Department of Economics

The Business Economics program has two major objectives. The first objective is to provide majors and minors with a solid foundation and the analytical and critical thinking skills needed to make effective decisions.

The second objective is to promote and develop economic literacy in other student populations in the Fogelman College of Business and Economics, the University of Memphis and the local and regional community.

Economic literacy and the application of economic thinking to the everyday world realizes the program's goal of providing these populations with the tools to make more effective personal and public choices. Program objectives for the B.B.A. in Business Economics are: (a) to obtain knowledge of the cultural, global, and ethical environment of business; (b) to appreciate the impact of business decisions on society; (c) to understand the role of information technology and proficiency in relevant computer applications; (d) to possess the ability to integrate knowledge from different disciplines to define problems and research solutions; (e) to possess critical thinking and decision-making skills essential to solving business problems; (f) to obtain effective oral and written communication skills; (g) the ability to contribute effectively within a team environment and the foundation knowledge in each functional area of business; (h) to acquire a solid background in economic theory and analysis and the ability to identify and convey real-world economic issues.

Certificate in Data Analysis and Programming Using SAS® Software

SAS® (Statistical Analysis Software) certificate program is open to all undergraduate students, and consists of the following three-course sequence. The program is designed to prepare students for the data analysis and programming needs of major employers, as well as the needs of students entering graduate school in a wide variety of disciplines.

ECON 4510 Introduction to Data Structures and Cleaning (3)

ECON 4520 Programming Concepts and Techniques (3)

ECON 4530 From Data to Information (3)

Business Economics Major (B.B.A.)

A. University General Education Program (41 hours)

See Graduation from the University for the University General Education Program requirements. Note that MATH 1830 or 1910 (Mathematics requirement) and ECON 2110 and 2120 (Social/Behavioral Sciences requirement) are specified for the B.B.A. degree.

B. College and Degree (B.B.A.) Requirements (42 hours)

Lower Division Business Core Curriculum (15 hours)

No grade below “C” and 2.25 GPA (2.5 for accounting majors) in MATH 1830 or 1910, ECON 2110, ECON 2120 and the following lower division courses

ACCT 2010 Fundamentals of Accounting I (3)

ACCT 2020 Fundamentals of Accounting II (3)

ISDS 2710 Business Statistics (3)

MIS 2749 Introduction to Business Microcomputer Applications (3)

MIS 2755 Introduction to Management Information Systems (3)

Upper Division Business Core Curriculum (27 hours)

No grade below "C" and 2.25 GPA in the following courses:

ACCT 3130 Legal, Social, and Political Environment of Business (3)

FIR 3410 Business Finance (3)

MGMT 3110 Organization and Management (3)

MGMT 4710 Strategic Management (3) (Enrollment usually limited to graduating seniors)

MKTG 3010 Principles of Marketing (3)

MGMT 3510 Business Communication (3)

ISDS 3510 Production and Operations Management (3)

ISDS 3711 Analytical Tools for Business Decisions (3)

Choose One:

MGMT 4810 International Management (3); MKTG 4530 International Marketing (3); ECON 4350 International Economics (3); FIR 4550 International Finance (3); MGMT 4510 International Business Communication and Negotiation (3); MKTG 4570 Global Transportation, Tourism and Electronic Commerce (3); HPRM 4400 International Hospitality (3); MIS 4310 Global Information Technology (3); ECON 4351 International Monetary Economics: Theory and Policy (3); one course from FIR 4110-4119 (3) when the topic pertains to international business and has been approved in advance by the department chair.

Transfer students are referred to the section Transfer Credit in the College of Business and Economics description.

C. The Major (24 hours)

No grade below "C" and a minimum 2.25 GPA in the major.

A minimum of 24 upper-division semester hours as follows:

1. For students choosing the Business Economics major with no concentration: ECON 3310, 3320, and six upper-division economics courses (18 hours) selected with the approval of the department advisor.

2. For students choosing the Business Economics major with a concentration in Financial Economics: ECON 3310, 3320, and three upper-division economics courses (9 hours) and three upper-division FIR course (9 hours) selected with the approval of the department advisor.

D. Electives (13 hours)

Lower division or upper division courses to bring the total of hours earned to 120.

E. Honors Program

All students who receive a minimum grade of B (3.0) in ECON 2110 or 2120 honors sections are eligible for the program. Entry to the program can also be obtained through the recommendation of a member of the faculty to the Department of Economics Honors Committee. A student must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.25 in economics to continue in the program and must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 in economics to graduate with honors in economics. Honor students write a senior research paper. At commencement they are awarded the special distinction "With Honors in Economics.” Details of the program are available at the department office.

Business Economics Minor

For students whose major is in another college of the University: 18 semester hours in economics courses, including ECON 2110, 2120, and 12 additional upper division hours in courses as approved by the department chair.

For students whose major is in another department in The Fogelman College of Business and Economics: Nine additional upper division hours in economics approved by the department chair.

Typical 4-Year Business Economics Sequence:

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120

*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement