Academic Programs Catalog

College of Social Science

Undergraduate Programs

The Department of Economics offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, as well as a minor. Jointly with the Department of Political Science, it also offers a Linked Bachelor of Arts or Science/Master of Public Policy degree program.

The economics degree programs provide students with substantive knowledge of the domestic and international economy and include the study of institutions, concepts, policy, and tools of analysis. Our students prepare for careers in business such as banking, financial markets, insurance, management, and consulting; positions in national, state, and local governments; teaching; and graduate study in economics and related fields including business administration, finance, public policy, and law.

The department stresses flexibility in each undergraduate program and requires a strong core of economic theory, supplemented by mathematics, statistics, and computer science. All students are afforded substantial elective space and are encouraged to develop programs of study that are tailored to their individual interests and goals.

The Linked Bachelor of Arts or Science/Master of Public Policy program allows qualified students interested in professional careers in policy analysis, program management or policy advocacy the opportunity to complete both their bachelor's and master's degrees in a total of five years.

Beyond the introductory courses in microeconomics and macroeconomics, the department offers courses in a number of areas of emphasis. These areas of emphasis are listed below, along with their respective course offerings.

Microeconomics
    EC 251H Microeconomics and Public Policy
    EC 301 Intermediate Microeconomics
    EC 401 Advanced Microeconomics
Macroeconomics and Monetary Theory
    EC 252H Macroeconomics and Public Policy
    EC 302 Intermediate Macroeconomics
    EC 330 Money, Banking, and Financial Markets
    EC 402 Advanced Macroeconomics
Development
    EC 310 Economics of Developing Countries
    EC 410 Issues in the Economics of Developing Countries (W)
    EC 413 Economic Analysis of Asia (W)
    EC 414 Economic Analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa (W)
Econometrics
    EC 420 Introduction to Econometric Methods
    EC 421 Advanced Econometric Methods
    EC 422 Advanced Data Analysis in Economics
Public Economics
    EC 335 Taxes, Government Spending and Public Policy
    EC 435 Public Expenditures (W)
    EC 436 Public Revenues (W)
International Economics
    EC 340 Survey of International Economics
    EC 440 International Trade (W)
    EC 441 International Finance (W)
Industrial Organization
    EC 360 Private Enterprise and Public Policy
    EC 460 American Industry: Structure and Behavior (W)
Labor Economics
    EC 380 Labor Relations and Labor Market Policy
    EC 480 Analysis of Labor Markets (W)
Economics of Education
    EC 485 Economics of Education (W)
Law and Economics
    EC 425 Law and Economics (W)
Health and Welfare
    EC 495 Economics of Poverty and Income Distribution (W)
    EC 498 Economics of Health Care (W)
Urban Economics
    EC 438 Urban Economics (W)
Environmental Economics
    EC 450 Economics of Environmental Policy (W)
Behavioral Economics
    EC 404 Behavioral Economics (W)
Undergraduate Research
    EC 499 Senior Seminar for Economics Majors (W)


 


Economics - Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics emphasizes the use of quantitative techniques in the analysis of economic theories.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics

  1. The graduation requirements of the University as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.

    The University's Mathematics requirement for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics is met by completing Mathematics 124, 132, or 152H.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Economics major is met by completing one of the following courses: Economics 404, 410, 413, 414, 425, 435, 436, 438, 440, 441, 450, 460, 480, 485, 495, 498, or 499. Those courses are referenced in item 3. c. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major (36 or 37 credits):
    Students may elect to complete more economics courses than those needed to complete the requirements for the major, with the understanding that the grades earned in such courses will be included in the computation of the grade-point average for courses in the major to meet College of Social Science graduation requirements. In order to be eligible to enroll in Economics 499, as referenced in item 3. below, students must have a grade-point average of 2.0 across attempted Economics courses.
    a.  All of the following courses in the Department of Economics (15 credits):
    EC 201 Introduction to Microeconomics 3
    EC 202 Introduction to Macroeconomics 3
    EC 301 Intermediate Microeconomics 3
    EC 302 Intermediate Macroeconomics 3
    EC 420 Introduction to Econometric Methods 3
    A minimum grade of 2.0 must be achieved in both Economics 201 and 202. A maximum of one course repeat (3 credits) may be used to satisfy the 2.0 grade requirement.
     
