Business Economics (Archive 2018-2019)

EC-101 and EC-102

4.00

This course covers the neoclassical and Keynesian models of aggregate economic activity. Coverage of the measurement of economic variables, such as aggregate income, the inflation rate, and the unemployment rate. Examines the behavior of the economy under conditions of price flexibility in the long run and price rigidity in the short run under rational and adaptive expectations. Analysis of the effect of changes in taxes and government expenditures, monetary policy and deficits on the economy. Coverage of the sources of economic growth. Required of all majors in Economics. Normally offered every semester.

EC-101 and EC-102

4.00

Managerial economics applies microeconomic and quantitative analysis to the formulation of rational managerial decisions. These tools shape decisions about output and pricing, about the choice of product quality, the type of production process used, the mix of inputs employed, the suitability of mergers and acquisitions, the management of risk, and the design of incentives in a world of imperfect information. This course explains the tools of managerial economics, puts them into context using numerous case studies, and applies them to significant real business situations.

STATS-250 or STATS-240 or MATH-255 or permission of instructor

4.00

This course begins with a brief review of statistical methods, including probability theory, estimation, and hypothesis testing. This background is used in the construction, estimation, and testing of econometric models. The consequences of a misspecified model, where the assumptions of a classical regression model are violated, are studied and the appropriate remedial measures are suggested. Other topics include dummy variables, binary choice models, and autoregressive models. Emphasis is on applied aspects of econometric modeling. There is extensive use of statistical software for data analyses. Normally offered every year.

EC-450 or STATS-350 and Senior Standing; Or permission of Undergraduate Director.

4.00

This is a required course for all students majoring in economics, to be taken in the spring semester of their senior year. Students are required to develop an economic thesis project in consultation with the professor for the course and to present it to the class.

Non CAS majors need to have completed at least 15 credits.

3.00

This course introduces students to foundational principles of microeconomic theory, with an emphasis on applications of concepts to management decision-making in specific industry and market settings. It describes and analyzes the interaction of supply and demand and the behavior of the prices of goods, services. It explains the determinations of costs, output, strategic pricing, and governance by firms under conditions of perfect and imperfect competition in a global economy. In addition, it describes the supply demand for factors of production and the impact of taxes and government regulation and intervention on firms and consumers.

Non-CAS majors need to have completed at least 15 credits

3.00

This course examines the workings of the national and the global economy. It will describe the determination of Gross Domestic Product, the problems of unemployment, inflation, and the determination of economic growth. It will also describe and analyze the determination of the country's exchange rate, the balance of payments, and international borrowing and lending. A particular focus will be on understanding economic fluctuations (booms, busts, and recessions) in the domestic economy and its effects on other economies. It will analyze the role of the government and the effects of government spending and taxation on the economy. Furthermore, it will describe and analyze the determination of the quantity of money and interest rates in the economy and the role of the country's central bank. It examines the basis and pattern of international trade and the effects of a country's trade policy on the economy.

MATH 128 or higher. REMINDER: STATS 250 is a required prerequisite MKT 220, FIN 200 and ISOM 201(prerequisite for ISOM 319)

4.00

Application of statistical analysis to real-world business and economic problems. Topics include data presentation, descriptive statistics including measures of location and dispersion, introduction to probability, discrete and continuous random variables, probability distributions including binomial and normal distributions, sampling and sampling distributions, statistical inference including estimation and hypothesis testing, simple and multiple regression analysis. The use of computers is emphasized throughout the course. Normally offered each semester.

EC-101 and EC-102

4.00

This course covers the neoclassical and Keynesian models of aggregate economic activity. Coverage of the measurement of economic variables, such as aggregate income, the inflation rate, and the unemployment rate. Examines the behavior of the economy under conditions of price flexibility in the long run and price rigidity in the short run under rational and adaptive expectations. Analysis of the effect of changes in taxes and government expenditures, monetary policy and deficits on the economy. Coverage of the sources of economic growth. Required of all majors in Economics. Normally offered every semester.

EC-101 and EC-102

4.00

Managerial economics applies microeconomic and quantitative analysis to the formulation of rational managerial decisions. These tools shape decisions about output and pricing, about the choice of product quality, the type of production process used, the mix of inputs employed, the suitability of mergers and acquisitions, the management of risk, and the design of incentives in a world of imperfect information. This course explains the tools of managerial economics, puts them into context using numerous case studies, and applies them to significant real business situations.

EC 101 and EC 102

4.00

Theory of consumer behavior and demand. Theory of production and costs of production. Theory of the firm, and price and output decisions in different market structures, i.e., under perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition and oligopoly. Decisions relating to pricing and employment of various inputs (labor and capital) under perfectly competitive, and less than perfectly competitive, resource markets. Required of all majors in Economics. Normally offered every semester.

