The Bachelor of Arts in Economics

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree: 120 units

See “Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree” in The University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

The department has prepared a suggested Four Year Advising Plan to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request a plan from your major adviser or view it and other current advising information on the CSU, Chico Web.

General Education Requirements: 48 units

See “General Education Requirements” in The University Catalog and The Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements and course offerings. The course requirements marked below with an asterisk (*) may also be applied toward General Education.

Cultural Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See “Cultural Diversity” in The University Catalog. Most courses used to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.

American Institutions Requirement: 6 units

See the “American Institutions Requirement” under “Bachelor’s Degree Requirements.” This requirement is normally fulfilled by completing HIST 050 and POLS 055. Courses used to satisfy this requirement do not apply to General Education.

Literacy Requirement:

See “Mathematics and Writing Requirements” in The University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or better to receive WP credit. See The Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a C- or better before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 41-57 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree.

In addition to completing the degree core courses, all students must complete the Option in Economics, the Option in Environmental Economics, or the Option in International Economics to fulfill degree requirements.

DEGREE CORE COURSES: 23-24 units

Lower Division: 12-13 units

2 courses required:

ECON    002    Principles of Macro Analysis    3.0    FS *

ECON    003    Principles of Micro Analysis    3.0    FS *

1 course selected from:

CSCI    054    Intro to Applications Prog    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: CSCI 015A.

MINS    110    Corporate Tech Integration    3.0    FS

SOSC    010    Computer Applications for BSS    3.0    FS

1 course selected from:

MATH    007A    Analytic Geometry and Calculus    4.0    FS *

Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; both MATH 004 and MATH 006 (or high school equivalent); a score that meets department guidelines on a department administered calculus readiness exam.

MATH    009    Survey of Calculus    3.0    FS *

Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement. This course is not intended for majors in mathematics, physics, chemistry, or engineering.

OR     you may substitute:

Any upper-division ECON course that is not taken to satisfy any other requirement.

NOTE: MATH 007B is strongly recommended for students planning on graduate study.

Upper-Division: 11 units

2 courses required:

ECON    101    Microeconomic Analysis    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: ECON 003.

ECON    102    Macroeconomic Analysis    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: ECON 002.

1 course selected from:

BADM    003    Statistics of Business & Econ    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: For Business Administration majors: MATH 045.
For others: Completion of General Education Breadth Area A4 requirement.

This course is the same as MATH 047 which may be substituted.

ECON    180    Economic Statistics    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: ECON 002.

MATH    005    Statistics    3.0    FS *

Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement.

MATH    047    Statistics of Business & Econ    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: For business administration students: MATH 045.
For other students: completion of General Education Breadth Area A4 requirement.

This course is the same as BADM 003 which may be substituted.

2 units required:

ECON    295    Economic Literature    1.0    FS

Prerequisites: ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, ECON 002, ECON 003.

Majors must take ECON 295 twice, each time with a different instructor, to fulfill the writing proficiency requirement.

Major Option Course Requirements: 18-33 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.

THE OPTION IN ECONOMICS: 18 units

The BA in Economics with an Option Economics is designed for those seeking a structured program in economics and flexibility in selecting a set of 100-and 200-level economics courses to complete the major. Those declaring this option complete the core courses listed above and additional courses in economics.

9 units required:

Any upper-division Economics (ECON) courses. Some limitations exist as to specific courses that may be applied toward the economics major. See catalog course descriptions. A maximum of 3 units of internship (ECON 189) credit may be applied to the economics major.

9 units required:

Any 200-level Economics (ECON) courses with the prerequisite of ECON 101 or ECON 102. ECON 297 pro seminar courses will count as 200-level economics courses only if the ECON 297 has an ECON 101 or ECON 102 prerequisite.

THE OPTION IN ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS: 30-33 units

The BA in Economics with an Option in Environmental Economics is designed for those seeking a structured program in economics with an emphasis in environmental economics. Those declaring this option complete the core courses listed above, additonal courses in economics (see below), and selected courses outside the Department of Economics.

