The Department of Economics at the University of Virginia (UVA) offers an undergraduate major in Economics, designed to provide students with a solid foundation in economic theory, quantitative methods, and the application of economic principles to real-world issues.
Program Overview
The Economics major consists of 33 credit hours of coursework, including 18 credit hours of core courses and 15 credit hours of electives. The core courses provide a foundation in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, and economic theory. The elective courses allow students to explore specific areas of interest within economics, such as finance, development, and environmental economics.
Core Course Requirements
ECON 2010: Principles of Microeconomics (3 credit hours)
* Introduction to microeconomic theory, including supply and demand, consumer behavior, and firm behavior.
ECON 2020: Principles of Macroeconomics (3 credit hours)
* Introduction to macroeconomic theory, including national income accounting, inflation, unemployment, and monetary and fiscal policy.
ECON 3110: Data Analysis and Statistical Inference (3 credit hours)
* Introduces students to statistical methods used in economic analysis, including hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and time series analysis.
ECON 3120: Econometrics (3 credit hours)
* Builds on the concepts learned in ECON 3110, focusing on the application of econometric techniques to economic data.
ECON 3710: Intermediate Microeconomics (3 credit hours)
* Extends the concepts learned in ECON 2010, covering topics such as game theory, imperfect competition, and information economics.
ECON 3720: Intermediate Macroeconomics (3 credit hours)
* Builds on the concepts learned in ECON 2020, covering topics such as macroeconomic models, economic growth, and international economics.
Elective Course Requirements
Students are required to take 15 credit hours of elective courses in economics. These courses can be chosen from a wide range of offerings, including:
Finance
* ECON 3500: Corporate Finance
* ECON 3510: Investments
* ECON 3520: Financial Markets and Institutions
Development
* ECON 3200: Economic Development
* ECON 3210: International Trade and Development
* ECON 3220: Economics of Poverty and Inequality
Environmental Economics
* ECON 3600: Environmental Economics
* ECON 3610: Energy Economics
* ECON 3620: Climate Change Economics
Career Opportunities
Graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from UVA are well-prepared for a wide range of careers in both the public and private sectors. Some of the most common career paths for economics graduates include:
- Economist
- Financial Analyst
- Market Researcher
- Management Consultant
- Public Policy Analyst
Admissions Requirements
Admission to the Economics major at UVA is competitive. Applicants are required to have a strong academic record, particularly in mathematics and economics. The average GPA of admitted students is typically around 3.8.
Conclusion
The Economics major at UVA provides students with a solid foundation in economic theory, quantitative methods, and the application of economic principles to real-world issues. Graduates of the program are well-prepared for a wide range of careers in both the public and private sectors.
