The Bachelor of Science in Economics (BEC) program provides a strong analytical foundation for examining and solving economic, business, and social problems. It is an approach to decision-making that is valuable throughout the everyday business of life. As a result economics majors pursue all kinds of careers after graduation, often in positions not titled "economist." These include employment in the traditional business, government, education, legal, and other sectors. Specific careers range from actuarial (insurance) to research (consulting firms, government, and universities).
Economics majors have the options of pursuing a broad curriculum mixing engineering, science, mathematics, social science, and business curricula along with the study of economics. Electives allow students to design their studies along one of the following paths: applied economics, business economic analysis, or pre-professional preparation. The applied economics path provides skills needed to analyze economic issues related to natural resources, the environment, international trade and finance, and governmental decision-making. The business economics path focuses on skills needed to analyze business decision-making. The pre-professional path prepares students for graduate study in economics (MS, Ph.D.), law (J.D.), business administration (MBA), or public administration (MPA).
The BEC program provides students with an understanding of how economies function, strong quantitative skills, and the option to emphasize finance or business curricula or a broader curriculum mixing engineering, science, mathematics or social science with their study of economics.