Rochester Institute of Technology - Economics BS
Economics BS
Jeffrey Wagner, Department Chairperson
(585) 475-5289, jeffrey.wagner@rit.edu
http://www.rit.edu/cla/economics
Program overview
The economics major emphasizes the quantitative analytical approach to dealing with economic problems in both the public and private sectors, providing students with MARKETABLE skills and the intellectual foundation for career growth. Graduates are prepared for entry-level managerial and analytical positions in both industry and government and to pursue graduate studies in economics, business, and law.
Plan of study
The economics curriculum develops COMMUNICATION, computational, and management skills in addition to economic reasoning and quantitative abilities. The major's required courses develop students' abilities to apply economic analysis to real-world problems. Liberal arts courses enhance oral and written communication skills. Business courses include accounting and finance. Quantitative analytical skills are developed by a course sequence that includes computer science, mathematics, and statistics. Free electives allow students to pursue advanced study in their individual areas of interest and/or develop a double major. Along with finance, marketing, mathematics, statistics, or computer science, there are many other possibilities. Faculty advisers help students develop professional options that assist them in attaining their career goals.
Tracks
Students choose one of the following tracks: economic theory, environmental economics, or managerial economics.
Cooperative education
Cooperative education is optional. Students who participate in co-op may find positions with financial and brokerage institutions, government offices, and large corporations. Co-op can be completed during any semester, including summer, after the sophomore year. The Office of Cooperative Education and Career Services assists students in identifying and applying to co-op positions.
Capstone experience
Students are required to complete a creative capstone experience. Students may publish a paper in a refereed journal, present a paper at a professional conference or at an RIT-sponsored conference, present research at an approved exhibit at Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival, or fulfill a comparable creative capstone requirement in the student's primary major (if economics is the secondary major).
