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“Economics is the study of how individuals, firms, government and other organizations within our society make choices, and how these choices determine society’s use of its resources.” (Joe Stiglitz).
Economics borders on other academic disciplines, such as political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology and business administration. It also draws heavily on the study of history, statistics and mathematics. Economists are central players in setting government policy, from social programs to economic development. In the private sector, they contribute to market research for new products, evaluate the impact of mergers, and assess tax policy.
Students who desire some minimum understanding of economics are encouraged to consider taking one or two courses at the 1200 level. Entrance into higher level courses ordinarily requires a full-year of principles of economics, but this may be waived with the approval of the Department.
The Economics Department is able to offer students with a special interest in economics the opportunity to undertake some concentration beyond the core of required courses in the following areas and associated courses.
Students who desire a major in economics are encouraged to enroll in an appropriate program under the guidance of a faculty advisor. There are two general programs:
See Faculty of Arts and Sobey School of Business of this Calendar, for the basic requirements for these degrees.
In addition to the programs cited above, information on graduate courses, may be found in the Graduate Academic Calendar.
Note: Students are advised that possession of the minimum qualifications does not guarantee admission to a particular academic program. Limits to the number of students who can be in a particular program at any one time exist and depend very much on the number of faculty members available in a particular academic unit.
The Bachelor of Commerce is a well-established, foundational degree and requires the requirements listed below alongside general graduation requirements.
Students with an interest in the Economics major are encouraged to seek advising early from an Academic Advisor, Department Advisor, or Chairperson of the Department.
In addition to the general requirements to complete a Bachelor of Commerce degree, students majoring in Economics must complete the requirements listed below. Students should consult an Academic Advisor to help plan how to distribute these requirements throughout their program.
Notes:
To complete a major in Economics, students must attain a minimum grade point average of 2.2 in ECON courses, including ECON 1201 and ECON 1202.
Excluding Business Consultancy (ECON 4475).
Majors are strongly encouraged to include Mathematical Economics (ECON 3302) and/or Intermediate Economic Statistics (ECON 3303) among their Economics electives.
Ancient Studies, English, History, Philosophy other than Critical Thinking (PHIL 1200), Religion, or Languages and Cultures courses on literature and/or culture. In special circumstances, with the permission of the Chairperson, part of this requirement may be fulfilled by: Comparative Economic Systems (ECON 3315).
Anthropology, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, or Psychology but not Economics.
If a course satisfies both a major requirement and a core elective requirement, the number of free electives will increase by three (3) credit hours. This includes the social science electives, and the humanities or language electives.
Students doing a Major in Economics are permitted to use three Global Perspective Economics elective credit hours to satisfy a 3000- or 4000-level Economics elective.
Students admitted to the Bachelor of Commerce students prior to 2023-2024 may have different additional elective requirements and should consult with an academic advisor.
The Department of Economics offers honours programs to students enrolled in either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Commerce.
Admission Requirements
a. Minimum grade point average of 3.00 after completion of at least 45 credit hours.
b. Students must apply for admission to the Honours program using the Honours Application form obtainable from the Registrar. They must obtain the approval of the Chairperson of the Economics Department.
In addition to the general requirements to complete a Bachelor of Commerce degree, students who wish to graduate with honours in economics must satisfy the following:
In addition to the fifty-four (54) credit hours in economics presented for honours, students must complete these additional program requirements:
Equivalent courses may be taken, subject to approval of the Chair.
With the approval of the Chairperson of the Economics Department, a student may be permitted to substitute up to twelve (12) credit hours from a related subject area as part of the fifty-four (54) credit hours in economics presented for honours.
With the approval of the Chairperson of the Economics Department, a student may substitute nine (9) credit hours from the Department of Mathematics and Computing Science for Mathematical Economics (ECON 3302), Intermediate Economic Statistics (ECON 3303), and Econometrics (ECON 4403).
Ancient Studies, English, History, Philosophy (other than Critical Thinking (PHIL 1200)), Religion, or Languages and Cultures. In special circumstances, with the permission of the Chairperson, part of this requirement may be fulfilled by: Comparative Economic Systems (ECON 3315).
No grade below a C is acceptable and at least thirty-nine (39) credit hours must have a grade of B or higher.
Students contemplating pursuing graduate studies in Economics are encouraged to enrol in Mathematics courses beyond those required for Honours. Courses in Calculus and Linear Algebra are recommended. Students should consult with the chairperson for advice.
Students in the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science have the option of declaring a minor in Economics. To satisfy the requirements for this minor students must complete twenty-four (24) credit hours in Economics, with at least twelve (12) credit hours at the 3000-level or above.
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a well-established, foundational degree and requires the requirements listed below alongside general graduation requirements.
Course Planning: Students with an interest in the Economics Arts major are encouraged to seek advising early from an Academic Advisor, Department Advisor, or Chairperson of the Department.
In addition to the general requirements to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree, students majoring in Economics must complete the requirements listed below. Students should consult an Academic Advisor to help plan how to distribute these requirements throughout their program.
Major Requirements
To complete a major in Economics, students must attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in the courses indicated with 1.
Ancient Studies, English other than Introduction to Literature (ENGL 1205), History, Philosophy (other than Critical Thinking (PHIL 1200)), Religion, or Languages and Cultures. In special circumstances, with the permission of the Chairperson, part of this requirement may be fulfilled by: Comparative Economic Systems (ECON 3315).
If a course satisfies both a major requirement and a degree elective requirement, the number of free electives will increase by three (3) credit hours. This includes the social science electives, and the humanities or language electives.
Arts students are encouraged to take Quantitative Methods I (MGSC 1205) and/or Introduction to Computer Applications (CISY 1225) in fulfillment of B.A. Breadth Requirement b. The above requirements for the major will satisfy B.A. Breadth Requirement d and six (6) of the nine (9) credit hours in B.A. Breadth Requirements c.
To obtain a concentration in Economics in partial fulfillment of the B.A. General degree (i.e., one with Double Arts Concentrations and a minimum of ninety (90) credit hours), a minimum of twenty-four (24) credit hours in Economics with a minimum grade point average of 2.00 is required. Further details are available from the chairperson.
The Department of Economics offers honours programs to students enrolled in either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Commerce. Descriptions of the general requirements for the Honours degree can be found at the program webpage by following this link: Bachelor of Arts (Honours).
In addition to the general requirements, for graduation with honours in economics, all students must satisfy the following:
Economics Honours Requirements
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