Economics and Mathematics (BA)

Department Website

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 1Introduction to Macroeconomics4
ECON-UA 2Introduction to Microeconomics4
ECON-UA 11Microeconomic Analysis4
ECON-UA 13Macroeconomic Analysis4
ECON-UA 20Analytical Statistics 14
ECON-UA 266Intro to Econometrics4
Select three economics electives 212
ECON-UA 410Honors Tutorial4
ECON-UA 450Honors Thesis I 34
Mathematics Requirements 4, 5
MATH-UA 131Mathematics for Economics I4
or MATH-UA 121 Calculus I
MATH-UA 132Mathematics for Economics II4
or MATH-UA 122 Calculus II
MATH-UA 133Mathematics for Economics III4
or MATH-UA 123 Calculus III
or MATH-UA 129 Honors Calculus III
MATH-UA 140Linear Algebra4
or MATH-UA 148 Honors Linear Algebra
MATH-UA 328Honors Analysis I4
Select two electives from the following:8
Honors Theory of Probability (if not taken in the honors elective category below)
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)
Ordinary Diff Equations
Partial Diff Equations
Chaos & Dynamical Systems
Functions of a Complex Variable
Honors Analysis II
Algebra
Honors Algebra I
Honors Algebra II
Topology
Differential Geometry
Honors I (Honors I)
Senior Honors II (Honors II)
Honors III (Honors III)
MATH-UA 398Honors 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
Honors Algebra II
Honors I
Senior Honors II
Honors III
Honors IV
Total Credits84
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 IMATH-UA 122 Calculus IIMATH-UA 123 Calculus III) and the Mathematics for Economics Sequence (MATH-UA 131 Mathematics for Economics IMATH-UA 132 Mathematics for Economics IIMATH-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