Bachelor’s in Economics
What is Economics?
Economics examines trade-offs. It looks at scarcity and the assessment of extra benefits versus extra costs during decision-making. Economics builds an understanding of markets and how a market shock can affect outcomes in many markets. This field also looks at the impact of the aggregate economy on production, consumption, and trade. These are key foundations for decision-making by firms, policy-makers, and members of society. The economics major equips students with the ability to apply the analytics of basic managerial and macroeconomics to ongoing issues in business, policy, and the economy.
Career Opportunities in Economics
An economics major can provide strong foundations in business, public policy, and law. Majors pursue careers in business, consulting, all levels of government, and a variety of other fields. Students with goals of graduate study in economics can talk with faculty for additional class suggestions. Empirical courses, such as econometrics, build useful skills in data-based applied economics, which many employers value.
High School Preparation
High school students should follow a college preparatory curriculum and take their high school’s recommended courses in Math, English, and Foreign Language. Appropriate electives include any business courses, as well as courses in computer software applications and written and oral communication.
The Haslam College of Business encourages all high school students interested in an economics major to: 1) explore international business issues and opportunities, 2) participate in student organizations and clubs, and 3) volunteer in their community.
The College of Arts and Sciences encourages all high school students interested in an economics major to: 1) take math and foreign language courses throughout their high school career, 2) explore economics and business courses, 3) talk with family and friends about their career choices, 4) network with professionals in the field of interest, and 5) volunteer and participate in their communities.
How do I Major in Economics?
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, students have multiple options in pursuing the study of economics as their undergraduate major.
- Economics Major (Arts and Sciences), BA
- Economics Major (Business Administration), BS in Business Administration – Collateral Option
- Economics Major (Business Administration), BS in Business Administration – Integrated Business and Engineering Program
- Economics Major (Business Administration), BS in Business Administration – International Business Concentration
- Economics Major (Business Administration), BS in Business Administration – Traditional Option
Course Offerings Academic Year 2020
| Summer 2019 | |
| 201 Introductory Economics: A Survey Course | |
| 211 Principles of Microeconomics | |
| 213 Principles of Macroeconomics | |
| 311 Intermediate Microeconomics | |
| 313 Intermediate Macroeconomics | |
| 322 The Global Economy: Trade and Development | |
| 472 Public Finance: Taxation and Fiscal Federalism | |
| Fall 2019 | Spring 2020 |
| 201 Introductory Economics: A Survey Course | 201 Introductory Economics: A Survey Course |
| 207 Honors: Introductory Economics | 211 Principles of Microeconomics |
| 211 Principles of Microeconomics | 213 Principles of Macroeconomics |
| 213 Principles of Macroeconomics | 218 Honors: Principles of Macroeconomics (GLS Only) |
| 300 Special Topics I-Data Science for Economists | 305 Markets, Ethics, and Capitalism |
| 305 Markets, Ethics, and Capitalism | 311 Intermediate Microeconomics |
| 311 Intermediate Microeconomics | 313 Intermediate Macroeconomics |
| 313 Intermediate Macroeconomics | 331 Government and Business |
| 322 The Global Economy: Trade and Development | 333 Law and Economics |
| 333 Law and Economics | 351 Monetary Economics |
| 335 Economics of Strategy | 362 Environmental and Natural Resource Policy |
| 362 Environmental and Natural Resource Policy | 381 Introduction to Econometrics |
| 381 Introduction to Econometrics | 421 International Economics |
| 421 International Economics | 435 Industrial Organization |
| 436 Economics of Health and Health Care | 463 Environmental Economics |
| 441 Labor Economics | 472 Public Finance: Taxation and Fiscal Federalism |
| 471 Public Finance: Expenditure Analysis | 474 Applied Economic Analysis |
| 481 Elements of Economic Forecasting |