What is Economics?
Economics is the study of how individuals in society choose to allocate scarce resources to produce and distribute goods. It is a social science that studies many of the problems facing our society, and it is the foundation of most theories of business finance, management, and marketing. Though it often concerns itself with goods bought and sold in markets, it applies to a variety of arenas in which people make choices among competing alternatives.
There are many fields within economics. Microeconomics is the study of smaller units of the economy, such as firms and households, and is often is concerned with with issues such as competition, markets, prices, incomes, and efficiency. Macroeconomics is the study of the aggregate economy, and focuses on inflation, unemployment, interest rates, economic growth, taxation, international trade, and international financial flows. Our areas of specialization include labor issues, urban topics, international economics, economic development, comparative economic systems, money and banking, health care, public finance, law and economics, transportation, the gaming industry, natural resource economics, common markets, econometrics and mathematical economics.
More on why you should study economics at the University of Nevada, Reno.
What Careers are Available in Economics?
Jobs held by economists are spread throughout many occupations. Economists are employed by business to study market problems, make predictions concerning market trends and analyze how the overall economic system will afect a particular industry. Economists working in government analyze public policy issues such as taxation, labor markets, welfare, international trade and transportation. Academic economists teach and do research on a variety of theoretical and applied topics. The Economics Club / Omicron Delta Epsilon has some good links related to careers in economics.
An undergraduate degree in economics provides excellent preparation for graduate programs in law, business and social science including economics.
Recent graduates from the department are now working at employers such as: Sierra Pacific Power, Nevada Bell, State of Nevada, Washoe County, Wells Fargo, and various law offices and universities.
More on careers in economics.
Programs:
The economics major is designed to prepare students for positions as economic and statistical analysts in business, government and nonprofit organizations, and for the teaching profession. In addition, it provides a strong foundation for graduate study and research in the fields of economics, business, public policy and law.
The department of economics offers two undergraduate degrees. One degree leads to the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Economics, and complies with all the requirements of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), as administered through the College of Business Administration. The other degree program leads to the Bachelor of Arts in Economics and follows a more traditional liberal arts approach. The department also offers a minor in economics for undergraduates in other disciplines.
The College of Business Administration at the University of Nevada, Reno, also offers two graduate degrees, a Master of Science in Economics and a Master of Arts in Economics. These graduate degree programs are designed to be terminal degree programs for individuals who seek careers in the field of economics. The programs are also valuable for individuals considering careers in finance, banking, or law, as well as other professions that require analytical and quantitative skills. The Master of Arts and Master of Science programs also provide excellent preparation for those who are considering a Ph.D. in economics, public policy, or a related field. Applied economists are employed in both the private and public sectors, and are often involved in forecasting, market analysis, policy analysis and advisory activities.
Mailing Information:
Department of Economics / Mail Stop 030
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV 89557-0207
Department Telephone Numbers:
Phone: (775) 784-6450
Fax: (775) 784-4728
