Undergraduate Information

Economics (ECON)

The Department of Economics offers the following undergraduate program options:

*Major in Economics (BCOM)
*Honours in Economics (BCOM)
*Major in Economics (BA)
*Honours in Economics (BA)
*Concentration in Economics (BA)
*Minor in Economics

Department Statement

“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.

Money and Banking: ECON 3307, 4407
Public Finance: ECON 3319
International: ECON 3327, 3365, 4413, 4414
Quantitative: ECON 3302, 3303, 4403
Regional: ECON 3324, 3325
Natural Resources and Environment: ECON 3362, 3363
Comparative Systems: ECON 3315
Cost-Benefit Analysis and Health: ECON 3364, 3366
Development: ECON 3310, 4410
Labour: ECON 3340, 3341, 3349
Industrial Organization: ECON 3316
Other theory courses: ECON 4400, 4401, 4404, 4405.

Students who desire a major in economics are encouraged to enrol in an appropriate program under the guidance of a faculty advisor. There are two general programs: (1) Bachelor of Arts with a major in economics, and (2) Bachelor of Commerce with a major in economics.

See Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Commerce, Section 3 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.