Economics (ECO)

ECO 2301. Principles of Economics.

This course examines fundamental principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics in a non-technical framework. Topics include supply and demand, production and cost, market structures, aggregate output and economic performance, business cycles and economic growth, unemployment and inflation, money and banking, fiscal and monetary policy, and international trade and finance. Designed for non-business and non-economics majors.

ECO 2314. Principles of Microeconomics.

This course provides an introduction to the microeconomics of a modern industrial society. Topics include supply and demand analysis, price determination, cost structures, and market equilibrium. Students examine firm behavior under different market structures, including competition and monopoly, and analyze how resources are allocated in markets. Additional topics include income distribution, externalities, taxation, regulation, and international trade. Emphasis is placed on applying core economic concepts such as scarcity, opportunity cost, marginal analysis, and efficiency to real-world issues. Graphical and quantitative methods are used to interpret data and evaluate economic outcomes and public policy decisions. Prerequisite: MATH 1315 or MATH 1319 or MATH 1329 or MATH 2417 or MATH 2471 any with a grade of "D" or better or ACT Mathematics score of 27 or better or SAT Mathematics score of 580 or better or SAT Math Section Score 600 or better.

ECO 2315. Principles of Macroeconomics.

This course provides an introduction to the macroeconomics of a modern industrial society. Topics include measurement of national income, unemployment, and inflation, as well as the analysis of business cycles and long-run economic growth. Students examine the roles of fiscal policy, monetary policy, and financial institutions in promoting economic stability. Additional topics include money and banking, aggregate demand and aggregate supply, and the impact of international trade on economic performance. Emphasis is placed on using economic models and data to analyze macroeconomic conditions, evaluate policy decisions, and interpret changes in the overall economy. Prerequisite: [AG 2383 or ECO 2314 either with a grade of "D" or better] and [MATH 1315 or MATH 1319 or MATH 1329 or MATH 2417 or MATH 2471 any with a grade of "D" or better or ACT Mathematics score of 27 or better or SAT Mathematics score of 580 or better or SAT Math Section Score 600 or better].

ECO 3301. Economics of Sports.

This course examines the economic and business aspects of professional and intercollegiate sports. Topics include the organization and behavior of sports leagues, demand for sporting events, revenue generation, and pricing strategies. Students analyze labor markets in major sports, including player salaries, contracts, and mobility, as well as the role of unions and collective bargaining. Additional topics include antitrust regulation, public financing of sports facilities, and the economics of intercollegiate athletics. Emphasis is placed on applying economic principles and financial analysis to evaluate decisions related to team operations, player investment, and capital projects in the sports industry. Prerequisite: ECO 2301 or ECO 2314 with a grade of "C" or better.

ECO 3304. Environmental Economics for Decision Makers.

This course examines the interaction among environmental systems, economic activity, and business decision-making using economic analytical tools. Topics include the role of natural resources as inputs to production, market outcomes associated with environmental externalities, and the influence of public policy on resource use and environmental outcomes. Current environmental issues and policy debates are analyzed to illustrate the application of economic models and empirical evidence. Prerequisite: ECO 2301 or ECO 2314 either with a grade of "C" or better.

ECO 3305. Law and Economics.

This course examines the application of economic analysis to legal systems and institutions. Topics include the use of economic theory to analyze contracts, property rights, torts, business regulation, and criminal law. Analysis focuses on how incentives, transaction costs, and market structures influence legal rules, enforcement, and outcomes. Students evaluate how legal doctrines shape economic behavior and resource allocation. Additional topics may include efficiency, externalities, and the role of government intervention in legal frameworks. Emphasis is placed on applying economic models to interpret legal issues and assess the implications of alternative legal arrangements. Prerequisite: ECO 2301 or ECO 2314 either with a grade of "C" or better and a minimum 2.0 Overall GPA.

ECO 3311. Money and Banking.

