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BS in Economics

Degree Program Description

Economics is a broad discipline that explores the factors that determine production, distribution, and consumption of resources.  An Economics degree provides a good foundation on how the economy and the world works and an understanding of the effects of policy issues.  The BS degree in Economics is a challenging degree program specifically designed for students who plan to attend graduate school in Economics, Finance, or related fields.  The curriculum includes more quantitative coursework than the BA degree, but still allows students to take electives that focus on various aspects of economics, such as labor, law, and education.  Graduates in Economics enter a diverse field of jobs in government, banking, insurance or other financial sectors, private sector businesses or even open their own businesses.  Often students pursuing a BS degree double major with Mathematics or Statistics and look at employment positions in actuarial science or more analytical fields.

Major Program Requirements

Students must earn a grade of C- or higher in all Economics, Mathematics and Statistics courses, and must have at least a 2.0 GPA in Economics courses to earn the degree. At least 21 credit hours in Economics must be completed in residence. In addition to the major core requirements, students must complete college and University graduation requirements including University general education requirements.

BS Tracks in Economics

The BS Quantitative Track is a degree program for students who plan to attend graduate school in economics or finance, while the BS Applied Track is a program for students who want more analytical experience for their future career ambitions.

Major Core Requirements for BS in Economics

Required Economics Coursework
ECONOM 1014
ECONOM 1015
Principles of Microeconomics
and Principles of Macroeconomics
5-6
or ECONOM 1000 General Economics for Journalists
ECONOM 4351Intermediate Microeconomics3
ECONOM 4353Intermediate Macroeconomics3
ECONOM 4370Quantitative Economics3
ECONOM 4371Introductory Econometrics3
Quantitative Track
Required Mathematics and Statistics - Quantitative Track
MATH 1100
MATH 1140
College Algebra
and Trigonometry
5
or MATH 1160 Precalculus Mathematics
MATH 1500Analytic Geometry and Calculus I5
MATH 1700Calculus II5
MATH 2300Calculus III3
MATH 4140Matrix Theory3
STAT 4750
STAT 4760
Introduction to Probability Theory
and Statistical Inference
6
or STAT 4710
STAT 4510
Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
and Applied Statistical Models I
MATH 3000Introduction to Advanced Mathematics3
or MATH 4100 Differential Equations
or STAT 4000+
Complementary Field Course - Quantitative Track
Any Cmp Sc or Info Tc or Any 2000+ Acctcy, Financ, Math, Stat, or other A&S STEM Course3
Applied Track
Required Mathematics and Statistics - Applied Track
MATH 1100College Algebra3
or MATH 1160 Precalculus Mathematics
MATH 1400Calculus for Social and Life Sciences I3-5
or MATH 1500 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
ECONOM 3271Introduction to Applied Econometric Practice3
or STAT 3500 Introduction to Probability and Statistics II
Complementary Field Courses - Applied Track
Any Cmp Sc or Info Tc or Any 2000+ Acctcy, Financ, Math, Stat, or other A&S STEM Course12

Second Language Alternative (for BS degree)

A student may elect to fulfill a special option area instead of taking a second language. This area consists of at least 12 credits numbered 2000 or above that are not from the parent department, are not normally required of all departmental majors and do not appear elsewhere in the area of concentration. The second language alternative is planned by the student with the Economics Academic Advisor and must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Electives

Students must complete at least five (for the BA) or four (for the BS) of the following 3000+ level or higher electives, with no more than two at the 3000 level, selected with the advisor and completed with a grade of C- or above. One of the chosen Economics Electives should be taken as Writing Intensive. Students who double or dual major will be eligible to waive one 3000 level Economics Elective course.

ECONOM 3224Introduction to International Economics3
ECONOM 3229Money, Banking and Financial Markets3
ECONOM 3367Law and Economics3
ECONOM 4004Topics in Economics- Social Science1-3
ECONOM 4311Labor Economics3
ECONOM 4315Public Economics3
ECONOM 4316State and Local Finance3
ECONOM 4317Urban Economics3
ECONOM 4320History of Economic Thought3
ECONOM 4326Economics of International Trade3
ECONOM 4328Financial Economics3
ECONOM 4329The Banking System and the Money Market3
ECONOM 4340Introduction to Game Theory3
ECONOM 4345Economics of Education3
ECONOM 4355Industrial Organization and Competitive Strategy3
ECONOM 4357Health Economics3
ECONOM 4360Economic Development3
ECONOM 4370Quantitative Economics (Elective for BA, Required for BS)3
ECONOM 4385Problems in Economics1-3
ECONOM 4846Economics of Discrimination3
ECONOM 4965Independent Research in Economics1-3

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Semester Plan - Applied Track

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester.  A student's actual plan will vary based on course choices where options are available.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECONOM 10143ECONOM 10153
MATH 11605MATH 15005
American Government or History3ENGLSH 10003
Lab Science4Behavioral Science3
 Elective1
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECONOM 43513ECONOM 43533
ECONOM 32713ECONOM 3000+ level elective3
Second Language I (or alternative)3-6Behavioral or Social Science3
Humanities3Second Language II (or alternative)3-6
Elective3Elective3
 15-18 15-18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECONOM 43703ECONOM 43713
Second Language III (or alternative)3Second Language Alternative IV or Elective3
Humanities3Complementary Field Course3
Complementary Field Course3Humanities3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECONOM 4000+ level elective3ECONOM 4000+ level elective3
ECONOM WI Elective3Complementary Field Course3
Complementary Field Course3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Total Credits: 120-126

Semester Plan - Quantitative Track

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester.  A student's actual plan will vary based on course choices where options are available.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECONOM 10143ECONOM 10153
MATH 11605MATH 15005
American Government or History3ENGLSH 10003
Lab Science4Behavioral Science3
 Elective2
 15 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECONOM 43513ECONOM 43533
ECONOM 3000+ level elective3MATH 23003
MATH 17005Second Language II (or alternative)3-6
Second Language I (or alternative)3-6Behavioral or Social Science3
 Humanities3
 14-17 15-18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECONOM 43713ECONOM WI Elective3
MATH 41403STAT 4710 or 47503
Second Language III (or alternative)3Second Language Alternative IV or Elective3
Humanities3Humanities3
Complementary Field Course3Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ECONOM 43703 ECONOM 4000+ level elective3
ECONOM 4000+ level elective3Approved Math/Statistics Elective3
STAT 4510 or 47603Elective 3
Elective 3Elective 3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Total Credits: 120-126

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner.  Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress.  This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities.  For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center.  No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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