Mar 28, 2024  
2010-2011 General Catalog 
    
2010-2011 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Economics and Finance


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Department Head: Tyler J. Bowles
Location: Business 615
Phone: (435) 797-2310
FAX: (435) 797-2701
E-mail: info@econ.usu.edu
WWW: http://huntsman.usu.edu/economicsandfinance/

Undergraduate Advisor:

Ruth Harrison, Business 309, (435) 797-2275, ruth.harrison@usu.edu

Acting Graduate Program Director:

Tyler J. Bowles, Business 615, (435) 797-2310, tyler.bowles@usu.edu

Degrees offered: Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Finance; BS, BA, Master of Science (MS), and Master of Arts (MA) in Economics; the department also participates in the Master of Business Administration (MBA). The Economics major is structured to facilitate a dual major with companion majors within or outside the Huntsman School of Business.

Undergraduate emphases: BS, BA in Economics—Economic Theory, International Economics and Trade, Managerial Economics, Prelaw Economics

Undergraduate Programs

Objectives

The undergraduate economics and finance curricula provide students with the basic intellectual framework to understand and analyze economic and financial problems and to make informed decisions. A basic understanding of economics and finance is essential to becoming a well-informed citizen, as well as a successful business or public leader.

Students majoring in finance receive training leading to careers in banking, brokerage activities and investments, and positions as financial analysts in industry.

Admission Requirements

Freshmen who meet the admission requirements and are accepted in good standing by the University are eligible for admission to the Department of Economics and Finance. All transfer students, whether transferring from within Utah State University or from other colleges and universities, must have an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 to be accepted as majors in the department. Additional requirements may apply for students who seek to be admitted to a dual major.

New students wishing to major in Economics or Finance may do so by listing the Economics or Finance major on their application when they apply for admission to USU. Students enrolled at USU may change to the Economics or Finance major by applying directly to the Department of Economics and Finance.

Graduation Requirements

To receive a bachelor’s degree in Economics or Finance, students must complete all University requirements and the college and departmental requirements as noted in this catalog section.

Matriculation Requirement and Transfer Limitation

Finance majors in the Department of Economics and Finance will be held to the following matriculation requirement and transfer limitation. No more than 15 USU Huntsman School of Business credits (ACCT, BUS, FIN, MGT, MIS), numbered 2000 and above, earned as a nonbusiness major (before acceptance into the Huntsman School) can be applied to a Huntsman School degree. More than 15 business credits can be transferred from other accredited institutions. However, additional USU Huntsman School credits added to previously earned transfer business credits may not exceed a combined total of 15. Furthermore, to earn a bachelor’s degree in a Huntsman School major, at least 50 percent of the required Huntsman School credits must be earned from coursework taken from the Utah State University Huntsman School of Business.

USU Credits and Business Credits

At least 30 of the last 60 semester credits must be taken from Utah State University, at least 20 of which must be completed in upper-division courses, of which at least 10 credits must be completed in courses required by the student’s major. At least 50 percent of the Huntsman School of Business credits required for a Huntsman School degree must be taken from the Utah State University Huntsman School or its departments, which include: School of Accountancy, Economics and Finance, Management, and Management Information Systems.

Business Minor

A Business Minor  is administered by the Huntsman School of Business. For further information, students should contact the Huntsman School of Business Programs and Advising Center, Business 309, (435) 797-2272.

Four-year Degree Plans (8 semesters)

Four-year degree plans for majors offered by the Department of Economics and Finance can be found at: http://www.usu.edu/degreeplans/

Students will need to meet with their advisor periodically to ensure all requirements are being met.

