Economics courses develop the critical and analytical skills essential for understanding economics and institutions, in both their contemporary and historical settings. Although no particular vocational or professional goal is emphasized, these courses provide the academic background necessary for positions in industry or the non-profit sector, for work in many branches of government service, for law school, and for graduate study in business administration, economics, and the social sciences.
Students who contemplate graduate study in economics are urged to develop skills in intermediate calculus (Mathematics 212), linear algebra (Mathematics 221), differential equations (Mathematics 356), and advanced calculus (Mathematics 431).
The undergraduate degree in economics signifies achievement of proficiency in quantitative skills and experience in applying these to economics.
Note: Students can optionally pursue a Concentration in Financial Economics within the B.S .degree.
This degree program classifies as STEM (CIP Code 45.0603: Econometrics and Quantitative Economics), and students with this major can apply for a 24-month STEM extension of F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT).
For B.S. requirements prior to Fall 2023, please refer to the archived Undergraduate Bulletin based on the year of Matriculation
Math Requirement
Completion of MATH 202 Multivariable Calculus for Economics OR MATH 212 Multivariable Calculus OR MATH 219 Intermediate Calculus OR MATH 222 Advanced Multivariable Calculus OR any higher-level math course with MATH 212 as prerequisite.5
Note: The math requirement must be taken for a letter grade. Students are required to meet any math department course pre-requisites and must take these courses for letter grades unless the courses use mandatory S/U grading.
Core Economics Courses
Core classes must be completed before senior year, but students are encouraged to complete them no later than sophomore year.
- ECON 101D1 Economics Principles
- Econometrics
- ECON 104D2 Statistical Foundations of Econometrics and Data Science
- ECON 204D Econometrics Data Science
- Microeconomics
- ECON 201D Intermediate Microeconomics I
- ECON 205D3 Intermediate Microeconomics II
- Macroeconomics
- ECON 210D Intermediate Macroeconomics
Upper-Level Electives
- Five Economics (ECON) Electives or Financial Economics (FECON) electives at the 300- or 400-level, of which one must be a 300- level and one must be a 400-level
ECON 500-549 may only be counted toward the major with approval from the director of undergraduate studies)4
General Restrictions
- Prerequisites for the major, as well as requirements, may not be taken Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory, with the exception of Economics 101.
- A maximum of two economics transfer credits will be accepted toward the major. We no longer accept transfer credits for: ECON 101, ECON 104, ECON 201, ECON 204, ECON 205, ECON 208, and ECON 210. Transfer students must earn at least half their credits toward the major at Duke.
1 Beginning Fall 2023, incoming students will be required to take Economics 101. The Economics Department will no longer accept AP, IPC, or transfer credit to fulfill this requirement. Students matriculating prior to Fall 2023 with credit for both AP Macro and AP Micro (4 or higher) may receive credit for ECON 101. To receive credit for ECON 101 using an international standardized exam, please visit the Trinity College policy for qualifying scores.
2 STA 230/MATH 230, STA 231/MATH 340, STA 240L/MATH 228L, or STA 432/MATH 343 may be substituted for Econ 104.
3 Economics 205D will no longer be offered beginning Fall 2025 when it will be replaced by Econ 301D.
4 Econ classes 500-599 count as 300-level electives and Econ classes 600-699 count as 400-level electives.
5 Math 218 is not an accepted pre-requisite for the Econ B.S. major
To declare the Concentration in Financial Economics for your B.S., please refer to the page on declaring or changing your major on T-Reqs. By successfully completing the pathway below, you will receive the corresponding concentration designation on your official transcript.
Concentration in Financial Economics