Economics
Bachelor of Arts
Introduction
Congratulations on being accepted into a Bachelor of Arts degree program! You are embarking on an academic journey that will offer you the best of a broad liberal education with the ability to specialize in various fields of study.
Economics is the systematic study of the logic of choice and human action under conditions of scarcity. Its concern is with how economic activity—the production, consumption, and trade of goods and services—is organized when resources are scarce. It seeks to develop an understanding of how individuals should, and do, make decisions, how societies structure economic activity, and the relative effectiveness of different institutions in relaxing, or mitigating, scarcity constraints. There are two primary focuses of economic inquiry: (i) understanding the strengths and limitations of markets relative to alternative institutions and (ii) understanding demand for the use of the government’s monopoly on the legal use of coercion and the potential effects of its exercise.
The Bachelor of Arts degree is offered as either a B.A. or B.A. (Honours), both requiring the completion of 120 units and normally four years of full-time study.
Courses required in your first year
- Fall semester
- Winter semester
1. Mathematics 211 or 213 is strongly advised for economics majors and is required for the honours program.
2. Students who do not present MATH 31 should register in Mathematics 249 and those students who have completed MATH 31 should register in Mathematics 265.
Tip:
Remember to register for both fall and winter semesters at the same time.
For further information, please contact:
Telephone: 403.220.3580
Email: artsads@ucalgary.ca
Website: arts.ucalgary.ca/economics
Studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree means that you are a student in the Faculty of Arts.
The program that you choose refers to the subject area you’d like your Bachelor of Arts degree to focus on (e.g. Bachelor of Arts, major in History). This is something that you will have indicated when you applied for admission.
To see your program, log into your online Student Centre and under the Admissions menu and within the "My Applications" box, click on "status". You will then be able to see your faculty and program.
From Archaeology to Visual Studies, there are numerous majors and programs to choose from within the Faculty of Arts. If you'd like to see the different majors and programs that the Faculty of Arts has to offer, visit the faculty website.
If you are coming to the University of Calgary with Advanced Placement credit or International Baccalaureate credit, you will follow the same registration process as any first time university student. You may be eligible to use your transfer credit in your degree program depending on the program you have entered and whether or not the courses are applicable. Look for International Baccalaureate credit information here and Advanced Placement information here.
View your transfer credit in your online Student Centre. Once you know the transfer credit you have received, you may contact the academic advisor in your faculty to get advice on course selection.
Generally, students must complete 18 units at the junior (200-level) before they are allowed to register in 300-level courses. However, if you received IB or AP credit for a 200-level course, you may take the 300-level course that has your 200-level course listed as a prerequisite.
Co-op and Internship: Get a head start on your career through our co-operative education and internship opportunities. You will gain valuable work experience in your industry—all before you graduate.
Study Abroad: Experience different cultures, gain a better understanding of world issues, and travel around the globe, all while earning credit towards your degree. The University of Calgary offers exchanges and study abroad programs in 61 different countries.
Community Service-Learning: Combine your classroom learning with volunteer work that achieves community goals, and see first-hand how your academic learning relates to social issues.
Arts and Science Honours Academy: Be part of a unique program that combines collaborative study, global opportunities and academic challenge. The ASHA program brings together 25 like-minded high achieving students to learn and study in six distinct scholars courses. As an Arts and Science Honours Academy student, you will be one of a class of the best and brightest at the University of Calgary.