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 and computing, 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 satisfy the economics component of the joint major following the theory track of the Economics major.

Joint Honors

Honors students are required to take twenty three to twenty four courses (92-96 credits). A 3.65 overall GPA and a 3.65 average in economics and computer science courses are required. Honors students must follow the theory concentration and 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.

¹

Courses must be numbered ECON-UA 300-399.

²

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 Strategic Decision Theory, ECON-UA 365 Advanced Micro Theory (T), or ECON-UA 375 . 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

¹

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.

²

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

³

One of these electives may be replaced by MATH-UA 140 Linear Algebra, or by ECON-UA 310 Strategic Decision Theory, ECON-UA 365 Advanced Micro Theory (T), or ECON-UA 375 .

Sample Plan of Study

¹

Or MATH-UA 140 Linear Algebra

²

Or an additional Economics Major 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

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.

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.