Economics Major: Money and Financial Markets Option (B.A.)

Economics Major: Money and Financial Markets Option (B.A.)
UNH students in a stock investment course gather in The Forge, the college's dedicated space for Business in Practice programs.

The Money Markets and Financial Option with the Economics major at UNH equips you with in-depth knowledge of money, financial markets, and risk management.

Understand money's role in society, analyze market fluctuations, and learn to manage risk using financial instruments like options and futures contracts. Emerge prepared for success in the financial sector.


What is the money and financial markets option in the B.A. economics major?

This option explores the complex and interdependent nature of money and financial markets.

Why study money and financial markets at UNH?

In this option in the B.A. economics major you’ll develop institutional knowledge and analytical skills to understand the role of the financial system in society, fluctuations and risk in asset markets, including those for bonds, stocks, and currency, and how financial derivatives, such as futures, options and swaps contracts, can be used to hedge risk. You also will study the conduct and implications of monetary policy, exploring the merits of quantitative easing, macroprudential policy aimed at reducing systemic risk, and other key issues involving the role of the state in the financial system.

Potential careers

  • Commercial and investment banking
  • Financial advising
  • Financial trading
  • Portfolio management
  • Securities analysis

Research and analysis positions with:

  • Federal Reserve System
  • Securities and Exchange Commission
  • U.S. Departments of Treasury, Commerce, and State
Contact
Contact

Curriculum & Requirements

The Option in Money and Financial Markets (B.A. degree) explores the complex and interdependent nature of money and financial markets. Students will develop institutional knowledge and analytical skills to understand the role of the financial system in society, fluctuations and risk in asset markets, including those for bonds, stocks, and currency, and how financial derivatives, such as futures, options, and swaps contracts, can be used to hedge risk. Students will also study the conduct and implications of monetary policy, exploring the merits of quantitative easing, macroprudential policy aimed at reducing systemic risk, and other key issues involving the role of the state in the financial system.

The option is designed for students wanting careers in the financial services sector, including commercial and investment banking, financial trading, security analysis, portfolio management, and financial advising, and in the government sector, especially at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the U.S. departments of Treasury, Commerce, and State.

Sample Degree Plan

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ECON 402
or ECON 401
Principles of Economics (Micro)
or Principles of Economics (Macro)
4
ECON 501 Business and Economic History 4
ENGL 401 First-Year Writing 4
MATH 422
or MATH 424A
Mathematics for Business Applications
or Calculus for Social Sciences
4
PAUL 405 Freshman Academic Experience I 1
ADMN 403 Computing Essentials for Business 1
 Credits18
Spring
ECON 401
or ECON 402
Principles of Economics (Macro)
or Principles of Economics (Micro)
4
PHIL 431 Business Ethics 4
Discovery Course 4
Discovery Course 4
PAUL 406 Freshman Academic Experience II 1
 Credits17
Second Year
Fall
ECON 611 Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis 4
ADMN 510 Business Statistics 4
Foreign Language 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
ECON 605 Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis 4
Foriegn Language 4
Discovery Course 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
ECON 635 Money and Banking 4
Economics Elective 2 4
Discovery Course 4
Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 4
 Credits16
Spring
Economics Elective 2 4
Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 4
Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 4
Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 4
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
Economics Elective 2 4
Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 4
Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 4
Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 4
 Credits16
Spring
ECON 774 Senior Economics Seminar 4
Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 4
Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 4
Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 4
 Credits16
 Total Credits131
1

Students can explore a second option, second major, minor, or general electives.

2

Students can use three ECON elective courses to satisfy both the Money and Financial Markets option and the Economics Elective requirement for the core major required courses.  

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: Yes

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Economics majors must complete nine courses in economics plus ADMN 510 with a grade of at least C- (1.67) in each Paul College major course and an average grade of 2.0 or better in major courses.

Coursework in accounting is recommended but not required. B.A. economics majors may choose to focus their major electives to satisfy the requirements of one of the three options defined by the Department of Economics.

Required Courses
ADMN 403Computing Essentials for Business1
ADMN 510Business Statistics4
ECON 401Principles of Economics (Macro)4
ECON 402Principles of Economics (Micro)4
ECON 501Business and Economic History4
ECON 605Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis4
or ECON 606 Intermediate Microeconomics with Calculus
ECON 611Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis4
MATH 422Mathematics for Business Applications4
or MATH 424A Calculus for Social Sciences
PAUL 405Freshman Academic Experience I1
PAUL 406Freshman Academic Experience II1
PHIL 431Business Ethics4
Capstone
ECON 774Senior Economics Seminar 14
Electives
Select four (4) additional ECON elective courses. 216
Total Credits55
Money and Financial Markets Option Requirements 3
Required Courses
ECON 635Money and Banking4
Select two courses from the following (must select at least one ECON course):8
ECON 633
Microfinance
ECON 645
International Economics
ECON 726
Introduction to Econometrics
FIN 702
Investments Analysis (by permission only) 4
FIN 703
International Financial Management (by permission only) 4
FIN 705
Financial Institutions (by permission only) 4
Or other 600-level or 700-level course, approved by ECON Dept.
Total Credits12
1

Course satisfied the capstone requirement of the University Discovery Program.

2

Specific electives for the BA Options must be chosen from an approved list of courses.

3

Note: some courses may have prerequisites that are not part of the option requirements.

4

Satisfies the requirement of the option, but does not count toward the four-elective requirement of the economics B.A. degree.

  • Students have core proficiency in  microeconomics. They understand key concepts including opportunity cost, marginal analysis, voluntary exchange, diminishing marginal returns, equilibrium and market structure.
  • Students have core proficiency in macroeconomics. They understand key concepts including GDP, inflation, interest rates, business cycles, exchange rates, financial institutions and fiscal and monetary policy.
  • Students have strong oral communication skills. This includes fundamental skills in preparing and delivering presentations, as well as being able to explain technical material clearly and concisely.
  • Students are able to use economic models to understand real-world issues relevant to business, public policy and society.
  • Students are able to communicate economic concepts clearly in writing. This involves having strong fundamental writing skills as well as being able to explain technical material clearly and concisely.

Explore Program Details

Students interested in our Economics major may also be interested in these advanced degree offerings:

Take the Next Step

student studying

LEARN HOW TO APPLY

UNH campus at sunset

SCHEDULE A VISIT

students walking around UNH campus

REQUEST INFORMATION