Undergraduate Overview

Economics student Sean Kaczmarek in Davis Hall.

Economics student Sean Kaczmarek, winner of the Marshall Scholarship, in Davis Hall

Economics is the study of scarcity. The central challenge of this field is determining the most effective use of resources for advancing individual and social welfare. In the UB Department of Economics, undergraduate students embrace a rigorous curriculum that unveils the fascinating psychology and science behind production, consumption and wealth.

Our Mission

The mission of the undergraduate program in economics is to prepare students for careers in a variety of organizations or continued graduate or professional education by providing high-quality instruction in three core economics courses and a large number of electives in various sub-fields.

The Undergraduate Experience

The distinguished faculty in the UB Department of Economics have been singled out for their accomplishments in both research and teaching. Through a variety of instructional methods, including lecture, debate and discussion, our faculty foster the critical thinking and analyzation skills necessary for students to thrive in a complex discipline. Undergraduate students learn and apply the methods of economics in-depth, becoming familiar with the role economics plays in relation to other areas of study, and the impact of economics on decisions and policy making.

 

Learning Outcomes

At the end of their academic tenure, all undergraduate economics students should:

  • Have a clear understanding of fundamental principles of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics that will enable them to succeed in both professional careers and graduate schools.
  • Be able to examine, analyze, and present empirical data.
  • Be able to apply basic statistics and build economic and econometrics models using large datasets.
  • Be able to effectively communicate economic trends using data in written and oral forms to various audiences.
  • Be able to evaluate public policies using economic and econometric methods

Contact Us

To request an appointment, please email Haylee Sipos or Professor McLaughlin with the subject heading "Appointment Request." Please include your name, UB person number and the nature of your request in the message.