- Business & Economics
- Behavioral & Social Sciences
- B.A.
- Ph.D.
- Undergraduate Minor
- Social Sciences
- Economics
Program Overview
The programs offered by the UC Santa Cruz Economics Department are designed to acquaint students with the broad range of issues studied by economists (for example, unemployment, financial crises, international trade, economic growth, business strategy and public policy regarding health, the environment, financial regulation, and business) and with the tools that economists employ (including statistical analysis and laboratory experiments). All economics majors must study a substantial core of economic theory and mathematical and statistical methods, and then choose among a wide variety of upper-division electives.
Learning Experience
Study and Research Opportunities
- B.A. in economics, combined B.A. undergraduate major available in economics/mathematics, M.S. in applied economics and finance, and Ph.D. in economics
- Opportunities for students to take some elective courses for the major at foreign universities through the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP); study abroad opportunities available in over 43 countries through this program.
- The possibility of undertaking joint research with economics faculty (particularly in the area of experimental research)
- The Economics Field-Study Program offers internships supervised by faculty sponsors and on-site mentors.
First-Year (Freshman) Requirements
Special preparation is not needed other than the courses required for UC admission, but you are encouraged to develop a strong background in mathematics.
Students must take the equivalent of the following three courses prior to petitioning for entry to an Economics major: Economics 1 (Introductory Microeconomics), Economics 2 (Introductory Macroeconomics), and one of the following calculus courses: AM/ECON 11A (Mathematical Methods for Economists), or Math 11A (Calculus with Applications), or Math 19A (Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics) and must achieve a combined grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 in these three courses to be eligible to declare the major.
Transfer Requirements
This is a screening major. Students must take the equivalent of the following three courses prior to petitioning for entry to an Economics major: Economics 1 (Introductory Microeconomics), Economics 2 (Introductory Macroeconomics), and one of the following calculus courses: AM/ECON 11A (Mathematical Methods for Economists), or Math 11A (Calculus with Applications), or Math 19A (Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics) and must achieve a combined grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 in these three courses to be eligible to declare the major. Equivalent courses may be taken at other universities or at community colleges. Transfer students may have these courses reviewed prior to matriculation.
Internships and Career Opportunities
- Banking
- Data science
- Financial analysis
- Investment advising
- Management consulting
- Non-governmental organizations
- Policy adviser
- Real estate
- Statistical analysis
- Teaching
These are only samples of the field’s many possibilities.