    Economics 251H may be substituted for Economics 201 and 301. Students who elect this substitution, and who do not take Economics 252H, may satisfy the requirement referenced in item 3. a. by completing at least 2 to 3 credits in Economics courses at the 300-400 level, in addition to the 9 credits referenced in item 3. d.
    Economics 252H may be substituted for Economics 202 and 302. Students who elect this substitution, and who do not take Economics 251H, may satisfy the requirement referenced in item 3. a. by completing at least 3 credits in Economics courses at the 300-400 level, in addition to the 9 credits referenced in item 3. d.
    Economics 251H and 252H may be substituted for the following group of courses: Economics 201, 202, 301, and 302. Students who elect this substitution may satisfy the requirement referenced in item 3. a. by completing at least 5 to 6 credits in two Economics courses at the 300-400 level, in addition to the 9 credits referenced in item 3. d.
    Students who elect to use Economics 251H as a substitute for Economics 201 and/or Economics 252H as a substitute for Economics 202 must achieve a minimum grade of 2.0 in the course substitute. A maximum of one course repeat (3 credits) may be used to satisfy the 2.0 grade requirement.
     
    b. One of the following courses in the international area (3 credits):
    EC 310 Economics of Developing Countries 3
    EC 340 Survey of International Economics 3
    EC 410 Issues in the Economics of Developing Countries (W) 3
    EC 413 Economic Analysis of Asia (W) 3
    EC 414 Economic Analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa (W) 3
    EC 440 International Trade (W) 3
    EC 441 International Finance (W) 3
    The course used to fulfill this requirement may not be used to fulfill requirement c. below.
    c. One of the following courses (3 credits):
    EC 404 Behavioral Economics (W) 3
    EC 410 Issues in the Economics of Developing Countries (W) 3
    EC 413 Economic Analysis of Asia (W) 3
    EC 414 Economic Analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa (W) 3
    EC 425 Law and Economics (W) 3
    EC 435 Public Expenditures (W) 3
    EC 436 Public Revenues (W) 3
    EC 438 Urban Economics (W) 3
    EC 440 International Trade (W) 3
    EC 441 International Finance (W) 3
    EC 450 Economics of Environmental Policy (W) 3
    EC 460 American Industry: Structure and Behavior (W) 3
    EC 480 Analysis of Labor Markets (W) 3
    EC 485 Economics of Education (W) 3
    EC 495 Economics of Poverty and Income Distribution (W) 3
    EC 498 Economics of Health Care (W) 3
    EC 499 Senior Seminar for Economics Majors (W) 3
    The course used to fulfill this requirement may not be used to fulfill requirement b. above.
    d. Nine additional credits in economics courses, of which at least 6 credits must be at the 400-level.
    e. One of the following courses (3 credits):
    MTH 124 Survey of Calculus I 3
    MTH 132 Calculus I 3
    MTH 152H Honors Calculus I 3
    The course used to fulfill this requirement may also be used to fulfill the University mathematics requirement.
    f. One of the following courses (3 credits):
    STT 315 Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Business 3
    STT 421 Statistics I 3
    g. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
    CMSE 201 Computational Modeling and Data Analysis 4
    CSE 102 Algorithmic Thinking and Programming 3


Economics - Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics emphasizes the use of advanced math and science in the analysis of economic theories. The program offers students more emphasis on mathematics, statistics, and computer science, as preparation for those who wish to pursue graduate training in economics.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics

  1. The graduation requirements of the University as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.

    The University's Mathematics requirement for the Bachelor of Science degree in Economics is met by completing Mathematics 132, or 152H.

    The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Economics major is met by completing one of the following courses: Economics 404, 410, 413, 414, 425, 435, 436, 438, 440, 441, 450, 460, 480, 485, 495, 498, or 499. Those courses are referenced in item 3. c. below.
     
  2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Science degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major (30 credits):
    Students may elect to complete more economics courses than those needed to complete the requirements for the major, with the understanding that the grades earned in such courses will be included in the computation of the grade-point average for courses in the major to meet College of Social Science graduation requirements. In order to be eligible to enroll in Economics 499, as referenced in item 3. c. and 3.e. below, students must have a grade-point average of 2.0 across attempted Economics courses.
    a. All of the following courses (15 credits):
    EC 201 Introduction to Microeconomics 3
    EC 202 Introduction to Macroeconomics 3
    EC 301 Intermediate Microeconomics 3
    EC 302 Intermediate Macroeconomics 3
    EC 420 Introduction to Econometric Methods 3
    A minimum grade of 2.0 must be achieved in both Economics 201 and 202. A maximum of one course repeat (3 credits) may be used to satisfy the 2.0 grade requirement.
     
    Economics 251H may be substituted for Economics 201 and 301. Students who elect this substitution, and who do not take Economics 252H, may satisfy the requirement referenced in item 3. a. by completing at least 2 to 3 credits in Economics courses at the 300-400 level, in addition to the credits referenced in item 3. f.
     
    Economics 252H may be substituted for Economics 202 and 302. Students who elect this substitution, and who do not take Economics 251H, may satisfy the requirement referenced in item 3. a. by completing at least 3 credits in Economics courses at the 300-400 level, in addition to the credits referenced in item 3. f.
     
    Economics 251H and 252H may be substituted for the following group of courses: Economics 201, 202, 301, and 302. Students who elect this substitution may satisfy the requirement referenced in item 3. a. by completing at least 5 to 6 credits in two Economics courses at the 300-400 level, in addition to the credits referenced in item 3. f.
     
    Students who elect to use Economics 251H as a substitute for Economics 201 and/or Economics 252H as a substitute for Economics 202 must achieve a minimum grade of 2.0 in the course substitute. A maximum of one course repeat (3 credits) may be used to satisfy the 2.0 grade requirement. 
     
    b. One of the following courses in the international area (3 credits):
    EC 310 Economics of Developing Countries 3
    EC 340 Survey of International Economics 3
    EC 410 Issues in the Economics of Developing Countries (W) 3
    EC 413 Economic Analysis of Asia (W) 3
    EC 414 Economic Analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa (W) 3
    EC 440 International Trade (W) 3
    EC 441 International Finance (W) 3
    The course used to fulfill this requirement may not be used to fulfill requirement 3. c. below.
    c. One of the following courses (3 credits):
    EC 404 Behavioral Economics (W) 3
    EC 410 Issues in the Economics of Developing Countries (W) 3
    EC 413 Economic Analysis of Asia (W) 3
    EC 414 Economic Analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa (W) 3
    EC 425 Law and Economics (W) 3
    EC 435 Public Expenditures (W) 3
    EC 436 Public Revenues (W) 3
    EC 438 Urban Economics (W) 3
    EC 440 International Trade (W) 3
    EC 441 International Finance (W) 3
    EC 450 Economics of Environmental Policy (W) 3
    EC 460 American Industry: Structure and Behavior (W) 3
    EC 480 Analysis of Labor Markets (W) 3
    EC 485 Economics of Education (W) 3
    EC 495 Economics of Poverty and Income Distribution (W) 3
    EC 498 Economics of Health Care (W) 3
    EC 499 Senior Seminar for Economics Majors (W) 3
    Courses used to fulfill requirement 3. b. above may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
    d. One of the following courses (3 credits):
    EC 401 Advanced Microeconomics 3
    EC 402 Advanced Macroeconomics 3
    e. One of the following courses (3 credits):
    EC 421 Advanced Econometric Methods 3
    EC 499 Senior Seminar for Economics Majors (W) 3
    EC 499 may not be used to fulfill this requirement if used to fulfill requirement 3. c. above.
    f. Three to six additional elective credits in economics courses to total at least 30 credits in Economics courses in the major. No more than 3 credits may be at the 300-level or below.
    g. One of the following courses (3 credits):
    MTH 132 Calculus I 3
    MTH 152H Honors Calculus i 3
    The course used to fulfill this requirement may also be used to fulfill the University mathematics requirement.
    h. One of the following courses (4 credits):
    MTH 133 Calculus II 4
    MTH 153H Honors Calculus II 4
    The course used to fulfill this requirement may also be used to fulfill the College of Social Science STEM requirement.
    i. One of the following courses (3 credits):
    STT 351 Probability and Statistics for Engineering 3
    STT 380 Probability and Statistics for Data Science 4
    STT 430 Introduction to Probability and Statistics 3
    STT 442 Probability and Statistics II: Statistics 3
    The course used to fulfill this requirement may also be used to fulfill the College of Social Science STEM requirement.
    j. A minimum of 7 credits from the following courses:
    CSE 231 Introduction to Programming I 4
    CMSE 201 Computational Modeling and Data Analysis I 4
    MTH 234 Multivariable Calculus 4
    MTH 235 Differential Equations 3
    MTH 254H Honors Multivariable Calculus 4
    MTH 299 Transitions 4
    MTH 309 Linear Algebra I 3
    MTH 310 Abstract Algebra I and Number Theory 3
    MTH 314 Matrix Algebra with Computational Applications 3
    MTH 320 Analysis I 3
    MTH 340 Ordinary Differential Equations I 3
    STT 441 Probability and Statistics I: Probability 3
    STT 461 Computations in Probability and Statistics 3
    Students may count only one of CSE 231 or CMSE 201 in this requirement. The courses used to fulfill this requirement may also be used to fulfill the College of Social Science STEM requirement.


Minor in Economics

The Minor in Economics, which is administered by the Department of Economics, provides a basic foundation for the breadth of study within the field of economics and a grounding in general economic theory.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics.  With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in the Department of Economics.

Requirements for the Minor in Economics

Complete 18 credits of economics course work with a minimum grade-point average of 2.0 in courses used in fulfillment of the requirements for the minor.

               
1. All of the following courses (9 credits):  
  EC 201 Introduction to Microeconomcis 3
  EC 202 Introduction to Macroeconomics 3
  EC 301 Intermediate Microeconomics 3
  Economics 251H may be substituted for Economics 201 and 301.  Students who elect this substitution may satisfy the requirement referenced in item 3. by completing at least 8 additional credits in Economics course work at the 300-400 level.  
  Economics 252H may be substituted for Economics 202.
 
 
  Economics 251H and 252H may be substituted for the following group of courses: Economics 201, 202, 301, and 302. Economics 302 is not required for the minor. Students who elect this substitution may satisfy the requirement referenced in item 3. by completing at least 8 additional credits in Economics course work at the 300-400 level.  
2. Complete 3 additional credits in Economics at the 400-level.  
3. Complete 6 additional credits in Economics at the 300-400 level.