2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog

Apr 20, 2024

2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog

Economics, B.A.

Cal Poly Humboldt has a strong and rigorous Economics program with a focus on sustainability. Our student-centered program is interdisciplinary and includes four sustainability-focused courses. We are a close-knit community with small classes, a hands-on approach, and strong student-faculty relationships. Professors know you by name and work to support and encourage you as you grow and learn.

We emphasize applied knowledge and offer many opportunities for hands-on learning and internships that are grounded in real-world skill building and help prepare you for the job market. There are openings for paid internships as research, community development, and teaching assistants. We also offer a service-learning course where students work with local economic development government and non-profit organizations.

Our curriculum accommodates a broad range of student interests. Consider today’s important issues - climate change and energy, sustainable growth and development, international trade and finance, inequality and world poverty. In each case, economics is essential to understanding the choices that society faces and it is crucial in creating the best possible policy. Economics students learn to make sense of large and complex economic issues and critically evaluate real-world events.

The economics curriculum emphasizes both microeconomic and macroeconomic issues. Students can pursue a General Economics curriculum or specialize in Environmental Economics and Sustainability, Applied and Quantitative Economics, or they can design their own area of specialization.

Economics teaches analytical skills and problem-solving techniques that are extremely valuable in just about every workplace, making economics one of the most versatile majors. We also emphasize strong written and oral communication skills. This combination of data analysis and strong communication skills makes our students very marketable when they graduate and economics graduates make the top 10 list of highest starting salaries among all majors. We have a strong record of helping students realize their career aspirations and our graduates have gone on to a wide range of careers in banking, finance, government, advocacy, environmental consulting, and business. In addition, many of our graduates pursue graduate and professional degrees in economics, public policy, law, and business.

More information is available on the Department of Economics webpage

Preparation

High school students should take college preparatory courses, including English, writing, social science, and economics (if available). Math (including calculus) is recommended.

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major includes a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course.

Requirements for the Major (53-61 Units)

A minimum grade of C- must be earned in all courses required for the major.

Core Courses (41-43 Units)

The following core courses including 16 units of upper division economics electives are required for all economics majors.

Lower Division

ECON 210 - Principles of Economics Units: 4

Mathematics (Complete one course)

Students with a higher math aptitude and those considering graduate school should take MATH 109.

MATH 101 - College Algebra Units: 3
MATH 101I - College Algebra with Integrated Support Units: 3
MATH 102 - Algebra and Elementary Functions Units: 4
MATH 109 - Calculus I Units: 4 (required for the Applied and Quantitative Economics emphasis)

Upper Division Economics Electives (16 Units)

Complete four upper division electives, including the corresponding 1-unit depth of study where offered. **Indicates courses that are required for the Environmental and Sustainability Economics Emphasis.

ECON 305 - International Economics and Globalization Units: 3
and ECON 305D - International Economics and Globalization - Additional Depth Units: 1
ECON 306W - Economics of the Developing World Units: 3
and ECON 306D - Economics of the Developing World - Additional Depth Units: 1
ECON 308 - History of Economic Thought Units: 3
and ECON 308D - History of Economic Thought - Additional Depth Units: 1
ECON 309 - Economics of a Sustainable Society Units: 3 **
and ECON 309D - Economics of a Sustainable Society - Additional Depth Units: 1 **
ECON 323 - Economic History of the US Units: 3
and ECON 323D - Economic History of the US - Additional Depth Units: 1
ECON 423 - Environmental and Natural Resources Economics Units: 3 **
and ECON 423D - Environmental and Natural Resources Economics - Additional Depth Units: 1 **
ECON 435 - Principles of Money and Banking Units: 4
ECON 450 - Energy Economics and Climate Policy Units: 4 **
ECON 470S - Sustainable Rural Economic Development Units: 4
ECON 480 - Special Topics in Economics Units: 1-4

Emphases (12-22 Units)

Complete one of the following emphases to fulfill the requirements of the major.

General Economics Emphasis (12 Units)

This emphasis allows students to explore a number of different economics electives and see how economics applies to a variety of real-world problems and issues.

Complete three additional upper division economic elective courses from the list above, including the corresponding 1-unit depth of study where offered.

