Economics

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Campus: St. John's Faculty: Humanities and Social Sciences
Department: Economics Honours available: Yes
Degree(s): Bachelor of arts; International bachelor of arts; Bachelor of science; Joint arts and science degree
Length: Four years Co-op available: Yes
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Economics is a versatile field that deals with the analysis and management of production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Economics gives us the analytical tools to understand questions such as how prices are determined, why some people are unemployed, why interest rates rise and fall, and why product is traded between nations.

Economics at Memorial

Memorial offers major, minor and honours programs leading to either a bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (B.Sc.) in economics.

We also offer applied economics courses in a wide variety of areas, including fishery, petroleum and mining, forestry, environmental, development, international, monetary, public sector, welfare, labour and health economics.

Students who study economics at Memorial can choose to complete the major as part of a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree. Students undertaking an economics major may also apply to complete the Economics Co-operative Education Option (ECEO).

Admission requirements

Admission to the major for BA students

You may apply for admission into the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences by indicating bachelor of arts as your program choice on the undergraduate application for admission. Direct entry into the faculty is subject to your meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University.

You may choose economics as your major at the time of application or you can explore your options and declare a major in a later semester by emailing registrar@mun.ca to make your choice official.

Admission to the major for B.Sc. students

If you're interested in completing economics as a science major, apply for admission into the Faculty of Science by indicating bachelor of science as your program choice on the undergraduate application for admission. Direct entry into the Faculty of Science from high school is subject to meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University, including appropriate courses in mathematics and a laboratory science.

To declare the economics major, you must complete 30 credit hours (10 courses), including the following:

  • six credit hours in critical reading and writing (CRW) courses, including at least three credit hours in English
  • six credit hours in mathematics
  • six credit hours in economics
  • six credit hours in a second science subject, other than mathematics and economics

Upon completion of these courses, you should contact the Department of Economics to declare the major.

Sample first year

Wondering what courses you would take in your first year? Check out a sample program of suggested courses for economics students.

Sample courses and degree map

ECON 2550 - Economic Statistics and Data Analysis
ECON 3150 - Money and Banking
ECON 4030 - International Trade

Economics degree map (for BA students)

Degree maps are navigational tools, designed to help you make the right choices throughout your bachelor of arts degree. They cover information pertaining to your studies, provide study tips, career guidance, suggestions for involvement, advice on go abroad activities and on your well being.

Career opportunities

Our graduates have gone on to careers in:

  • business
  • finance and banking
  • law
  • accounting
  • private consulting
  • real estate
  • insurance and actuarial work
  • social enterprises
  • private sector (oil and gas, utilities and mining)
  • non-governmental organizations
  • providing economic research and economic analysis for governments at the federal, provincial and municipal levels

Note: some of these careers may call for supplementary education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential learning or professional courses and exams.