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.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request a plan from your major advisor 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 taken 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 130 and POLS 155. 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 130 (or its equivalent) with a C- or better before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 42-57 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 majors must choose an Option in Economics, Environmental Economics, or International Economics to fulfill degree requirements.

Major Core Courses: 24-25 units

Lower Division: 12-13 units

2 courses required:

ECON 102 Principles of Macro Analysis 3.0 FS *
ECON 103 Principles of Micro Analysis 3.0 FS *

1 course selected from:

CSCI 110 Intro to Applications Prog 3.0 FS
MINS 301 Corporate Tech Integration 3.0 FS
SOSC 110 Computer Applications for BSS 3.0 FS

1 course selected from:

MATH 109 Survey of Calculus 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement. This course is not intended for majors in mathematics, physics, chemistry, or engineering.
MATH 120 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; both MATH 118 and MATH 119 (or high school equivalent); a score that meets department guidelines on a department administered calculus readiness exam.

OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)

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

Note: For students interested in graduate school, MATH 121 is strongly recommended, as are MATH 350, MATH 351, and MATH 435.

Upper-Division: 12 units

2 courses required:

ECON 301 Microeconomic Analysis 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ECON 103.
ECON 302 Macroeconomic Analysis 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ECON 102.

1 course selected from:

BADM 103 Statistics of Business & Econ 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: For Business Administration majors: MATH 107. For others: Completion of General Education Breadth Area A4 requirement.
ECON 380 Economic Statistics 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ECON 102.
MATH 105 Statistics 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement.
MATH 108 Statistics of Business & Econ 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: For business administration students: MATH 107. For other students: completion of General Education Breadth Area A4 requirement.

1 course required:

ECON 495 Economic Literature 3.0 FS WP
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, ECON 102, ECON 103, ECON 301, ECON 302, and senior status.

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 300- and 400-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 regarding specific courses that can be applied toward the economics major. See catalog course descriptions. A maximum of 3 units of internship (ECON 389) credit may be applied to the economics major.

9 units required:

Any 400-level Economics (ECON) courses with the prerequisite of ECON 301 or ECON 302. ECON 497 pro seminar courses will count as 400-level economics courses only if the ECON 497 has an ECON 301 or ECON 302 prerequisite.

The Option in Environmental Economics: 30-32 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, additional courses in economics (see below), and selected courses outside the Department of Economics.

Economics Courses: 12 units

3 courses required:

ECON 365 Environmental Economics 3.0 FS
ECON 465 Economics of Energy 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: ECON 301.
ECON 466 Environmental & Resource Econ 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ECON 301.

1 course selected from:

ECON 355 Economics of Gov Regulations 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ECON 103.
ECON 462 Urban-Regional Economics 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ECON 301.

Note: ECON 355 and ECON 462 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: 20 units

2 courses selected from:

Select one course from two different subjects.

Biology:

BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology 3.0 FS *
BIOL 108 Principles of Biology 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: High school biology and chemistry.
BIOL 151 Prin of Cell and Molec Biology 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: Recommend CHEM 111 or concurrent enrollment.
BIOL 334 Conservation Ecology 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: BIOL 101 or equivalent.
BIOL 342 Field Biology 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: BIOL 101 or BIOL 108.

Chemistry:

CHEM 100 Chemistry and Current Issues 3.0 FS *
CHEM 107 Gen Chem for Applied Sciences 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Intermediate Algebra.
CHEM 111 General Chemistry 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.)

Geoscience:

GEOS 330 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 340 Environmental Geology 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: One course from Breadth Area B1 and one course from Breadth Area B2 of General Education requirements.
GEOS 342 Concepts in Earth/Space Sci 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: GEOS 141 or faculty permission.
GEOS 370 Energy in the Human Environ 3.0 SP *
Prerequisites: One course from Breadth Area B1.

