Undergraduate

Major Requirements
Advising Center
Why Study Economics?
Career Paths

The curriculum of the UC Davis bachelor's program in Economics encompasses instruction in deductive reasoning and analysis of models to help understand economic behavior, strategies, tactics, policies and consequences. Additionally, students are trained in modern methods of empirical and data analysis that are needed in the business, professional and policy world.

Meet our Economics Department Faculty here.

 

Major Requirements

The Economics major is a very flexible major. The lower-division requirements are the same as those for the Economics Transfer Pathway, aside from additionally requiring a Statistics course. The upper-division requirement is eleven quarter-length courses (only four of which are required courses), leaving plenty of opportunity to, for example, double major or additionally complete one or more minors.

Specialization Tracks

The optional Specialization Tracks generally comprise three related courses. Only one Specialization track may be chosen. If you are considering following any one of these tracks, you will need to notify one of the department's advisors.

Click here to view our Specialization Track chart for more information!

Minor Requirements

The Economics minor has the same lower-division requirements as the Economics major. Additionally five quarter-length upper-division courses need to be taken, two of which are required courses.

Tentative Schedules

2024-25: Click here for our tentative schedule for the next 2024-25 academic year in Economics. 

Note: this is subject to change frequently over the year, please meet with the advising team to discuss any questions about our class offerings.

Course Descriptions & Flyers

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Declaring the Economics Major or Minor and combining with other Majors or Minors

  • How do I declare the Economics major?

    To declare the Economics major, students must meet the following requirements:
    - Complete ECN 1A, 1AV or 1AY and/or ECN 1B or 1BV with a 2.000 GPA or better.
    - Complete MAT 16A, 17A, 19A, or 21A with a 2.000 GPA or better.
    - Maintain good academic standing overall

    Can I double major in Economics and Managerial Economics?

    Unfortunately, a double major cannot be pursued at this time; however a major and minor combination is certainly possible. These programs exceed the maximum unit overlap allowed between major programs. Exceptions can be petitioned through the College of Letters and Science's Undergraduate Education Advising Office.

    Can I major in Economics and minor in Managerial Economics?

    Yes. Visit both departments to meet with undergraduate academic advisors for more information.

    What do I need to declare a double major with Economics?

    We encourage you to meet with the undergraduate academic advisors for your major programs to ensure compliance with any specific rules that would affect success in petitioning for a double major. Minimally you will need to:
    - Complete all lower division preparatory work in Economics
    - Maintain a 2.000 GPA or better in completed Economics coursework
    - Maintain good academic standing overall

    What are some popular double major or minor pairings with Economics?

    Students from across a diverse background of programs will double major or minor with Economics. We recommend meeting with other advising centers to confirm program requirements, but here are some that are popular pairings with Economics:
    - Accounting (minor only)
    - Human Rights (minor only)
    - International Relations
    - Mathematics
    - Political Science
    - Statistics
    - Technology Management (minor only)

    How do I declare the Economics minor?

    To declare the Economics minor, students must meet the following requirements:
    - Complete 1 ECN Upper Division minor course with a 2.000 GPA or better. You can find the full list of ECN Upper Division minor course options here. 
    - Maintain good academic standing overall

  • Economics Courses Restrictions and Options

  • I am trying to enroll in upper division ECN courses during Pass 1, but Schedule Builder does not allow me to. What can I do?

    In order to enroll in upper division courses, you must have completed 90 or more units and be declared in Economics. The only exception to the major restriction is ECN 100A, 100B and ECN 101. You must be a declared Economics student during Pass 1 to register for upper division Economics courses. All restrictions will be lifted during Pass 2, at which time you will be able to register and/or be added to the wait list for upper division Economics courses.

    What courses should I take after STA 13 and ECN 102?

    This is changing over time as there are more offerings. Here are some ideas to get started: 
    - Economics 140 (Econometrics): This presents regression theory and methods in more detail than 102.
    - Economics 190 (Topics in Economics): This will include at least one more advanced econometrics course, beginning 2018-19.
    - Several economics courses include some regression analysis of data. These courses are in the Data Analytics and Economics Analysis Specialization Track of the Economics major. Currently ECN 132 (Health Economics) and ECN 145 (Transportation Economics). 
    - Statistics 108 (Applied Statistical Methods: Regression Analysis).
    - Statistics 130A-B (Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course). This is bread-and-butter statistics, often required for graduate degrees.
    - Statistics 131A-C (Mathematical Statistics). More advanced version of 130A-B. Take either 130 or 131.
    - Statistics 137 (Applied Time Series Analysis).
    - Statistics 141A-C (Data Science, Data and Web Technologies, Big Data)
    - STS 101 (Introduction to Data Studies). Data manipulation using Excel.
    - STS 115 (Data Science and Exploration). Case studies using R.
    - ECS 10 (Introduction to Programming). Programming in Python.
    - ECS 30 (Programming and problem solving). Programming in C.
    - ECS 116 (Data bases for non-majors). Relational databases. SQL.
    - MAT 22A (Linear Algebra). Covers vectors and matrices.
    - MAT 67 (Modern Linear Algebra). More advanced course than 22A. Requires 21A.
    - MAT 25 (Advanced Calculus). Require 21C.
    - MAT 125A (Real Analysis). Requires 25. Calculus at an even more advanced level.

