Program Faculty: Ashley, Bangs, Jewell, Shikha* (*department chair)
Program Description:
The study of economics at St. Catherine's will challenge students and stimulate their thinking about the economy of the United States and the world. Career opportunities for women with economics training are very good and should remain strong in the future. This is especially the case for women with solid mathematical backgrounds.
This traditional liberal arts major emphasizes development of analytical abilities. It is excellent preparation for graduate study in law, business administration, international relations, finance, public policy or the social sciences. The major also serves as preparation for entry-level positions in business, nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
Students may major in economics or financial economics. A major in financial economics is suited for the student who wants to begin her career in the financial sector (banking, insurance, corporate finance, investment, trusts) and securities analysis or to obtain analytical skills to enter the corporate sector with a strong finance background.
Alternate programs may be designed by students interested in special concentrations in economics and business administration or economics and political science. With careful planning, a student can also design a double major in economics and another area of her choice. (Combination of an economics degree with a degree in mathematical sciences or computer programming is an attractive option in the workplace.)
The major and minor in economics are available in the Day Program and Weekend College. Weekend College students who wish to major in economics will need to take ECON 362 or its equivalent at some time other than during the Weekend College sessions.
Note: Students wishing to teach economics in the secondary schools should consult the social studies major.
Students may receive either the B.A. or the B.S. degree in economics or financial economics.
ECONOMICS
ECON 225 Statistical Analysis for Economics and Business
ECON 261 Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 262 Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 361W Microeconomic Theory (Weekend College students may substitute ECON 350 Managerial Economics)
ECON 362 Macroeconomic Policy (Not offered in Weekend College. Weekend College students may select an equivalent course with the permission of the department chair.)
Three additional 300- or 400-level courses in economics, chosen with the help of the student's advisor. At least five of the courses in the major must be taken in residence at the College of St. Catherine.
Supporting work:
MATH 112 Precalculus or MATH 113 Calculus I
One course in computer programming. (Recommended courses: CSCI 106, CSCI 111)
One social science course other than economics. (Recommended courses: POSC 171W Introduction to Political Science, POSC 220W Introduction to Comparative Government, PSYC 100 General Psychology, SOCI 100 Principles and Concepts of Sociology)
Students who plan to pursue graduate-level studies in economics should take courses in calculus, linear algebra and at least one advanced statistics or econometrics course
FINANCIAL ECONOMICS
ECON 225 Statistical Analysis for Economics and Business
ECON 261 Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 262 Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 335 Money and Banking
ECON 346W Global Financial Issues
ECON 348W International Economics
ECON 350 Managerial Economics
ECON 365 Investment Theories
At least five of the courses in the major must be taken in residence at the College of St. Catherine.
Supporting work:
MATH 112 Precalculus or MATH 113 Calculus I
BADM 211 Financial Accounting
BADM 213 Managerial Accounting
One course in computer programming (Recommended courses: CSCI 106, CSCI 111)
Minor Requirements:
ECONOMICS
ECON 261 Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 262 Principles of Macroeconomics
Three additional courses in economics numbered 300 or higher. (ECON 225 may be substituted for one of these three courses.) At least three of the five courses counted for the minor must be taken in residence at the College of St. Catherine.
FINANCIAL ECONOMICS
ECON 225 Statistical Analysis for Economics and Business
ECON 261 Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 262 Principles of Macroeconomics
Two additional 300-level courses selected from the following:
ECON 335 Money and Banking
ECON 365 Investment Theories
ECON 346W Global Financial Issues
Economics majors satisfy the Writing Requirement for Majors by completing ECON 361W. Financial economics majors satisfy the Writing Requirement for Majors by completing ECON 348W. Students complete the liberal arts core Writing Requirement with three other writing-intensive courses (CORE 100W and CORE 399W, and any other writing-intensive course in this or another department).
