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Interdisciplinary Studies in Economics and Mathematics

Interdisciplinary Studies in Economics and Mathematics (ECMA)

Program Director: Thomas C. Kinnaman

Coordinating Committee: George Exner (mathematics), James Hutton (mathematics), Thomas Kinnaman (economics), Nancy White (economics), Amy Wolaver (economics).

Mathematics has traditionally served as the language of the natural sciences, and more recently it has become a useful tool in the social sciences, particularly in economics.  Developed jointly by the department of mathematics and the department of economics, the Bachelor of Science major in Interdisciplinary Studies in Economics and Mathematics at Bucknell  University offers students a degree program that incorporates economics, mathematics, and statistics. This major is designed for students who are interested in combining the quantitative methods or the theoretical foundations of mathematics with the study of economics to solve economic problems. This course of study will provide strong foundations in both mathematics and economics and will offer the student both the intellectual and the quantitative skills to grapple with questions at the interface of these two disciplines. 

The B.S in Interdisciplinary Studies in Economics and Mathematics provides a coordinated curriculum useful to students interested in pursuing master's or Ph.D. programs in economics, finance, business administration, or public policy.  The major also prepares students for careers in finance, business, operations research or actuarial science.  Modeling financial and economic phenomena mathematically has become increasingly important to securing the most prestigious positions in the financial markets.

Students interested in economics and mathematics also could consider combining a B.A. in mathematics with a B.A. in economics (double majoring), or combining a B.A. in one of these disciplines with an academic minor in the other.  Students undecided among these options are encouraged to contact a member of the coordinating committee.

Requirements: The B.S. major in interdisciplinary studies in economics and mathematics requires a total of 18 credits, 8 from economics and 10 from mathematics. 

Required Economics Courses:

• ECON 103 (Economics Principles and Problems)
• ECON 256 (Intermediate Microeconomics)
• ECON 257 (Intermediate Macroeconomics)
• ECON 258 (Intermediate Political Economy)

Each student must also select four additional economics courses in consultation with the student’s academic advisor.  At least two of these credits must be at the 300 level.  Mathematical economics (ECON 335) and Econometrics (ECON 341) may be especially useful.  Students preparing for graduate studies in economics are strongly encouraged to complete a one-credit senior thesis in economics (ECON 303-04).

Required Mathematics Courses:

• MATH 201 (Calculus I)
• MATH 202 (Calculus II)
• MATH 211 (Calculus III)
• MATH 213 (Elementary Linear Algebra)
• MATH 216 (Statistics I)
• MATH 303 (Probability)
• MATH 304 (Mathematical Statistics)
  

Each student also must select a 3-course track from the following three options in consultation with their academic advisor:

Theoretical track: MATH 280 (Logic, Sets, and Proofs), MATH 308 (Introduction to Real Analysis), MATH 345 (Linear Algebra)

Computational track: CSCI 203 (Introduction to Computer Science), MATH 343 (Numerical Analysis), 358 (Topics in Operations Research)

Statistical track: MATH 305 (Statistical Modeling), MATH 307 (Statistical Design of Scientific Studies), MATH 358 (Topics in Operations Research)

The recommended sequence of courses for students, semester by semester, is as follows: