Core Courses
The following math and principles of economics courses are required for the B.A. degree in economics. You can choose to take ECN 102 or ECN 203, but not both.
Business Calculus (MAT 284)
You will take a one-variable differential and integral calculus course as part of the economics core. This class has applications to both business and economics.
Introductory Microeconomics (ECN 101)
You will be introduced to the principles of microeconomics, including consumer demand, theory of production, markets and prices, social welfare and related topics.
Introductory Macroeconomics (ECN 102) OR Economic Ideas and Issues (ECN 203)
Majors can choose between these two courses, which provide a solid foundation into the concepts and methods of economic analysis.
Upper-division Economics Courses
As an economics major, you must take three required upper division courses. Students will take ECN 301 or 311, 302 and 422.
Intermediate Microeconomics (ECN 301) OR Intermediate Mathematical Macroeconomics (ECN 311)
Majors can choose between these two courses, with ECN 311 being more mathematically-focused. Concepts and tools for the analysis of the behavior of consumers and firms, consumption decisions, market structures, and general equilibrium will be introduced.
Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECN 302)
You will learn about national product and income concepts, measurements, and relationships; interrelationships of the major segments of the national economy; forces affecting the general level of economic activity.
Intro to Statistics & Econometrics (ECN 422)
This course will show the statistical techniques economists use in estimating, testing, and forecasting economic relationships.
Basic theory and application of probability, statistical inference, and regression analysis are also elements of this course.
Elective Courses in Economics
Economics majors can choose four other upper-division electives in economics. Below are a sample of elective courses you may choose depending on your areas of academic and professional interest.
Economics of Social Issues (ECN 304)
This course focuses on the application of tools developed in introductory economics to current issues facing society including, but not limited to: crime, education, farm policy, alcohol/tobacco/drugs, the environment, healthcare, poverty/inequality, immigration and discrimination.
Introduction to Money & Banking (ECN 481)
Learn about financial instruments and structure, including commercial banking organization, operation and control of the banking system, the Federal Reserve System, monetary policy and economic stability.
Environmental and Resource Economics (ECN 437)
Optimal use of exhaustible and renewable resources and pollution are examined in this course. You will study energy sources, environmental amenities and water, pollution control policies and more.
Lia Chabot '21, an economics and citizenship and civic engagement graduate, has been awarded the 2021 Chancellor's Award for Public Engagement and Scholarship. She is an intern with the City of Syracuse Department of Neighborhood and Business Development. In that role, she developed a parcel-level residential vacancy prediction model for the city’s Division of Code Enforcement. Her task was to use cutting-edge machine learning techniques to build a model for finding individual properties that are or are soon likely to be vacant for long periods of time. Vacant properties often fall into disrepair, reduce property values and become fire hazards and magnets for crime.