DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS (EC)
Professor Billy Helms, Chairperson
Office: 200 Alston Hall
The Department of Economics offers programs of study in economics through both the College of Arts and Sciences and the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration.
Requirements for the major. The major in economics requires 30 hours in economics, including EC 110, EC 111, EC 308, EC 309, and EC 450. A grade of "C-" or higher is required in EC 110, EC 111, EC 308, and EC 309. A minimum of 12 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus. Students are also required to complete MATH 121 (or MATH 125) and ST 260, or the equivalent. The economics faculty recommends that students with good mathematical ability or who have an interest in attending graduate school consider the quantitative track. Students should consult the undergraduate advisor for recommendations concerning the choice of 400-level economics courses, the minor, and general electives consistent with their overall career goals and objectives.
Standard economics track. Students choosing the standard economics track may choose the minor or second major. Those students with good math skills are urged to take MATH 125 and MATH 126 instead of MATH 112, MATH 113, and MATH 121.
| Required courses | Hours |
| EC 110 and EC 111 | 6 |
| EC 308 and EC 309 | 6 |
| EC 450 | 3 |
| Other economics courses | 15 |
| ___ | |
| 30 |
Quantitative economics track. Students choosing the quantitative economics track will satisfy the requirements for a minor in mathematics. This track is designed for students with strong math skills and those students who have an interest in pursuing an advanced degree in economics.
| Required courses | Hours |
| MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 227 | 12 |
| MATH 237 or MATH 257 | 3 |
| MATH 355 and MATH 451 | 6 |
| MATH 486 | 3 |
| EC 110 and EC 111 | 6 |
| EC 308 and EC 309 | 6 |
| EC 450 | 3 |
| EC 413 | 3 |
| EC 471 | 3 |
| Other economics courses | 9 |
| ___ | |
| 54 |
Requirements for the minor. The minor in economics requires 18 hours in economics, including EC 110 and EC 111. A grade of "C-" or higher is required in EC 110 and EC 111. A minimum of 6 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus. EC 308 and EC 309 are strongly recommended and are prerequisites for many advanced courses.
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2A maximum of 6 hours in any one department may be applied to the humanities, literature, and fine arts (HU, L, FA) and history and social and behavioral sciences (HI, SB) requirements.
3Six hours in courses designated W must be included in the junior or senior year. A minimum of 36 hours in 300- and 400-level courses, including 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor, must be completed on this campus.
Graduate programs. The department offers programs leading to the master of arts and the doctor of philosophy degrees. The requirements for these degrees are stated in the University of Alabama graduate catalog.