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:

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the economics program, students should be able to:

Requirements

In addition to the program requirements, students must

Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
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

Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply.

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.

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.

Department Programs

Major

Minor

Graduate Programs

Department of Economics

107 Gardner Hall, CB# 3305

Chair

Director of Undergraduate Studies

Undergraduate Student Advisor

Undergraduate Student Services Manager

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