Dual Degree in Economics and Mathematics

Degree Requirements for Dual Degree in Economics (BA) and Mathematics (BS)

A solid training in the mathematical and statistical sciences is fundamental to optimally prepare economics students for graduate school.  A dual degree in economics and mathematics will substantially increase program quality and career prospects for our students as well as enhancing the reputation of the economics program at CU Denver.  Similarly, a solid training in quantitative and qualitative economic principles offers significant benefits to mathematics majors who seek industrial and/or consulting positions.  

Program Requirements

Students majoring in economics and mathematics for the BA/BS dual-degree must declare such by the time they have completed 60 semester hours.  No pass/fail grades may count toward the dual degree.  The minimum grade for all economics classes taken at CU Denver counted towards the major is C- and the minimum GPA requirement for all CU Denver economics classes counted towards the major is 2.0.  The minimum grade for all mathematics classes taken at CU Denver counted towards the major is C- and the minimum GPA requirement for all CU Denver mathematics classes counted towards the major is 2.25.

Required Economics Courses

• ECON 2012 - Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics gtPATHWAYS: GT-SS1
• ECON 2022 - Principles of Economics: Microeconomics gtPATHWAYS: GT-SS1
• ECON 4071 - Intermediate Microeconomic Theory gtPATHWAYS:
• ECON 4081 - Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory gtPATHWAYS:
• ECON 4811 - Introduction to Econometrics gtPATHWAYS:

Total: 15 Hours

Economics Electives

Any six 3-semester-hour courses (four of them must be 4000-level) taken in economics will satisfy this requirement. Internships and independent studies require the approval of the department chair.  Note: ECON 3801 and ECON 3811 cannot be counted as electives.

One of the following Mathematics courses can be counted as one Economics 4000-level elective (it can also be counted as one Mathematics required course or one Mathematics elective):

• MATH 3301 Operations Research I
• MATH 3302 Operations Research II
• MATH 4387 Regression Analysis, Modeling and Time Series
• MATH 4390 Game Theory
• MATH 4450 Complex Variables
• MATH 4650 Numerical Analysis
• MATH 4733 Partial Differential Equations

 Total: 18 Hours (five Economics courses + one Mathematics course, or six Economics courses)

Required Core Courses for All Mathematics Majors

Lower-Division Courses

• CSCI 1410 Fundamentals of Computing
• CSCI 1411 Fundamentals of Computing Laboratory
• MATH 1401 Calculus I gtPATHWAYS: GT-MA1
• MATH 2411 Calculus II gtPATHWAYS: GT-MA1
• MATH 2421 Calculus III gtPATHWAYS: GT-MA1

Upper-Division Courses

• MATH 3000 Introduction to Abstract Mathematics
• MATH 3191 Applied Linear Algebra
• MATH 4310 Introduction to Real Analysis I

Total: 25 Hours

Required Courses for the Dual-Degree

• MATH 3200 Elementary Differential Equations
• MATH 4779 Math Clinic
• MATH 3382 Statistical Theory (may be replaced by MATH 4820 Statistics)

Students must choose four approved Mathematics electives (at least 3 semester hours) above 3000, excluding MATH 3800, 4012, 4013, 4014, 4015, and 4830. 

One of the following Economics courses can be counted as one Mathematics elective (it can also be counted as one Economics elective):

• ECON 4030 Data Analysis with SAS
• ECON 4110 Money and Banking
• ECON 4150 Economic Forecasting
• ECON 4320 Financial Economics
• ECON 4430 Economic Growth
• ECON 4550 Game Theory and Economic Applications
• ECON 4610 Labor Economics
• ECON 4740 Industrial Organization

Total: 21 Hours (six Mathematics courses + one Economics course, or seven Mathematics courses)

Portfolio, Interview, Survey

In the semester of graduation, students must

• submit a portfolio consisting of two papers, typically written for previous courses, that demonstrate mathematical and writing proficiency;

• participate in an exit interview, which may be scheduled by the department administrative assistant;

• complete a senior survey, available from the department administrative assistant.

Residence Requirements

In addition to the CLAS residence requirements, the Economics Department requires that 

• At least six of the major courses (18 semester hours), including at least three courses out of 4071, 4081, and 4811, must be taken from economics faculty at CU Denver.
• Once a student has enrolled at CU Denver, no courses in the major may be taken outside the Economics Department without permission from the undergraduate advisor.

And the Mathematics Department requires that

• at least 15 upper-division Mathematics credits must be taken at CU Denver.