Economics and Computer Science (BA)

Program Description

This is an interdisciplinary major offered by the Department of Economics with the Department of Computer Science. This joint major is intended for the student who seeks comprehensive training in economic analysis alongside computing and programming techniques. It is particularly well-suited for students who wish to better understand the digital economy and are interested in pursuing an academic or professional career at the intersection of these two disciplines. Students pursuing this joint major will follow the theory track in economics.

Joint Honors

Honors students are required to take twenty-three to twenty-four 4-credit courses (92-96 credits). A 3.65 overall GPA and a 3.65 average in both economics and computer science courses are required. Honors students must follow the theory concentration in economics, participate in a year-long research program in their senior year, and write a thesis under faculty supervision. Interested students must consult with the directors of undergraduate studies in both departments for advisement and for permission to enter the honors program.

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Courses must be numbered ECON-UA 300-399.

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Courses must be numbered CSCI-UA 400-499. One advanced computer science elective may be substituted by MATH-UA 140 Linear Algebra, ECON-UA 310 Game Theory (T) or ECON-UA 365 Advanced Micro Theory (T). Students may double-count one economics elective towards the computer science elective, but not the reverse.

Admissions

New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU.  For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply. 

Program Requirements

The major in economics and computer science requires twenty-two courses (88 credits): nine courses each in economics and computer science and four in mathematics, all completed with a grade of C or better. This program is suited for well-prepared students who have earned Advanced Placement (or equivalent) credit in at least one of the following subjects: Computer Science A (equivalent to CSCI-UA 101); Macroeconomics (equivalent to ECON-UA 1); or Microeconomics (equivalent to ECON-UA 2). Students without any advanced standing credit must take 132 credits (instead of the minimum 128) to complete the baccalaureate degree and should discuss either: a) one summer course at NYU, or b) a major in one of these fields and a minor in the other with a departmental or CAS adviser.

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The foreign language requirement is satisfied upon successful completion through the Intermediate level of a language. This may be accomplished in fewer than 16 credits, but those credits must then be completed as elective credit.

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Students taking the MATH-UA 234 Mathematical Statistics option must complete one additional ECON-UA elective (two total).

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One of these electives may be replaced by MATH-UA 140 Linear Algebra or ECON-UA 310 Game Theory (T) or ECON-UA 365 Advanced Micro Theory (T).

Sample Plan of Study

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This assumes a well-prepared student who has earned AP credit for one of these two courses. Students who have not earned AP or equivalent credit for at least one of CSCI-UA 101, ECON-UA 1, or ECON-UA 2 and intend to pursue this major require 132 credits to complete the baccalaureate degree (instead of the minimum 128 credits). Consult the curriculum tab for details.

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Or MATH-UA 140 Linear Algebra.

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Or an additional economics elective at the 300 level.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of program requirements, students are expected to have acquired:

1. Skills in writing computer programs and designing software systems.
2. An understanding of the foundational algorithms and data structures used in computer software.
3. An understanding of what is going on "under the hood" of computer software in terms of the underlying computer architecture and operating systems.
4. Advanced knowledge of some specific areas of computer science and its applications.
5. Substantial knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics in both theory and application.
6. The ability to analyze stylized problems using an economic framework and to extend these skills to the analysis of real-world applications.
7. The skills to use statistical models that enable them to conduct quantitative analyses of a wide variety of economic problems.
8. The ability to read, analyze, and clearly explain the economic theory underlying modern economic research.
9. The skills to construct their own behavioral models for use in economics research.

Policies

Program Policies

Policies Applying to the Major

1. The prerequisite for declaring this major is completion of either CSCI-UA 101 Intro to Computer Science or CSCI-UA 102 Data Structures (depending on placement) with a C or better.  
2. Only those students following the theory track in economics are eligible to pursue this joint major.
3. A grade of C or better is necessary in all courses used to fulfill joint major requirements; courses graded Pass/Fail do not count.

School of Engineering courses:

CAS students (in any major or minor) are not permitted to take computer science courses in the Tandon School of Engineering.

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

College of Arts and Science Policies

A full list of relevant academic policies can be found on the CAS Academic Policies page.