Departmental Honors

Students who would like to experience greater academic depth within their major are encouraged to enroll in departmental honors. Through original, independent work, Honors students enjoy the benefits of close supervision and mentoring, as they work one-on-one with faculty in select upper-division departmental courses. Honors students also complete a senior project, which provides another opportunity to collaborate with faculty on a problem that is significant, both personally and in the student’s discipline. Participating in departmental honors enhances students’ chances for obtaining fellowships and admission to graduate school. Minimum GPA requirements for participation in departmental honors vary by department, but usually fall within the range of 3.30-3.50. Students may enter the Honors Program at almost any stage in their academic career, including at the junior (and sometimes senior) level. The campus-wide Honors Program, which is open to all qualified students regardless of major, offers a rich array of cultural and social activities, special classes, and the benefit of Honors early registration.  Interested students should contact the Honors Program, Main 15, (435) 797-2715, honors@usu.edu. Additional information can be found online at: http://honors.usu.edu/

Financial Support

The Department of Economics and Finance and the Huntsman School of Business award scholarships in addition to those available through the University Financial Aid Office. Information and application forms may be obtained from the college or departmental offices.

Additional Information

For more information about undergraduate programs in the Department of Economics and Finance, see the major requirement sheet, available from the department, or accessed online at: http://www.usu.edu/majorsheets/

Graduate Programs

The MA and MS in Economics are offered by the Department of Economics and Finance. The MBA is offered through the Huntsman School of Business .

Objectives

Economics graduate training emphasizes economic theory, critical thinking, and quantitative analysis.

The Master of Science and Master of Arts in Economics are intended to prepare students for doctoral studies in economics. Consequently, students are required to take a set of courses normally required for first-year PhD students.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, maintained a grade point average of at least 3.0 for the last 60 semester credits earned, and score in at least the 40th percentile on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). In addition, international applicants from non-English-speaking countries must score at least 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Satisfaction of these minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. Applications for graduate study from students trained in disciplines other than economics are welcomed. However, all applicants are expected to have: (1) an understanding of intermediate microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, (2) preparation in mathematical economics, and (3) preparation in probability and statistics. In addition, applicants   are expected to have strong written and oral communications skills.

Master of Business Administration

A student may receive a Huntsman School of Business Master of Business Administration degree with a specialization in an economic field by completing the MBA advanced core (see the MBA program description ) and 9 specialization credits. These specialization credits should be coordinated with the MBA Program director.

Research

The Department of Economics and Finance maintains an active and productive research program. The results of this research are published in professional journals, books, and technical reports. Financial support for the departmental research program is provided by the Huntsman School of Business, the Office of the Vice President for Research, and by a combination of public and private extramural sources. Graduate students are an integral part of departmental research programs.

Financial Assistance and Assistantships

The Department of Economics and Finance offers teaching and research assistantships to qualified graduate students. These are awarded on a competitive basis, and all accepted students are considered eligible. However, while the department makes every effort to assist students in obtaining financial assistance, acceptance into department programs does not guarantee financial assistance.

Economics and Finance Faculty

Professors
Tyler J. Bowles, Department Head; econometrics and forensic economics
Drew Dahl, financial institutions and international finance
Christopher Fawson, public finance and econometrics
Terrence F. Glover, production economics and policy
L. Dwight Israelsen, comparative systems and economic history
J. Robert Malko, corporate and energy utility finance
H. Craig Petersen, regulation and antitrust and managerial economics
Randy T. Simmons, public choice, political economy

Associate Professors
Frank N. Caliendo, macroeconomics and public economics
John P. Gilbert, international trade theory and policy, applied general equilibrium modeling, development economics
Austin Kwag, financial policy, investments, corporate finance
Alan A. Stephens, corporate finance and investments

Assistant Professors
Benjamin M. Blau, financial markets and investments
James A. Feigenbaum, macroeconomics, finance, econophysics
T. Scott Findley, macroeconomics and public economics
Diana W. Thomas, public choice, development economics

Clinical Assistant Professor
Shannon Peterson, international policy and relations

Senior Lecturer
Paul B. Fjeldsted, emerging markets, financial crises

Instructor
Doug Romrell

Professors Emeritus
Roice H. Anderson
Basudeb Biswas
Larry K. Bond
Rondo A. Christensen
Lynn H. Davis
Reed R. Durtschi
Herbert H. Fullerton
Gary B. Hansen
Allen D. LeBaron
W. Cris Lewis
Darwin B. Nielsen
Philip R. Swensen
Morris D. Whitaker

Associate Professor Emeritus
Glenn F. Marston

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