Undergraduate Course Catalog 2008-2009
Whittemore School of Business and Economics
» http://wsbe.unh.edu
Economics (ECON)
» http://wsbe2.unh.edu/department-economics
» Click to view course offerings
Chairperson: Evangelos O. Simos
Professor: Karen Smith Conway, Bruce T. Elmslie, Richard W. England, Evangelos O. Simos, James R. Wible
Associate Professor: Michael D. Goldberg, Marc W. Herold, Ju-Chin Huang, Robert D. Mohr, Neil B. Niman, Torsten Schmidt
Assistant Professor: Reagan A. Baughman
Economics is the study of how societies organize themselves to produce goods and services and to distribute those products among the members of society. In the modern world, a combination of market forces, public policies, and social customs perform these basic economic tasks. Economists use concepts, models, and data to analyze efficiency of resource use, fairness of economic outcomes, and development of global and national economies. The economics program is designed to introduce students to the tools of economic analysis and to show students how they can use those tools to analyze and better understand real-world situations.
Undergraduate training in economics is an excellent background for a variety of careers; these include banking and financial services, journalism, international business, public service, the diplomatic corps, entrepreneurial ventures, and government administration. An undergraduate major in economics is also excellent preparation for those interested in graduate work in law, business administration, and international relations.
Graduate work in economics can lead to careers in college teaching, research in public and private agencies, and business consulting. Those interested in studying economics at the graduate level should ask their economics professors what undergraduate coursework is appropriate and which graduate schools would be suitable.
Courses in economics are open to nonmajors on a space-available basis. Students majoring in other programs have found that certain economics courses are useful supplements to their own majors and a help in gaining employment. For example, political science majors can profit from studying public economics, economic development, and international economics. Mathematics and engineering students might elect to study econometrics and intermediate microeconomics. Environmental conservation majors could choose to study ecological or energy economics. For more information on economics electives, please consult the Whittemore School Undergraduate Programs Office (McConnell 120) or the chairperson of the economics department.
The department offers the choice of a B.A. degree or a B.S. degree in economics. The B.A. degree is designed to offer students maximum flexibility in designing a program of study. Students are encouraged to take a wide variety of courses, double major, and take advantage of study abroad programs. The B.S. degree differs from the B.A. degree in that it requires more quantitative and data analysis courses but does not require a foreign language. It provides more structure and direction than the B.A. degree and is more professionally focused.
B.A. economics majors must complete eight courses in economics plus ADMN 420 with a grade of at least C- (1.67) in each course and an average grade of 2.0 or better in the major courses. These courses must include ECON 605 and 611. In addition, majors must complete either MATH 420 or 424A. Coursework in accounting is recommended but not required.
B.S. economics majors must complete nine courses in economics with a grade of at least C- (1.67) in each course and an average grade of 2.3 or better in the major courses. These courses must include ECON 605, 611, 726, and 775. In addition, majors must complete MATH 424A, ADMN 403, 410, 420, 502, and 503.
Major credit toward ECON 605 and/or 611 will be awarded to transfer students only if equivalent courses have been taken at the junior level or above. Transfer students must take at least five of their economics courses at UNH.
Students may petition to substitute one business administration course for an economics elective if the course is at the 600 level or above and if a grade of C- or better is earned. Students may earn no more than 16 credits in internships, independent studies, field experience, and supervised student teaching experience. All economics majors must satisfy the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree requirements.
The economics department offers three specialized options within the bachelor of art. By selecting economics electives from an approved list, a student majoring in economics can graduate with an option in financial and managerial economics, international and development economics, or public policy economics.
A suggested plan of study for B.A. economics majors follows:
Freshman Year
ECON 401, 402, Principles of Economics (Macro and Micro); MATH 420 or MATH 424A
ADMN 403, Computing Essentials for Business
ADMN 405, Freshman Academic Experience I (1 credit, credit/fail grading)
ADMN 406, Freshman Academic Experience II (1 credit, credit/fail grading)
Sophomore Year
ADMN 420, Business Statistics; ECON 605, Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis; ECON 611, Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis
Junior and Senior Years
Economics electives (at least 4)
A suggested plan of study for B.S. economics majors follows:
Freshman Year
ECON 401, 402, Principles of Economics (Macro and Micro); MATH424A
ADMN 403, Computer Essentials for Business; ADMN 405, Freshman Academic Experience I; ADMN 406, Freshman Academic Experience II; ADMN 410, Management Information Systems; ADMN 502, Introductory Financial Accounting
Sophomore Year
ADMN 420, Business Statistics; ADMN 503, Managerial Accounting; ECON 605, Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis; ECON 611, Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis
Junior and Senior Years
ECON 726, Introduction to Econometrics; ECON 775, Applied Research Skills for Economists; Economics electives (at least 3)
A minor in economics consisting of five courses is also available. At least three of these courses must be taken at UNH. For more on the minor and options within the major, consult the Whittemore School Undergraduate Programs Office.