Economics Courses: 12 units

3 courses required:

ECON    165    Environmental Economics    3.0    FS

ECON    265    Economics of Energy    3.0    SP

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

ECON    266    Environmental & Resource Econ    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

1 course selected from:

ECON    155    Economics of Gov Regulations    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: ECON 003.

ECON    262    Urban-Regional Economics    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

NOTE: ECON 155 and ECON 262 appear on two selection lists for the Option in Environmental Economics. Whichever course is not selected from the above choice may be taken to fulfill requirements for the second listing where it appears. Neither course may be used to fulfill the requirement in both selection lists where it appears.

Environmental Economics Electives: 18-21 units

2 courses selected from:

Select one course from two different subjects.

Biology:

BIOL    001    Concepts of Biology    3.0    FS *

BIOL    006A    Biological Principles    4.0    FS

Prerequisites: Recommend CHEM 037 or concurrent enrollment.

BIOL    008    Principles of Biology    3.0    FS *

Prerequisites: High school biology and chemistry.

BIOL    134    Conservation Ecology    3.0    FS *

Prerequisites: BIOL 001 or equivalent.

BIOL    142    Field Biology    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: BIOL 001 or BIOL 008.

Chemistry:

CHEM    004    Chemistry and Current Issues    3.0    FS *

CHEM    027    Gen Chem for Applied Sciences    4.0    FS *

Prerequisites: Intermediate Algebra.

CHEM    037    General Chemistry    4.0    FS *

Prerequisites: Second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry or CHEM 016. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.)

Geoscience:

GEOS    130    Environmental Science    3.0    FS *

Prerequisites: One course from Breadth Area B1 and one course from Breadth Area B2 of the General Education requirements.

GEOS    140    Environmental Geology    3.0    FS *

Prerequisites: One course from Breadth Area B1 and one course from Breadth Area B2 of General Education requirements.

GEOS    142    Concepts in Earth/Space Science    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: GEOS 041 or faculty permission.

GEOS    170    Energy in the Human Environment    3.0    SP *

Prerequisites: One course from Breadth Area B1.

4 courses selected from:

ABUS    080    Intro to Ag Business/Economics    3.0    FS

ABUS    184    Natural Resource Economics    3.0    Inq

Prerequisites: ABUS 080 or faculty permission.

BIOL    258    Fundamentals of Ecology    4.0    FS

Prerequisites: BIOL 006B. Some taxonomic background is recommended.

ECON    155    Economics of Gov Regulations    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: ECON 003.

ECON    189    Internship    1.0-6.0    FS

If ECON 189 is selected, it must be taken for 3 units.

ECON    262    Urban-Regional Economics    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

GEOG    104    Environmental Issues    3.0    FS *

GEOG    120    Community and Rural Planning    3.0    FA

GEOG    227    Environmental Impact Analysis    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: GEOG 120 or equivalent.

HIST    150    American Environment    3.0    SP *Eth

PHIL    146    Environmental Ethics    3.0    FS *

PHIL    220    Ethics & Environmental Sciences    3.0    Inq

This course is the same as R S 220 which may be substituted.

POLS    261    Environmental Politics/Admin    3.0    SP

POLS    268    Planning Law    3.0    SP

R S    149    Cross-Cultural Environ Ethics    3.0    FS *

R S    220    Ethics & Environmental Sciences    3.0    Inq

This course is the same as PHIL 220 which may be substituted.

NOTE: ECON 155 and ECON 262 appear on two selection lists in the Option in Environmental Economics. Each course may be used to fulfill requirements for only one category.

THE OPTION IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS: 21 units

The BA in Economics with an Option in International Economics is designed for those seeking a structured program in economics with an emphasis on international economics. Those declaring this option complete the core courses listed above, additional courses in economics (see below), and selected courses outside the Department of Economics.

Economics courses: 12 units

4 courses required:

ECON    170    Intl Finance and Trade Policy    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: ECON 003.

ECON    175    Developing Countries    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: ECON 003.

ECON    176    Economics of the Pacific Rim    3.0    FS *NW

Prerequisites: ECON 001 or ECON 002 or faculty permission.

ECON    270    International Economics    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: ECON 101.

