Javascript is currently not supported, or is disabled by this browser. Please enable Javascript for full functionality.

Skip to Main Content
Lancaster Campus    
2019-2020 USC Lancaster Bulletin 
    
 
  Nov 26, 2024
 
2019-2020 USC Lancaster Bulletin

Economics, BS



Learning Outcomes

  • Our graduates will understand core microeconomic theories and concepts.  
  • Our graduates will understand core macroeconomic theories and concepts.  
  • Our graduates will be able to solve basic equations to find equilibrium outcomes and use graphs to understand and interpret economic relationships.  
  • Our graduates will be able to demonstrate their understanding of economic concepts and quantitative knowledge and use these concepts and knowledge to analyze real-world problems.  

Major Map

A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.

Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.

Economics, BS

 


Degree Requirements (120 hours)

Program of Study

  1. Carolina Core (34-46 hours)
  2. College Requirements (15-18 hours)
  3. Program Requirements (29-47 hours)
  4. Major Requirements (24-27 hours)

1. Carolina Core (34-46 hours)


Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written — CMW (6 hours)

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving — ARP (6-7 hours) 

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

Scientific Literacy — SCI (8 hours)

  • two 4-credit hour CC-SCI laboratory science courses

Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language — GFL (0-6 hours)

Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.

It is strongly recommended that students continuing the study of a foreign language begin college-level study of that language in their first semester and continue in that language until their particular foreign language requirement is completed.

​Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking — GHS (3 hours) 

Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences — GSS (3 hours) 

Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding —  AIU (3 hours)

Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component* — CMS (0-3 hours)

Information Literacy* —  INF (0-3 hours)

Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility* — VSR (0-3 hours)

*Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours must add up to a minimum of 31 hours. Some programs may have a higher number of minimum Carolina Core hours due to specified requirements.

2. College Requirements (15-18 hours)


Foreign Language (0-3 hours) 

  • only if needed to meet 122-level proficiency

Analytical Reasoning (6 hours)

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

History (3 hours) 

The College of Arts and Sciences requires one U.S. History and one non-U.S. History course. Whichever is not fulfilled through the Carolina Core GHS requirement must be fulfilled through this college requirement. Accordingly, please select one of the following:

  • One Carolina Core GHS-approved course primarily focused on U.S. History: HIST 111 112 214 , or another GHS-approved course determined by the College of Arts and Science to fit this geographic category.

OR

  • One Carolina Core GHS-approved course primarily focused on non-U.S. History: HIST 101 102 104 105 106 108 109 GERM 280 FAMS 300 , or another GHS-approved course determined by the College of Arts and Sciences to fit this geographic category. 

Social Science and Fine Arts or Humanities (6 hours)

Courses Acceptable for Social Science and Fine Arts or Humanities Credit in Degree Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences  

  • Three hours of Social Science
  • Three hours of Fine Arts or Humanities

3. Program Requirements (29-47 hours)


Supporting Courses (6 hours)

Note: Students who took ECON 224 must take either ECON 221 or ECON 222. A student who earned an A in ECON 224 may be exempted.

Cognate or Minor (12-18 hours)

Cognate

The cognate is intended to support the course work in the major. The cognate must consist of twelve (12) hours of courses at the advanced level, outside of but related to the major. The cognate may be taken in one or more departments or programs, depending on the interests of the student and the judgment of the advisor.

Courses offered by departments and programs that are acceptable for cognate credit are outlined in the section titled Courses Acceptable for Cognate Credit in Degree Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences .

For cognate course offerings in other colleges, consult the appropriate sections of this bulletin. Some major programs have specific cognate requirements.

It should be emphasized that the cognate is not a second set of elective courses to be chosen at random by the student. The cognate must be approved by the major advisor as being related to the major field of study. Students are urged to consult their major advisors for specific requirements in their major.

For Bachelor of Science degrees, grades of D are acceptable for completion of the cognate requirement, except where restricted by the major program.

Minor

In place of the cognate a student in the College of Arts and Sciences may choose a minor consisting of at least 18 credit hours of prescribed courses. (Some minors in the sciences require a minimum of 16 hours.) The subject area of the minor may be related to the major. Students pursuing interdisciplinary minors who wish to use courses in their major department for minor credit must petition the College Committee on Scholastic Standards and Petitions for permission to do so.

The minor is intended to develop a coherent basic preparation in a second area of study. It differs from the cognate inasmuch as the courses must be concentrated in one area and must follow a structured sequence. Interdisciplinary minors can be designed with the approval of the assistant dean for academic affairs and advising.

Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the minor. No course may satisfy both major and minor requirements. All minor courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher. At least half of the courses in the minor must be completed in residence at the University.

A list of minor programs of study can be found at Programs A-Z .

Electives (8-29 hours)

No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences.

4. Major Requirements (24-27 hours)


Must be passed with a grade of C or higher.

Economics majors may enroll in ECON 221, 222, 321, 322, and 436 a maximum of twice to earn the required grade of C or higher. For the purposes of this standard progression, withdrawal with a W does not constitute enrollment. Students who plan to major in economics are advised to consult the director of undergraduate studies in economics during the freshman year.

Major Courses (9 hours)

  • ECON 321 - Intermediate Microeconomic Theory  
  • ECON 322 - Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory  
  • ECON 436 - Introductory Econometrics  

Major Electives (15-18 hours)

  • Five ECON electives, 400-level or higher, excluding ECON 421 , 476 , 499  and 524 . 

Note: If a student earned an A in ECON 224 and is exempted from taking ECON 221 and ECON 222, one additional ECON elective must be taken.