Embrace a major that will take you anywhere through an understanding of how a society uses its limited resources, and how its people deal with the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Economics is one of the most in demand majors in today’s job market. In this major you will take the core courses in our B.A. Economics program with a focus on the role of the financial system on society.
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
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.
Degree Requirements
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
Major Requirements
B.A. economics majors must complete nine courses in economics plus ADMN 510 Business Statistics 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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Year | ||
| ECON 401 | Principles of Economics (Macro) | 4 |
| ECON 402 | Principles of Economics (Micro) | 4 |
| ECON 501 | Business and Economic History | 4 |
| ADMN 403 | Computing Essentials for Business | 1 |
| MATH 422 | Mathematics for Business Applications | 4 |
| or MATH 424A | Calculus for Social Sciences | |
| PAUL 405 | Freshman Academic Experience I | 1 |
| PAUL 406 | Freshman Academic Experience II | 1 |
| PHIL 431 | Business Ethics | 4 |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| ADMN 510 | Business Statistics | 4 |
| ECON 605 | Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis | 4 |
| or ECON 606 | Intermediate Microeconomics with Calculus | |
| ECON 611 | Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis | 4 |
| Junior and Senior Years | ||
| ECON 774 | Senior Economics Seminar 1 | 4 |
| Select four (4) additional ECON electives 2 | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 55 | |
- 1
ECON 774 Senior Economics Seminar is the capstone course for the B.A. major and satisfies the capstone requirement of the University Discovery Program.
- 2
Specific electives for the BA Options must be chosen from an approved list of 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.
Money and Financial Markets Option Requirements
(Note: Some courses may have prerequisites that are not part of the option.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required course: | ||
| ECON 635 | Money and Banking | 4 |
| Select two of the following (at lease one course must be an ECON course): | 8 | |
ECON 633 | Microfinance | |
ECON 645 | International Economics | |
ECON 726 | Introduction to Econometrics | |
ECON 746 | International Finance | |
FIN 702 | Investments Analysis (by permission only) 1 | |
FIN 703 | International Financial Management (by permission only) 1 | |
FIN 705 | Financial Institutions (by permission only) 1 | |
| Other 600-level or 700-level course, must be approved by ECON Dept. | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
Satisfies the requirement of the option, but does not count toward the four-elective requirement of the economics B.A. degree. FIN courses have a pre-requisite of ADMN 570 Introduction to Financial Management.
- 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.
