Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Home
CASProgramsEconomicsBA in Economics
BA in Economics
Contact
For contact information, please visit the Department of Economics website.
The major in Economics provides students with a firm understanding of core microeconomic and
macroeconomic theory while at the same time providing the empirical skills that are essential to applying
economic reasoning in our increasingly data-driven world. In addition to rigorous training in both theory and
econometrics, students have room in their program to choose electives in economics fitting their likely
targets of interest, ranging from financial economics to labor market analysis to development economics,
and many more.
Learning Outcomes
Understand economic theory, both microeconomic and macroeconomic, and be able to apply these
models to evaluate policies and real-world events.
Demonstrate focused expertise in one or more areas of economics.
Locate the necessary data to analyze and evaluate world events, and analyze data using appropriate
econometric methods.
Requirements
All BU undergraduate students, including both entering first-year and transfer students, will pursue
coursework in the BU Hub, the University’s general education program that is integrated into the entire
undergraduate experience. BU Hub requirements can be satisfied in a number of ways, including
coursework in and beyond the major (or minor) as well as through cocurricular activities. Students majoring
in Economics will ordinarily, through coursework in the major, satisfy BU Hub requirements in Social Inquiry,
Quantitative Reasoning, and some of the Intellectual Toolkit. Remaining BU Hub requirements will be
satisfied by selecting from a wide range of available courses outside the major or, in some cases,
cocurricular experiences.
Major in Economics:
PREREQUISITES
PRINCIPAL COURSES
Minimum requirement:
Nine courses with grades of C or higher, four of which must be: EC 341
CAS EC 201 Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis (4 cr)
CAS EC 202 Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis (4 cr)
EC 342
CAS EC 203 Empirical Economics 1* (4 cr) EC 323
CAS EC 204 Empirical Economics 2 (4 cr) EC 337
EC 545
https://www.bu.edu/academics/cas/programs/economics/ba/ 1/4
2/4/23, 9:52 AM BA in Economics » Academics | Boston University
CAS EC 201, EC 202, EC 203, and EC 204 should be taken before the senior year. Students with a strong
background and skills in mathematics may substitute the sequence CAS EC 303/304 for the required
sequence CAS EC 203/204. Students must fulfill the calculus requirement for the major, as described
below, prior to enrolling in CAS EC 201 or EC 303.
*QST QM 221 Probabilistic and Statistical Decision Making for Management, or CAS MA 115, or CAS MA
213 are acceptable substitutes for CAS EC 203.
The remaining five 4-credit principal courses are to be chosen from CAS EC 320 through EC 599
NOTES:
All 500-level and above economics courses are graduate-level courses. Special permission from the
instructor is required for undergraduates wishing to take these courses.
Departmental approval of transfer courses is required. Petitions for approval must be submitted to the
Economics Department. Students must submit a Transfer Course Equivalency Form, found on the
department’s Undergraduate Student Resources website, along with a copy of the course syllabus.
Students choosing economics as their major are required to demonstrate a proficiency in calculus by
completing any of the following with a grade of C or higher: CAS MA 121, 122, 123, 124, 127, or 129 or by
achieving at least a 4 on the appropriate calculus Advanced Placement examinations.
https://www.bu.edu/academics/cas/programs/economics/ba/ 2/4
2/4/23, 9:52 AM BA in Economics » Academics | Boston University
Archaeology
Asian Studies
Astronomy
Biology
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Biotechnology
Chemistry
Cinema & Media Studies
Classical Studies
Computer Science
Minor in the Core Curriculum
Minor in Core Independent Studies
Earth & Environment
Economics
BA in Economics
BA in Economics & Mathematics
BA/MA in Economics
BA in Economics & Mathematics/MA in Economics
Minor in Economics
Editorial Studies
Education Minors
English
European Studies
Global Medieval Studies
History
History of Art & Architecture
Holocaust, Genocide & Human Rights Studies
International Relations
Jewish Studies
Latin American Studies
Linguistics
Marine Science
Mathematics & Statistics
Middle East & North Africa Studies
Muslim Studies
Neuroscience
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychological & Brain Sciences
Religion
Romance Studies
Science Education
Sociology
Urban Studies
Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies
World Languages & Literatures
Arts & Sciences Writing Program
Honors in the Major
BA/MA and BA/MS Programs
BA/MPH Program
Seven-Year Liberal Arts/Medical Education Program
Educator Licensure
Sea Education Association/SEA Semester
The Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies
https://www.bu.edu/academics/cas/programs/economics/ba/ 3/4
2/4/23, 9:52 AM BA in Economics » Academics | Boston University
Departments
Pardee School of Global Studies
Courses
Policies
Academic and Student Resources
Student Activities
Terms of Use
Note that this information may change at any time. Read the full terms of use.
related websites
College of Arts & Sciences
Accreditation
Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
https://www.bu.edu/academics/cas/programs/economics/ba/ 4/4