Catalog Year: 2023-2024
Banner Code: LA-BS-ECON-MECN
Economics is about more than money and profits. It is a way of looking at the world through the lens of incentives, choices, and markets to help uncover new solutions to the persistent problems in our society. This economic perspective sheds light on important issues in the areas of production, education, crime, the environment, international trade, immigration, health care, economic growth, poverty, and more. The Bachelor of Science in Economics provides a stronger emphasis on quantitative analysis. Students prepare for a career as an analyst in government, consulting, trade associations, or other private sector positions, and for graduate school in economics or more quantitative business administration programs.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Students pursuing departmental honors must complete 6 hours of ECON 495 RS: Honors Thesis in Economics (Mason Core) culminating with an original work of research and an oral presentation. Requirements for departmental honors are in addition to the coursework required for the major. Students must complete ECON 495 RS: Honors Thesis in Economics (Mason Core) with a grade of B or higher to receive departmental honors.
Economics majors who have completed 90 credits with an overall GPA of 3.50 and a GPA of 3.50 within the major are eligible to apply. Not all applicants who meet the minimum requirements are guaranteed acceptance.
Applications will be available starting May 1st of each year. Applications are due by August 1st.
To be accepted into the program and enroll in ECON 495 RS: Honors Thesis in Economics (Mason Core) students must submit a research proposal. Research proposals can be developed independently or by completing ECON 494 Introduction to Independent Research in Economics with a grade of B or higher. Completion of ECON 494 Introduction to Independent Research in Economics is not required for departmental honors.
Total credits: minimum 120
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Some economics courses may fulfill the Mason Core requirement in global understanding. Check with the departmental advising office for more information.
Students who wish to focus their BS in economics for application in the business world may choose to pursue a concentration in managerial economics. They complete 62 credits, 10 of which may be used also to fulfill Mason Core requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 103 | Contemporary Microeconomic Principles (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 104 | Contemporary Macroeconomic Principles (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 306 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 308 | Managerial Economics and Strategy | 3 |
| ECON 309 | Economic Problems and Public Policies | 3 |
| ECON 310 | Money and Banking | 3 |
| ECON 311 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 345 | Introduction to Econometrics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) and Introductory Statistics II |
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| Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I and Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II |
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| Total Credits | 6 | |
With departmental permission, BUS 210 Business Analytics I (Mason Core) and BUS 310 Business Analytics II may also be substituted for the two required courses in statistics; however, a two-course sequence of STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) and STAT 350 Introductory Statistics II OR STAT 344 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I and STAT 354 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II is highly recommended for students who wish to pursue graduate study in economics.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 203 | Survey of Accounting | 3 |
| MATH 113 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) | 4 |
| MATH 114 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II 1 | 4 |
| Total Credits | 11 | |
ECON 340 Introduction to Mathematical Economics may not be substituted for MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II for the concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BUS 103 | Develop Professional Skills I: Foundational Elements | 3 |
| BUS 303 | Develop Professional Skills II: Advanced Elements | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Economics of Labor | ||
| Economics of Industrial Organization | ||
| International Economics | ||
| Game Theory and Economics of Institutions | ||
| Law and Economics | ||
| International Money and Finance | ||
| Financial Economics | ||
| Airline Economics | ||
| Special Topics in Economics | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 6 credits of electives in economics from courses at the 300 and 400 level or higher. 2 | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
At least 6 credits of electives in economics must be at the 400 level.
ECON 385 International Economic Policy may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one elective from the following: | 3 | |
| Legal Environment of Business | ||
| Financial Management | ||
| Principles of Management | ||
| Principles of Marketing | ||
| Introduction to Business Information Systems (Mason Core) | ||
| Operations Management | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated as "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in economics fulfill this requirement by successfully completing:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| The Political Economy of Nonprofit Institutions | ||
| Topics in Economic History | ||
| Effective Writing in Economics | ||
| Economics of Energy | ||
| Economics of Regulation | ||
| Smithian Political Economy I | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.
Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
Students who have completed the following credentials are eligible for a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower level) requirement categories. The Integration category (upper level) is not waived under this policy. See Admissions for more information.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (ENGH 101) | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Information Technology and Computing | 3 | |
| Exploration Requirements | ||
| Arts | 3 | |
| Global History | 3 | |
| Global Understanding | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 7 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Integration Requirements | ||
| Written Communications (ENGH 302) | 3 | |
| Writing-Intensive 1 | 3 | |
| Synthesis/Capstone 2 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core.
Minimum 3 credits required.
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated as “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in economics fulfill this requirement by successfully completing ECON 345, 355, 365, 435, or 470.