  • Major Requirements for Economics

  • I have not taken ECN 100A, 100B, 101 or 102 yet. Can I take other upper division ECN courses?

    ECN 100A, 100B, 101, and 102 are Core Theory courses and prerequisites for the ECN Advanced courses. You may instead pursue upper division ECN History or ECN Restricted Elective courses:
              Economics History: ECN 110A, ECN 110B, ECN 111A, ECN 111B.
              Economics Restricted Electives: ECN 107, 115A, ECN 115B or 115BY, ECN 117, ECN 133Y, ECN 162, ECN 171, and selected 190s.

    Should I take ECN 100A and ECN 100B before ECN 101 and/or 102?

    The order in which you complete these core courses is not critical. We strongly recommend students to complete ECN 102 prior to your final quarter at UC Davis, ideally after taking ECN 100A or 101. 

    I need to choose 12 units of "Additional Upper Division courses" in Economics. What courses can be applied toward this requirement?

    Any upper division Economics course can be used toward your Additional Upper Division course requirements, this includes ECN Advanced, ECN History, and/or ECN Restricted Elective courses.
    If you are still completing your ECN Core Theory courses, we recommend pairing those courses with either an ECN History or ECN Restricted Elective for a balanced schedule of no more than 2 ECN courses per term. 

    Should I take the MAT 19 or MAT 21 series?

    If you plan to attend graduate school in Economics or business, the MAT 21 series is highly suggested. For students who plan to go directly into the workforce, the MAT 19 series is appropriate.

    What is the difference between ECN 162 and ECN 160A-B?

    ECN 162: International Economic Relations is intended for non-majors, and summarizes both ECN 160A-B. Economics majors can take ECN 162 for full credit but should not take ECN 160A-B because only 2 units of credit will be granted for ECN 160A-B. If you take ECN 160A-B before ECN 162, you will not receive credit for ECN 162.

    Can ARE 142, 143, or 144 count for the Economics major?

    Unfortunately, these courses are not allowed for credit toward the Economics major. Only the following ARE coursers may be used toward degree credit: ARE 115A, 115B or 115BY, 133, 139, 156, 166, 171, 175 and 176. For more information, please meet with an Economics advisor.

    If I take a course at another institution, how can I get this course approved for use toward Economics requirements?

    If you take a course at a community college in California, you can use ASSIST to determine articulation. If you are planning to take a course outside of UC Davis in an institute that is not a California community college, it is recommended that you review the Economics Transferable Database. Please check with an Economics major advisor if you intend to take a course for major credit that is not already articulated in the Economics Transferable Database by emailing the advisors at eheadvisingcenter@ucdavis.edu with a copy of the course syllabus. Please note: this process may take up to 1 month to review

  • What courses should I take given my interests?
  • Economics covers a very wide range of topics. A good place to look is the list of courses given in the specialization tracks, even if you choose not take any of the optional specialization tracks. The courses are grouped under
    - Behavior and Strategy
    - Data Analytics and Economic Analysis
    - Economic History
    - International Economics and Macro-Finance
    - Economic Policy
    - Inequality and Poverty
    See the Specialization Track Chart

    If particularly interested in further study in Data Analysis, see also these courses.
  •  Waitlists & PTAs

  • Will I be able to get into a waitlisted Economics course?

    There is a great deal of movement on waitlists in the first week of classes.  However, faculty and advisors cannot guarantee you a spot in any Economics course, as our department has a strict PTA code policy. Please note: providing students with a PTA code is not typically granted in the Economics Department. Please click here to read more about our PTA Approval Policy if you have questions.

    Our advice would be to attend the class for the week as well as a back up course.  If you are not in the course by the end of a full week of classes then you should drop the course and try again another quarter.

  • Passed/Not Passed (P/NP) Grading Mode
  • For questions about using P/NP grading for your major, please click here.
  • Graduate School and Careers

  • I plan to attend graduate school in Economics. How should I prepare?

    If you are considering a Masters program, review these tips.
    If you are considering a Ph.D. program, review these tips.

    What are the career opportunities with a major in Economics?

    The discipline focuses on the allocation of resources, which is applicable to many professional pipelines. See also Career Paths.

    Where can I find information related to graduate programs?

    Visit the pre-graduate advisors at the Office of Educational Opportunity and Enrichment Services.