The economics major provides a highly structured experience that develops increasing levels of sophistication. It begins with courses in economic principles, continues to intermediate courses in economic theory and empirical practice, and culminates with rigorous courses in the applied fields of economics. Successful graduates are well-equipped to perform economic analysis in most commercial and policy settings, and to continue on to graduate school.

Special Emphasis Options

The Department of Economics offers four enhanced major tracks for students who have a relatively high GPA and want to focus their upper-division coursework in a specific area of interest. Interested students must have completed at least 6 credit hours of economics coursework at CU in order to declare the special emphasis. Students must have completed two out of three intermediate-level courses (ECON 3070ECON 3080 and/or ECON 3818) with a minimum of 3.00 GPA in these courses, and must also have a minimum of 3.00 GPA in economics coursework at CU by the time of declaration and completion of the special emphasis. Requirements are listed on the Department of Economics website.

Environmental and Natural Resources Emphasis

The environmental and natural resources emphasis is designed for economics majors who are considering careers in fields requiring a thorough understanding of a broad range of issues associated with business practices and public policies addressing natural resource use and environmental quality, including environmental regulation and compliance: energy production and consumption, development of energy transportation, urban, rural and regional infrastructures.

International Emphasis 

The international emphasis is designed for students who have an interest in courses with an international perspective both within economics and outside the department. Courses in international trade and finance are combined with selections of international courses in related social science disciplines. This program may be of particular interest to students seeking careers in international business, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations and government agencies.

Public Policy Emphasis 

The public policy emphasis is designed for students who have an interest in taking courses with a public policy perspective both within economics and outside the department. Courses in public economics are combined with selections of public policy oriented courses from various social sciences. This emphasis is recommended for students with interests in public policy seeking careers in local, state, national or international agencies.

Quantitative Emphasis 

The quantitative emphasis is designed for well-qualified majors with an interest in theoretical and/or applied mathematics. Economics courses in quantitative methods are combined with courses from the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Applied Mathematics. This program may be of interest to students planning to pursue graduate studies in economics or those seeking a career in applied quantitative research.

Requirements

Required Courses and Credits

Students must complete at least 33 credit hours of economics courses. The math requirement does not count toward either the minimum total economics credit requirement or in the major GPA calculation. At least 24 credit hours must be upper-division courses. Students transferring two 3-credit principles courses must complete at least 27 credit hours of upper-division economics.

All required major courses and the required mathematics course must be passed with a C- or better and cannot be taken pass/fail. No more than 45 credits in ECON may be applied to overall graduation requirements. Students must have a grade point average of at least 2.000 in the major in order to graduate.

Economics Major Requirements
ECON 2010
ECON 2020
Principles of Microeconomics
and Principles of Macroeconomics
8
ECON 3070
ECON 3080
Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
and Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
7
ECON 3818Introduction to Statistics with Computer Applications4
Select one of the following Econometrics courses:3
Introduction to Econometrics
Applied Econometrics
Financial Econometrics
Electives in 4000-level ECON courses12
Total Credit Hours34
Ancilliary Mathematics Requirement
Complete one of the following calculus courses:3-5
Calculus 1 for Engineers
Mathematical Tools for Economists 2
Calculus 1
Calculus for Economics and the Social Sciences
Total Credit Hours3-5

Note: Transfer students majoring in economics must complete at least 12 credit hours of upper-division economics courses at CU Boulder.

Graduating in Four Years

Consult the Four-Year Guarantee Requirements for information on eligibility. The concept of "adequate progress" as it is used here only refers to maintaining eligibility for the four-year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major. To maintain adequate progress in economics, students should to the extent feasible and in consultation with their economics advisor, follow the plan-of-study grid and declare economics as a major by the beginning of the second semester.

Recommended Four-Year Plan of Study

Through the required coursework for the major, students will complete all 12 credits of the the Social Sciences area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement, as well as the QRMS component of the Gen Ed Skills Requirement.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
ECON 2010 Principles of Microeconomics 4
Mathematics Requirement for Economics (may fulfill Gen. Ed. Skills course: QRMS) 3-5
Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Lower-division Written Communication) 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities/Natural Sciences) 3
Elective or MAPS (If needed) 3
 Credit Hours16-18
Spring Semester
ECON 2020 Principles of Macroeconomics 4
Mathematics Requirement for Economics (3-5): If needed 3-5
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences with Lab) 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities) 3
Elective or MAPS (If needed) 3
 Credit Hours16-18
Second Year
Fall Semester
ECON 3070 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory 4
ECON 3818 Introduction to Statistics with Computer Applications 4
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities) 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring Semester
ECON 3080 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities) 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Third Year
Fall Semester
ECON 4818
Introduction to Econometrics
or Applied Econometrics
or Financial Econometrics
3
ECON (3): 4000-level elective 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Upper-division Written Communication/US Perspective) 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
ECON (3): 4000-level elective 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Natural Sciences/Global Perspective) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
ECON (3): 4000-level elective 3
Upper-division Elective 3
Upper-division Elective 3
Upper-division Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
ECON (3): 4000-level elective 3
Upper-division Elective 3
Upper-division Elective 3
Upper-division Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours121-125

Learning Outcomes 

The undergraduate degree in economics emphasizes six preferred learning outcomes:

  • Students will learn the tools of microeconomic theory, including optimization and price theory, and be able to apply these skills in new contexts.
  • Students will learn the tools of macroeconomic theory, including theories of business cycles, international trade/finance, and the role of government in affecting the equilibrium, and be able to apply these skills in new contexts.
  • Students will learn the tools of statistical analysis, including multiple regression techniques, the estimation of causal effects, and any resulting biases from estimation, and understand similar analyses performed by others.
  • Students will acquire economic literacy, i.e. a basic knowledge regarding important economic events in history and understanding of the economic institutions in the world.
  • Students will learn to integrate theory and empirics to make assessments of economic policy, with a critical eye toward distinguishing causality and an understanding of the micro-foundations of economic policy.
  • Students will acquire the ability and skill to communicate economic reasoning orally and in writing.