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ECONOMICS STUDENT SERVICES
Sequoyah Hall, Room 245
http://economics.ucsd.edu
All courses, faculty listings, and curricular and degree requirements described herein are subject to change or deletion without notice.
Economics is the study of how individuals, organizations, and societies deal with scarcity—the fact that resources are not sufficient to satisfy everyone’s wants. Because scarcity requires choice among alternative uses of resources, economists study both the technology by which resources are turned into the products people want and the preferences through which people choose among alternatives. Further, since society is composed of many individuals and groups, economists study markets, governments, and other institutions through which a society might gain the advantages of cooperation and resolve the conflicts due to competing goals. The economics curriculum develops tools and uses them to analyze a wide range of societal problems, and also to study the role of the government in solving these problems.
Economics is a different discipline from business administration. However, there are substantial overlaps. Both disciplines study the behavior of people and firms within the context of market, legal, and other institutions. In evaluating economic institutions, economists tend to emphasize the viewpoint of the larger society, and business scholars tend to emphasize the viewpoint of firms.
Information on the undergraduate program can be found on the undergraduate program’s website at http://economics.ucsd.edu/undergraduate-program/index.html. The website contains answers to frequently asked questions, gives practical tips for avoiding problems, and provides a more detailed discussion of the department’s majors than is possible in the general catalog. It is important for students contemplating a major in the department to be familiar with the website and the prerequisite requirements listed therein. Students communicate with undergraduate advisers in the department either through in-person walk-in advising sessions, or through the Virtual Advising Center (VAC). VAC (vac.ucsd.edu) documents student questions and department responses. It also authenticates student identity and protects student information. Students must use their UC San Diego email address to send and receive messages in VAC.
The Department of Economics hosts the EconUGBlog (http://econugblog.wordpress.com/) to provide information to undergraduate students about events, jobs, and internship opportunities related to economics.
Students interested in studying abroad are encouraged to go the Study Abroad UC San Diego Office or to their website: http://studyabroad.ucsd.edu/ for more information.
Transfer students should see the department website at http://economics.ucsd.edu/undergraduate-program/entry-to-the-majors.html.
Due to the tremendous growth in the number of students wishing to declare one of our majors, and the limited resources available to meet this demand, all undergraduate majors in the Department of Economics are capped. Even though we are capped, it may be possible for students to declare one of our majors.
Please see “Entry to the Majors” on the department’s website for details: http://economics.ucsd.edu/undergraduate-program/entry-to-the-majors.html
The department offers three lower-division economics classes, ECON 1-2-3. ECON 1 is an introduction to the study of the economic system from the micro, or individual decision maker’s perspective. The focus of ECON 1 is the allocation of resources and the distribution of income in perfectly competitive markets. ECON 2 is a continuation of the study of microeconomics with a focus on the allocation of resources in monopoly and other imperfectly competitive markets, market imperfections, and the role of government in markets. ECON 3 introduces macroeconomics: unemployment, inflation, business cycles, and monetary and fiscal policy. ECON 1 is a prerequisite for both ECON 2 and ECON 3. ECON 2 and ECON 3 can be taken in any order and may be taken concurrently.
The department offers an accounting course, ECON 4. ECON 4 is a lower-division requirement for the BS in management science and the management science minor. ECON 4 is cross-listed with MGT 4. Students will not receive credit for ECON 4 if taken after MGT 4.
The upper-division economics and management science core courses are expected to be offered every quarter (fall, winter, and spring) with the following exceptions:
Fall—no ECON 172B
Spring—no ECON 172A or 173A
The 100, 110, 120, 172, and 173 core courses are sequential. That is, A must be taken before B, and when applicable, B before C.
The economics BA program is designed to provide a broad understanding of resource-allocation and income-determination mechanisms. Both the development of the tools of economic analysis and their application to contemporary problems and public policy are stressed.
When choosing which mathematics series to take, MATH 10A-B-C or MATH 20A-B-C, it is important to remember that only MATH 20A-B-C allows students access to MATH 20F and several upper-division mathematics courses that are recommended as preparation for PhD study in economics and business administration, as well as for graduate studies for professional management degrees, including the MBA. Therefore, while we require economics majors to take MATH 10A-B-C, we recommend that economics students take MATH 20A-B-C.