This course studies money, credit, and banking in the modern economy. Topics include the evolution of monetary systems, the structure and functions of central banks, and the role of financial institutions and intermediaries. Students examine interest rate determination, credit markets, and the interaction between financial markets and the broader economy. Analysis focuses on monetary theory, the tools of central banking, and the transmission of monetary policy to output, inflation, and financial markets. Additional topics include banking regulation, financial stability, and international aspects of money and banking. Emphasis is placed on applying economic models and data to evaluate monetary policy and financial system performance. Prerequisite: ECO 2314 and ECO 2315 both with grades of "C" or better and [MATH 1329 or MATH 2471] any with a grade of "D" or better and a minimum 2.0 Overall GPA.

ECO 3313. Labor Economics.

This course examines labor markets using microeconomic theory and empirical analysis. Topics include wage determination, employment, and labor market participation using supply and demand frameworks. Students analyze individual labor supply decisions, including work–leisure trade-offs and household time allocation, as well as the demand for education and training as investments in human capital. The course also examines firms’ labor demand decisions and the role of labor inputs in production. Additional topics include labor market institutions such as unions, wage-setting mechanisms, and differences in labor market outcomes across demographic groups. Emphasis is placed on applying economic models and data to evaluate labor market behavior and policy issues. Prerequisite: ECO 2314 with a grade of "C" or better and [MATH 1329 or MATH 2471] any with a grade of "D" or better and a minimum 2.0 Overall GPA.

ECO 3314. Intermediate Microeconomics.

This course examines intermediate-level microeconomic theory with emphasis on formal models of decision-making and market outcomes. Topics include supply and demand, consumer choice, production and cost theory, and firm pricing behavior. Students analyze product and factor markets under conditions of perfect and imperfect competition, as well as issues related to imperfect and asymmetric information. Analytical frameworks are used to study optimization, equilibrium, and strategic interaction in economic systems. Emphasis is placed on applying mathematical and graphical models to evaluate economic behavior and interpret real-world market phenomena. Prerequisite: ECO 2314 and ECO 2315 with a grade of "C" or better and [MATH 1329 or MATH 2471] any with a grade of "D" or better and a minimum 2.0 Overall GPA.

ECO 3315. Intermediate Macroeconomics.

This course analyzes intermediate-level macroeconomic theory with emphasis on models of output, inflation, unemployment, and long-run economic growth. Topics include business cycle fluctuations, aggregate demand and aggregate supply, and dynamic frameworks used to study economic stability. Students examine the role of fiscal and monetary policy in influencing macroeconomic outcomes and evaluate policy effectiveness using theoretical and empirical approaches. The course also emphasizes interpretation of macroeconomic data and the use of formal models to analyze equilibrium conditions and policy interventions in modern economies. Prerequisite: ECO 2314 and ECO 2315 both with grades of "C" or better and [MATH 1329 or MATH 2471] any with a grade of "D" or better and a minimum 2.0 Overall GPA.

ECO 3317. International Economics.

This course studies how countries are integrated through international trade and international finance. It analyzes major theories of international trade, the sources of gains from trade, and the economic effects of trade barriers. The course also explores exchange rate determination and the role of monetary and fiscal policy in open economies. Students apply theoretical frameworks to evaluate international economic policy and global financial interactions. Prerequisite: ECO 2314 and ECO 2315 both with grades of "C" or better and [MATH 1329 or MATH 2471] any with a grade of "D" or better and a minimum 2.0 Overall GPA.

ECO 3320. Emerging Market Economies.

This course explores the economic challenges faced by developing and emerging market economies and the policies designed to address these challenges. Topics include poverty, inequality, economic growth, human capital development, labor markets, international trade, and the role of institutions in shaping development outcomes. Students examine competing theories of economic development and analyze policy approaches used in different country contexts. Emphasis is placed on interpreting empirical evidence, evaluating case studies, and applying economic models to assess development strategies and outcomes. Prerequisite: ECO 2314 and ECO 2315 both with grades of "C" or better and a minimum 2.0 Overall GPA.