International Economics Electives: 9 units

3 courses selected from:

AFRI    150    Contemporary Problems/Prospects    3.0    FS *NW

ANTH    103    Cultural Anthropology    3.0    FS

ANTH    138    Culture and Tourism    3.0    Inq

ANTH    173    Pacific Cultures    3.0    Inq

ASST    150    Asian Studies: Contemp Problems    3.0    FS *NW

This course is the same as AAST 150 which may be substituted.

ECON    189    Internship    1.0-6.0    FS

If ECON 189 is selected, it must be taken for 3 units.

GEOG    154A    Mexico: Land and People    3.0    FA *NW

This course is the same as LAST 102 which may be substituted.

GEOG    154B    Central Amer/Carib: Land/People    3.0    Inq *NW

This course is the same as LAST 122 which may be substituted.

GEOG    165    Former Soviet Union    3.0    SP

GEOG    170    Pacific Rim Regions    3.0    FA

GEOG    178    Australia and South Pacific    3.0    SP

HIST    135    Comparative Slavery    3.0    FS *Eth

This course is the same as AFAM 135 which may be substituted.

HIST    146    The United States in the Pacific    3.0    FA *

This course is the same as AAST 146 which may be substituted.

HIST    175    Pacific Tradition/Transform    3.0    FA *NW

This course is the same as INST 100 which may be substituted.

HIST    276    Modern China    3.0    FA NW

INTB    196    International Business    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: ECON 002; ECON 003.

MEST    155    Middle East: Society/Culture    3.0    SP *NW

This course is the same as HIST 164 which may be substituted.

MGMT    246    Intl Business Transactions    3.0    Inq

MKTG    277    International Marketing    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: MKTG 170, MKTG 171, MKTG 180.

LAST    102    Mexico: Land and People    3.0    FA *NW

This course is the same as GEOG 154A which may be substituted.

POLS    141    International Relations    3.0    FS *

POLS    146    Intl Relations: Pacific Basin    3.0    SP *NW

This course is the same as INST 102 and POLS 246D which may be substituted.

POLS    213    Politics of Developing Nations    3.0    SP

POLS    217    Politics: Industrial Societies    3.0    FA

R S    160    Religions of the Pacific Rim    3.0    FS *NW

R S    182    World Religions & Global Issues    3.0    FS *

Culture/Language Recommendation:

Those selecting this option are strongly encouraged to complete one or more of the following:
An intermediate foreign language course.
A study-abroad program.
Either the cultural immersion in Mexico (fall semester) or Costa Rica (spring semester) offered by the Latin American studies and geography programs.
An international internship outside the United States.

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor’s degree, select additional elective courses from the total university offerings. You should consult with an adviser regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your university experience and apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Double Majors

Economics majors may complete a second major and count part of their economics courses to complete that major. For those seeking a double major in Economics and another discipline, please contact the Economics Department for advising.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program.
Consult your undergraduate adviser for specific information.

Honors in the Major

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major.
It involves 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.

Your Honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair. Most importantly, however, the Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the university for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or competition in shows; such experience is valuable for graduate school and later professional life.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are

1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. At least 3 of these 6 units are independent study (299H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
2. You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
3. Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5 percent of majors in your department.
4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5 percent of majors in your department.
5. Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
6. Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your Honors project.

While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major adviser for further information.

In addition to the common requirements for the Honors in the Major program given above, the Honors in Economics program includes the following:
1. A faculty member must recommend you.
2. You must submit an application for this program. Please contact the Economics Department.
3. Students who are admitted to the department’s Honors in the Major program must complete 3 units of ECON 210H, ECON 231H, ECON 235H, ECON 240H, ECON 250H, ECON 262H, ECON 266H, ECON 270H, ECON 281H, or ECON 283H with a grade of B or better. Unless other arrangements are made, the professor instructing the above course becomes your faculty mentor for that semester. In this course, you will define a research problem or performance area and develop an Honors Research Project/Thesis proposal in preparation for work in ECON 299H. Additional mentoring by the instructor assigned to ECON 299H will take place during the spring semester only.
4. You must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in your senior year.