Quantitative Economics

Quantitative Economics is a joint program of the Zimpleman College of Business and the Mathematics Department of the College of Arts and Sciences. The program offers integrated study in mathematics, statistics, and economics and is designed to prepare students for graduate study in economics (M.A. or Ph.D. programs) or business (Ph.D. programs or quantitatively oriented M.B.A. programs). The program also prepares students for research-oriented jobs in government, business, or consulting.

Degree Options and Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a major in Quantitative Economics, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a major in Quantitative Economics. Students who choose the BSBA degree should enroll in the Zimpleman College of Business. Students who choose the BA degree may enroll in either the Zimpleman College of Business or the College of Arts and Sciences.

FACULTY At present, this program is served by five full-time faculty members in Economics and 10 full-time faculty members in Mathematics. All faculty have PhDs. Several part-time faculty members teach introductory courses. Some have Masters degrees. Others have PhDs.

ACADEMIC PREPARATION Students should have an interest and an aptitude for mathematics to succeed in this program. At a minimum, students should take a pre-calculus course in high school. An advanced-placement course in calculus is recommended.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR The Quantitative Economics major requires 21 hours of Mathematics, 6 hours of Statistics, and 21 hours of Economics.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MINOR There is no minor program in Quantitative Economics. Interested students should consider the minor programs in Economics or Mathematics.

For a comprehensive list of courses required for Quantitative Economics offered by the Zimpleman College of Business, visit this page.

For a comprehensive list of courses required for Quantitative Economics offered by the College of Arts & Sciences, visit this page.

DRAKE CURRICULUM The Drake Curriculum, required of all undergraduates, is designed to help students meet personal and professional goals as they acquire fundamental knowledge and abilities in ten Areas of Inquiry, including communication, critical thinking, artistic experience, historical consciousness, information and technology literacy, international and multicultural experiences, scientific and quantitative literacy, values and ethics and engaged citizenship. Students work closely with their academic advisers to craft a program of study in general education that prepares students for civic and professional leadership.

The Drake Curriculum also requires first-year seminars, which foster development of critical thinking and written and oral communication skills through a topical focus; and a Senior Capstone, in which students demonstrate the capacity to bring information, skills and ideas to bear on one project.

HONORS Students majoring in Quantitative Economics are eligible for the Alley Scholarship and the Bohlman Economics Award. In addition, a non-monetary award is given to the outstanding senior Economics major.

Career Options

The program in Quantitative Economics is designed to prepare students for graduate study in economics (MA or PhD programs) or business programs (PhD programs or quantitatively-oriented MBA programs). Such programs expect substantially more preparation in mathematics and statistics than a regular Economics major provides. The program also prepares students directly for research-oriented jobs in government, business, or consulting.

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