Department of Agricultural Economics & Economics

The Bachelor of Science degree in economics stresses the use of economics as a means of understanding current economic activities and problems and their relationship to our social environment. Economics is the study of critical decision-making behavior. It is a mode of thinking and reasoning with widespread application. The skills that employers value most highly are the ability to think critically and carefully, the ability to learn new skills and the ability to solve problems. Some vocations may require very specific skills (for example, knowledge of a particular computer software package). However, skill requirements change over time. The need for people who can think, learn and solve problems is timeless. Economics hones these time-honored abilities

The objective of the program is to provide the student with a liberal university education with particular emphasis on economics. In keeping with this objective, requirements are specified largely in terms of broad subject areas rather than designation of particular courses. The student, with the help of the advisor, is given the opportunity to develop a program to meet his or her own particular needs and interests. With this freedom, however, comes the responsibility of building an overall program that is both cohesive and academically sound. The program focuses on teaching students to think, to use logic and reason, and to organize their thoughts in order to solve problems rather than simply memorize and recite the subject matter. The courses also focus on instilling in students a desire to learn, so that they will leave our courses prepared and eager for lifelong learning.

The economics program, with its flexibility, offers the opportunity to acquire a general university education and the necessary background and preparation for many career objectives. Economics majors pursue a wide variety of careers after graduation. Students with a bachelor's degree in economics are often employed in the financial, retailing, and industrial sectors of the economy. Economics majors also work in such diverse fields as actuarial science, elementary and secondary education, journalism, investment banking, securities analysis, corporate finance, insurance, law, politics, and environmental regulation, as well as in government and academia. Graduate schools regard a degree in economics as excellent preparation for advanced work toward a degree in law as well as a Ph.D. in a number of social science fields such as economics, international relations, public policy, and political science. Economics is also an excellent undergraduate major for students seeking an MBA. What you can do with an education in economics is unlimited!

Curriculum in Economics

• General Economics
• Economics Minor (Non-Teaching)

NOTE: ECON 250IS (Honors Economics, 4 credits) may be substituted for the 3 course sequence ECON 101IS, ECON 102, and ECON 201IS.

*At least two ECON/AGEC courses (6 credits) at the 400 level or higher are required, excluding seminars, 470's and 489/490's.

Students completing a double major with economics as one of the majors are only required to meet their University Core or Social Science requirements.

Students completing a double major with finance and economics as the two majors may use ECON 313 - Money & Banking as an elective in the economic major.

Entrance to the General Economics Program:

Program entrance requirements are that a student must (1) have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 and received a grade of C or better in each of the following courses: ECON 101IS, ECON 102, ECON 201IS, and MATH 170Q or MATH 181Q (or their equivalents), OR (2) be an incoming transfer student or of freshman standing.

Graduation Requirements

General Economics students must receive a grade of C or better in ECON 101IS, ECON 102, ECON 201IS, ECON 301, ECON 302, and MATH 170Q or MATH 181Q (or their equivalents) to meet departmental graduation requirements. All other ECON/AGEC elective courses counting toward departmental requirements must be graded C- or better.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.

ECONOMICS MINOR (NON-TEACHING)

A student must receive a grade of C- or better in all Economics courses required for the minor.

*NOTE: ECON 250IS (Honors Economics, 4 credits) may be substituted for the three-course sequence: ECON 101IS, ECON102SG, and ECON 201IS.

**"P" grades may be accepted at the discretion of the department only for courses transferred from outside the Montana State University System.

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