Program Overview
Economics and Computer Science (BA)
Overview
The Economics and Computer Science (BA) major is an interdisciplinary program offered by the Department of Economics and the Department of Computer Science. This joint major is designed for students who seek comprehensive training in economic analysis alongside computing and programming techniques. It is particularly well-suited for students who wish to better understand the digital economy and are interested in pursuing an academic or professional career at the intersection of these two disciplines.
Program Description
The major in Economics and Computer Science requires 22 courses (88 credits): nine courses each in economics and computer science and four in mathematics, all completed with a grade of C or better. This program is suited for well-prepared students who have earned Advanced Placement (or equivalent) credit in at least one of the following subjects: Computer Science A (equivalent to CSCI-UA 101); Macroeconomics (equivalent to ECON-UA 1); or Microeconomics (equivalent to ECON-UA 2).
Joint Honors
Honors students are required to take twenty-three to twenty-four 4-credit courses (92-96 credits). A 3.65 overall GPA and a 3.65 average in both economics and computer science courses are required. Honors students must follow the Theory concentration in Economics, participate in a year-long research program in their senior year, and write a thesis under faculty supervision.
Course List
- Joint Honors Requirements:
- Economics:
- ECON-UA 1: Introduction to Macroeconomics (4 credits)
- ECON-UA 2: Introduction to Microeconomics (4 credits)
- ECON-UA 11: Microeconomic Analysis (4 credits)
- ECON-UA 13: Macroeconomic Analysis (4 credits)
- ECON-UA 266: Intro to Econometrics (4 credits)
- ECON-UA 20: Analytical Statistics (4 credits)
- or MATH-UA 334: Mathematical Statistics
- Two theory advanced economics elective courses (8 credits)
- ECON-UA 410: Honors Tutorial (taken fall of Senior year) (4 credits)
- ECON-UA 450: Honors Thesis I (taken in the spring of Senior year) (4 credits)
- Computer Science:
- CSCI-UA 101: Intro to Computer Science (4 credits)
- CSCI-UA 102: Data Structures (4 credits)
- CSCI-UA 201: Computer Systems Org (4 credits)
- CSCI-UA 202: Operating Systems (4 credits)
- CSCI-UA 310: Basic Algorithms (4 credits)
- CSCI-UA 421: Numerical Computing (4 credits)
- CSCI-UA 453: Theory of Computation (4 credits)
- Three advanced computer science electives (8-12 credits)
- Mathematics:
- MATH-UA 120: Discrete Mathematics (4 credits)
- MATH-UA 131: Mathematics for Economics I (4 credits)
- MATH-UA 132: Mathematics for Economics II (4 credits)
- MATH-UA 133: Mathematics for Economics III (4 credits)
- Economics:
Admissions
New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see the NYU admissions website.
Program Requirements
The major in Economics and Computer Science requires 22 courses (88 credits): nine courses each in economics and computer science and four in mathematics, all completed with a grade of C or better.
Course List
- General Education Requirements:
- First-Year Seminar (4 credits)
- EXPOS-UA 1: Writing as Inquiry (4 credits)
- Foreign Language (16 credits)
- Physical Science (4 credits)
- Life Science (4 credits)
- Texts and Ideas (4 credits)
- Cultures and Contexts (4 credits)
- Expressive Culture (4 credits)
- Major Requirements:
- Economics Requirements:
- ECON-UA 1: Introduction to Macroeconomics (4 credits)
- ECON-UA 2: Introduction to Microeconomics (4 credits)
- ECON-UA 11: Microeconomic Analysis (4 credits)
- ECON-UA 13: Macroeconomic Analysis (4 credits)
- Select one of the following: (4 credits)
- ECON-UA 20: Analytical Statistics
- MATH-UA 334: Mathematical Statistics
- ECON-UA 266: Intro to Econometrics (4 credits)
- Select two ECON-UA theory electives at the 300 level (8 credits)
- Select one additional ECON-UA elective (4 credits)
- Computer Science Requirements:
- CSCI-UA 101: Intro to Computer Science (4 credits)
- CSCI-UA 102: Data Structures (4 credits)
- CSCI-UA 201: Computer Systems Org (4 credits)
- CSCI-UA 202: Operating Systems (4 credits)
- CSCI-UA 310: Basic Algorithms (4 credits)
- Select four computer science electives at the 400 level (16 credits)
- Mathematics Requirements:
- MATH-UA 120: Discrete Mathematics (4 credits)
- MATH-UA 131: Mathematics for Economics I (4 credits)
- MATH-UA 132: Mathematics for Economics II (4 credits)
- MATH-UA 133: Mathematics for Economics III (4 credits)
- Economics Requirements:
Sample Plan of Study
The sample plan of study is designed to help students complete the major requirements in a timely manner.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of program requirements, students are expected to have acquired:
- Skills in writing computer programs and designing software systems.
- An understanding of the foundational algorithms and data structures used in computer software.
- An understanding of what is going on "under the hood" of computer software in terms of the underlying computer architecture and operating systems.
- Advanced knowledge of some specific areas of computer science and its applications.
- Substantial knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics in both theory and application.
- The ability to analyze stylized problems using an economic framework and to extend these skills to the analysis of real-world applications.
- The skills to use statistical models that enable them to conduct quantitative analyses of a wide variety of economic problems.
- The ability to read, analyze, and clearly explain the economic theory underlying modern economic research.
- The skills to construct their own behavioral models for use in economics research.
Policies
Program Policies
- The prerequisite for declaring this major is completion of either CSCI-UA 101 Intro to Computer Science or CSCI-UA 102 Data Structures (depending on placement) with a C or better.
- Only those students following the theory track in economics are eligible to pursue this joint major.
- A grade of C or better is necessary in all courses used to fulfill joint major requirements; courses graded Pass/Fail do not count.
Required Coursework in CAS (-UA) for all Majors and Minors in Courant
At least half of the courses applied to the Courant requirements of the CAS majors and minors in Computer Science and in Mathematics (including joint programs) must be CSCI-UA and MATH-UA courses taken in New York or at NYU study away sites.
School of Engineering Courses
CAS students (in any major or minor) are not permitted to take computer science courses in the Tandon School of Engineering.
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
College of Arts and Science Policies
A full list of relevant academic policies can be found on the CAS Academic Policies page.