Economics and Mathematics (BA)
Program Description
This interdisciplinary major offered jointly by the Departments of Economics and Mathematics provides students an opportunity to study both economics and such relevant mathematical subjects as analysis, algebra, probability, statistics, mathematical modeling and math finance.
The Department of Economics prepares students to understand individual and group decision-making, the structure of markets and economies, and the relationship between regions within the global economy. Although the department is large, its students enjoy an excellent student-faculty rapport. By being able to study with faculty who are actively engaged in research, students learn not only about the fundamentals of economic theory but also how such theory is utilized. They have the opportunity to conduct research on their own. Honors students are required to write an honors thesis under direct faculty supervision.
Students majoring in economics have many options open to them after graduation. The major prepares them for graduate school in economics, business management, or public administration. Preprofessional students will find that an economics major not only fosters the discipline medical or law school demands, but provides a solid foundation for these and other careers. Employers and professional schools appreciate the skills acquired by economics students and hire economics majors because they can think quantitatively, qualitatively, and analytically. Studying economics at New York University is especially rewarding because of its urban environment. Students often find career opportunities on Wall Street, at the United Nations, or in various corporate, financial, governmental, agency, and nonprofit institutional settings.
The Department of Mathematics is part of the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, an independent division of New York University. Based in Warren Weaver Hall, at the heart of New York University’s Washington Square campus, it is one of the top-ranked Mathematics departments worldwide, renowned for its pioneering history in the field of applied mathematics. Mathematics majors are encouraged to spend a semester studying away. Currently, mathematics courses are offered at NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU London, NYU Paris, and NYU Shanghai.
Honors Program in Economics and Mathematics
Honors students are required to take twenty 4-credit courses (80 credits). A 3.65 overall GPA and a 3.65 average in economics and mathematics courses are required. Honors students must participate in a year-long research program in their senior year and write a thesis under faculty supervision. Note that students may satisfy their research requirement with either the economics honors sequence (ECON-UA 410 and 450), mathematics Independent Study (MATH-UA 997 and 998), or the SURE or AM-SURE program in the Department of Mathematics.
Interested students must consult with the directors of undergraduate studies in both departments for advisement and for permission to enter the honors program. Ideally, students should speak to the Departments of Economics and Mathematics early in their sophomore year to begin planning for honors. Note that students may satisfy their research requirement with either the economics honors sequence (ECON-UA 410 Honors Tutorial and ECON-UA 450 Honors Thesis I), mathematics Independent Study (MATH-UA 997 Independent Study and MATH-UA 998 Independent Study), or the SURE or AM-SURE program in the Department of Mathematics.
Course | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Economics Requirements | ||
ECON-UA 1 | Introduction to Macroeconomics | 4 |
ECON-UA 2 | Introduction to Microeconomics | 4 |
ECON-UA 11 | Microeconomic Analysis | 4 |
ECON-UA 13 | Macroeconomic Analysis | 4 |
ECON-UA 20 | Analytical Statistics 1 | 4 |
ECON-UA 266 | Intro to Econometrics | 4 |
Select three economics electives 2 | 12 | |
ECON-UA 410 | Honors Tutorial | 4 |
ECON-UA 450 | Honors Thesis I 3 | 4 |
Mathematics Requirements 4, 5 | ||
MATH-UA 131 | Mathematics for Economics I | 4 |
or MATH-UA 121 | Calculus I | |
MATH-UA 132 | Mathematics for Economics II | 4 |
or MATH-UA 122 | Calculus II | |
MATH-UA 133 | Mathematics for Economics III | 4 |
or MATH-UA 123 | Calculus III | |
or MATH-UA 129 | Honors Calculus III | |
MATH-UA 140 | Linear Algebra | 4 |
or MATH-UA 148 | Honors Linear Algebra | |
MATH-UA 328 | Honors Analysis I | 4 |
Select two electives from the following: | 8 | |
Honors Theory of Probability (if not taken in the honors elective category below) | ||
or MATH-UA 233 | Theory of Probability | |
Mathematical Statistics 6 | ||
Probability & Statistics 6 | ||
Combinatorics | ||
Theory of Numbers | ||
Mathematics of Finance | ||
Intro to Math Modeling | ||
Numerical Analysis | ||
Linear and Nonlinear Optimization | ||
Honors Ordinary Differential Equations (if not taken in the honors elective category below) | ||
or MATH-UA 262 | Ordinary Diff Equations | |
Partial Diff Equations | ||
Chaos & Dynamical Systems | ||
Functions of a Complex Variable | ||
Honors Analysis II | ||
Algebra | ||
or MATH-UA 348 | Honors Algebra I | |
Honors Algebra II | ||
Topology | ||
Differential Geometry | ||
Honors I (Honors I) | ||
Senior Honors II (Honors II) | ||
Honors III (Honors III) | ||
MATH-UA 398 | Honors IV (Honors IV) | 4 |
Honors Electives | ||
Select two honors electives from the following: | 8 | |
Honors Theory of Probability | ||
Honors Ordinary Differential Equations | ||
Honors Analysis II | ||
Honors Algebra I | ||
or MATH-UA 349 | Honors Algebra II | |
Honors I | ||
or MATH-UA 394 | Senior Honors II | |
or MATH-UA 397 | Honors III | |
or MATH-UA 398 | Honors IV | |
Total Credits | 84 |
- 1
If not taking MATH-UA 234 Mathematical Statistics
- 2
At least two must be theory electives numbered ECON-UA 300-399. Note that students who take MATH-UA 234 Mathematical Statistics instead of ECON-UA 20 Analytical Statistics for the statistics requirement must take a total of four ECON-UA electives.
- 3
Alternates: Independent Study (MATH-UA 997 and 998), or the SURE or AM-SURE programs in the Department of Mathematics.
- 4
It is advised that students pursuing or intending to pursue the joint major in Economics and Mathematics complete the Mathematics for Economics sequence and not the regular Calculus sequence.
- 5
Courses from the traditional Calculus sequence (MATH-UA 121 Calculus I, MATH-UA 122 Calculus II, MATH-UA 123 Calculus III) and the Mathematics for Economics Sequence (MATH-UA 131 Mathematics for Economics I, MATH-UA 132 Mathematics for Economics II, MATH-UA 133 Mathematics for Economics III) cannot both be applied to the Joint Math/Economics Major. Students must take Calculus I through III OR Mathematics for Economics I through III. Students cannot mix-and-match, combine, or double-count between the Calculus and Mathematics for Economics sequences. Also note that students cannot register simultaneously for separate courses within the two sequences.
- 6
Any student who completes MATH-UA 235 cannot take MATH-UA 233, 234, or 238 (or vice versa).
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.