A student majoring in economics must meet the following requirements:
ECON 103. International Monetary Relations
ECON 105. Industrial Organization and Firm Strategy
ECON 109. Game Theory
ECON 112. Macro Data Analysis
ECON 113. Mathematical Economics
ECON 121. Applied Econometrics
ECON 122. Econometric Theory
ECON 125. Demographic Analysis and Forecasting
ECON 136. Human Resources
ECON 141. Economics of Health Consumers
ECON 142. Behavioral Economics
ECON 143. Experimental Economics
ECON 146. Economic Stabilization
ECON 147. Economics of Education
ECON 150. Public Economics: Taxation
ECON 151. Public Economics: Expenditures I
ECON 152. Public Economics: Expenditures II
ECON 171. Decisions Under Uncertainty
ECON 172A. Operations Research A
ECON 172B. Operations Research B
ECON 173A. Financial Markets
ECON 173B. Corporate Finance
ECON 174. Financial Risk Management
ECON 176. Marketing
ECON 178. Economic and Business Forecasting
MATH 194. The Mathematics of Finance (refer to course description for enforced prerequisite list)
A detailed description of the economics major, as well as two- and four-year plans, are available in the Undergraduate Program section of the department website: http://economics.ucsd.edu/undergraduate-program/index.html.
Management science builds on a set of related quantitative methods commonly used to solve problems arising in the private (business and finance) and public (government) sectors. While students will gain some familiarity with the traditional functional fields of business management, this program is more tightly focused and more quantitative than a traditional business administration major. It is not, however, a program in applied mathematics or operational research, since the economic interpretation and application of the tools are continually stressed. Rather, it is a quantitative major in applied economics with a management focus.
A student majoring in management science must meet the following requirements:
ECON 103. International Monetary Relations
ECON 105. Industrial Organization and Firm Strategy
ECON 109. Game Theory
ECON 113. Mathematical Economics
ECON 121. Applied Econometrics
ECON 122. Econometric Theory
ECON 125. Demographic Analysis and Forecasting
ECON 150. Public Economics: Taxation
ECON 151. Public Economics: Expenditures I
ECON 152. Public Economics: Expenditures II
ECON 174. Financial Risk Management
ECON 176. Marketing
ECON 178. Economic and Business Forecasting
MATH 194. The Mathematics of Finance (refer to course description for enforced prerequisite list)
Note that many of these advanced management science electives recommend 100C as a prerequisite for the class. In the fall quarter of 2010, 100C became a prerequisite for the advanced electives that currently only recommend 100C as a prerequisite. Therefore, management science majors are strongly encouraged to take ECON 100A-B-C and ECON 120A-B-C in their sophomore year.
A detailed description of the management science major, as well as two- and four-year plans, are available in the Undergraduate Program section of the department website: http://economics.ucsd.edu/undergraduate-program/index.html.
This major is considered to be excellent preparation for the PhD study in economics and business administration, as well as for graduate studies for professional management degrees, including the MBA.
Majors in economics generally recognize the importance of mathematics to their discipline. Undergraduate students who plan to pursue doctoral study in economics or business need the more advanced mathematics training prescribed in this major. Majors in mathematics often feel the need for a more formal introduction to issues involving business applications of science and mathematics. Extending their studies into economics provides this application and can provide a bridge to successful careers or advanced study. This major provides a formal framework making it easier to combine study in economics and mathematics.
Course requirements of the joint major in mathematics and economics consist principally of the required courses of the mathematics major and the economics/management science majors:
Fifteen upper-division courses in mathematics and economics, with a minimum of seven courses from one department and eight from the other department, chosen from the courses listed below (prerequisites are strictly enforced):
When choosing across the MATH 140 or the MATH 142 series, it is recommended that students take MATH 142. Other courses that are strongly recommended are MATH 190, and 193A-B and ECON 109, 113, 173A-B, 174, and 178.
Further information may be obtained in the mathematics and economics undergraduate advising offices.
To graduate with the phrase “with distinction” on your diploma, you must complete two additional advanced electives (for a total of seven electives, four of which are advanced). You must also have an upper-division GPA in your major greater than or equal to 3.5. The upper-division major GPA will only include grades for courses taken at universities in the UC system and through EAP.
To graduate with the phrase “with highest distinction” on your diploma, you must complete two additional advanced electives (for a total of seven electives, four of which are advanced), take the honors sections of at least two upper-division courses (ECON 100AH-BH-CH, ECON 110AH-BH, and ECON 120AH-BH-CH), and take the Senior Essay Seminar (ECON 191A-B). You must also have an upper-division GPA in your major greater than or equal to 3.5. The major GPA in your honors sections and ECON 191A-B must be 3.5 or above. Admission to honors sections and ECON 191A-B is by special permission; check with the undergraduate advisers in the Economics Student Services Office.
To graduate with the phrase “with distinction” on your diploma, you must have an upper-division GPA in your major greater than or equal to 3.5. The upper-division major GPA will only include grades for courses taken at universities in the UC system and through EAP.
To graduate with the phrase “with highest distinction” on your diploma, you must complete the honors sections of at least two upper-division courses (ECON 100AH-BH-CH or ECON 120AH-BH-CH), and take the Senior Essay Seminar (ECON 191A-B). You must also have an upper-division GPA in your major greater than or equal to 3.5. The major GPA in your honors sections and ECON 191A-B must be 3.5 or above. Admission to honors sections and ECON 191A-B is by special permission; check with the undergraduate advisers in the Economics Student Services Office.
