UBC Okanagan

Economics (B.A.)

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B.A. Major in Economics

Note: The UBC Okanagan campus also offers a B.A. Major in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) and a B.Sc. Major in Economics.

Economics is a social science dealing with choice among competing alternatives. To major in Economics, students must master skills of abstraction, deductive reasoning, and critical thinking, and understand the historical, cultural, and social context of economic institutions, policies, and events. A Major in Economics provides a way of looking at the world and understanding important aspects of human behaviour, and improves reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. It equips students with the skills needed to move on to graduate studies in Economics and related disciplines, or to enter a wide range of occupations.

To be admitted to the major program students must:

• have successfully completed both ECON 204 and ECON 205 (or equivalent); and,
• consult with the department.

First and Second Years

B.A. requirements, including the following:

• ECON 101, 102;
• ECON 204, 205;
• One of MATH 100, 116; and one of MATH 101, 142;
• STAT 230

Third and Fourth Years

• ECON 327, 328;
• at least 30 additional elective credits of ECON courses, of which at least 24 must be at the 300 and 400 level, and of which at least one course must be upper-level microeconomics (ECON 308, 386, or 401), at least one course must be upper-level monetary/macroeconomics (ECON 309, 345, 356, 402, or 409), and at least one course must be economic history (ECON 232, 330, 331, 332, 333, 338, or 339).
• at least 18 credits at the 300 or 400 level in one or more disciplines other than Economics.

Minor in Economics

To complete a Minor in Economics, students must accumulate no fewer than 30 credits in Economics out of the 120 credits required for the B.A. degree. At least 18 of these credits must be numbered 300 or above.

B.A. Honours in Economics

The Honours program in Economics enables high-achieving B.A. Major students in Economics to increase their concentration in Economics and to gain research experience through the completion of a directed-studies project (ECON 499 Honours Essay). Students are expected to satisfy high levels of competency in their academic program and to successfully complete a directed-studies project (ECON 499 Honours Essay) under the supervision of a faculty member. Students intending to pursue graduate studies in economics are advised to consider taking the Honours program since it better equips them to be successful; in addition, most of the high-quality programs in Economics expect potential graduate students to have completed an Honours degree.

Students who wish to enrol in the Honours program must submit a formal application to the coordinator of the Honours Program. After being admitted to the Honours Program, students must complete ECON 495 (Honours Seminar) and ECON 499 (Honours Essay) in sequence during their final year of study.

Admission Requirements:

• Fourth-year standing in the Economics Major;
• A minimum grade average of 76% in all courses taken to date that are applicable to the Economics Major;
• A minimum grade of 76% in both ECON 204 and ECON 205;
• A minimum grade average of 76% in MATH 100 or 116 and MATH 101 or 142;
• Successful Completion of ECON 327 and ECON 328.

Graduation Requirements:

• All general program requirements for the B.A. degree
• All requirements for the B.A. Economics Major;
• Successful completion of ECON 401, 402, 427, 495 and 499;
• A minimum overall grade average of 76% in all Economics (ECON) courses;
• A minimum overall grade average of 76% in all courses; and
• A minimum of 51 credits of Economics with at least 36 credits at the upper level.