4 courses selected from:

ABUS 101 Intro to Ag Business/Economics 3.0 FS *
ABUS 341 Natural Resource Economics 3.0 Inq
Prerequisites: ABUS 101 or faculty permission.
BIOL 350 Fundamentals of Ecology 3.0 FS WP
Prerequisites: BIOL 152 or faculty permission. Some taxonomic background is recommended.
ECON 355 Economics of Gov Regulations 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ECON 103.
ECON 389 Internship 1.0 -6.0 FS

If ECON 389 is selected, it must be taken for 3 units.

ECON 462 Urban-Regional Economics 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ECON 301.
GEOG 304 Environmental Issues 3.0 FS *
GEOG 320 Intro Community & Rural Plng 3.0 FA
GEOG 427 Environmental Impact Analysis 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: GEOG 320 or equivalent.
HIST 341 American Environment 3.0 FS * Eth
PHIL 329 Environmental Ethics 3.0 FS *
PHIL 334 Ethics & Environmental Sci 3.0 Inq

This course is also offered as RELS 334.

POLS 461 Environmental Politics/Admin 3.0 SP
POLS 468 Planning Law 3.0 SP
RELS 334 Ethics & Environmental Sci 3.0 Inq

This course is also offered as PHIL 334.

RELS 347 Cross-Cultural Environ Ethics 3.0 FS *

Note: ECON 355 and ECON 462 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 370 Intl Finance and Trade Policy 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ECON 103 or instructor permission.
ECON 375 Developing Countries 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ECON 103.
ECON 376 Economics of the Pacific Rim 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ECON 101 or ECON 102 or faculty permission.
ECON 470 International Economics 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ECON 301.

International Economics Electives: 9 units

3 courses selected from:

AFRI 300 Contemporary Probs/Prospects 3.0 FS * NW
ANTH 303 Cultural Anthropology 3.0 FS
ANTH 338 Culture and Tourism 3.0 Inq
ANTH 373 Pacific Cultures 3.0 Inq
ANTH 437 Anthro/Development Issues 3.0 S2
ASST 300 Asian Studies: Contemp Probs 3.0 FS * NW

This course is also offered as AAST 300.

ECON 389 Internship 1.0 -6.0 FS

If ECON 389 is selected, it must be taken for 3 units.

GEOG 354 Mexico: Land and People 3.0 FA * NW

This course is also offered as LAST 354.

GEOG 355 Cent Amer/Carib: Land/People 3.0 SP * NW

This course is also offered as LAST 355.

GEOG 365 Former Soviet Union 3.0 Inq
GEOG 370 Pacific Rim Regions 3.0 Inq
GEOG 378 Australia and South Pacific 3.0 Inq
HIST 206 Comparative Slavery 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as AFAM 206.

HIST 475 Modern China 3.0 FA NW
INTB 396 International Business 3.0 Inq
Prerequisites: ECON 102, ECON 103.
MEST 362 Middle East: Society/Culture 3.0 SP * NW

This course is also offered as HIST 362.

MGMT 446 Intl Business Transactions 3.0 Inq
MKTG 477 International Marketing 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: MKTG 371.
LAST 354 Mexico: Land and People 3.0 FA * NW

This course is also offered as GEOG 354.

POLS 341 International Relations 3.0 FS *
POLS 346 Intl Relations: Pacific Basin 3.0 SP

This course is also offered as INST 446D.

POLS 413 Politics of Developing Nations 3.0 SP
POLS 417 Politics Post-Indstrl Society 3.0 FA
RELS 332 World Religions & Global Iss 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 advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Double Majors

Please contact the Economics Department for advising regarding the use of economics courses to complete a second major.

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 advisor 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.

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. 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.

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 units are independent study (399H, 499H) 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 for your major 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% of majors in your department.

4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% 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 advisor to apply.

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 410, ECON 431, ECON 435, ECON 440, ECON 450, ECON 462, ECON 466, ECON 470, ECON 481, or ECON 483 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 499H. Additional mentoring by the instructor assigned to ECON 499H will take place during the spring semester only. 4. You must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in your senior year.