Economics (CLAS)
Economics teaches students how to look at a complex world and make sense of the wide variety of behaviors they observe. Students majoring in economics will learn the analytical skills used to understand how households, firms and governments make economic decisions, comparing costs and benefits in an effort to maximize their objectives.
Overview
Students will learn the critical skills used to determine the implications of economic decisions for the allocation of society's scarce resources, the pricing of goods and services, the distribution of income, the behavior of macroeconomic variables and the need for government intervention.
Classes within the economics major span a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from international trade, labor economics, law and economics, economics of sports, game theory, public choice and more. The analytical skills developed in the major are useful preparation for careers in business, government, public policy or academia. A degree in economics is also appropriate for students intending to pursue advanced degrees in the social sciences and in professional schools of management, law or public administration.
Coursework for the Major
Students must achieve minimum grades of C in each required preprofessional and economics course, including the economics electives and outside substitutes.
Required Coursework
Course prerequisites are strictly enforced. A current listing of course prerequisites is available each term in 233 Byran Hall.
Recommended Coursework
Students planning to pursue graduate study in economics should consider a minor in mathematics or statistics or take the following mathematics and statistics courses:
- MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2, and MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3
- MAP 2302 Differential Equations
- Either MAS 3114 Computational Linear Algebra or MAS 4105 Linear Algebra I, and
- STA 4321 Introduction to Probability and STA 4322 Introduction to Statistics Theory. (Students taking advanced statistics might not be required to take STA 2023.)
Overseas Studies
Students are encouraged to spend a semester abroad. The Warrington College of Business Administration offers several excellent study abroad programs that allow a student the opportunity to go abroad and still make progress toward his or her degree. Students are urged to contact the advisors in the Warrington College of Business Administration for more information.
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Research
Working on research can be a valuable part of an undergraduate education. There are a limited number of spots for undergraduates to work with a faculty member on research and/or assist with a class. Students should ask their professors about this possibility; however, before approaching a professor, you should have completed ECO 3101 and at least one economics elective. Students selected for these limited positions must have very strong grades in all economics classes. More formally, ECO 4935 Honors Empirical Research, is available to honors students and seniors who have high grades and are interested in research and/or graduating with honors.
Critical Tracking
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
Semester 2
- Complete 1 of 4 courses from ECO 2013, ECO 2023, MAC 2233 and STA 2023 with a 2.5 GPA on critical-tracking coursework, excluding ECO 3101
Semester 3
- Complete 1 additional course of the 4 with a 2.75 GPA on critical-tracking coursework, excluding ECO 3101
Semester 4
- Complete 2 additional courses of the 4 with a 3.0 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework, excluding ECO 3101
Semester 5
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework, excluding ECO 3101
- Complete ECO 3101 with a minimum grade of C
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Recommended Semester Plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education course (typically, GE-C, H or S).
Semester 1 |
Credits |
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (GE-S) |
4 |
HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
Foreign language |
4-5 |
Total |
14-15 |
Semester 2 |
Credits |
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (GE-S) |
4 |
MAC 2233 Survey of Calculus 1 (GE-M) |
3 |
Foreign language |
3-5 |
Physical Science (GE-P) |
3 |
Science laboratory (GE-P or B) |
1 |
Total |
14-16 |
Semester 3 |
Credits |
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M) |
3 |
Biological Science (GE-B) |
3 |
Elective (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option) |
6 |
Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Semester 4 |
Credits |
Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
Electives |
6 |
Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
Physical Science (GE-P) |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Semester 5 |
Credits |
ECO 3101 Intermediate Microeconomics (GE-S) |
4 |
Biological Science (GE-B) |
3 |
Electives |
9 |
Total |
16 |
Semester 6 |
Credits |
Economics courses (two at 3000 level or above) |
8 |
Elective |
3 |
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
6 |
Total |
17 |
Semester 7 |
Credits |
ECO 3203 Intermediate Macroeconomics |
4 |
Economics course (one at 3000 level or above) |
6 |
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
6 |
Total |
14 |
Semester 8 |
Credits |
Economics course (one at 3000 level or above) |
4 |
Electives |
5-2 |
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) |
6 |
Total |
15-12 |
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