EC-101 and EC-102

4.00

This course covers the neoclassical and Keynesian models of aggregate economic activity. Coverage of the measurement of economic variables, such as aggregate income, the inflation rate, and the unemployment rate. Examines the behavior of the economy under conditions of price flexibility in the long run and price rigidity in the short run under rational and adaptive expectations. Analysis of the effect of changes in taxes and government expenditures, monetary policy and deficits on the economy. Coverage of the sources of economic growth. Required of all majors in Economics. Normally offered every semester.

EC 101 and EC 102

4.00

The theory of tax policy and tax structure. The effects on economic behavior (including labor supply, saving, risk-taking and investment, charitable giving, and growth) of different taxes (income, sales, value-added, inheritance, wealth, property). Tax equity, efficiency and incidence, in the United States and in comparative perspective. Additional topics include modeling state taxes; social security and pensions; and tax compensation. Normally offered yearly.

EC 101 and EC 102

4.00

This course examines regulation and analyzes the structure, conduct, and performance of American industry. Monopoly and strategic behavior in oligopoly and monopolistic competition are considered. U.S. antitrust law and the effect of regulatory laws on industrial performance are explored. Regulatory practices, rate setting, deregulation, public-enterprise pricing, and issues in privatization are examined, with an emphasis on case studies and policy analysis. Normally offered every other year.

EC 101 and EC 102

4.00

This course examines theories of international trade. The policy implications of each theory are explored and the effect of trade on the welfare of the nation is examined. Also the development of trade blocs and the the political economy of trade are studied. Normally offered every year.

EC-101 and EC-102

4.00

Managerial economics applies microeconomic and quantitative analysis to the formulation of rational managerial decisions. These tools shape decisions about output and pricing, about the choice of product quality, the type of production process used, the mix of inputs employed, the suitability of mergers and acquisitions, the management of risk, and the design of incentives in a world of imperfect information. This course explains the tools of managerial economics, puts them into context using numerous case studies, and applies them to significant real business situations.

EC 101 and EC 102

4.00

The balance of payments and foreign exchange markets and instruments, and the determination of exchange rates. Balance-of-payments adjustments under alternative exchange-rate systems, international liquidity, international economics policy and open economy macroeconomics.

EC 101 and EC 102

4.00

An economic analysis of the European Union, the history of European monetary and economic integration. and the creation of the Euro. A survey of the development and evolution of key European policies, such competition, industry, agriculture, environment, regional, etc. A discussion of economic implications of the enlargement of the European Union, as well as its trade relations with the U.S. and other countries within the context of the World Trade Organization.

EC 101 and EC 102

4.00

This course introduces students to the foundations of game theory using applications from economics and everyday decision-making. The course examines the common strategic elements of interactions between consumers and producers, governments and citizens, politicians and their constituencies, countries and their trading partners, and various other participants in social relationships. The course provides a theoretical framework for modeling strategic interaction, beginning with the development of the concept of a Nash equilibrium, reputation, signaling, collective-action problems, and voting procedures and strategies. Normally offered every other year.

EC 102; STATS 250 or equivalent; EC 311 or EC 432 (or EC 101 with a B grade or higher)

4.00

This course provides a solid foundation in financial economics. The course begins by setting out the nature of financial decision-making by households and firms in a risk-free world, and then introduces risk in the context of financial markets. It considers portfolio management, including mean-variance, utility-maximizing, and behavioral approaches. Attention next turns to asset valuation - of equities and fixed income securities, as well as financial derivatives. The final section evaluates the applicability of the ideas of financial economics to the real world.

EC 101, EC 102

4.00

This course examines the role of depository institutions and the Federal Reserve system in determining the supply of money. The course also explains the financial environment and the role of monetary policy decisions on changes in price, interest rates, money, and economic activity. The course provides the student with both theoretical and applied analysis. Prerequisites: EC 101, EC 102.

EC-450 or STATS-350 and Senior Standing; Or permission of Undergraduate Director.

4.00

This is a required course for all students majoring in economics, to be taken in the spring semester of their senior year. Students are required to develop an economic thesis project in consultation with the professor for the course and to present it to the class.

EC-450, Senior Standing, and Honors students only

4.00

This is a required course for all students wishing to graduate with honors in economics, to be taken in the spring semester of their senior year. Students are required to develop an economic thesis project in consultation with the professor for the course and to present it to the class.

Instructor's consent required

4.00

Approximately 12 hours per week working in a position designed to give the student responsibility and a learning opportunity in economics. Interested students should consult the instructor in advance.

An independent study form must be submitted to the CAS Dean's Office.

1.00- 5.00

Independent study in economics