Students majoring in mathematical economics must successfully complete no fewer than 16 units of listed courses in mathematics (MA) and economics (EC), including a senior thesis. To solidify basic problem solving skills, all majors must initially take a common set of required courses in economic theory and mathematics. Majors then select electives in more advanced topics of mathematics and economics, before writing a senior thesis. The major provides strong training for students pursuing private sector careers in investment banking, forecasting, applied mathematics, or finance, as well as graduate work in economics, operations research, and financial engineering.

Major Requirements

The Major

Students desiring to major in mathematical economics are required to pass the following prerequisites prior to admission into the major.  If a student has not taken all three of these courses, that student may be admitted only if currently scheduled for a later section or by consent of the chair if mitigating circumstances exist.          

Notice that while International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level and Advanced Placement (AP) courses may count toward college credit as the equivalents of Economics 100, 101 and/or 102, they will not substitute for Economics 201, a course which uses calculus as a fundamental tool of the discipline.

To graduate as a mathematical economics major, students must pass the all-college requirements, while completing major components consisting of 10 units of required courses, four units of electives, and two units of senior thesis for a total of 16 units in the major.

A. Required Courses (10 units total)

            Math (6 Units)

 Please note that Calculus 2 (MA 129) is a prerequisite for Linear Algebra (MA 220); and Calculus 3 (MA 204) and Linear Algebra (MA 220) are prerequisites for Differential Equations (MA 315).

            Economics (4 Units)

B. Electives (4 units total)

1. Economics elective  

At least one elective from the following list, or other as approved in advance by the chair of the Department of Economics and Business. 

      2. Mathematics elective   

At least one elective from the following list, or other as approved in advance by the chair of the Department of Mathematics.                  

      3. Mathematical Economics elective   

At least one elective from the following list, or other as approved in advance by the chair of the Department of Economics.

        4. Additional Mathematical Economics or Mathematics elective       

*Both Real Analysis I (MA 375) and Graph Theory (MA 325) count as 2 units towards the major-satisfying requirements #2 and #4       under part B.

C. EC 496 - Senior Thesis in Mathematical Economics (2 units total)

DISTINCTION IN MATHEMATICAL ECONOMICS is awarded by action of both departments (math and economics/business) to up to the top 20 percent of graduating majors based on their GPA within the major with the provision that they have also received an A in Senior Thesis.