Academic Advising Resource Center

Financial Economics

Why take courses in Financial Economics?

Financial economics courses provide an opportunity for students to learn the role of financial markets in allocating resources across the economy as well as in promoting societal welfare.

What kinds of questions does Financial Economics explore?

  • How can investors, organizations, firms, and governments best finance their operations to meet their objectives?

  • How do government policies and legal decisions correct and improve the outcomes of financial institutions and markets?
  • How is financial information created, communicated, and utilized within organizations?

 

What advice would you give students interested in taking courses in Financial Economics?

Knowledge gained in this field can be applied to many areas, ranging from stock trading and large finance firms to financial management at corporations, policy development, and nonprofits. 

Taking Courses

Courses for non-majors or general interest

  • ECON 101, followed by ECON 211, are necessary starting points for any student interested in this area. In addition, BUSI 116 or ECON 099 are accounting courses that count towards the major and serve as a prerequisite for Econ 241. All economics courses are quantitative (and carry QFR), but 100- and 200-level field courses are less rigorous. Most models are explained graphically or with simple algebra. Courses numbered 250 and above require more mathematical preparation.

Getting started in the major

Econ 341 and/or Econ 342 are the core advanced finance courses necessary to proceed on to completion of either the minor (in Finance) or major. Both require Econ 241 as a prerequisite. 

    Advanced Placement Credit 

    We do not give credit for AP courses. Students who have taken an AP course in Microeconomics and Macroeconomics with a score of 4 or 5 may request the Chair to grant permission to bypass ECON 101, and advance to a 200-level course (A major would nevertheless need to take another Economics course to stand in for the bypassed ECON 101). Refer to the AP/IB chart for complete information about AP test scores. 

    Majoring in Financial Economics

    Provided are two examples of how a student could distribute courses required for the major over three or four years. See the catalog for additional details about major requirements.

    Sample Four-Year Plans
      Fall Spring
      Y1 Fall   Spring ECON 101
      Y2 Fall

    MATH 133
    ECON 211
    BUSI 116

    		 Spring

    DATA 113
    ECON 251
      Y3 Fall

    ECON 241
    ECON 255

    		 Spring

    ECON 253
    ECON 351
      Y4 Fall ECON 342 Spring ECON 440
      Fall Spring
      Y1 Fall ECON 101
    MATH 133    		 Spring BUSI 116
    ECON 211
    DATA 113
      Y2 Fall ECON 241
    ECON 253    		 Spring ECON 251
    ECON 341
      Y3 Fall ECON 255 Spring ECON 343
      Y4 Fall   Spring ECON 441

     

    Related Areas of Study

    Business, Cinema and Media, Communication Studies, Computer Science, Creative Writing, Data Science, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Global Health, Law and Society, Musical Studies, Politics

    Learn More

    Financial Economics Major Requirements
    Economics Department