ECO 3327. Public Finance.

This course examines the role of government in the economy and the effects of public policies on resource allocation (efficiency) and income distribution (equity). It introduces fundamental theoretical principles that justify the existence of the public sector, including market failure, public goods, and externalities. The course provides background knowledge to understand the changing role of government and to analyze policy debates related to expenditure programs such as education, health care, and social security. It also covers taxation in both theory and practice. Prerequisite: ECO 2314 and ECO 2315 both with grades of "C" or better and [MATH 1329 or MATH 2471] any with a grade of "D" or better and a minimum 2.0 Overall GPA.

ECO 3334. Business Enterprise and Public Policy.

This course examines the historical development, organizational structure, and competitive dynamics of American industry, along with the evolution of government regulation of business. Emphasis is placed on the interaction between private enterprise and public policy in shaping market outcomes. Topics may include antitrust policy, competition and market power, regulatory agencies, corporate governance, consumer protection, labor policy, and the role of government in promoting competition and addressing market failures. Prerequisite: ECO 2314 with a grade of "C" or better; MATH 1329 or MATH 2471 with a grade of "D" or better; Overall GPA 2.0.

ECO 3335. Managerial Economics.

This course studies the application of economic analysis to managerial decision-making and business policy formulation. Topics include demand analysis, production and cost theory, market structure, and pricing strategies. Students examine how firms make decisions under different competitive environments and evaluate profit-maximizing behavior. Public policy issues, including regulation and antitrust, are analyzed for their effects on business decisions. Emphasis is placed on applying economic models and data analysis to support decision-making and evaluate strategic alternatives in domestic and global markets. Prerequisite: ECO 2314 with a grade of "C" or better and [MATH 1329 or MATH 2471] any with a grade of "D" or better and a minimum 2.0 Overall GPA.

ECO 4305. Urban and Regional Economics.

This course studies urban and regional economic issues including regional growth, crime, transportation, housing, and the urban–rural interface. Topics include the spatial organization of economic activity, land use, agglomeration economies, and regional development. Students examine models and data used in urban economics and regional science to analyze location decisions, infrastructure, and public policy. Emphasis is placed on applying quantitative and spatial analysis, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to interpret regional patterns and evaluate economic and policy outcomes. Prerequisite: ECO 2314 and ECO 2315 both with grades of "C" or better.

ECO 4313. Econometrics.

This course applies statistical methods to the empirical analysis of economic data. Topics include probability theory, simple and multiple linear regression, hypothesis testing, prediction, and model evaluation. Students examine common econometric challenges such as heteroskedasticity, omitted variable bias, heterogeneity, and model specification. Emphasis is placed on interpreting estimation results and assessing model validity in applied economic research. Statistical software is used to estimate models, analyze datasets, and evaluate empirical findings within an economic framework. Prerequisite: ECO 2314 and ECO 2315 and [MATH 2328 or ANLY 2333] and [MATH 1329 or MATH 2471] all with grades of "C" or better and a minimum 2.0 Overall GPA.

ECO 4314. Empirical Data Analysis.

This course focuses on the application of data analysis and visualization techniques to analyze relationships between economic variables and convey findings in a clear and impactful way using programs such as Excel, SAS, Stata, and Python. Topics include descriptive statistics, simple and multiple regression analysis, statistical inference, and best practices in data visualization. Emphasis is placed on applications and hands-on data analysis. Prerequisite: ECO 2314 and ECO 2315 and [MATH 1329 or MATH 2471] all with grades of "C" or better.

ECO 4381H. Behavioral Economics.

