Economics Major: Public Policy and Sustainability Option (B.A.)
https://paulcollege.unh.edu/economics/program/ba/economics-major-public-policy-sustainability-option
The Option in Public Policy and Sustainability (B.A. degree) examines the factors that influence economic, social, and environmental outcomes, such as unemployment, poverty, economic inequality, health disparities, technological innovation, and pollution. Students will develop the institutional knowledge and theoretical perspective to understand the impact that decisions of individuals, firms, communities, and governments have on such outcomes. Students will analyze the impact of specific government policies and potential reforms, theoretically and empirically.
This option is designed for students seeking careers in policy analysis and research positions at government agencies; think tanks such as RAND Corporation, Urban Institute, and Mathematica Policy Research; consulting firms such as Abt Associates; and non-governmental organizations.
Economics Major (B.A.)
B.A. economics majors must complete nine courses in economics plus ADMN 510 Business Statistics with a grade of at least C- (1.67) in each Paul College major course and an average grade of 2.0 or better in major courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Year | ||
| ECON 401 | Principles of Economics (Macro) | 4 |
| ECON 402 | Principles of Economics (Micro) | 4 |
| ECON 501 | Business and Economic History | 4 |
| ADMN 403 | Computing Essentials for Business | 1 |
| MATH 422 | Mathematics for Business Applications | 4 |
| or MATH 424A | Calculus for Social Sciences | |
| PAUL 405 | Freshman Academic Experience I | 1 |
| PAUL 406 | Freshman Academic Experience II | 1 |
| PHIL 431 | Business Ethics | 4 |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| ADMN 510 | Business Statistics | 4 |
| ECON 605 | Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis | 4 |
| or ECON 606 | Intermediate Microeconomics with Calculus | |
| ECON 611 | Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis | 4 |
| Junior and Senior Years | ||
| ECON 774 | Senior Economics Seminar 1 | 4 |
| Select four (4) additional ECON electives 2 | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 55 | |
- 1
ECON 774 Senior Economics Seminar is the capstone course for the B.A. major and satisfies the capstone requirement of the University Discovery Program.
- 2
Specific electives for the BA Options must be chosen from an approved list of courses.
Coursework in accounting is recommended but not required. B.A. economics majors may choose to focus their major electives to satisfy the requirements of one of the three options defined by the Department of Economics.
Public Policy and Sustainability Option Requirements
Students must complete at least two required courses and at least three courses total. At least two courses must be ECON courses. (Note: Some courses may have prerequisites that are not part of the option.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| ECON 653 | Law and Economics | 4 |
| or ECON 656 | Labor Economics | |
| ECON 706 | Economics of Climate Change | 4 |
| or EREC 572 | Introduction to Natural Resource Economics | |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Economic History of the United States | ||
| Microfinance | ||
| Law and Economics 2 | ||
| Industrial Economics and Business Innovation | ||
| Labor Economics 2 | ||
| Economic Development | ||
| Economics of Climate Change 2 | ||
| Introduction to Natural Resource Economics 1, 2 | ||
| Land Economics Perspectives: Uses, Policies, and Taxes 1 | ||
| Community Economics 1 | ||
| Agricultural and Food Policy 1 | ||
| Environmental Economics 1 | ||
| Ecological-Economic Modeling for Decision Making 1 | ||
| Global Trade and Local Development 1 | ||
| Health Policy 1 | ||
| Sustainability in Action 1 | ||
Other 600-level or 700-level course, with approval from ECON Dept. | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
Satisfies the requirement of the option, but does not count toward the four-elective requirement of the economics B.A. degree. Some courses may have pre-requisites; students are responsible for checking and meeting pre-requisite requirements.
- 2
Course may not be used toward the option requirements more than once.
- Students have core proficiency in microeconomics. They understand key concepts including opportunity cost, marginal analysis, voluntary exchange, diminishing marginal returns, equilibrium and market structure.
- Students have core proficiency in macroeconomics. They understand key concepts including GDP, inflation, interest rates, business cycles, exchange rates, financial institutions and fiscal and monetary policy.
- Students have strong oral communication skills. This includes fundamental skills in preparing and delivering presentations, as well as being able to explain technical material clearly and concisely.
- Students are able to use economic models to understand real-world issues relevant to business, public policy and society.
- Students are able to communicate economic concepts clearly in writing. This involves having strong fundamental writing skills as well as being able to explain technical material clearly and concisely.