To graduate with honors requires the following:
The Joint Mathematics and Economics Honors Committee will determine the level of honors to be awarded, based on the student’s GPA in the major and the quality of the honors work.
To graduate with a major, a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in upper-division courses used to satisfy major requirements. All courses must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of C– (C minus), or better, with the exception of ECON 195, ECON 198, and ECON 199, for which P/NP grading is mandatory. No more than twelve units of ECON 195, ECON 198, and ECON 199 taken P/NP may be counted toward major requirements. ECON 195 may only be taken twice for credit (eight units).
To receive a bachelor of arts degree in economics, no more than four upper-division courses taken externally from UC San Diego can be counted toward the major.
To receive a bachelor of science degree in management science, no more than six upper-division courses taken externally from UC San Diego can be counted toward the major.
To receive a bachelor of science degree in joint mathematics/economics, no more than three upper-division courses taken externally from UC San Diego can be counted toward the major.
Receiving a score of 5 on the AP Microeconomics Exam will give you credit for ECON 1.
Receiving a score of 5 on the AP Macroeconomics Exam will give you credit for ECON 3.
Receiving a score of 7 on the IB exam will give you credit for both ECON 1 and ECON 3.
Receiving the grade of A*(a*) on the A-Level Exam will give you credit for both ECON 1 and ECON 3.
Grades of P/NP are acceptable for minor courses. If courses are taken for a letter grade, passing is considered with a C– (C minus) or better. To declare a minor, you must use the major/minor tool on TritonLink.
The economics minor consists of eight courses: introductory microeconomics (ECON 1); microeconomic applications (ECON 2) or ECON 100A; introductory macroeconomics (ECON 3) or ECON 110A; and five additional upper-division economics courses, which are otherwise not restricted.
The management science minor, paralleling the economics minor, consists of nine courses: introductory microeconomics (ECON 1); microeconomic applications (ECON 2) or ECON 100A; introductory macroeconomics (ECON 3) or ECON 110A; financial accounting (ECON 4), and any additional five classes from the following list:
ECON 100A. Microeconomics A
ECON 100B. Microeconomics B
ECON 100C. Microeconomics C
ECON 120A. Econometrics A
ECON 120B. Econometrics B
ECON 120C. Econometrics C
ECON 171. Decisions Under Uncertainty
ECON 172A. Operations Research A
ECON 172B. Operations Research B
ECON 173A. Financial Markets
ECON 173B. Corporate Finance
ECON 174. Financial Risk Management
ECON 176. Marketing
ECON 178. Economic and Business Forecasting
The BA/MPP is a five-year program offered jointly by the Department of Economics and the School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS). Students interested in pursuing the BA/MPP must be currently enrolled in the Department of Economics at UC San Diego, and a declared economics BA major. Students who meet the admissions requirements listed below may apply to the combined degree track of Economics—Public Policy, BA and a Master of Public Policy in the spring quarter of their junior year.
Applicants will be admitted to the combined degree program on the basis of demonstrated academic excellence in upper-division course work in the Department of Economics, leadership, community involvement, and demonstrated interest in public policy.
Students interested in the BA/MPP must initially enroll as economics majors and complete the lower-division and upper-division sequences required for the BA in economics. Once admitted to the BA/MPP program by GPS, however, instead of five upper-division Department of Economics electives as required for the standard major, Economics—Public Policy students will have a requirement of four. Two of these electives must be in the Department of Economics. GPCO 404, Market Failures, and GPCO 406, Public Finance and Taxation, taken at GPS in the senior year, will count for the other two electives.
Following are the requirements for the BA/MPP five-year program:
Lower-division requirements:
Upper-division requirements through the junior year:
GPS requirements for the senior year
Fifth year/MPP graduate year—twelve courses (forty-eight units)
Required courses:
A sample five-year plan is below:
Freshman |
MATH 10/20A |
MATH 10/20B |
MATH 10/20C |
Sophomore |
ECON 100A |
ECON 100B |
ECON 100C |
Junior |
ECON 110A |
ECON 110B |
UD ECON ELECTIVE |
Senior |
GPCO 456 |
GPCO 400 |
GPCO 406 |
Graduate Year |
GPEC 443 recommended |
MPP Capstone |
Area of Specialization |
All BA/MPP students must complete an internship between their senior and graduate years. Students will be assisted in the identification of and application to an appropriate internship by GPS Career Services. Funding for travel and/or accommodations may be available.
Students who are admitted to the five-year program and either opt out in their senior year or fail to matriculate to graduate standing because of poor performance will be allowed to return to the standard BA in economics (EN25). They will be required to complete a fifth elective.
Please see http://economics.ucsd.edu/undergraduate-program/index.html for all rules, restrictions, and requirements for the economics major through the junior year.
