BS in Economics

Diverse students in lecture.

The Department of Economics offers two bachelor's degree tracks. The BS Economics degree program focuses on quantitative skills required to address social problems and public policy evaluation in Economics. Students will gain both theoretical and empirical skills to identify, analyze, and understand these issues. The BS Economics degree is a STEM-designated program that focuses on quantitative skills required to address social problems and public policy evaluation in Economics.


The required courses offer rigorous training in quantitative data analytical skills, but the large selection in elective courses allow students flexibility in designing a curriculum to meet individual concentration. Many graduates of BS Economics degree programs go on to obtain advanced degrees in economics, law, public policy, or political science. Some students build upon their experiential learning experiences to pursue careers in the private sector, politics, government or non-profit organizations.

Undergraduate students may also pursue a joint major or a BA/MS EQE option. 

Degree Requirements

The BS in Economics tracks require students to earn a total of 120 university credits and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in their economics classes, as well as an overall 2.0 GPA and the 59 required economics credits requirement set out in the following table. Students are encouraged to review their Academic Advising Report frequently to monitor their progress. Please note: Transfer students must also maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA after entering UB, and their final overall GPA, including past courses, must equal or exceed 2.0. 

Economics majors are encouraged to pursue courses in related fields, such as English, political science, advanced mathematics and/or other social sciences. The Department of Economics recommends that students take every available opportunity to explore the paths that interest them. 

BS in Economics

  Courses Credits
Math Requirement

MTH 121, MTH 131, OR MTH 141

4
Required Courses

ECO 181 Introduction to Macroeconomics

ECO 182 Introduction to Microeconomics

ECO 380 Economic Statistics and Data Analysis

ECO 405 Microeconomic Theory 1 

ECO 406 Microeconomic Theory 2

ECO 407 Macroeconomic Theory

ECO 426 Financial Economics

ECO 443 Labor Economics

ECO 451 Mathematics for Economists

ECO 461 Econ. Forecasting and Fluctuations

ECO 467 Economics and Game Theory

ECO 469 Industrial Organization

ECO 480 Econometrics 1

ECO 481 Econometrics 2

44

Economics Upper-Level Elective Requirements

Five additional 400-level Economics courses selected from:

 

ECO 411 Health Economics

ECO 412 Environmental Economics

ECO 416 Economic Development

ECO 421 Urban Economics

ECO 434 International Finance

ECO 435 International Economics

ECO 440 Economics of Education

ECO 455 Information and Internet Economics

ECO 464 Public Economics 

ECO 468 Economics of Sports

ECO 485 Big Data and Machine Learning

ECO 493 Topics in International Economics

15
Total Economics Credits
  59

All upper-level elective credits must be completed at the University at Buffalo.

Math Recommendations: It is recommended that students considering graduate studies in economics take MTH 141, MTH 141, and additional mathematics courses, particularly MTH 309 Introduction to Linear Algebra and MTH 431 Introduction to Real Variables I.

Planning Your Courses

Once students have declared an economics major, the department recommends the following courses for consideration:

For further information about undergraduate economics courses, please visit the Undergraduate Catalog