The Bachelor of Science in Economics (BEC) program provides a strong analytical foundation
for examining and solving economic, business, and social problems. It is an approach to
decision-making that is valuable throughout the everyday business of life. As a result
economics majors pursue all kinds of careers after graduation, often in positions not
titled "economist." These include employment in the traditional business, government,
education, legal, and other sectors. Specific careers range from actuarial (insurance)
to research (consulting firms, government, and universities). Economics majors have the
options of pursuing a broad curriculum mixing engineering, science, mathematics, social
science, and business curricula along with the study of economics. Electives allow students
to design their studies along one of the following paths: applied economics, business
economic analysis, or pre-professional preparation. The applied economics path provides
skills needed to analyze economic issues related to natural resources, the environment,
international trade and finance, and governmental decision-making. The business economics
path focuses on skills needed to analyze business decision-making. The pre-professional
path prepares students for graduate study in economics (MS, Ph.D.), law (J.D.), business
administration (MBA), or public administration (MPA).
Mission of the BEC Program
The BEC program provides students with an understanding of how economies function, strong
quantitative skills, and the option to emphasize finance or business curricula
or a broader curriculum mixing engineering, science, mathematics or social
science with their study of economics.
Objectives of the BEC Program
- Graduates are expected to achieve a mastery of the fundamentals of economics
that prepare them for entry positions and graduate
education.
- Graduates are expected to learn the methods and techniques of economic
problem-solving.
- Graduates are expected to be able to apply economic problem-solving to 'real
world' questions.