Environmental and Sustainability Economics Emphasis (15-19 Units)

This emphasis focuses on the interaction between economic activity and environmental sustainability, applying economic concepts to practical environmental goals. Concepts such as incentive regulations, a clean-energy transition, pollution mitigation, and sustainable consumption are addressed using economic theories and prescriptive policy tools. For students interested in environmental policy and analysis and careers as industry representatives, advocates, consultants, and government planners working on environmental and natural resource issues.

Required Courses

This emphasis requires specific courses (ECON 309 / ECON 309D , ECON 423 / ECON 423D and ECON 450 ) be taken as electives in the major core. (see above)

Minor Requirement

Complete one of the minors below. If a minor contains an option for more than one economics elective, only one can double-count for the Economics major. Double majors in environmental fields can substitute for the minor.

Applied and Quantitative Economics Emphasis (15-22 Units)

This emphasis focuses on the intersection between quantitative methods and economic analysis. It provides strong preparation for students planning to enter a doctoral program in economics, statistics, or other quantitative fields. It also prepares students for more technically demanding careers requiring extensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, or data science.

All tracks in this emphasis require MATH 109 be taken as the mathematics option in the major core.

Mathematics Track (19 Units)

The mathematics track provides a strong preparation for graduate school in economics. This track is designed for students who are interested in pursuing careers as Ph.D. Economists in academia, government, and the private sector. A minor in Mathematics or second major in Mathematics may be substituted for the following courses:

MATH 107 - Introduction to Linear Algebra Units: 3
MATH 110 - Calculus II Units: 4
MATH 210 - Calculus III Units: 4
MATH 245 - Mathematical Experimentation and Proof Units: 4
MATH 344 - Linear Algebra Units: 4

Statistics Track (15 Units)

This track is designed for students who are interested in careers as analysts, researchers, and statisticians. A minor in Applied Statistics or a second major in a quantitative field may be substituted for the following courses:

CS 111 - Computer Science Foundations 1 Units: 4
MATH 107 - Introduction to Linear Algebra Units: 3
STAT 404 - Multivariate Statistics Units: 4
STAT 410 - Modern Statistical Modeling Units: 4

Data Science / GIS Track (22 Units)

This track is designed for students who are interested in careers in spatial analysis or data analysis. A minor in Geospatial Analysis or Computer Science , or a second major in Geospatial Science and Technology, Environmental Science and Management Concentration , Geospatial Science and Technology, Social Science Concentration , Computer Science , or Data Science may be substituted for the following courses:

CS 111 - Computer Science Foundations 1 Units: 4
CS 325 - Database Design Units: 4
GSP 101 - Geospatial Concepts Units: 3
GSP 270 - Geographic Information Science (GIS) Units: 3
DATA 111 - Introduction to Programming and Computational Thinking for Data Science Units: 4
DATA 271 - Data Wrangling and Visualization Units: 4

Interdisciplinary Economics Emphasis (18 Units)

Economics is ONE important lens through which to understand the world and to analyze complex problems. Combining a strong economics background with a minor in a related field will give students an edge when applying for jobs.

With departmental approval, students may choose one of the following:

Complementary Embedded Minor

Students complete a minor in a related field. A second major (double-major) can substitute for a minor. Suggested minors and areas of study include (but are not limited to):

Business. For students with career goals that demand specialized business training or students who are planning to enter an MBA program.
International Studies. For students interested in careers in international business, policy, or advocacy.
Political Science. For students interested in careers in law, business, government and public affairs, advocacy and interest groups, and other nonprofits.
History. For students interested in careers in secondary education, law, diplomacy, and journalism.

Individually Designed Complementary Area of Study

Complete 18 units of complementary coursework with at least 9 units taken at the upper division level. Students must write a brief memo that outlines how their self-designed program aligns with their personal learning and career goals.

Economics Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing the economics program will have demonstrated:

Mastery of core microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts, including application and conceptual analysis in evaluating real-world issues and problems
The ability to explain the role that economics plays in defining and achieving a sustainable society
Mastery of computational analysis, including solving problems using economics tools and methods
Effective written and oral communication through summary and analysis papers, descriptive research papers, and presentations
The ability to present themselves professionally in the job market