This course introduces students to Behavioral Economics, examining how psychological, cognitive, and social factors influence economic decision-making and lead to systematic departures from the predictions of classical economic theory. Topics include bounded rationality, heuristics and biases, decision-making under risk and uncertainty, intertemporal choice, strategic behaviors, and social preferences. The course integrates theoretical models with evidence from laboratory and field experiments and applies behavioral insights to real-world contexts such as consumer behavior, personal financial decision-making, health and lifestyle choices, and public policy. Students also explore behavioral extensions of game theory, learning and adaptation over time, and the design of choice architecture. Designed as an undergraduate-level economics course, this class emphasizes conceptual understanding, analytical reasoning, and the application of behavioral insights to economic and policy questions. Prerequisite: ECO 2314 and ECO 2315 with a grade of "C" or better.

ECO 4381J. Economics of Healthcare.

This course applies microeconomic theory to the analysis of healthcare markets and policy. Topics include the production and demand for health, medical care utilization, uncertainty and insurance, provider behavior, market failures, and the role of government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Contemporary policy issues are examined using economic models and empirical research. Emphasis is placed on applying intermediate microeconomic tools to understand the structure, incentives, and performance of the U.S. health care sector. Prerequisite: ECO 3314 with grade of "D" or better.

ECO 4390. Internship in Economics.

This course integrates academic study with supervised professional experience in an economics-related setting. Students apply theoretical knowledge to practical workplace responsibilities while examining the relationship between economic concepts and organizational or policy decision-making. Emphasis is placed on reflective analysis, professional development, and the application of economic principles in real-world contexts. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

ECO 4395. Independent Study in Economics.

This course allows advanced undergraduate students to engage in independent, faculty-guided study of a selected topic or applied area in economics. Students conduct focused research or applied analysis using economic theory, data, and analytical methods. Topics vary based on student interest and faculty expertise and may include specialized or emerging areas of economics not covered in regularly offered courses. Emphasis is placed on developing research skills, critical thinking, and the ability to apply economic concepts to complex problems. Independent inquiry is supported through structured analysis and communication of findings. This course may be repeated once for credit with different emphasis. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

ECO 5302. Economic Theory and Policy.

An intensive study of micro-and macroeconomic concepts; the price system as it functions under competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition and oligopoly; national income measurement and determination; business cycles; money and banking; monetary policy; fiscal policy and economic stabilization. May not be counted as an elective MBA course. This course does not earn graduate degree credit.

ECO 5310. International Economics.

This course examines international trade and financial relationships among nations using advanced economic frameworks. Topics include exchange rate determination, trade barriers, customs unions, and macroeconomic policy in open economies. Analysis focuses on interactions between goods markets and financial markets and on how policy and institutional arrangements influence global economic outcomes. Analytical models are used to evaluate trade flows, capital movements, and exchange rate dynamics within an integrated framework. Prerequisite: B A 5353 with a grade of "C" or better.

ECO 5316. Managerial Economics.

This course applies microeconomic theory to the analysis of managerial decision-making and business policy. Topics include demand analysis, production and cost theory, pricing strategies, and optimization techniques such as linear programming. Analytical models are used to examine how firms allocate resources, respond to market conditions, and evaluate strategic alternatives. Emphasis is placed on using quantitative methods to inform decisions related to pricing, output, and resource allocation in competitive environments. Prerequisite: QMST 5334 with a grade of "C" or better.

ECO 5320. Emerging Market Economies.

This course examines the structural characteristics of emerging market economies and their role in the global economic system. Topics include patterns of economic growth, institutional development, financial systems, trade integration, and macroeconomic stability. Analysis focuses on key challenges such as volatility, capital flows, governance, and policy constraints, as well as opportunities related to industrialization, innovation, and global market participation. Economic models and empirical evidence are used to evaluate development outcomes and policy responses across different regions and country contexts. Prerequisite: B A 5353 with a grade of "C" or better.

ECO 5338. Global Economics & Markets.

This course explores the interconnectedness of national economies and the forces driving international trade, finance, and development. It delves into the complexities of the global economy, including issues like international trade patterns, financial performance, capital flows, inequality, and the impact of international organizations. Students gain an understanding of how various economies interact, the role of policy, and the challenges and opportunities presented by globalization.