provision. Pricing of public enterprise services. Pre: 3104 or 2025H. (3H,3C)

4054: PUBLIC FINANCE
The structure and incidence of taxation in the U.S. Effects of taxes on incentives and economic efficiency. Tax Policy. Pre: 3104 or 2025H. (3H,3C)

4074: LABOR ECONOMICS
Human capital theory, labor supply and demand, discrimination, effects of labor unions and collective bargaining, wage differentials, income distribution. Pre: (2005 or 2116 or 2126 or 2025H), 3254. (3H,3C)

4084: INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
The structure and performance of American industry. Dimensions and measures of market structure. Factors affecting market structure. The relationship between structure and performance. Purpose and effects of antitrust policy, regulation, and other public policies toward industry. Pre: 3104 or 4924. (3H,3C)

4124: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Theories of economic growth. Policies to foster growth, and their consequences. Pre: 2006, (2025H or 3104). (3H,3C)

4135,4136 (AAEC 4135): INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
4135 International Trade: Factor mobility and commercial policy (tariffs, quotas, export licensing). 4136 International Finance: Liquidity, exchange rates, comparative international living standards, foreign aid. Pre: 3104 or 2025H for 4135; 3204 or 4204H for 4136. (3H,3C)

4144: ECONOMICS OF CHINA
Evolution of the Chinese economy since 1949. Exposition of alternative economic systems, the commune, incentive problems, and state owned enterprises. Analysis of recent reforms and their effects on economic efficiency; and key issues of economic transition related to Russia and other East European countries. Pre: (3104 or 2025H). (3H,3C)

4214: ECONOMICS OF HEALTH CARE
Effects of medical care on health; cost and production of medical care; demand for medical care and its financing; structure of the health care industry; reorganization for efficiency. Pre: 2005 or 2025H. (3H,3C)

4304: INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMETRIC METHODS
An introduction to econometric modeling techniques, including regression methods. Particular emphasis on the special problems posed by economic data. Pre: STAT 3005. Co: 3204, 3104. (3H,3C)

4404: ECONOMICS OF ORGANIZATIONS
Economic theories of organization, with specific attention to their internal structure, and to design of incentive systems. Application to mergers, to the relationship between stockholders and managers, etc. Students with one year of economics, calculus and major in some other social science, by permission of the instructor. Pre: 3104 or 4924 or 2025H. (3H,3C)

4424: THE THEORY OF GAMES AND ECONOMIC BEHAVIOR
Introduction to games and solution concepts, such as prisoner’s dilemma, noncooperative equilibrium and Nash’s bargaining solution. These concepts are applied in analyzing economic problems including bargaining problems, oligopoly and agency. Pre: 3104 or 4104H. (3H,3C)

4434: EXPERIMENTAL ECONOMICS
This is a course in the use of laboratory methods to study behavior in economics and the social sciences. Students will study state-of-the-art methodology in experimental economics, including experimental design, laboratory technique, financial incentives, and analysis of data. Students will participate in, design, and conduct experiments in bargaining, auctions, asset markets, public goods and commons situations, and risky decision-making. Pre: (3104 or 2025H), (BIT 2406 or MSCI 2406 or STAT 2004 or STAT 3005). (3H,3C)

4454 (NEUR 4454) (PSYC 4454): NEUROECONOMICS
Neural processes related to reward, learning, reflection, delay of gratification, and social interaction. Clinical uses of neuroeconomics research techniques. Implications of neuroeconomics in economics, policy, law and business. Pre: NEUR 2026 or ECON 3104. (3H,3C)

4754: INTERNSHIP
Qualified students are placed in an industry or government position under the combined supervision of a faculty member and a responsible supervisor in the employing agency. Satisfactory evaluation from employer, detailed reports on the internship experience and a specific project will be required of each intern. Pre: Junior standing, QCA of 2.50 or better and consent. Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course. X-grade allowed. Pre: 2005.

4884 (PHIL 4884) (PSCI 4884): ADVANCED TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS, AND ECONOMICS
Advanced topics at the intersection of philosophy, politics, and economics. Core methods and concepts: utility theory, game theory, social choice theory, public choice theory, markets, justice, and democracy. Senior research project. Advanced Discourse. Pre: Senior standing. Pre: PHIL 2894 or PSCI 2894 or ECON 2894. (3H,3C)

4894: LAW AND ECONOMICS
Analysis of the economic effects of legal rules, with emphasis on the law of property, contract, liability, and land use. Pre: 2005. (3H,3C)

4964: FIELD STUDY
Variable credit course.

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

4974H: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Honors section. Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.

4994H: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Honors section. Variable credit course.